Brazilian samba schools parade along Copacabana beach

RIO DE JANEIRO — Musicians from Rio de Janeiro's top 13 samba schools have paraded along the city's Copacabana Beach in an event aimed at promoting tourism ahead of Rio's world famous Carnival that begins early next month.

The drum sections of each school along with some samba dancers participated in the first "Samba Encounter." They came together at a stage in front of the Copacabana Palace Hotel on Saturday where they performed with the Petrobras Symphonic Orchestra, blending samba with erudite music.

Well-known Brazilian samba singers like Alcione and Martinho da Vila took part in the event.