G.R.E.S. Unidos do Viradouro, known simply as Viradouro, is a samba school from Niterói – the city across from Rio on Guanabara Bay – which parades in the Rio de Janeiro Carnival. Viradouro is famous for its bateria, or percussion section, which usually scores 10 in the parade competition, under the direction of Mestre Ciça.
In 2008, Viradouro received Prêmio Qualidade Brasil, an award for its quality performances in Rio de Janeiro Carnival and for its initiatives in fostering quality of life among Niterói communities.
Viradouro colors are red and white.
"Living Hope" is the umbrella name for Viradouro's social programs, which include dental and medical treatments, samba and ballet classes for children, sports, and activities for the elderly.
Kids can also participate in the junior samba school. They parade at the Sambadrome on Carnival Friday.
Vivendo Esperança 2008 Carnival photos.
Founded in 1946, Viradouro first paraded in Rio de Janeiro under the Rio de Janeiro Samba School Association (AESCRJ). The samba school was the champion of the A Group in 1990.
In 1991, Viradouro debuted in the Special Group (Grupo Especial), or the main Carnival parade, as an Independent Samba School League ( Liesa) affiliate. The samba school won the 1997 Special Group title.
Between 2004 and 2008, Viradouro gained a lot of notoriety with model and actress Juliana Paes, considered by many the sexiest woman in Brazil, as the school's Rainha da Bateria, or Queen of the Percussion Section.
"Mexico, the Color Paradise, Under the Sign of the Sun" is the Viradouro theme for 2010.
Viradouro will be the fourth samba school to parade on Carnival Sunday, Feb.14, 2010. They're scheduled to start their parade around midnight and will therefore it will be Carnival Monday by the time they leave the Sambódromo.
View the complete 2010 Special Group parade schedule for Carnival Sunday and Monday (Feb.14-15, 2010).
In 2008, Niterói-born Juliana Paes resigned her role as Queen of the Bateria and passed the crown to Juliane Almeida, also from Niterói. The new queen was a dancer with É o Tchan, a Brazilian band with highly sexualized choreographies.
The Viradouro headquarters - the samba school's quadra, or samba court, are located at:
Avenida do Contorno 16
Barreto
Niterói - RJ
Phone: 55-21-2628-7840
How to Get to Viradouro:
Take the Rio-Niterói Bridge and then the Manilha exit, as if going to the Lake Region (Região dos Lagos). Before taking the Niterói-Manilha, and before Sam's Club and Carrefour Manilha, take a right at the sign to Barreto. That's Avenida do Contorno. Drive on it till you see Viradouro on your left.
As of this writing, Viradouro hasn't released its 2009/2010 rehearsal dates. During weekly rehearsals, which are open to visitors, all the samba school segments dance in the samba court to the samba-enredo, or theme song.
In 2008, weekly rehearsals were held on Tuesdays at 8pm.
Samba school rehearsals usually go through January. Call first to confirm schedule.
Viradouro is one of the candidates in the contest Seven Wonders of Niterói. Voting ends on Nov.18, 2008 and the result will be anounced four days later on Nov.22, Niterói's anniversary.
Dec.13, 2008 Update: Viradouro didn't make the Seven Wonders of Niterói list. But if you like samba, a Viradouro rehearsal is definitely a wonderful reason to visit Niterói.
View 2008 Viradouro parade photos and click on the links to the left of the images for past Carnival parades, parties, rehearsals and shows.
