Carnivals | GlobalPost

Disco fire clouds build-up to Rio Carnival

Agence France-PresseFebruary 4, 2013 18:30

A disco fire that claimed 237 lives has cast a grim shadow over Carnival, Brazil's most popular festival, with dozens of night spots closed for not meeting safety standards. Dozens of bars, discotheques, concert halls and other night spots have shut down in the main Brazilian cities following more rigorous safety checks in the wake of last week's tragedy in the southern city of Santa Maria. Police have linked the fire in the club to a pyrotechnic show launched by musicians using flares designed for use outdoors.

Sequins, beer, robberies at Rio's pet Carnival parade

Agence France-PresseFebruary 3, 2013 21:30

Hundreds of pets decked out with sequins, ruffles and hats paraded on Rio's famed Copacabana beach Sunday in an annual pre-Carnival extravaganza briefly interrupted by a spate of robberies. The annual "blocao," a play on the Portuguese words for "street party" and "dog," brought together dogs and their owners on the Copacabana promenade for a colorful concert of barks and samba accompanied by an unofficial contest for the best costume.

SKorea's star Psy to perform at Brazil Carnival

Agence France-PresseFebruary 2, 2013 10:45

South Korea's "Gangnam Style" star Psy will take part in carnival celebrations in Rio and Salvador next week, according to the sponsors. The rapper, whose hit song made history as the most-watched video on YouTube, will perform jointly with Brazilian singer Claudia Leitte next Friday in the northeastern city of Salvador, the Gilette company said. The week-long Salvador Carnival, often dubbed the biggest street party in the world, attracts two million people annually.

Travel Picks: Top 10 things to bring to Mardi Gras

Thomson ReutersFebruary 1, 2013 14:00

BOSTON, Feb 1 (Reuters) - The biggest party of the year is about to start! Whether you call it Carnival, Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday or anything else, the celebration of celebrations happens around the world in the days and weeks leading up to Ash Wednesday and the somber period of Lent.