Xuxa herself arrived by helicopter to take her place as the school's queen atop a magnificent float.

Kama Sutra Statues, Censured Depictions & Leather Float by Grand Rio  "It's fantastic. We have some lively events in the United States, but nothing compares to this," Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen was quoted by the Jornal do Brasil news agency after watching Sunday's parade

The Grande Rio performance was eagerly awaited. as the most controversial parade of the year designed by leading "carnavalesco" or choreographer Joaosinho Trinta,

While any display advertising is strictly forbidden, sponsors have discovered that they and a lot of money can help decide the theme.  Grand Rio took on the controversial subject with the support of the nation's health ministry and its message of safe sex
"Let's Wear the Little Shirt, My Love," they sang.

"We don't want to offend the church, but rather to bring the world the message of safe sex," explained parade designer Trinta.

 The Roman Catholic church objected to the promotion of condom use. The Church who sued at the last minute to require the school to cover floats depicting Adam and Eve having sex and another featuring scenes from the Kama Sutra. The dramatic covering of huge black tarp with and a large red CENSURADO on white ribbon will be long remembered.


It wasn't the first time that the 70-year-old designer was sued by the church over one of his parades. In 1989, he was forced to cover a float depicting Rio's mountain top Christ statue. That year, he covered the statue parading under black plastic with a sign that said "Even though you are banned, watch over us." This year the signs on floats merely read "Censured."

Relishing a chance to take his art to another level, Trinta defended his message which is opposed to the church's view opposing all birth control including AIDS prevention measures such as condoms.

 Rio's archbishop, Rev. Eusebio Oscar Scheid, entered the dialogue cautiously beginning by saying that organizers should make sure the group doesn't go too far.

"If it seeks to discredit, in the eyes of the world, Rio's carnival — that can be so beautiful — through one or another indecorous or unacceptable scene, then justice should intervene for the common good," Scheid said.

Just before the 2004 parade took place, Trinta was fired by his school  "The conflict that Joaosinho Trinta developed with the church has affected the community. We are a Catholic country and he really exaggerated on sex," a Grande Rio spokesman said. Brazil is the world's biggest Roman Catholic country. Apparently Grand Rio President Elinho de Oliveira, a practicing Catholic was not pleased with the attacks Joaosinho Trinta made against the church in interviews. 

Grand Rio finished 10th in 2004 following a 3rd in 2003. For 2005 it will parade under the direction of carnavalesco Robert Szanieck performing on the the avenue"To feed Body and Soul Makes Well". 

Joćo hopitalized: In 2005 Trinta is officially the carnavalesco for Vila Isabal but the 71 year old has been in the hospital since November 27th. " It is in the hands of God", said a friend. Joćosinho had already had suffered spill in 1997, and suffered from a resulting paralyzed right arm and speech difficulties.  Check google for news

The first championship of Joćosinho Thirty as carnavalesco was for the Salgueiro  in 1974 and has directed 36 memorable enredos for Rio Carnaval since then. In 2004,  Acadźmicos da Rocinha, escola do Grupo A, celebrated his great contribution to Carnaval with the enredo/theme " Joćo of the people"

One of the most spectacular floats was that of Salgueira. The float featured a complete go-cart track, with riders driving carts around it. Its theme was developing ethanol as an alternative fuel.  Salgueiro discovered their theme as part of their relationship with a group of sugar cane alcohol   producers who gave them $400,000.