A Taste of Brazil's Carnival

ASSI – In Rio De Janeiro there is a show that is primarily attended by tourist called “Plataforma” that is highly influenced by Bahia the Brazilian state with the most African culture. Its dance, music, rhythm, religion and cuisine have kept the African roots of the people during the time of slavery until today. Plataforma is advertised as The Greatest Folklore Show in Brazil. The natives actually experience Carnival yearly; therefore, they leave “Plataforma” to the tourists who are unable to make it to Carnival. It gives tourist a glimpse of Carnival complete with show girls who wear elaborate costumes made with rhinestones, feathers, and head pieces. There is little material used on many of the costumes, most are made to reveal lots of skin with emphasis placed on the breast and buttocks – thongs are worn to cover the lower half. Although the band members are dressed to the nines, they are generally fully dressed, the only time they are topless is during the acrobatic portion of the show.

According to the Plataforma brochure, the music is a mixture of Samba d’Angola, batuque and jongo in addition to hand claps created the “samba de roda” in Brazil. Along with Percussion instruments, the “samba de roda” turned out to be the samba which burst out into the joy of Carnival that is known today. The show starts at 10:00 p.m.; however, doors open at early for dinner, you can take a pictures of the costumes, purchase Carnival paraphernalia, take pictures with a female and male performer before the show, and pictures with the show girls during the show, and you are also permitted to use your cameras. Drinks are served but you are not obligated to purchase a drink. A number of pictures are taken before, at intermission, and during the show by staff photographers for a fee. The cost is $130.00 Reals for the show and the pictures are $20.00 Reals each, so come prepared to say no or spend lots of dough. The show is a high energy, entertaining, and the emcee acknowledges every country and state around the world to see which countries are best represented, in the native language, which was rather interesting. During intermission selected countries are asked on stage to sing their national anthem. The show is three hours long, and as I see it, if you are uninterested in attending Carnival, but looking for something to do while in Rio check out the show, it is entertaining. I give “Plataforma” 3.5 blinks.