A packed samba party marked União do Parque Acari‘s 8th anniversary, crowned by a tribute to composer Moacyr Luz for winning Rio’s top samba-enredo award.
Eight years of community and samba
On Sunday, March 29, the samba school União do Parque Acari opened its birthday celebrations with a festive afternoon at the Amarelinho venue in Rio de Janeiro. The event brought together the school’s community, directors, performing wings, and admirers to mark 8 years since its founding.
Singer Gabrielzinho de Irajá headlined the traditional feijoada-and-samba party, leading an electric roda de samba that drew a full house. The crowd’s energy reflected the school’s growing presence on Rio’s vibrant samba scene.
A standing ovation for Moacyr Luz
The celebration’s most emotional moment came when president Carlo Eduardo (known as Dudu) presented a commemorative plaque to renowned sambista Moacyr Luz. The honor recognized his role as president of the school’s composers’ wing and, above all, his part in winning the Estandarte de Ouro for Best Samba-Enredo of 2026, awarded by Liga RJ — one of the most prestigious prizes in Rio’s carnival calendar.
Moacyr Luz co-wrote the award-winning samba with Fred Camacho and Gustavo Clarão — a milestone in the school’s recent history.
The trio of Moacyr Luz, Fred Camacho, and Gustavo Clarão crafted the samba-enredo that brought the prize home, cementing União do Parque Acari’s artistic credibility in the Rio carnival circuit.
A school united and looking ahead
Performances by the school’s various wings rounded out the afternoon program, keeping the festive spirit alive. The event marks the start of a broader series of birthday celebrations for a school that, at just eight years old, has already made its mark on Rio’s samba culture.
Event Info
- Event: Feijoada & Samba — 8th Anniversary of União do Parque Acari
- Date: Sunday, March 29, 2026
- Venue: Quadra do Amarelinho, Parque Acari, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Featured artist: Gabrielzinho de Irajá
- Award honored: Estandarte de Ouro — Best Samba-Enredo 2026 (Liga RJ), won by Moacyr Luz, Fred Camacho, and Gustavo Clarão