The WEF’s Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2009 evaluated the world’s nations’ competitiveness and charm as a tourist destination. Brazil was the 45th among the 133 countries appeared in the report, four positions up from last year. In the report, WEF praised the rich diversity of Brazil’s animal varieties and the country’s commitment to sustainable development.

Costa Rica topped its Latin American neighbors by appearing in the 42nd position in the list. (Source) Xinhua

• Carnival 2010 King Momo is crowned by mayor at 1 p.m 
• Shows start at Terreirão do Samba and Rio Folia, from 8 p.m.
• Parade of Children’s Samba Schools at the Sambodrome, from 5 p.m.
• Cinelandia Ball Downtown, from 9 p.m.
• Azeitona sem Caroço at Rua Dias Ferreira, Leblon – 8 p.m.
• Bip Bip at Rua Almirante Gonçalves, Copacabana – Midnight
• Carmelitas at Rua Dias de Barros, Santa Teresa – 5 p.m.
• Rola Preguiçosa at Av. Epitácio Pessoa, Ipanema – 5 p.m.
• Vem ni mim que eu sou facinha at Rua Prudente de Morais, Ipanema – 5 p.m.

Feb. 13 – Saturday

This is the first official Carnival day. Banda de Ipanema concentrates at Praça General Osório at 4-5 p.m. At 7:00 p.m. the luxury costume competition starts at Hotel Glória. At night do not miss the legendary ball at the Copacabana Palace Hotel. Luxury costumes or black tie are mandatory. You will rub shoulders with a number of international and local VIP’s, top models, the works. The Week is probably the best bet for clubbers, gays and lesbians (dance music sets the pace, not samba). Access group samba schools parade at the Sambodrome starting at 7 p.m. onwards, trying to climb their way up (or back) to the special group. There is a street band competition downtown, on Av. Rio Branco, starting at 8 p.m (free).

• Cordão do Bola Preta
  Street Band (Downtown), from 9:30 a.m.
• Banda de Ipanema
  from 4-5 p.m. (Praça General Osório)
• Competition of deluxe Costumes
  at Hotel Glória from 7 p.m. (to be confirmed)
• Parade of Access Group Samba School
  from 7 p.m. (Sambodrome)
• Street Band Competition
  at Av. Rio Branco,  from 8 p.m.
• Shows start at Terreirão do Samba and Rio Folia, from 8 p.m.
• Banda de Ipanema
  at Praça General Osório, Ipanema – 4 p.m.
• Barbas
  at Rua Arnaldo Quintela, Botafogo – 3 p.m.
• Banda da Bolivar, Banda da Santa Clara,
  Banda da Sá Ferreira, Banda da Duvivier
  corner of Av. Atlântica, Copacabana from to 2-5 p.m.
• Vermelho & Preto
  at Scala, Leblon – 10 p.m. ($)
• Luxury Costume Balls
  at Copacabana Palace Hotel – 10 p.m ($$)
• Carnaval Ideal
  at Cine Ideal, Centro – 11 p.m.

Feb. 14 – Sunday

Today Banda Simpatia é Quase Amor marches in Ipanema (free) attracting as many as 15,000. And today is your first chance to watch Special Group Samba Schools march at Rio de Janeiro’s Sambodrome. The show starts at 9 p.m., and ends around 6 a.m. There will be 6 samba schools, and each has from 70 to 85 minutes to march. Invest on a seat in a good sector. Bleachers at Sector 9 are the only ones with numbered seats. You may also consider runway boxes (frisas), mezzanine boxes (camarotes), even standard bleachers (arquibancadas). Expect to pay from US$150 and up if you want to actually see anything (more details at Meet the Sambodrome). If you are traveling on a budget, watch the schools concentrate outside the Sambodrome, enjoy the shows at Terreirão do Samba on Av. Presidente Vargas, and stretch at Rio Folia in Lapa, with live music shows and performances all night long (free).

• Samba Parade
  on Sunday at 9 p.m.
• Shows start at Terreirão do Samba and Rio Folia – 8 p.m.
• Cordão do Boi Tatá
  at Praça 15, Centro – 8 a.m.
• Simpatia é Quase Amor
  at Praça General Osório, Ipanema – 4 p.m.
• Bangafumenga
  at Rua Pacheco Leão, Horto – 4 p.m.
• Empolga às 9
  at Posto 9, Ipanema – 9 p.m.
• Que Merda é Essa?
  at Rua Garcia D’Ávila, Ipanema – 2 p.m..

