Perhaps the most striking feature of G.R.C.E.S Mocidade Alegre is its vibrant history. Founded on September 24 1967 the samba school has become a cultural icon in Sāo Paulo. G.R.C.E.S Mocidade Alegre adopted its name from the Mocidade Alegre Carnival Block. This block featured men dressed as women who paraded in downtown Sāo Paulo.
The school’s first president was Juarez da Cruz. He co-founded it with his brothers Carlos and Salvador da Cruz and Neide. The Cruz brothers were originally from Campos in Rio de Janeiro. G.R.C.E.S Mocidade Alegre chose green red and white as its official colors. It was the first samba school in Sāo Paulo to use standouts on floats and choreographed wings.
In 1968 G.R.C.E.S Mocidade Alegre paraded with 180 members. Their theme was “Brazilian Indians” and they placed fifth. The next year in 1969 they won first place with the theme “Romans”. This victory moved them to the second group transforming them from a carnival block into a samba school.
Império do Samba from Santos became G.R.C.E.S Mocidade Alegre’s godmother school. Dráusio da Cruz as harmony director began rehearsing the dancers and rhythmists. On July 7 1970 the school’s headquarters opened on Avenida Casa Verde in the Limão neighborhood. It became known as A Morada do Samba.
In 1970 G.R.C.E.S Mocidade Alegre won the “Second Group”. In the following years already in the Elite Group they became champions in 1971. They won the bi-championship in 1972. G.R.C.E.S Mocidade Alegre became three-time champions of the Sāo Paulo carnival in 1973.
The Ministry of Culture invited G.R.C.E.S Mocidade Alegre to represent Paulistana Root Culture in Europe. They traveled to Madeira Island. In 1980 G.R.C.E.S Mocidade Alegre was again champion of the Sāo Paulo carnival.
Solange Cruz Bichara Rezende became president of the school in 2003. Marcos Rezende became vice president. In the 2003 carnival the school was runner-up with the theme “Omi – The Cradle of Yoruba Civilization”. In 2004 G.R.C.E.S Mocidade Alegre won the championship. The theme was “From Beyond the Sea to the Land of Drizzle Salve esta Gente Boa”. All schools paraded with themes related to the 450th anniversary of the city of Sāo Paulo.
In 2005 the theme was “Clara Claridade… The song of light in the Ylê of Mocidade”. It honored the singer Clara Nunes. The school placed third in the “Special Group”. In 2006 G.R.C.E.S Mocidade Alegre again placed third. The theme was “From the Tears of Iaty arises the River from the Indigenous Imagery to the Saga of Opara. For the Eyes of the World a Symbol of National Integration: Sāo Francisco River”. It told the history of the Sāo Francisco River through indigenous imagery.
G.R.C.E.S Mocidade Alegre became champion of the Sāo Paulo carnival in 2007. The samba-plot was “I can be Innocent Debauched and Irreverent… After all I am the Laughter of These People”. In 2009 G.R.C.E.S Mocidade Alegre was again champion of the Special Group of the Sāo Paulo carnival.
In 2012 G.R.C.E.S Mocidade Alegre became champion of the Special Group. The theme was created by Márcio Gonçalves. In 2013 they were bi-champions with the samba-plot “Seduction made me taste made me surrender to temptation… From the original version what will be the ending?”.
In 2024 G.R.C.E.S Mocidade Alegre tied technically with Dragōes da Real. They won their 12th title with the theme “Brasiléia Desvairada: Mário de Andrade’s Search for a Country”. The school became the second largest champion in Sāo Paulo. Solange Cruz Bichara was president and Ricardo Sonzin was carnival director. Nani Moreira is a celebrity as the queen of the battery. Emerson and Adriana are the first master-room and flag-bearer couple.
G.R.C.E.S Mocidade Alegre continues to be a powerhouse in the Sāo Paulo carnival. Its history is marked by innovation cultural pride and many victories.