Dancing in Rio

The Different Styles

Dança de Salão Translated to English it´s ball room dancing. Can be referred to classic couples dances like waltz but most of the time it refers to...

Samba de Gafieira It´s how the ball room dancing has evolved together with the samba (that in itself evolved with influences from both jazz and other latin music styles). There are many variations but all of them are pretty tricky. It´s not an easy dance.

Forró A dance from the Northeast that have various influences, the music is often accordion based. The dance is easy to learn though there are more advanced moves to learn that can make it a real challenge. There are two versions recognized; The more sensual "forró nordestino" and the more technical "forró universitário" that you see people dancing in Rio.

Zouk-Lambada The popularity of lambada is long gone but it´s evolved form zouk-lambada is still very popular. The moves are the same but the music is more rhytmic.

Samba-Pagode A light version of Samba with roots in the classic, simple and romantic choro. Easy to dance to and today is what you are most likely to see young people dance if it´s not forró.

Some Dance Schools
There are a quite a few dance schools in Rio, the ones I have listed are picked from Riotur´s (the official tourist organ) homepage and are not there because I consider them to be the best.

Casa de Dança Carlinhos de Jesus R. Álvaro Ramos 11, Botafogo map, tel 2541-6186.

Centro Cultural Carioca Dança R. Sete de Setembro 237 3rd floor, Centro map, tel 2541-6186.

Estação da Dança R. São Clemente 155 2nd floor, Botafogo map, tel 2286-0065.