Feb. 15 – Monday

Monday is the second day of the competition, with a new assortment of 6 schools taking over the Sambodrome’s runway known as the Passarela do Samba. Catch up with your sleep first, as the show lasts over 10 hours each night! If you are game for new experiences, consider marching with a Samba School. Some Cariocas march with as many as 3 or 4 on a single night! You do not have to go that far, but taking part in the show is such a unique experience, that you could at least give it a though t. If you are on a budget, stay at the concentration outside the Sambodromo and take photos of costumes and floats with your disposable camera, go to the popular balls, or watch the shows at Terreirão do Samba and Rio Folia.

• Samba Parade
  on Monday at 9 p.m.Carnival Balls (from 11 p.m.)
• Shows start at Terreirão do Samba and Rio Folia – 8 p.m.
• Banda do Lido
  at Av. Atlântica, Copacabana – 1 p.m.
• Volta Alice
  Rua Alice at Praça Maria Portugual, Laranjeiras – 9 a.m.
• Cacique de Ramos
  at Av. Presidente Vargas, Centro – 8 p.m.
• Filhos de Gandi
  at Posto 6, Copacabana – 3 p.m.

Feb. 16 – Tuesday

Mardi-Gras or Fat Tuesday is another day full of activities. In the afternoon Banda de Ipanema parades for the last time of the year. Bring your camera to capture the images of the hilarious drag queens that march in front of the band. At night you have a number of balls to choose from. One of the most popular events is the straight-friendly Scala Gay Costume Ball, in Leblon. Party with the most exotic collection of characters you will ever see! Wear something colorful and fun, and you may be picked out for an interview – the ball is broadcast on TV to all Brazilian states!

The winner of the Samba Parade is elected on Wednesday. It is worthwhile staying in town for a few more days. The Winners Parade is on Saturday, February 28. It includes the six special group schools that made the best score, the winner of the access group, and other special attractions. And on Sunday March 1 do not miss Monobloco, attracting as many as 20 thousand party animals to the beach lanes of Copacabana. Print the box below, and bring it along. It will help you make the best of your Carnival days and nights. See you in Rio!

• Banda de Ipanema
  from 4 p.m. (Praça General Osório)
• Shows start at Terreirão do Samba and Rio Folia – 8 p.m.
• Parade of Access Group B
  Samba Schools from 9 p.m. (Sambodrome)
• Bafo da Onça
  at Av. Rio Branco, Centro – 8 p.m.
• Banda da Bolivar, Banda da Santa Clara,
  Banda da Sá Ferreira, Banda da Duvivier
  corner of Av. Atlântica, Copacabana from to 2-5 p.m.
• Banda de Ipanema
  at Praça General Osório, Ipanema – 4 p.m.
• Meu Bem Volto Já
  at Av. Atlântica, Leme – 3 p.m.
• Lira do Delírio
  at Rua Farme de Amoedo, Ipanema – 10 p.m.
• Baile Scala Gay
  at Scala, Leblon – 11 p.m. ($)

Feb. 20 – Saturday

• Carnival 2010 Winners Parade
  at the Sambodrome

Feb. 21 – Sunday

• Monobloco
  with Concentration at Av. Rio Branco in the Downtown area

The whole summer is Carnival season. To avoid the higher rates charged by hotels during the main event, you could arrive one or two weeks ahead. Banda de Ipanema opens Carnival 2010 street festivities on January 30 (latest photos by Silviano available at riogayguide.com). On the following weekend on Friday (Feb. 5) Cordao da Bola Preta starts gathering at 5 p.m. at Praca Maua, Downtown. In Ipanema, there’s Banda Simpatia é Quase Amor on Saturday (February 6).

Samba School rehearsals are another great pre-Carnival idea. They happen every weekend at the samba courts, known as quadras de samba. These venues are in distant areas that are tricky to get to. Go with a group in a package including a local escort, and round-trip transportation. Once you’re inside, it’s very safe. Samba school percussion bands or baterias sometimes play live at popular South Side dance clubs and venues.

You may also consider a visit to the new City of the Samba, an area that was built specifically to lodge the workshops of Samba Schools, near the docks in the Downtown area. Though some details on floats are kept covered from prying eyes, you can see costumes being produced, and even participate in a mini-parade that happens at the end of the day on Thursdays.

The Samba Parade happens at the Sambodrome on February 14 and 15. The show starts at 9 p.m. and ends only with sunlight on the next day. We suggest trying to book your tickets ahead: seats at the Sambodrome are quite limited. On Sunday there is a line-up of six samba schools. On Monday six other samba schools do their magic for the grand finale.

