A view of Academicos do Grande Rio samba school floats with dancers performing down the Sambodrome on the first night of the Carnival samba school parade in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on February 22, 2009. Carnival is the biggest and most popular celebration in Brazil and runs throughout the country until February 24
A view of an Academicos do Grande Rio samba school float with dancers performing down the Sambodrome on the first night of the Carnival samba school parade in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on February 22, 2009. Carnival is the biggest and most popular celebration in Brazil and runs throughout the country until February 24.
French cabaret Moulin Rouge dancers perform atop an Academicos do Grande Rio samba school float down the Sambodrome on the first night of the Carnival samba school parade in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on February 22, 2009. Carnival is the biggest and most popular celebration in Brazil and runs throughout the country until February 24.
A Grande Rio samba school float parades at the Sambodrome in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009. The Grande Rio Samba school parade pays tribute to France
Grande Rio samba school dancers perform at the Sambodrome in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009. The Grande Rio Samba school parade pays tribute to France
An Academicos do Grande Rio samba school dancer performs down the Sambodrome on the first night of the Carnival samba school parade in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on February 23, 2009. Carnival is the biggest and most popular celebration in Brazil and runs throughout the country until February 24
Academicos do Grande Rio samba school dancers perform atop a float paying homage to French painters down the Sambodrome on the first night of the Carnival samba school parade in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on February 23, 2009. Carnival is the biggest and most popular celebration in Brazil and runs throughout the country until February 24.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (2-L) and guestsadmire the Sambodrome on the first night of the Carnival samba school parade in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on February 23, 2009. Carnival is the biggest and most popular celebration in Brazil and runs throughout the country until February 24
Unidos de Vila Isabel samba school dancers perform down the Sambodrome on the first night of the Carnival samba school parade in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on February 23, 2009. Carnival is the biggest and most popular celebration in Brazil and runs throughout the country until February 24.
An Academicos do Grande Rio samba school dancer portrays French King Luis XV atop a float down the Sambodrome on the first night of the Carnival samba school parade in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on February 23, 2009. Carnival is the biggest and most popular celebration in Brazil and runs throughout the country until February 24.
A Grande Rio samba school float parades at the Sambodrome in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009. The Grande Rio parade pays tribute to France
Unidos de Vila Isabel samba school dancers perform down the Sambodrome on the first night of the Carnival samba school parade in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on February 23, 2009. Carnival is the biggest and most popular celebration in Brazil and runs throughout the country until February 24.
A dancer of Imperio Serrano samba school performs at the Sambodrome in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009
A Grande Rio samba school float parades at the Sambodrome in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009
A Grande Rio reveller performs atop a float down the Sambodrome on the first night of the Carnival samba school parade in Rio de Janeiro on February 22, 2009. Carnival is the biggest and most popular celebration in Brazil and runs throughout the country until February 24
A member of the of the Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel samba school parades at the Sambadrome during the first night of carnival celebrations in Rio de Janeiro early on February 23, 2009. Carnival is the biggest and most popular celebration in Brazil and runs throughout the country until February 24.
A member of the of the Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel samba school parades at the Sambadrome during the first night of carnival celebrations in Rio de Janeiro early on February 23, 2009. Carnival is the biggest and most popular celebration in Brazil and runs throughout the country until February 24
The Brazilian drummers queen, Tatiana Pagung of the Mocidade de Padre Miguel samba school, parades at Sambadrome during the first night of carnival celebrations in Rio de Janeiro early on February 23, 2009. Carnival is the biggest and most popular celebration in Brazil and runs throughout the country until February 24
A member of the of the Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel samba school parades at the Sambadrome during the first night of carnival celebrations in Rio de Janeiro early on February 23, 2009. Carnival is the biggest and most popular celebration in Brazil and runs throughout the country until February 24
The Brazilian drummers queen, Tatiana Pagung of the Mocidade de Padre Miguel samba school, parades at Sambadrome during the first night of carnival celebrations in Rio de Janeiro early on February 23, 2009. Carnival is the biggest and most popular celebration in Brazil and runs throughout the country until February 24.
