PHOTOS: Scenes from 2009’s Brazilian Carnaval at the Palladium

Samba dancers from the Flavio Ribeiro and Unidos of California Samba School delight the Palladium crowd.  (Stefano Paltera / Los Angeles Times)

Samba dancers get ready before going onstage.  (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)

Samba dancers from the Tropidanza group perform on the Palladium stage.  (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)

Carnaval attendee Cynthia Guedea shows off her dress, which was inspired by traditional attire from Bahia, Brazil.  (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)

Brazilian singer Katia Moraes shows her moves on the Palladium stage.  (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)

Samba dancers from the Tropidanza troupe enthrall the Palladium’s revelers.  (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)

The winner of the Brazilian Carnaval’s ticket to Brazil prize Eliene Lima, left, celebrates with event organizer Patricia Leao.  (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)

Festival attendee Clea Bergamo came from San Paulo, Brazil, to have fun with her friends in Hollywood at the Palladium  (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)

A Tropidanza dancer gestures to the Carnaval crowd.  (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)

Beads move at with samba’s rhythm on Palladium dancers.  (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)

Vania Stuelp and her friend Sri Ram work through samba moves on the Palladium dancefloor.  (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)

Members of the Puerto Rico Carnival of the Caribbean show their customs at the Palladium.   (Stefano Paltera / Los Angeles Times)

Maracatu dancers from “Viver Brasil” perform during the Brazilian Carnaval at the Palladium.  (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)

Samba dancers move through the Palladium crowd during the Carnaval celebration.  (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)

Samba dancer Ana Massette of the “Tropidanza” troupe beams from the stage.  (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)

The crowd moves to the Brazilian samba rhythms.  (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)

A samba dancer shows off her moves at the Palladium.  (Stefano Paltera / Los Angeles Times)