For today’s interactive feature, the question is: what’s your favorite Brazilian dance? 
Personally, my favorite kind of dance to do is lambada, which is sometimes referred to as zouk. It’s a ton of fun to dance, though it takes a bit of practice, and is a great workout. I also really enjoy forró from Salvador, which is a lot of fun. Also, while cheesy, axé dance is also a great time.
What about you?
Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil’s southernmost state and one of the states most heavily populated by European descendants, has a number of traditional dances that come from several European traditions.
One of these dances is called chula. Of Portuguese origin, this dance is done in male pairs by stomping and tapping in a sort of dance off between each pair. Traditionally, one dancer challenges the other with difficult steps, and the other dancer responds by repeating those steps and adding his own on, so that the person who forgets the steps first “loses” the dance off.
Though the dance is now mostly confined to competitions and special events, the chula is a fascinating dance form that is somewhere between flamenco, Irish step dancing, and breakdance-style battles.
Have a look in the two videos below!
Today we’re going to look at one of Rio de Janeiro’s most successful non-profit organizations.
Afro Reggae started as a newspaper in the Vigario Geral favela in Rio, discussing Afro-Brazilian culture and music, like reggae and hip hop. The movement itself was inspired by a police massacre in the favela that left a group of innocent civilians dead. In 1993, a community center was created for the community’s children, to provide them with cultural activities and opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have. The center offered dance classes, drumming instruction, and soccer games. It later expanded to favelas in other parts of the city and now has 65 current projects.
The NGO now offers a wide variety of cultural and educational activities, including theater classes, homework help, and circus classes, besides dance, percussion, and performing opportunities. It also has partnerships with other non-profits and private companies to help urbanize favelas and offer residents new opportunities. The organization seeks to use social projects and development to reduce violence and poverty.
Afro Reggae is also a popular bloco (street band) that attracts thousands of people to a local parade during Carnival, and also performs at venues in Brazil and internationally throughout the year.
The NGO was featured in a full-length documentary called “Favela Rising.” Check out the trailer below and look for the movie on DVD.
To visit Afro Reggae’s official website, click here.
Today we’re starting a new series about Brazilian dance forms.
Forró is a type of dance that originated in the Northeast of Brazil, and is also known as arrasta-pé, bate-chinela, fobó, and forrobodó. Danced to the music of the same name, the movements have a variety of influences: indigenous ritual dances, traditional Dutch and Portuguese rhythms, German folk dance, and African hip movements. The dance is frequently peformed at parties and festivals in the Northeast. It is the centerpiece of the São João Festival in particular.
The origin of the name forró is disputed. Historians say that it comes from the Portuguese word forrobodó, which means confusion and disorder. The popular version of the story says that the name came from the English engineers living in Pernambuco in the early 20th century. During that time, the English would give parties with banners stating the festivities were “for all,” and these English words morphed into the Portuguese word forró.
Forró dance comes in two types: forró nordestino and forró universitário. Northern forró is more sensual, with a closer proximity between the partners and more body contact. University forró is more like salsa, with spins, quicker, larger movements, and constantly shifting proximity between the partners.
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