Brazilian Carnaval, Bloomington style

People danced the night away Friday when Vertigo and the Brazilian Association played host to the Carnaval. This year marked the first Carnaval after a two year hiatus. The event wasn't a traditional Carnaval, which is usually held outside, but the ambiance was there. The atmosphere welcomed everyone -- Brazilian and not. Even if one didn't know how to Samba, the organizers encouraged everyone to give it his or her best shot. The usual coordinator of the Carnaval, Marlene Martins, was in Brazil, so her two daughters Vania and Valeria De Castro decided to give it a try.\nThe dance floor was always full. The Culata Band played live music as the crowd cheered it on and danced to the Brazilian rhythms. Brazilian pride was apparent that night as the Brazilian flag hung behind the band, and many spoke Portuguese to each other, though the crowd consisted of people of both American and Latino descent. \nVertigo owner Nathan Dotzlaf said keeping the venue open to different musical styles is good for the business. \n"I think we're more open to different events and different music styles," he said. "I love Brazilian music."\nAlthough it was a Carnaval celebration -- traditionally a costumed masquerade in Rio de Janeiro -- not many people wore costumes. The organizers did not impose a costume requirement. Nonetheless, many people were surprised at the lack of costumes. Graduate student Dietrich Willke, dressed up as a Carnaval angel, expressed his disappointment as he was one of two people wearing costumes. \n"I thought more people would wear Carnaval costumes," he said.\nThe turnout for the Carnaval wasn't what many expected either. \n"I think the crowd is great but from what I hear we did better in past years," Anita De Castro said. \nDotzlaf felt good about the turnout, though.\n"It isn't a bad turnout," he said. "It's a pretty good turnout for where we're at," referring to Vertigo's location in relationship to the campus. \nNevertheless, people danced the night away to the sounds of the Culata Band until 3 a.m. The energy was high and almost no one sat down for longer than a couple minutes to rest. \n"Brazilians start late and they dance all night," Dotzlaf said.\nThe surprise of the night came when Anita De Castro got up on stage to show everyone how to Samba. \n"I volunteered to go up on stage and show the crowd," she said. \nThe crowd cheered her on, as her mother Valeria De Castro stood in awe at her daughter's moves.\nAnita De Castro even welcomed audience members up on stage to dance with her.