From Bahia to São Paulo through the hands of Vai-Vai

At 75 years old, Gilberto Gil crossed São Paulo Sambadrome dressed in a custom that referred to the clothing of the members of afoxé act Filhos de Gandhy, from Salvador. He was sided by his wife and manager, Flora Gil, and his son Bem Gil.

The musician paraded in the last float, which was 49 ft. high, and carried a giant duplicate of the artist. Although he had suffered from health problems in 2016, Gil, touched, never lost breath singing the themed samba during the 64 minutes the parade lasted.

The lyrics had references to hits by the singer and songwriter, such as “Domingo no parque”, “Aquele abraço,” “Se eu quiser falar com Deus,” “Filhos de Gandhi,” and “Parabolicamará,” in addition to the chorus lines “lalalaiá” from “Palco” and “Andar com fé,” the latter being the inspiration for the title of themed samba.

The front commission referred to faith, an ever-present subject in the singer’s work. The first float brought elements from Northeastern culture and from his childhood in Ituaçu, Bahia state, where he was raised. A sector with performers playing capoeira was also a memory of his homeland.

The second float covered the influence of bossa nova and brought a duplicate of João Gilberto, an inspiration. Tropicália was mentioned in sectors such as Pangarolés, a reference to Hélio Oiticica’s famous work—the Tropicália name originated from another creation by Oiticica.

With the audience singing along, Vai-Vai, also known as Saracura, which by the time had Darly Silva as president, was the fourth school to perform on the second day of parade. The school ended the act as one of the favorites for the prize of the Special Group of Samba Schools. However, due to technical issues, its final classification was the tenth position.