Host a Carnivale Party this February
A twist on the Typical Mardi Gras Celebration
edited by Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady
Carnivale, which will be celebrated February 13-16, 2010, is Brazil’s
largest annual celebration of the year. The four day party came to South
America from Europe as a celebration, marking the beginning of the 40 day
Lent season starting on Saturday and ending on Fat Tuesday. Every year
Carnivale attracts millions of people from throughout the country and around
the globe to witness a passionate expression of culture and tradition.
Each Brazilian city chooses its own Carnivale celebratory traditions
including but not limited to mask-making, masquerades, parades, singing,
dancing, music, a variety of social gatherings and of course, feasts. The
celebration can now be experienced here in the U.S. with fun and simple tips
on how to create your own Carnivale celebration at home from Brazilian
Steakhouse Texas de Brazil.
Food, Decoration, Costume, and Activity Tips
for Hosting an
Authentic Carnivale Celebration
Food and Drink – Try these traditional Brazilian dishes and drinks for a
culture-rich and delicious party. Recipes are available upon request.
Brazilian Feijoada – Carnivale’s signature dish and the perfect
comfort food on a cold winter night, the Feijoada is a stew made of several
types of meat cooked with black beans and traditionally served with a side
of white rice, salad and peeled oranges. Churrasco de Fraldinha – In Brazil,
churrasco is the term for barbecue and Fraldinha is the term for Flank
steak. The Churrasco de Fraldinha is a dish for meat lovers only; Brazilians
use the best meat and cooking technique with a simple spice rub for this
classic grilled steak. Brazilian Vinaigrette – Similar to Pico de Gallo or
salsa the Brazilian vinaigrette can be made as spicy or mild as needed and
is traditionally served over meats such as the Churrasco de Fraldinha.
Papaya Cream – An easy to make dessert that will have you thinking it is
summertime already. Papaya Cream is a chilled dessert of fresh papaya and
cream, a popular and traditional Brazilian treat.
 Caipirinha cocktail – Brazil’s signature cocktail, the Caipirinha is made
with cachaca, a sweet Brazilian rum and is the perfect start, and end to any
Carnivale celebration.
Guaraná – A very popular soft drink in Brazil made from the guarana berry
plant that will definitely give your guests a caffeine boost.
Decorations – What is needed to light up the room and the party.
Florescent Colors – Carnivale uses a lot of fluorescent colors like pink,
yellow, green, orange, and purple to keep carnivale exciting and fun.
Encourage your guests to wear their most colorful outfits and use these
colors throughout your home to help fit the Carnival theme.
Silver/Gold – Silver and gold colors are usually displayed through
jewelry and masks, worn during the carnival celebration. To play up
the silver/gold in your house try tying colorful ribbon to the silverware on
your dinner table.
Lights – Brazilian carnivale usually has an array of fireworks and fire
that help light up the event. At home, use lamps, candles, and string
lights to help create a well light party space.
Balloons – Use bright fluorescent balloons to help fill up the party
space with lots of color to make guests feel welcomed and warm.
Confetti – Sprinkle confetti around, so people will feel as if they are
really walking the streets of Brazil.
Paper Mache Puppets – Brazil is famous for having 15 plus feet Paper
Mache puppets of people and animals on floats during their carnivale
celebration. At home, make some small Paper Mache dolls and animals
like fish, lions, and tigers that will add to the atmosphere.
Costumes – A Carnival requires proper attire.
Masks – Wearing masks of different colors with jewels is a very popular
tradition for any Carnivale celebrations. Ask each guest to bring
their own and wear it throughout the party. You might also want to host a
paper mache mask making and decorating activity (see attached steps.)
Jewelry- The more jewelry the better. Make gift bags filled with
colorful, fun, inexpensive, jewelry for each guest to wear at the party and
take home.
Feather boas – Helps give people more pizzazz to their costumes.
Outfits – Wear bright colors with a lot of jewels, sequin, and beads.
Activities – Fun things for you and your guests to do.
Mask-Making and Masquerades – Make your own paper mache masks, just as
they do in Carnivale. Guests can create and decorate their own masks (see
DIY mask making project) and wear their masks in a masquerade at the party.
Music/Dancing – Entertain guests with some traditional samba music and
try dancing like a true Brazilian during carnivale by learning the samba, or
spice up the dance routines a little bit with some belly dancing. Have
a dance instructor come to the party for an hour to teach some moves to your
guests.
Parades – Even in a home, a little parade can help make the party feel
more authentic.
Costume contests – Tell guests they will be entered into a costume
contests upon coming to the party and award small prizes to those who have
the best costumes.
About Texas de Brazil - Texas de Brazil is family owned and operated. The
restaurant’s menu consists of 15 grilled meats; all prepared in the
traditional Brazilian method over an open flame and carved tableside by the
restaurant’s authentically costumed Gauchos, as well as an elaborate salad
area, wine list, dessert menu, full liquor bar and private rooms available
for special functions.
www.texasdebrazil.com
Madelyn Miller is a travel and food writer who first tasted Churrasco de
Fraldinha in Brazil and continues to try to experience it every chance she
gets. Read her stoires on
www.travellady.com,
www.carladynews.com, www.yogayay.com,
www.chocolateatlas.com,
www.cocktailatlas.com,
www.coffeeatlas.com,
www.teaAtlas.com
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