Rio’s Alma Rio Camarote hosted Brazil’s first official Burning Man experience during the Champions’ Parade night, blending samba and immersive art.
A landmark night at Marquês de Sapucaí
Saturday, February 21, made history at the Alma Rio Camarote. For the first time in Brazil, the radical creative ethos of Burning Man arrived officially at the Marquês de Sapucaí, turning the venue into a sensory environment of rare intensity during Rio de Janeiro’s most celebrated night of Carnival.
The experience, designed by MAXA, featured organic scenography, collaborative performances, and active audience participation — the core principles of Burning Man culture, now embedded in the heart of Rio Carnival.
Carlinhos Brown, DJ Bhaskar, and Fundo de Quintal
The night’s highlights came from the stage. Carlinhos Brown joined forces with DJ Bhaskar in a collision between ancestral percussion and contemporary electronic music. Later, legendary samba group Fundo de Quintal closed the 2026 season with the raw, rootsy energy that defines their legacy.
Together, the performances created an unlikely — and electrifying — dialogue between tradition and innovation, exactly the spirit Alma Rio set out to celebrate.
The team behind the vision
The camarote is led by Alessandra Pirotelli, a businesswoman with over 27 years of experience as a director and producer of Rio Carnival. She is joined by Guga Pereira and Wilson Anastácio from Grupo Live, alongside entrepreneurs Álvaro Garnero, Pedro Caldas, and Marcelo Fonseca.
A gathering point for business leaders, artists, and cultural influencers.
About Alma Rio
In its second edition at Sapucaí, Alma Rio spanned 2,500 m² across three floors. The venue offered an outdoor lounge with front-row views of the parade, premium open bar, fine dining curated by Capim Santo restaurant with a buffet by chef Morena Leite, and an on-site spa.
Brazilian actress Marina Ruy Barbosa served as brand ambassador, cementing Alma Rio’s place at the intersection of luxury, exclusivity, and culture.
Photo: Press Release
