Sunday, January 31, 2010 RIO DE JANEIRO: Carnival in Brazil is still two weeks away, but Rio de Janeiro's revelers kicked off the party on Saturday as thousands paraded through the streets of Ipanema beach. Thousands of revelers wearing all types of costumes flocked to the annual block party known as Banda de Ipanema, just one of the many street processions that take over the city's neighborhoods. The band, which is a favorite of Rio's gay community, pounded out samba songs with irreverent lyrics while transvestites struggled to stay upright in stiletto heels. A transvestite, known as Juju Maravilha, said Carnival is a democratic festivity. "The rich (people) and the poor (people) party, the fat and the thin (party), the young and the elder (party), Carnival is a true democracy," said Maravilha, who as wearing a Carmen Miranda costume. This year, Banda de Ipanema decided to pay tribute to the famous Brazilian architect, Oscar Niemeyer and some transvest...
Get to know about News and lifestyle