A reveler from the Vila Isabel samba school participates in the annual Carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro's Sambadrome, on February 12, 2013. #

A performer from the Sao Clemente samba school sits as she waits before Carnival at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, on February 11, 2013. #

Performers from the Inocentes de Belford Roxo samba school parade on a float during carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio, on February 10, 2013. #

Revelers of the Unidos da Tijuca samba school participate in the annual carnival parade in Rio, on February 10, 2013. #

Performers from the Unidos da Tijuca samba school parade during carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome, on February 11, 2013. #

Performers from the Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel samba school parade in Rio, on February 11, 2013. #

A performer from the Academicos do Salgueiro samba school during carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome, on February 10, 2013. #

A dragon rises behind a performer from the Beija Flor samba school in Rio, on February 12, 2013. #

Performers from the Unidos de Vila Isabel samba school parade at the Sambadrome, on February 12, 2013. #

Revelers from the Beija Flor samba school, in Rio de Janeiro's Sambadrome, on February 11, 2013. #

Performers from the Mangueira samba school, at the Sambadrome on February 11, 2013. #

A dancer from the Uniao da Ilhia samba school performs during the first night of Carnival in Rio, on February 11, 2013. #

A masked performers from the Uniao da Ilha do Governador samba school, in Rio, on February 11, 2013. #

A member of the Inocentes de Belford-Roxo samba school performs atop a float during the first night of Carnival in Rio, on February 10, 2013. #

The Salgueiro samba school participates in the annual Carnival parade in Rio, on February 10, 2013. #

Revelers from the Vila Isabel samba school participate in the Carnival parade in Rio, on February 12, 2013. #

A woman poses for photos before participating in Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome, on February 10, 2013. #

A performer from the Sao Clemente samba school is tossed in the air in the Sambadrome, on February 12, 2013. #

Performers from the Academicos do Salgueiro samba school parade on a float in Rio, on February 10, 2013. #

Members of the Mangueira samba school, during carnival celebrations in Rio, on February 11, 2013. #

A performer from the Beija Flor samba school, at the Sambadrome, on February 12, 2013. #

Performers from the Inocentes de Belford Roxo samba school, on a float in the Sambadrome in Rio, on February 10, 2013. #

A float from the Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel samba school in Rio's Sambadrome, on February 11, 2013. #

A reveler from the Mocidade Alegre Samba School takes part in a carnival at Anhembi Sambadrome, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on February 10, 2013. #

A performer from the Mangueira samba school, during carnival celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, on February 11, 2013. #

A dancer from the Nene da Vila Matilde samba school during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, on February 9, 2013. #

A performer from the Academicos do Grande Rio samba school, in the Sambadrome in Rio, on February 12, 2013. #

A member of Academicos do Tatuape samba school, before the first night of carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on February 8, 2013. #

A performer from the Unidos de Vila Isabel samba school during Carnival in Rio, on February 12, 2013. #

Performers from the Academicos do Grande Rio samba school, in Rio's Sambadrome, on February 12, 2013. #

Performers from the Portela samba school, during the first night of Carnival, in Rio de Janeiro, on February 11, 2013. #