Timelapse video  of the work done up to June 5th 2011 in redeveloping the sambodromo.

So its finally happening. For years the powers that be in Rio and Rio carnival have been planning to demolish the old Brama beer factory to make room for the redevelopment of the sambodromo. On June 5th, in a controlled explosion, the Brama factory was no more. They had already pulled down the old setor 2 private boxes. And if all goes to plan there will be a new and seriously enlarged sambodromo ready for Carnaval 2012.

Here's a video of the spectacular explosion.

Samba school themes Grupo de Acesso A Rio carnival 2012

Last year the winner of  Rio Carnival presented a homage to Robero Carlos. The winners of Sao Paulo's carnival also presented a homage to a musician, as did the winner of Rio's grupo B. So its no surprise that  homages to musicians feature heavily in this years themes. We have Viradourou with Nelson Rodrigues, Tuiuiti with Clara Nunes and Imperio Serrano with Dona Ivone Lara. These Samba schools are hoping to recreate that wave of emotion that swept Beija Flor's adequate parade to a crushing victory in 2011.

Estácio is presenting a homage to a queen of the bateria and muse of carnaval, Luma da Oliveira. Cubango's theme is a historical charachter. Innocentes is looking at a place, possibly in the hope of getting some sponsorship from it. Rocinha is featuring town squares and Imperio da Tijuca is considering Utopia. Santa Cruz? Not yet announced.

TUIUTI - Clara Nunes
VIRADOURO - Nelson Rodrigues
ESTÁCIO - Luma de Oliveira
CUBANGO - Barão de Mauá
SANTA CRUZ - ??? IMPÉRIO SERRANO - Dona Ivone Lara
IMPÉRIO DA TIJUCA - Utopias
INOCENTES - Corumbá
ROCINHA - Praças

Rio carnival results 2011 Grupo E

1 - Unidos de Lucas 300 points

2 - Matriz de São João de Meriti 299.7 points

3 - Unidos do Cabral 299.1 points

4 - Vaz Lobo 298.5 points

5 - Chatuba de Mesquita 298.4 points

6 -Arame de Ricardo de Albuquerque 294 points

7 - Paraíso da Aklvorada 293. 5 points

8 - Canário das Laranjeiras 291.9 points

9 - Boêmios de Inhaúma 288 points

10 -Unidos do Uraiti 277 points

11- União de Guaratiba 256.3 points

12 - Infantes da Piedade 220.2 points