Join the Party with Carnival Preparation in Rio

  Brazil

• Rio de Janeiro: 
Rio de Janeiro

Durations of Program: 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks

Description: Do you like to party?
The Rio carnival is where the world lets its hair down and now you're all invited. It's hard to imagine such a frenzy of singing and dancing, which is a great reason to go and see it for yourself! Samba and sway your way through the streets and get a view of the carnival that travellers almost never get: from the middle of it! Over the years the Samba schools have become a crucial (and colourful) part of the carnival and the dance is a great way through which to learn more about the city and its people. Activities range from designing costumes and floats to helping build the stage, with plenty of time left over to explore one of the world's most exciting cities at its vibrant best.

*Project details:
You will work alongside Samba School members to assist with the decoration of the big Carnival floats, and/or help prepare the costumes for the world famous carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro - the biggest show on earth with more than 50,000 participants and 22 hours of show!

Over the decades, the Samba School floats have developed into full-blown stage sets that bring even more vibrancy and life to the parades. However, for a long time there was a problem with space - the floats used to be built in shed-like workshops scattered amongst each community. When the Sambadrome was built in the 1980's, the Samba Parades experienced a period of expansion and the Samba Schools moved into abandoned warehouses near the Docklands. Although an improvement, this was still not an ideal solution, so a permanent premises was sought. In 1999, the Mayor agreed to build permanent workshops on a huge site of disused rail yards in the Gamboa district, thus creating a Samba City. The complex is fitted with the latest facilities and the centre also has a separate section providing sports facilities for poor communities. The Samba City flourishes today in the same district where the samba started, reflecting its traditional roots. Moreover, the Samba Schools of Rio are now united by their shared home.

*Why the project needs volunteers:
This is a unique opportunity to take part in a cultural exchange programme in which you will be exposed to the culture of carnival and its new structure. This is an excellent way of gaining work experience a behind-the-scenes insight into the Rio carnival.

Find out more about i-to-i, watch their short video here: http://video.i-to-i.com/site-videos/video.html

Highlights:
* An unbelievable opportunity to be a PART of Rio's Carnival
* Learing to Samba the Rio way!
* Making real friends for life in this incredible city

Qualifications: What kind of skills you need to go on this type of project:
You need to have creative and manual skills to help decorate the big floats. Experience in fashion or textiles may be useful when making the costumes.

Your role as a volunteer:
Work in the Samba Schools workshops is hard, but at the same time it is fun and interesting. Volunteers should bring very comfortable and light working clothes. Volunteers will be able to:

1. Paint and decorate big carnival floats.
2. Create carnival costumes by gluing or sewing.

Cost in US$: USD 2195.00 for 4 weeks, USD 220.00 for every week thereafter

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18 and up

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Year Founded: 1994