Rio Carnival 2008

One of the most flamboyant and unique events on the calender is surely Rio De Janeiro's annual Carnival. Although <b>Carnaval </b> ( Carnival in Portugese) is celebrated throughout Brazil, it is the parade and weekend in Rio De Janeiro where it became world famous. The event is a 4 day celebration starting on the Saturday and running until the Tuesday. It's a Catholic festival and its always on before Ash Wednesday (the beginning of Lent) so its regarded as a wild party whereby everyone lets loose before spending 40 days having to fast , abstain from alcohol or watching porn. Whatever it is the Catholic Church deems sinful these days. Everything about this festival makes it a truely unique event. From the street parties to the samba schools, the live samba drummers to the exotically dressed dancers, Carnival is all about fun , colour , music and just letting go. There are loads parties that take place before, during and after Carnival each day, so there's literally loads to do and see every day. The opening ceremony is on Friday February 1st and it runs until Tuesday the 5th. More information on flights, accommodation, the samba schools, tickets and maybe even participating in the festival yourself can be found here...<b> http://www.rio-carnival.net/ </b> If however you can't make it over to Brazil for this then you can catch a taste of it here in Dublin with the Bodytonic Carnival Special Weekender being held at the Bernard Shaw between the 1st and 3rd of February. Showcasing DJ's, percussionists and dancers with a Rio flavour! For your diaries... 25th Jan - Stereotonic pres. Global: A World of Beats pre-Carnival party @ PoD Lobby Bar 1st Feb - Scribble Vs. Global Carnival Special @ The Bernard Shaw 2nd Feb - A$$Quake's Rio Rave @ The Bernard Shaw 3rd Feb - 12 pres. The Unabombers @ The Bernard Shaw