Juliana Azoubel

Learn About Brazilian Dance

Brazilian Contemporary Dance

The Mix of traditional Brazilian dance with contemporary ideas and Modern dance technique is one of the main focuses of my work as a choreographer, teacher and dancer.

“Brazil For All” was a work presented at the Constans Theatre at the University of Florida in December 2001, when American Dancers used their modern dance and theatre background to perform a piece portraying social, economical and cultural realities of the Brazilian Culture.

Brazilian Contemporary Dance

Frevo

In front of the Martial Bands, Capoeiristas, most of them former slaves, used to play and dance with old umbrellas and knives which they used to fight against their rivals. The rhythm played by the bands became the music called “Frevo”. The Capoeira steps mixed with that fast music and the influence of other dances originated the Frevo steps.

The word “Frevo” came from the mispronunciation of the word “ferver” (which people used to say “frever”), meaning “to boil”, to get agitated. The first time this word was officially used was in February 09, 1907, date that became known as the Day of the Frevo.

Frevo

Coco

Most of the scholars would agree that this dance originated in the “Quilombo dos Palmares”. The slaves used to try to break the coconut shells by beating one to another; and since they were so many at a time, a strong and repetitive sound would come out and they would also take that opportunity to dance and sing to the beats that they were creating.

Many steps were naturally happening as they worked and played, and later the sound of breaking the coconut shells was replaced by the sound of clapping. They started dancing in a circle and man and women partnered up to dance “The Coco”.

Coco

Ciranda

“In order to dance Ciranda, just hold each others hand and sing a song”. Ciranda is a mix of singing, dancing and fun where everybody can be a part of it and there is no need for complicated steps. Usually danced for live music, on the shores of the Northeast of Brazil, the dancers try to imitate the movement of the ocean waves.

Historically, the Ciranda originated in Portugal but soon got influenced by the African and Native Brazilian Tradition being danced mostly in the state of Pernambuco in the Northeast of Brazil.

Ciranda

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Xaxado

This dance was born in Pernambuco, precisely in the regions of Pajeú and Moxotó. Although there are some doubts on who was the creator of this tradition, many would affirm that "Lampião" did it, even though many others would disagree on that. One way or another he was the responsible, together with his group to spread this Dance, keeping it always linked to the tradition of the "Cangaço".

According to Câmara Cascudo, the word comes from the Sound xa-xa-xa done by the sandals of the dancers when they step on the floor. It could also be a variation of the war song called Parraxaxá.

The dance movements are usually performed in lines (native Brazilian influence). Nowadays one cannot find anymore the groups that spontaneously dance Xaxado, you can only watch Xaxado in a choreographed way, usually performed by dance groups, the costumes used for this dance are usually a copy of old costumes of "cangaceiros", with fake guns and belts added to it.

Xaxado

Bumba-Meu-Boi

This is one of the most known traditions in the North and Northeast of Brazil. It portraits the social and economic reality of its time and had very strong influence from the three main races present in the Brazilian colonization period; the Africans, the Native Brazilians and the Portuguese.

In some states it can be celebrated at the Christmas time. It has specific steps and a plot, which makes this tradition a combination of dance and drama. Depending on the state, the plot has different meanings and the steps and characters vary according to the intention of the plot.

Bumba-meu-boi

Reisado

This is a religion tradition, brought by the Portuguese people to the Northeast of Brazil. It is a mix of dance and drama where the participants worship the newborn Jesus at Christmas time. It is usually performed on the streets or public events and has very fancy and elaborated costumes.

The steps are usually performed to a fast rhythm and the amount of characters involved in the drama vary according to the state that it is performed, mostly in the Northeast of Brazil.

Reisado

Maracatu

From the “Auto dos Congos”, tradition where the Africans, usually slaves, represented a play, followed by unique music and dance, came the Maracatu. The Maracatu recalls up to this day this tradition, except that the representation part was excluded, keeping only the procession and the hierarchy of the members of each nation. Even though the Maracatu has its origin on the African tradition in Brazil, nowadays everybody can be part of it, independent of cultural background or heritage.

There are two types of Maracatu, “The Maracatu de Baque Solto or “Maracatu Naçao” and “The Maracatu de Baque Virado”. Both types are very important part of the Brazilian Carnival tradition, especially in the cities of Recife and Olinda, in the Northeast of Brazil.

Maracatu

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Caboclinhos

This might be the oldest Brazilian Dance Tradition, it was first observed at the time of the “missions” when the little native Brazilian kids presented their dances to the catholic priests. The word “caboclo”, in the northeast of Brazil it is used to indicate the mix between white and native Brazilian people and “caboclinhos” are their little kids.

The dance itself tries to portrait their fights and hunting rituals. The music is soft but fast and it is usually accompanied by the sound and movement of the “preacas”, special type of bow and arrow used by the native Brazilian People.

Caboclinhos

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Afoxé

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Samba

Samba is the national symbol of Brazil, a musical construction made with binary time and a syncopated rhythm that is appreciated worldwide. It can be danced as a solo, group (circle or parades) or couples.

Originally it was played only with percussion instruments, and later it was added to many styles of acoustic guitar and the 'cavaquinho' (small guitar). There are many styles of Samba as a music genre and as a dance form.

Among the many styles of music, Samba can be classified as Samba, Samba Enredo, Bossa Nova, Choro or Chorinho, Samba de Pagode, Samba Rock, Samba de Roda, Samba Breque, Samba Cancao, Samba de Terreiro and Samba Paulista.

And if one wants to divide Samba as a dance styles, the following styles of Samba will be found: Samba no Pe, Samba-Reggae, Pagode, Samba de Umbigada, Samba de Roda, Samba Duro e Samba de Gafieira.

Samba

Samba de Gafieira

Samba de Gafieira is a stylish and creative partnering dance. It is well known as The Brazilian Tango because of the energetic movements performed and connection between the couple.

It is danced to General Samba, Bossa Nova, Chorinho, and Pagode, using the influence of the Tango steps with the mix of the "Brazilian Ginga". It can be danced as fast or as slow as the music demands and it is usually done in a closed embrace, giving space to a lot of sensuality and passion.

The ability that the dancer has to blend freedom and creativity to the sharpness of the established technique is one of the unique characteristics of this dance style. The complexity of some of the steps has made this dance one of the richest dance styles in the Brazilian culture.

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Samba de gafieira

Forró

From the mispronunciation of the English expression "For All", this dance style was born in the parties of the Brazilian countryside. In order to celebrate the harvest, people from different social classes would gather for a free party that would last all night-also called “Forrobodó”. This is a very fun dance and most of its steps originated from the free style.

Learning how to divide this dance style into: Baião, Xote, Forró Pé-de-Serra and Forró Estilizado, will lead a student to an easier path on how a free style of dancing became structured enough to be taught in many schools all over Brazil.

Nowadays, this style is danced all over the country and one can see a big celebration of this dance and music style in the parties to celebrate St. John's and St. Peter's birthday in the month of June.

Forró