Learn to Samba with SAMBAJOZI

Feb 6, 2011 by Capoeirasa

Posted under: Newsroom

Bringing the heat and passion of Brazil to South Africa, SambaJozi teach classes, take part in street parades and perform authentic Brazilian Samba with the raw energy of the favelas and inspired by the biggest party on the planet, the Rio de Janeiro Carnival.

WHAT IS BRAZILIAN SAMBA?

Once a year in Brazil, entire communities are mobilised to take part in the biggest party on the planet. For two days, each of the 12 samba schools of the Grupo Especial (the top division in the samba league) mobilise up to 4000 dancers, 400 drummers and 8 gigantic mechanised floats to parade in a competition which lasts about 16 hours in total. The entire world watches in awe as the most spectacular show on earth parades down the ‘Sambadrome’. The effort begins in the favelas – humble communities where samba lives and breathes, and where carnival is the lifeblood of their daily existence. From the traditions of the African slaves and their colonial masters 400 years ago, (sharing part of its story with the Brazilian martial art Capoeira and the afro-Brazilian religion Candomblé), and subsequently influenced by other European nationalities, samba emerged in Brazil at the beginning of the 20th Century as not just a national music/dance, but as a cultural movement which embodies a history of oppression and emancipation, dictatorship, struggle and freedom. Today it brings joy, love, passion, sensuality and hope to all those who embrace it, and the carnival style ‘samba no pé’ with the fast hip and foot movement is seen everywhere from birthday parties, braes, small social gatherings, rodas de capoeira, pubs, restaurants, bars and nightclubs, right up to the giant ‘quadras’ of the Samba Schools and the carnival parade itself. It truly is the dance of a nation.

WHAT DO I NEED TO SAMBA?

Brazilian samba is not a partner dance although there is a lot of interaction between the dancers. Samba is for people of any age, ethnicity, nationality, sex, shape or size – all you need to have is energy, passion, a sassy attitude and a sense of humour! No background in dance is necessary (we teach absolute beginners to advanced dancers) but if you love music and dancing, are inspired by Brazil and aren’t afraid to shake your booty then samba is for you!

CLASS TIMES: Mondays 7pm-8pm (Beginners) / Saturdays 11am-12pm (Beginners)

LOCATION: Corenergy Dance Centre, Valley Shopping Centre, 396 Jan Smuts Ave., Craighall

PRICE: R90 for a drop in session, R300/month for 1 weekly class, or R530/month for 2 weekly classes.

WHAT TO WEAR: Boys – shoes not trainers, leather sole preferably. Bring a trilby or similar hat if poss. Girls – comfortable footwear ideally with a heel (feathers, bikinis & sequins all come later *wink*)

3 Comments + Add Comment

welile March 15, 2011 at 1:01 am

Hello

Would it be possible to have samba classes of this nature in cape town. Please consider it?? Many thanks, W
Nandi June 3, 2011 at 4:20 am

Please could I have the contact person and number for Brazilan Samba. I keen to start classes, just to to ensure days and times, not sure whether the information contained re Monday and Saturdays is up to date.

Regards,
Nandi
Capoeirasa June 5, 2011 at 11:42 pm

HI Nandi

Thanks for your interest in the SambaJozi post!

Please contact Chris Bicourt on 076 591 7450 or alternatively via email on sambajozi@gmail.com but we are pretty certain that the information on times and days is up to date.

Enjoy!