just as the beautiful female samba dancers in tiny costumes and colorful feathers became the symbol of the carnival parades, scores of young men in perfect shape and worked out bodies have now become the bare-chested postcards of the many street blocos that animate rio.

anticipation grows rapidly in the lead up to rio carnival and the whole city buzzes with energy and excitement.

in between carnival parades, and street bock parties, are the numerous bailes around rio -  ball parties in select locations, by ticket only, and accessible exclusively in full carnival costumes.