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With tributes to Arlindo Cruz, Preta Gil, and Jorge Aragão, Monobloco closes Rio's street carnival with contagious energy.
Published on 22/02/2026 - 17:11 | Updated on 22/02/2026 - 17:14
The parade, led by singer Pedro Luís, brought approximately 80 people to the city center - Photo: Fernando Maia/Riotur With the theme "Come on in, make yourself at home," Monobloco brought approximately 80 revelers to the Preta Gil Circuit in downtown Rio, bringing the Rio Street Carnival to a close in grand style on the morning of Sunday, February 22nd. Highlights of the parade included tributes to samba musicians Arlindo Cruz and Jorge Aragão, as well as singer Preta Gil, after whom the circuit is named.
– In 2026, we showed that Rio continues to be a benchmark for street carnival, increasingly prepared to host this great celebration. Hundreds of "blocos" (street carnival groups) brought joy to locals and tourists, with urban order, infrastructure, and cleanliness. The closing with the traditional Monobloco parade, on the mega-bloco circuit of Rua Primeiro de Março, symbolizes this work. We delivered an organized and joyful Carnival throughout the city – declared the president of Riotur, Bernardo Fellows.
One of the icons of Rio de Janeiro samba, singer and composer Arlindo Cruz, who passed away last August, was remembered with songs like "O show tem que continuar" and "Samba de Arerê," sung in chorus by revelers who had been waiting for the bloco's parade since early morning. Preta Gil was also honored with the songs "Só o Amor" and "Sinais de Fogo," which moved the crowd.
– I want to thank all of you who have followed Monobloco all these years. This is the graduation ceremony of our percussionists in grand style – exclaimed singer Pedro Luís. Among the new additions to the repertoire is the song “De Mala e Cuia”, a hit from the album Dominguinho, by João Gomes, Mestrinho and Jotapê.
Jorge Aragão, whose compositions are featured on Monobloco's new album, "Mar de Aragão," provided the soundtrack for much of the parade, with hits such as "Eu e você sempre," "Papel de Pão," and "Do fundo do nosso quintal."
In its 26th parade, Monobloco also didn't leave out classics from its repertoire, such as "É hoje," "Taj Mahal," and "Fio Maravilha," to the delight of those who didn't want the festivities to end. The bloco also featured appearances by Mariá, José Gil's wife, who sang "Sinais de Fogo" in homage to her sister-in-law Preta Gil, and Chico Chico, Cássia Eller's son.
– In the 90s I met someone who is one of the greatest voices in MPB (Brazilian Popular Music). And today I have the honor of inviting her son to sing here with Monobloco – said Sidon Silva before announcing Chico Chico's participation to sing “Segundo Sol”.
Milene Mouras, a percussionist from the band Monobloco, plays the surdo drum and participated in her first parade.
– I'm a fan of Monobloco and I've been coming to the parade for a long time. Last year I managed to get into the workshop and this is my first parade. It's a dream come true. I started dating my husband after the Monobloco parade and today we're celebrating our seven years of marriage here, the two of us playing the drums.
Rita Oliveira, a resident of Santíssimo, has been following Monobloco since they used to perform on the beachfront in the South Zone.
"It's a love story with Monobloco. I don't have the energy to enjoy as many street parties as I did 20 or 25 years ago. But I'm not giving up this one. The first time I watched the parade I was single. Today I'm married, I have two teenage daughters and they come with me every year," she said.
With a partnership that has already lasted 11 carnivals, members of the traditional Cacique de Ramos samba school are an important presence in the Monobloco parade. Luiz Carlos Lima, better known as Boneco do Cacique, gave details about this partnership.
– It ended up becoming a tradition to parade alongside Monobloco. It's a closing cycle of Carnival that we participate in. We start on Carnival Friday and end today with Monobloco. Every year it's an indescribable feeling. We have a strong friendship with Celso and Pedro. It's a family thing – he said.
Known for its diverse rhythms, Monobloco explored various styles, ranging from pop to funk, including pagode, forró, axé, and MPB, without forgetting samba-enredo and classics like "Peguei um Itá no Norte".
– The Monobloco parade is always a great journey through Brazilian music: it has samba, pagode, forró, music from Bahia, in addition to our original anthems 'Arrastão da Alegria' and 'Funk do Monobloco' – highlighted Celso Alvim, the block's drum master.
Created in 2000 from a percussion workshop conceived by members of the group Pedro Luís e a Parede, Monobloco transcended the original batucada format and established itself as a benchmark in the renewal of street carnival groups in Rio. Over more than two decades, the project has trained hundreds of percussionists through workshops and built a drum section recognized for its sonic power, rhythmic diversity, and musical precision.
The complete schedule of street parades for Carnival 2026 featured 427 parades in total and attracted a diverse and lively audience from all regions of the city.
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