Introduction Latin Dance Class

This is a free introduction to the Latin dances Zouk and Samba de Gafieira. If you enjoy the class, return the following week to start an 8-week Beginner block course that will help you learn more skills and increase your confidence to dance anywhere, anytime.

Zouk is a fun, modern dance suitable for all ages. For many in the younger dance crowd, Zouk has rekindled an interest in partner dancing. For those who have experience dancing other dance styles, many of the moves, techniques or concepts from those dances can be imported to Zouk, making it relatively easy to adapt to this dance. In addition, Zouk can be danced to a variety of music and a variety of moods, making it a versatile dance to know. The steps are slow-quick-quick.

Samba de Gafieira (also called Gafieira) is a partner dance to the Brazilian samba musical rhythms and must be distinguished from the ballroom Samba, danced in International Latin and American Rhythm ballroom dance styles. It appeared in the 1940s and it gets its name from the Gafieira – popular urban nightclubs of Rio de Janeiro at that time. The steps are done on a short-short-long (quick-quick-slow) tempo.