Dance in Brazil: Samba, Capoeira, Samba school, Brazilian Carnival, Zouk-Lambada, Forró, Its All True, Frevo, Surra de Bunda, Surdo, Agogô, Latin Grammy Award for Best Samba/Pagode Album, Batucada, Samba de Gafieira, Maxixe, Tamborim, Rebolation

Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 43. Chapters: Samba, Capoeira, Samba school, Brazilian Carnival, Zouk-Lambada, Forró, It's All True, Frevo, Surra de Bunda, Surdo, Agogô, Latin Grammy Award for Best Samba/Pagode Album, Batucada, Samba de Gafieira, Maxixe, Tamborim, Rebolation, Botafogo, Lundu, Xote, Carnival block, Boi, Xaxado. Excerpt: A samba school (in Portuguese: Escola de samba) is a club or dancing school. They practice and often perform in huge square-compounds ("quadras de samba") devoted to practicing and exhibiting samba, an African-Brazilian dance. The schools are traditionally associated with a particular neighborhood, often shanty towns ("favela"). Throughout the year the samba schools have various happenings and events, most important of which are rehearsals for the main event which is the yearly carnival. The parades during carnival are a showcase of each "escola" enhanced by the participation of celebrities, fans and guests who often pay large sums of money for their costumes. Those who choose to only watch the parade may also be charged for the best seats. Each school displays glamour in colorful costumes and floats with special effects and is organized into different segments or "alas". The "alas" represent different components of the school's theme, or "enredo", as they act out a homage to a myth, historic event or figure, or express their view on a social, environmental or international issue. The "alas" display distinct costumes or "fantasias" and also reflect traditional samba school roles developed years ago. Thus, each samba school parade has the "comissao de frente"; individuals who open the parade by walking in social attires, saluting the crowds; the "ala das Baianas", or the traditional segment of Bahian African-Brazilian ladies with impressive round dresses spinning through the avenue; the "puxadores" (lead singers) singing the "samba-enredo" or theme-song while they play the "cavaquinho" or other string instruments; the "velha guarda," or veterans who made history in the school; the "bateria", or samba band with drums, "cuicas" and other instruments, preceded by the "madrinha da bateria", or band godmother who is often a sexy female celebrity. The "porta-bandeira", or the female flag holder, and the "meste-sala", or male cortsy, display and salute the school's flag, as