Thousands of ads from across the world are entered and judged; winning companies are awarded a Lion trophy honouring the most creative ads in a multiple of different mediums from traditional to state of the art digital. There are seminars, workshops and keynote speakers present throughout the seven day event. The participants of this, exhibitors, contestants and visitors are at the top of their respective fields and at the cutting edge of advertising technologies.

Cannes Lion International awarded Tourism Queensland’s “best job in the world” campaign by Brisbane-based agency Nitro. This is their third top award for this festival. This award was in the digital category. The campaign was also awarded the grand prix award for best website and interactive campaign in the Cyber Lion category, these awards ad to the forwardly progressive week in Cannes for Nitro, whom was acquired last week by Sapient in a $50 million dollar deal. Nitro is also a front runner to win the Titanium Lion prize. The third Cyber Lion grand prix award was given to the United Kingdom agency AKQA for their eco-campaign for auto manufacturer Fiat, called Eco:Drive.

Because of the nature of the internet a small advertising budget can produce a truly astounding campaign that is global in nature. Digital technology allows the clever nature and creative processes of the advertiser to surface without the restraints of financial restrictions common in the more traditional advertising venues.

Warner Brothers was awarded the second Cyber Lion grand prix in the viral marketing area. This award was in consideration of the film The Dark Knight, the last film actor Heath Ledger starred in, Dark Knight went on to become one of the biggest grossing films.

“Why so serious” was promoted by a campaign created by US agency 42 Entertainment. This was an alternate reality game, interactive ‘alternative reality’ ‘story telling’ games were born of the internet and they are adapted well to their medium. These games are infinitely interchangeable and exceedingly interactive and involved. The campaign for this alternative reality game ran for over eighteen months and it encompassed events that occurred all over the world.

With the sponsorship of brewery Hanseática, the Ranchos started organized competitions. They became one of the main attractions of Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival, together with the Great Societies. The parade already included a first-wing (abre alas), an orchestra,  a male and female choir, and a couple of mestre sala and porta bandeira.

The parades were halted during World War II and started again in 1947. By then the competition happened on Av. Rio Branco. The last competition of ranchos was in 1990, and the winner was a club named Decididos de Quintino.

Corso was a novely intruduced in 1907 with a parade of cars along Av. Rio Branco (then named Av. Central). They were the granddaddys of today’s sophisticated floats. Revelers brought along streamers and paper confetti, plus lança-perfume, a spray of cologne water that would give you a sort of a buzz. In the 30’s this celebration became so popular that almost all car-owners in the city participated! The parade started on Sunday in Botafogo and went all the way to Av. Central.

Rio de Janeiro has the best carnival in the world. Parties take place trhoughout the city. One of the best areas is ipanema, see why…

A video shot in the streets of Ipanema (Rio de Janeiro) during the carnival…

The first records of Carnival festivities in Rio de Janeiro date back to 1723. Immigrants from the Portuguese islands of Açores, Madeira and Cabo Verde introduced here the Entrudo.

The idea was basically getting everybody soaked wet. People would go out in the streets with buckets of water and limes, and everybody could be a potential victim. Even Emperors took part in the fun. There’s a curious record of a woman being arrested in 1855 for throwing a lime at Dom Pedro I’s escorts. Authorities frowned upon the lack of restraints of Entrudo fun, and eventually it was outlawed.

Zé Pereira was a contribution of a Portuguese shoemaker named José Nogueira de Azevedo, in the mid XIX century. On Carnival Mondays he would march in the streets with his friends playing drums, tambourines, pans, and whistles. Everybody was welcome to join the fun.

Grandes Sociedades or Great Societies was a more organized parade that debuted in 1855, with the presence of the Emperor himself. A group of eighty aristocrats in masks paraded with luxury costumes, music, and flowers. It was a big success. Democráticos, Fenianos and Tenentes do Diabo were the three most well-known groups.

Cordão Carnavalesco is a concept that got its start in 1870. There were characters like queens, kings, witches, peasants and dancers, and they performed according to the costumes they were wearing. There were also the Cordões de Velhos, where participants would wear huge papier-mâché masks and walk in an old man’s gait.

Philadelphia Folk Festival, Schwenksville, Pennsylvania, August 14-16

Fans take in the sights and sounds at last year’s San Francisco’s Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival

If the latest Lady Gaga song isn’t your thing, head to the Philadelphia Folk Festival and detoxify your musical system. Located on the Old Pool Farm, an hour outside of the city, the 48th annual festival brings in big names ranging from The Decemberists to Jill Sobule. The festival also has a large craft area with artists selling everything from jewelry to unique blown glass items.

