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Bodies In Motion
HE Greatest Show on Earth is that
magnificent parade of gyrating body parts and spectacular moveable
feast that is Carnival in Brazil. This annual tradition takes place
for four days before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.
Rio de Janeiro is where you will find the most
dazzling display of samba performers, musical artists and costumed
revelers. For five months before Carnival, the cariocas (people of
Rio) get together every Friday and Saturday night to rehearse their
role in this grand celebration.
There are different samba schools (or groups) which
compete in Carnival. I visited a rehearsal of the Portela samba
school in the northern Madureira district of Rio where an endless
rhythm of music and dance began at 11 at night.
Powered by a robust group of bateria
(percussionists), a couple hundred local residents checked all
inhibition at the door as they assembled to practice their seductive
moves in the outdoor stadium. I marveled how the thunderous beat of
the drums ignites a spark of energy in your legs that dispels all
proscription.
You lose control of your limbs as your arms swing to
the heavens, feet swish and sway, and your butt, with a mind of its
own, is set in motion up and down, this way and that, making moves
you wouldn’t dream of doing outside the boudoir.
Being basically an introvert, this wallflower
suddenly discovered his own body in motion. You can’t help tapping
your feet, swinging your hips, simply allowing yourself to be
captivated by the loud mesmerizing drumbeat. My feet took on a life
of their own
As the percussion continues to fuel a collective
flow of fiery emotion, the dancers seem to compete frenetically with
each other as they bend and twist and move their butt to the beat.
The inexhaustible dancers continued their
combustible gyrations well into the early morning hours. I left at 1
a.m. exhausted simply by watching this whirlwind of energy. The
people will be coming back every weekend to rehearse their
techniques and prepare for Carnival in Rio. I can only advise you to
reserve now for your own place in the sun.
To see a samba show call
Platform in Leblon, (55
21) 2274-4022 or 2274-4115, or visit www.plataforma.com.
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