Daniela Mercury News

Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen and Spanish movie director Pedro Almodovar have both been there and done that. This year, it's singer Bjork's turn.

Foreign tourists come in droves. But the real stars of this show are the people of Salvador, in Brazil's African heartland of Bahia state, who dance in the streets by the thousands over the Carnival season.

Indeed, Salvador now rivals the Rio de Janeiro Carnival, famed for its scantily clad samba dancers and extravagant parades in the Sambodromo.

"It's the most energizing event in the world. The whole city just floats by. Instead of parade cars, you see a crowd in sheer rapture on the streets," said Christian Constantini, a sales executive and regular participant in the Salvador bash.

"In houses and buildings, everyone is out on their balconies, singing and dancing along with you."

The revelry in Salvador, which officially kicks off on Thursday but has been going on for days already, are led by "trios eletricos," floats carrying local bands playing Axe -- a style of music also known as samba-reggae.

Bahian singer and songwriter Gilberto Gil, now Brazil's Culture Minister, was for several years the leader of a "trio" called Expresso 222, one of the city's most renowned.

Gil's friend Caetano Veloso , also from Bahia, leads the "trio" Bloco da Cidade this year. He introduced Almodovar to the bash and last year hosted Gisele in his home when she decided to get a taste of the Bahia carnival, dancing in the "trio" led by Daniela Mercury , another Bahian singing star.

This year, Icelandic singer Bjork is expected to come along with her boyfriend, U.S. artist Matthew Barney, who has organized a special performance of the Cortejo Afro, a percussion street group, with musician Arto Lindsay .

"Rio has always been the magnet for celebrities. Bahia wasn't, but now it's getting there," said Francisco Senna, head of Salvador's Culture Department.

Unlike the Rio bash, which focuses on the samba school parades in the purpose-built Sambodromo, Salvador has over 190 carnival street groups.

They wander over 25 km (15 miles) of streets packed with people. The "trios" and percussion bands are followed by all types of revelers, including tourists, transvestites and children.

For the most sought-after street groups, the party-goer can buy an "abada," a colorful tee-shirt which gives access to the partying closest to the band.

The price of an "abada" for all the carnival days varies between 120 reais and 900 reais, or $40 and $310.

The "trio" groups are usually formed by two trucks. The first carries the band and powerful speakers. The second serves as a support vehicle -- with a bar for drinks.

Reuters/VNU