Check the Philadelphia Folk Festival Web site for schedule and ticket information

Admission: 3-day ticket $131 (one day tickets from $54)

Chicago Air and Water Show, Chicago, Illinois, August 15-16

Your neck might be sore from all the fun after watching planes zoom over the Chicago skyline and parachutists dazzle spectators with their flips at the Chicago Air and Water Show. The two day event wows the over 2 million visitors yearly with performances by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds flying at speeds of 1,500 miles per hour or U.S. Army’s Golden Knight Parachute Team jumping from 12,500 feet.

Lake Michigan sparkles with an hour-long jet skiing and water boarding show if lake conditions permit. Mary May, an event spokesperson, said families return year after year, many from out-of-state.

Check the Chicago Air and Water Show Web site for schedule

Admission: Free

Atlanta Underground Film Festival, Atlanta, Georgia, August 26-30

The late summer heat, especially in Atlanta, can be brutal, so sneak inside and enjoy independent movies at the Atlanta Underground Film Festival. Located at various theaters across Atlanta, independent movies produced by fledgling filmmakers vie for awards like "Best Comedy Feature" and the prized "AUFF the Wall" award. In addition, the five day event showcases animated films, documentaries, and horror movies. The festival, which started in 2002, is produced by a group of musicians and filmmakers called the "Festival League" that was created to highlight work of fledgling artists.

Check the Atlanta Underground Film Festival Web site for movie lineup

Admission: All access pass $40

San Francisco’s Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival, San Francisco, California, August 28-30

A concert with Tom Jones and Tenacious D on one bill, is going to be a unique event and that’s exactly what the Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival is. The three day event takes place in the picturesque Golden Gate Park and includes much more than the music industry’s top stars. On top of performances from Dave Matthews Band and M.I.A, the festival features food from the city’s top restaurants, wines from 25 local wineries and performances from local cabarets.

Check San Francisco’s Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival for band lineup and ticket information

Admission: Advance 3-day ticket $225.50 (one day ticket from $89.50)

National Buffalo Wing Festival, Buffalo, New York, September 5-6

Add spice to your summers end festivities and head to Buffalo, New York, for the seventh annual National Buffalo Wing Festival where you can try 100 different types of wings and sauces. The rise in antacid sales can be attributed to event founder Drew Cerza who noticed, thanks in part to Bill Murray’s character in "Osmosis Jones" who wanted to compete in a junk food competition, that Buffalo didn’t have a festival dedicated to America’s favorite appetizer.

Started in 2002, restaurants from around the nation exhibit their wings and competitive eaters vie to eat the most Buffalo wings in 12 minutes. Amateurs can also enter the "Buffalo Blue Cheese Bowl" where contestants have their hands tied behind their backs and bob for wings drenched in blue cheese dressing in a kiddy pool. Cerza said last year’s festival brought in 80,000 attendees and over 500,000 wings were eaten and expects this year’s festival to be larger.

Check the Buffalo Wing Festival Web site for competing restaurants

Parades and processions follow one after another along street El Malecon, traditional music mixes up with rhythms of the most known pop groups. Everywhere incendiary dances are executed – Latin American konga etc. All try to forget about problems of an everyday life and not to postpone a holiday for tomorrow. 

It having appeared on a carnival, you also will see huge satirical figures of politicians and other celebrated personalities. For Musecones follow faroleros are dancers who bear the multi-coloured, constantly rotating subject reminding a street lantern.

The carnival is also the most suitable time to try original Cuban kitchen, wonderful rum Havana Club and cold beer.

Carrying out place: El Malecon.  

El Malecon is a street of Havana on which all celebratings are traditionally spent. It lasts along coast and passes through old and new parts of a city. On El Malecon it is possible to get from any part of a city – pass in northern direction to the seacoast, and here you already on El Malecon.

• J.U.i.C.E: (Sat. October 3, 2009)
  Second Annual J.U.i.C.E. Hip Hop Dance Festival
  A multimedia street dance festival offering urban choreography, film, and Los Angeles
  hip hop culture.
• Dream Dance 2 Foundation* (Sat. October 10, 2009)
  Imagine the Far East: Contemporary Classical Chinese Dance
  An evening of traditional Chinese Han dances with a modern interpretation.
• OTHER
  Big!World!Fun! (participating artists to be announced in February 2009)
  *These family friendly, one-hour events offer popular multidisciplinary, multicultural programming.