The 30th annual Carnaval Brasileiro takes place on Saturday, February 3rd, giving you just over one month to find your perfectly outrageous masks and costumes. Over 6,000 Austinites are expected to attend the flamboyant Brazilian-style Mardi Gras celebration, which will once again feature NYC samba band Grupo Saveiro and performers from local samba school Acadêmicos da Opera.

As a sneak peek of the revelry to come, Ruta Maya tonight hosts "La Ruta Brasileiro," a happy hour-cum-mini bazaar. Meet the "Carnaval Master," register to win a pair of tickets, or check out wares by local mask and costume vendors. Latin funkster 8-piece Brownout performs at 9pm.

Tickets to Carnaval can be purchased online, or at Ana Brasil, Waterloo Records, Sampaio's, Lucy in Disguise, and Saccone's Pizza.

[Carnaval Austin on Myspace]

[Carnaval Homepage]

La Ruta Brasileiro
Tonight
Ruta Maya
Happy Hour: 5:30pm-8:30pm (Free)
Brownout: 9pm ($7)

Carnaval Brasileiro
Saturday, February 3rd
Palmer Events Center
9pm