Just a reminder for those of you who may be going to Carnival in Rio de Janeiro; on the 7th of February a huge fire destroyed a major portion of the Cidade do Samba or Samba City. Samba City is the location where many of the world-famous Samba School construct their floats and costumes for the Carnival parade. Three schools were severely affected; Academicos do Grande Rio, União da Ilha do Governador and Portela.

No one knows yet how the schools will prepare for the competition. As one person interviewed said, “We will march in earnest. We will show that Carnival is done by people of race and power who believe in their school. You can be sure we will put “the melting pot” to boil.” (Brazil the Melting Pot is this year’s theme for Rio Grande.)