Banda de Ipanema opened street Carnival festivities on January 30. On the next weekend Simpatia é Quase Amor (February 6) and Banda da Carmen Miranda (February 7) marched in Ipanema.

February 13 was the first official Carnival day. Banda de Ipanema went out for the second time. A little later at 6:00 p.m. the official costume contest happened at Hotel Glória. Aurora Miranda (Carmen's sister) was part of the jury. The Gala Ball happened at landmark Copacabana Palace Hotel. Not far, at clubs like Help in Copacabana or Scala in Leblon more liberal balls took place. X-Demente was at Fundição Progresso. Access group samba schools took over the Sambodrome from 7 p.m. onwards, trying to make their way to the special group.

February 14 was your first chance to watch the Special Group Schools march at Rio's Sambodrome. União da Ilha made a good show, despite the fire and flood that happened at the barracão weeks earlier. Salgueiro was very popular. Samba shows happened next door at Terreirão do Samba, on Av. Presidente Vargas.

Seven more Special Group Schools marched on February 15. The abre-alas with old legends of samba brought the house down. The acrobats of Intrepida Trupe also left a strong impression. Those that stayed until the end were lucky to watch the impeccable presentation of Imperatriz Leopoldinense, this year's winner.

February 16, Mardi-Gras Tuesday, was another day full of activities. In the afternoon Banda de Ipanema went out for the last time in the millennium. It would also be the last time it would count with the presence of its founder, Albino Pinheiro, who would pass away a few months later. Elke Maravilha replaced Rogeria as the interviewer at Gala Gay Ball. The Winners Parade happened on Saturday 21.

Hours:	|Sunday (Feb. 14)	|Monday (Feb. 15)
7:00 p.m.	São Clemente	Tradição
8:05 p.m.	União da Ilha	Grande Rio
9:10 p.m.	Portela	Caprichosos de Pilares
10:15 p.m.	Salgueiro	Mangueira
11:50 p.m.	Vila Isabel	Mocidade Independente
00:55 a.m.	Império Serrano	Beija-Flor
2:10 a.m.	Viradouro	Imperatriz Leopoldinense*
*Winner of Carnival 1999