Brazil�s Carnival goes social with Google

While you may have heard of Brazil�s Carnival (or Carnaval), not everyone will have the chance to fly to Brazil to experience what are arguably the largest annual street festivals (+ music concerts + dance parties + culture fests) in the world.

Every year, Brazilian cities compete to be the country�s top Carnival destination: This year, we�re bringing you the sights, sounds and energy of Brazilian Carnival directly from the streets of Salvador (Brazil�s first capital and one of the oldest cities in the the Americas) through Google+, YouTube and Orkut.

From February 16 to 21 � the height of the festival and the peak of Brazil�s summer � you�ll be able to:

• Watch the festivities wherever you are in the world on the Carnival YouTube Channel. Starting Thursday, February 16, you�ll have access to everything from a live transmission of the streetfest to videos of bands who have traveled to Salvador to host the party. You�ll even be able to chat with other YouTube users who are watching the party with you from around the world through a map we�ve integrated just for the occasion.
• Chat with bands and watch live interviews on Google+. Chat with some of the Brazilian bands who have joined the festivities in real time by sending questions via Google+ and Orkut. You�ll also be able to watch celebrity interviews running live throughout the week on the AoVivo (Live) Google+ Page and transmitted simultaneously on YouTube and Orkut.

Even if you didn�t have a chance to get a plane ticket to Brazil, there�s no reason not to experience the energy of this year�s 2012 Carnival. Find out more about how you can be part of the party on +AoVivo, Orkut or on our Carnival YouTube Channel.

Flavia Simon, head of consumer marketing, Brazil, recently watched "President Obama sings Al Green: Let's Stay Together in 2012."