May 29 is International Dance Day in Brazil!

Do you know how many rhythms and dances exist in Brazil?

If your answer is Just SAMBA, It means that you really need to get to know Brazil!

The “Samba” is one of the most popular Brazilian, which means you’re not bad, but did you also know that there are several rhythms and ways to dance samba?

In addition to the samba that you can meet in the parades, at the carnival, in the avenues of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, there is the “Samba de Gafieira”, danced by a couple, in this dance the partner must make sure that there is enough space for the lady can show herself to him with the whole ball around them,  the man behaves to be charming, for that reason he wears a white suit, black and white or red and white shirt, striped horizontally, black and white hat and shoes; Yes, besides of being a sensual dance, it is also a very elegant dance! And the rhythm to dance the “Samba de Gafieira” is called “Samba Choro”, the best Brazilian composers for this rhythm are: Noel Rosa, Chico Buarque, Pixinguinha, among others. Another rhythm of samba, which is very similar to the “Samba de Choro” is the syncopated samba, more modern and urban rhythm, which arises in Rio de Janeiro in the 1910s, was very connected to the maxixe, but you know what Maxixe is?

Maxixe is the Brazilian Tango (Tango is a traditional argentine dance), this dance is in a group, where everyone singing, dance or clap hands, in Maxixe you can dance in couples, but all the pairs dance at the same time, the melody and the voice external make the universe of the dancers. And from Maxixe that also originated Lambada. Unlike the Maxixe and Samba that originate in Rio de Janeiro, Lambada originates in the Northern Region of Brazil, in the state of Pará.

Lambada is a dance where couples should be embraced, even in the most daring choreographies, with twists and turns acrobatics. The rhythm resembles the cúmbia (Colombian dance) and the merengue (Dance in Haiti, Venzuela, Puerto Rico) and the Carimbó.

The Carimbó is one of indigenous origin, very common in the Amazon, Camrinbó is actually the name of the musical instrument, a drum, the players sit on the curimbó drum that is played with both hands, in this dance the men dance using short white pants and the girl dances sensually and the way of dancing is spinning, so that the dance is even more beautiful the dancers are barefoot and wear long skirts round, colorful or with large floral prints, they also wear bracelets and necklaces of seeds from the trees and plants of the country, their hair are ornamented with roses.

Another dance where the women wear this type of dress is “Fandango”, you can find that rhythm in the north and the south of Brazil. In the Rio Grande do Sul, South of the country, you can dance fandango in three ways: “Vaneira” is moderate, “Vanerão” is more accelerated and “Vaneirinha” which is a more romantic version, all this rhythms should be danced by couples.

Another romantic rhythm is the Sertanejo, very common in the states of Paraná, São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Goiás and others. The traditional Sertanejo is interpreted with Violas (Violas is like guitars with ten strings) and vocal duet, it is danced by couples as well as. The most modern version of “Sertanejo” became popular worldwide being played by: Michel Teló, Luan Santana, Gustavo Lima, the new rhythm is accelerated and can be danced individually, it’s usually danced by men to impress women.

A very popular rhythm that can be danced by doubles or not, is the “Carioca Funk”. Funk in Brazil is very different from the Funk rhythm of the United States. The “Carioca Funk”. is connected to the young audience, the famous composers of this rhythm are also young and internationally known: Anitta, Ludmila, Valesca.

Do you know them?

If you didn’t you must came to Brazil! There are more great Brazilian rhythms and dances than those quoted in this article, you will only discover them when you come to Brazil!