Dance styles
Brazilian Zouk
Brazilian Zouk is a partner dance that originated from Lambada, the famously rapid and rhythmic dance from Brazil that gained international popularity in the 1980s. The term "Zouk" itself comes from a Caribbean music genre that influenced the Lambada. As the popularity of Lambada began to wane, the music of the Caribbean Zouk was used to adapt the dance into a new style. This new iteration was slower and more fluid than Lambada, allowing dancers to explore a wider range of body movements and expressions. Brazilian Zouk was heavily popularized in the 1990s by dance pioneers Jaime Arôxa and Adilio Porto, who developed distinct styles that emphasized smooth, flowing movements and dramatic head swings.
Today, Brazilian Zouk is characterized by its fluidity and continuous movements, which set it apart from other dance styles. Its hallmark is the upper body movements, especially the head, which rolls fluidly, often led by the leader's gentle guidance. The dance is both intimate and dynamic, with a strong emphasis on connection and musicality. Brazilian Zouk has evolved to include influences from other dance forms such as contemporary dance and ballet, making it a versatile and expressive dance form. Its growing popularity has led to a global community of dancers and instructors, spreading Brazilian Zouk to dance floors around the world.
Cuban Salsa
Cuban Salsa, also known as Casino, is a vibrant and rhythmic dance form that originated in Cuba in the 1950s. The dance developed alongside the salsa music genre, which blends Spanish guitar, African rhythms, and other Caribbean influences. Cuban Salsa emerged as a distinctive style in the dance halls of Havana, where dancers would gather to move to the energetic beats of son, mambo, and other Cuban music styles. The name "Casino" comes from the dance halls, known as casinos deportivos, where affluent Cubans gathered to socialize and dance. This social environment was crucial to its evolution, emphasizing a spontaneous and energetic approach to dance, characterized by a strong Afro-Cuban rhythmic influence.
Cuban Salsa is known for its free-flowing and circular movements, in contrast to the linear patterns seen in other salsa styles like LA-style or New York-style salsa. Dancers typically form a wheel-like structure known as "Rueda de Casino," where couples dance in a circle, switching partners frequently based on cues called out by a leader. This dynamic format not only adds to the communal and festive spirit of the dance but also highlights its roots in Cuban social and cultural traditions. The dance is heavily improvisational, allowing dancers to express individuality while maintaining a connection with their partners and the music, making Cuban Salsa a deeply expressive and culturally rich dance form.
Urban Bachata
Urban Bachata, also known as Modern Bachata, is a contemporary evolution of the traditional Bachata, a dance form that originated in the Dominican Republic in the early 1960s. Traditional Bachata began as a music genre characterized by its romantic lyrics and distinctive guitar sound, paired with a simple dance style based on a side-to-side pattern. Over the decades, as Bachata music gained popularity worldwide, especially after its introduction to the United States, it began to integrate elements from other genres such as hip-hop, R&B, and reggaeton. This fusion gave rise to Urban Bachata in the early 2000s, which features more complex footwork and a greater emphasis on performance and stylization compared to its traditional counterpart.
Urban Bachata distinguishes itself with its incorporation of modern dance elements, including body waves, dips, and intricate turns that are not typically found in traditional Bachata. The style is marked by a closer, more sensual connection between partners, with an increased focus on syncopated rhythms and isolations. This evolution reflects a younger generation's desire to innovate while remaining connected to the emotional depth and roots of the original Bachata. Urban Bachata continues to evolve and is popular in dance studios and clubs around the world, appealing to dancers who seek a dynamic and expressive dance experience that bridges cultural and musical boundaries.
Blended Kizomba
Kizomba is a dance and music genre that originated in Angola in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It evolved from traditional Angolan rhythms and Semba, a popular Angolan music and dance form considered to be a precursor to samba in Brazil. Kizomba means "party" in Kimbundu, an Angolan language, reflecting the social and celebratory nature of the dance. The music is characterized by a slow, insistent rhythm, which is romantic and soulful, often sung in Portuguese. As Kizomba spread to other countries, particularly Portugal, it absorbed influences from genres like zouk and tarraxinha, leading to a more varied and rich musical and dance expression.
Blended Kizomba, or Urban Kiz, as it is also known, represents a modern adaptation of traditional Kizomba, incorporating elements from other dance styles such as hip-hop, tango, and contemporary dance. This style emerged predominantly in Europe in the early 2000s when dance enthusiasts began experimenting with the traditional Kizomba steps, adding syncopations, dips, and pauses that were not typically part of the original dance. Urban Kiz is known for its more pronounced linear movements, greater use of space, and a distinct emphasis on the lead-follow connection, often with a stronger, more theatrical frame than traditional Kizomba. This evolution reflects the dynamic nature of dance as it migrates and morphs across different cultures, catering to a global audience while maintaining its Angolan roots.