The Origins of Carnival date back to the ancient Greek spring festival in honour of Dionysus, the god of wine. The celebration was adopted by the Romans (with slaves and their masters exchanging clothes in a day of drunken revelry), and later modified by the Roman Catholic Church into a festival leading up to Ash Wednesday. It quickly evolved into a massive celebration of indulgences - one last gasp of music, food, alcohol and sex before Lent. The word itself comes from Latin, "Carne Vale" meaning "Farewell to the Fresh."

Samba is an exhilarating Brazilian dance style best known from the annual Rio Carnival (of Carnaval in Portuguese), the biggest party in Rio de Janeiro (regarded as the Carnival Capital of the World). Samba is a national symbol of Brazil, born in religious meetings, with tambourine and clap beats, from African slaves who were still allowed to practice their drumming by Brazilians.

Rio Carnaval today is a wild and festive 4-day event, starting on Saturday and finishing on Fat Tuesday leading up to Ash Wednesday (beginning of Lent in the Catholic calendar). Rio's lavish Carnival is one of the world's most famous. Scores of spectacular floats surrounded by thousands of dancers, singers and drummers parade through the enormous Sambodromo Stadium all dressed in elaborate costumes. It is an epic event televised all around the world.

Community groups called Samba Schools have performed in the parade for decades. Today there are a few notable Samba Schools, amother them Mangueira, Portella and Beijo Flor. Some of the most involved groups in Rio Carnaval are the Favelas. The Favelas are slums, in which houses are made of cardboard and other scraps, often without water, electricity and sewage system. The residents of the Favelas are the driving force behind the Carnival - for them it truly is a celebration of life!

At Sambeleza, through our Latin Carnival Shows and Samba Shows we aim to bring Brazilian Samba Carnaval in all of its energy, colours and passion. The enthusiasm of the Brazilian people is inspirational, and our aim is to bring Samba Carnaval, with its contagious energy, to all people.

Samba Carnaval is a new world, full of colour, energy and excitement. Let Sambeleza make it a part of your special evening!