By Ciara Long, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Kicking off at 6PM on Saturday, February 25th, the Blue Agave bar in Ipanema will once again host its own Carnival bloco party. The inaugural event in 2010 is the stuff of legend for many expatriates in Rio, blending the euphoric Carnival spirit with a sense of familiarity and community for foreigners.
Although not technically an official bloco, in previous years the party at Blue Agave has drawn revelers catching a breather between blocos in Ipanema.
The bar always draws in crowds of passers-bys and creates it’s own atmosphere, but this year in addition to the usual happy hour (extended until 10PM), DJ Tee Cardaci will be on the decks.
Alex Barwinski, Blue Agave’s managing partner, said he hopes to create a “funky, free-spirited and international vibe” for the evening. “Come as you are, straight from the bloco or beach,” he said. “Havaianas and bikinis are always welcome and, since its Carnival, we hope to see a lot of great costumes.”
When the first Blue Agave bloco celebrations spilled out on to the streets in 2010, the bar had only been open for six months – but the event was a huge success. “The first Blue Agave bloco happened seven years ago and was started by my partners from Botafogo Social Club. It was crazy… people dancing in the trees, on top of cars… the whole street was packed!,” said Tee Cardaci, a long term Rio resident who will DJ at this year’s event.
Cardaci explains this year, “Technically speaking, we’re not a bloco. But when you have 100,000 people in the neighborhood for near by blocos, all that humanity inevitably spills over onto Vinicius de Moraes and we’ll be there to add our own spice to the mix!”
Adding, “Once people hear the tunes, it’s like a magnetic force pulling them to us. The party is in the street but Blue Agave becomes an oasis in the madness with plenty of tunes and cold beverages to keep you jumping.”
As this year’s DJ, Cardaci will add to the international vibe, offering a change of scene from the ubiquitous Carnival samba music with a range of disco-heavy international tunes, plus worldwide chart-toppers, funk, soul, and a selection of Brazilian classics.
Blue Agave will also provide its usual selection of Mexican-themed food and drink during the evening, offering a pause from bloco madness. Beyond the tequila shots, margaritas and sangria, the Blue Agave also offers mini-nachos and quesadillas, the perfect finger food to keep the engine fueled for the first full day of Carnival 2017.
What: Blue Agave Bloco Party, Carnival 2017
When: Saturday, February 25th, 6PM – 2AM
Where: Blue Agave, Rua Vinicius de Morais, 68, Ipanema
Entrance: Free