Based on the empirical research conducted between 2012 and 2013 (built from the collection, selection and analysis of articles published in traditional print media and material posted on social networks, field observations and semi-structured interviews with social actors), in this article search to evaluate to what extent the growth of street Carnival in the city of Rio de Janeiro, since the mid-first decade of this century, is to some extent related (but not exclusively) to a musical activism conducted in public this locality. The hypothesis that guides the arguments developed here is that there is a consistent musical movement street - which involves not only networks of amateur musicians, semi amateur (and even professional), but also producers and fans, which act in brass-bands and rodas (of samba, choro and jazz) - which has contributed significantly to the significant growth of the street Carnival in Rio in recent years.
Communication; Urban Culture; Music; Carnival; Rio de Janeiro