Cordão da Bola Preta, created in 1918, is one of Rio de Janeiro's most popular Carnival blocos. The bloco goes out every Carnival Saturday morning in downtown Rio, starting at the business area known as Cinelândia, then on Avenida Rio Branco all the way to the Candelária Church and back to Cinelândia.
You can also catch up with the bloco in other Carnival events (see below).
Parading in Cordão da Bola Preta is free.
What to Wear for the Parade:
Black polka dots on white is the signature style for Cordão da Bola Preta outfits. But you can just wear plain black and white or bright colors.
A flexible dress code (and crossdressing) is OK with Cordão da Bola Preta, but things don't tend to get too risqué - the bloco is popular with families, from kids to grandparents.
Parade Music:
The music played by the loud brass band is mainly marchinhas de Carnaval, or Carnival classics.
The signature song for the bloco was written in its honor at the heyday of the marchinha de Carnaval era. The band plays it often (usually just the first part) during the bloco parades.
Here are the Marcha do Cordão do Bola Preta lyrics.
This Cordão da Bola Preta panorama on Ayrton 360 showing the bloco on Carnival Saturday 2007 has a sound file with the bloco's signature song (and the first notes of "Cidade Maravilhosa", Rio's theme song).
Cultural Heritage:
At the end of 2008, as it reached its 90th anniversary, Cordão da Bola Preta was listed as a Rio de Janeiro Cultural Heritage.
Queen and Godmother:
Renata Rodrigues, the bloco queen, is the daughter of Cylene Januária, queen in 1980 and 1981.
The bloco's 2009 godmother is singer Maria Rita.
Cordão da Bola Preta Carnival 2009 Schedule:
- Feb.19, 10p - Pre-Carnival party at Choperia Parada da Lapa
- Feb.21, 9a - Parade start at Cinelândia
- Feb.21, 12p - Macarronada (a pasta lunch) at Passeio Público, Avenida Rio Branco 277
- Feb.21-24, 11p - Traditional Carnival parties hosted by the City of Rio de Janeiro at Passeio Público
- Feb.24, 3p - Street party at the Lapa Arches
More Bola Preta Images:
Another Cordão da Bola Preta panorama by Ayrton, taken at Cinelândia on Carnival Saturday 2008. Enjoy the immersive photo with a sound file of the band playing Braguinha's "Vai com jeito". Zoom in for details.
Cordao do Bola Preta on YouTube as the band played the 2008 samba-enredo for the Beija-Flor samba school.
Photos of Cordao do Bola Preta on G1.
How to Get to Cinelândia:
By subway - there's a Cinelândia station. The Rio de Janeiro Metrô will be open 24 hours a day throughout Carnival.
