Carnaval Brasileiro w/ Austin Samba School, Gigi & Brazilian Express

Looking for some old-school revelry relevant to our modern milieu? Carnaval’s origins hark back to randy pre-Lenten celebrations in medieval Europe and were later supercharged in Brazil by African rhythms like the samba, so you know the sexalicious celebration’s got a deep well of historical cred behind each happy hip-shake and body-rocking beat of the drums. This local version, begun in 1975, “grew from a small party for homesick Brazilian students in Austin, to the largest indoor Carnaval party on the planet.” Oh, Downtown’s Speakeasy is gonna be aliiiive with colorful costumes tonight! – Wayne Alan Brenner