When this week's unseasonably warm temperatures drop into the 30s on Saturday, Boston will stay hot with Carnaval Brasileiro, the Brazilian equivalent of Mardi Gras. Intense samba beats, flamboyant costumes and body paint-bedecked people will conquer the Castle at Park Plaza starting at 8 p.m. for the festival's debut.
Carnaval Brasileiro, which a group of students first brought to Austin, Texas in 1975, may be new to Boston, but, in reality, the location doesn't matter as much as the party does.
"People are people," said Mike Quinn, the head of Boston's Carnaval Brasileiro. "When you hear the music, it takes you away, gets into your gut. It doesn't matter if the party is in Boston or on the moon."
Quinn said that Boston was ideal for hosting this kind of event. "Boston is a magnet for university students, and people from all over the country, and really the world," he said. Because of its geography and diversity, it was the perfect place to bring the traditional festival.
Carnaval is an ancient custom dating back to medieval times, when Christians made sure to enjoy a big bash before the forty-day season of deprivation known as Lent. The name itself comes from the Latin "carne vale," which literally means "goodbye meat." The festival evolved through the years, with many Christian cultures taking it and making it their own. The French weren't the only ones who figured it out; local flavors made this celebration something uniquely Brazilian.
And don't think that just because Carnaval has historical and religious roots that it's not a real party. On the contrary; over the years Carnaval has grown into a huge festival that lasts for days, even weeks, and touches every sector of Brazilian society. It consists of lots of food, lots of dancing and lots of good music.
The music is perhaps one of the most important elements of Carnaval. The musical staple of Brazil is of course the samba, a form inspired by African rhythms. Its mixture of heavy beats and melodies is contagious.
Quinn's carnaval most closely resembles a Carnaval de Sal??o, an indoor festival that's about music and dancing more than anything else. The featured bands include Grupo Saveiro and Samba TremeTerra. Both are well-known and full of energy, guaranteeing that the music will go on long into the early hours of the morning.
If you don't know how to do the samba, don't worry. Those who arrive an hour early can take pre-party samba lessons with the director of Samba Boston, Andr?© de Oliveira Carvalho. But, according to Quinn, whether or not a person has samba experience doesn't matter in the end. "It's easy for everyone," he said. "You walk in the door, and the music just hooks you. When you hear it, it's impossible not to dance."
Unfortunately it's only open to people who are over 21, but for those who are, it's sure to be a fantastic way to beat the winter blues with some hot dancing and colorful music."An ambience is created at this party that's unlike anything I've ever experienced anywhere else," said Quinn.
"People are there to have a good time. They're bumping into each other, and stepping on each other's feet, but there's never a problem. No fights. They just stay out of each other's way, because they're there to dance."
