Join us for the opening of this wonderful Retrospectice Poster Exhibit and register to win one of several pair of Carnaval tickets to be given away (along with posters and gift certificates from local costume shops)

Austin's Samba School will perform too, as well as "Capeoira Evolucao".

Refreshments provided by Budweiser, food and music will also be available.

The event will happen even if it's really cold outside. We will bring in fire pits and heaters to make it cozy.

The South Austin Museum of Popular Culture will host this historical poster exhibit celebrating 31 years of Carnaval Brasileiro in Austin, Texas. Producer Mike Quinn has provided the Museum with the array of posters, including the one created for the 31st Anniversary of Carnaval 2008 celebration (which will be available for purchase at $15.00). Historical posters are available for sale on our website.

The exhibit runs from January 19th - February 16th.

Parking is available on Collier Street- adjacent to the Museum and attendees can walk over to the Museum for the party. A $5 suggested donation is requested to help support ongoing programs of the non-profit Museum. Costumes and/or masks are encouraged.

First held in 1977, Carnaval Brasileiro has become an Austin institution. A small party grew into a giant public bash because there were Brazilians who needed a celebration, local individuals to nurture it along the way, a radio program (Horizontes) to promote its music, a series of bands to play the music, and, above all, enough Austinites who felt the magic and kept coming back for more.

This is an Austin story. Carnaval has emerged and thrived in Austin, because long ago it became a city of open attitudes and spontaneity, due in large part to the university influence. Now that bohemian attitude has mixed with just enough business sense and hard work to make music happen in a way that is attracting attention from around the world. Perhaps the greatest monument to that spirit-the Armadillo-is now just a memory. But Austin's Carnaval Brasileiro, our peculiar winterfest of flesh and fantasy, was nurtured in that unique semi-cohesive, culture-conscious environment, and still flowers every February.

A portion of the proceeds from Carnaval will benefit the Austin Sunshine Camps.

Sign-up for the Carnaval Mailing List at:http://www.CarnavalAustin.com
See our MySpace page at: www.myspace.com/SambaParty

Carnaval tickets will also be available for purchase with NO service fee. $35.00 (CASH ONLY)