Samba Dance Classes

Samba is a Latin style dance from Brazil. It is high energy and faster tempo in a 2/4 time. There are actually three steps to each measure of music so one of the steps is syncopated. The music is the inspiration for the original dance. It has been popular in music and dance since the late 19th century. The dance is actually a set of dances that describe a dance scene in Brazil. There is not just one dance that is the original dance. It is more a cultural phenomenon than a single dance. Ballroom style dance in this style has been standardized and is used in competitions worldwide.

One of the dances in the group is called Samba no pe. It is a solo dance that is danced to appropriate music. It is a miniature version of the dance performed in a very small amount of space. The step is basically a step ball change. The body is kept straight and the knees are bent slightly. Weight is shifted briefly between legs as the steps are taken. This dance can be done extremely fast because it is kept in close proximity. Men do this dance with the whole foot on the floor and women dance on the balls of their feet. With practice, arm movements and extra steps can be added in.

Samba de Gafieira is a partnered dance but is quite different from the ballroom style of the dance. It dates back to the 1940's and is named for the nightclubs of Rio de Janeiro. It is a mix of polka, tango, and several Brazilian styles. The steps go in a quick-quick-slow sequence. This form has also come to include acrobatics. It is the most complex of all the dances in Brazil and it is taught in dance schools all over the world.

Samba Pagode is another partner dance similar to Gafieira but without the acro element and is more intimate. Axe is a solo form popular in north east Brazil. It is a choreographed dance that is enjoyed around the holidays. Reggae style mixes the drums of Brazil with the beats of reggae. The rock version is from Sao Paulo and is the spunky version danced in nightclubs. De Roda is a traditional dance that has been associated with capoeira. It involves native musical instruments, singing and clapping. Dance studios all over the world offer classes in several of the variations of this cultural phenomenon.