RIO COMES TO COLORADO! Samba Workshops April 21-25, 2016

SAMBA WORKSHOPS WITH RODRIGO MARQUES & VANESSA NASCIMENTO
April 21st-April 25th, 2016

Bella Diva Dance & Luciana da Silva Samba Dancer are proud to present master teachers, Rodrigo Marques & Vanessa Nascimento, straight from the streets of Rio de Janeiro!

Prepare yourself for an intensive training in Samba No Pé (Rio de Janeiro style), Samba de Gafieiria (partner dance) and Malandro (male samba style). This is an opportunity for you to learn from the source and increase your Samba vocabulary.

Rodrigo Marques

Originally from Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, Mr. Marques began his dance training in youth social programs in Rio de Janeiro. He received training from several great names of the Samba de Gafieira in Rio de Janeiro such as Alvaro Reys, Rachel Mesquita, Carlos Bolacha, and Carlinhos de Jesus. Marques started dancing professionally at age 15.

He presented his early work in Rio de Janeiro at numerous dance spaces and founded Gafieira Brasil, an annual event that is constituted by a series of workshops and Gafieira Competition, which allow four choreographers and twenty-four dancers to present the most traditional and contemporary styles of Samba de Gafieira. Rodrigo is recognized internationally in Brazilian dances like Samba No Pé, Samba de Gafieira and Malandro (male style of Samba.) He has been granted several awards for his choreographic work with the most traditional Samba schools in Rio de Janeiro.

Vanessa Nascimento

has been dancing since childhood and is one of the most important dance teachers in Rio de Janeiro. She works at Casa de Dança Carlinhos de Jesus in Rio and has been a main dancer partner of Carlinhos de Jesus. She has travel internationally to perform and teach dance styles like Samba no pé and Samba de Gafieira. Her samba dance style is contagious and inspiring.image2

SAMBA NO PÉ and MALANDRO ( all levels )

Sunday April 24th 
6pm to 8pm
Bella Diva Dance
4309 E. Mississippi Ave.
Glendale, CO. 80246
Register here

ADDITIONAL WORKSHOPS:
Register here for Boulder Workshops

SAMBA NO PÉ ( all levels )

Thursday April 21st
6pm to 7pm
Pre Eminence Hall – 3213 Walnut St, Boulder 80301
$20 ( $35 if you attend 2 )
You may see Rodrigo & Vanessa at Chegando Lá after class
Laughing Goat

MALANDRO (this workshop is for men and women alike, all levels )

Friday April 22nd
6pm to 7pm
Pre Eminence Hall – 3213 Walnut St, Boulder 80301
$20 ( 35 if you are attending 2 )
Join Rodrigo & Vanessa at San Julien after class.

FREE Samba class by Luciana da Silva at 8pm

SAMBA DE GAFIEIRA ( Beginners and up )

Saturday April 23rd
2pm to 4pm
Avalon – 6185 Arapahoe, Boulder 80303
$35 per peson ( partner not necessary )

SAMBA NO PÉ and MALANDRO ( all levels ) image4

Sunday April 24th
6pm to 8pm
Bella Divas $ ( see https://www.facebook.com/BellaDivaDance/)

SAMBA NO PÉ LAST CHANCE ( all levels )

Monday April 25th ( Replacing Luciana’s class )
6:30pm to 7:30pm
Flamenco Denver – 1934 S Broadway 80210
$20 ( 35 if you are attending 2 )

For more information call: 719-200-6054
email:[email protected]
www.lucianadasilva.org

YOU WON’T NEED TO GO TO RIO TO EXPERIENCE SAMBA, RIO IS COMING TO YOU!

REGISTER TODAY

Dance 101: Samba basic steps and moves

Samba is a dance of joy, of vibration and pure color.

bella diva dance carnivaleSamba has been Rio de Janiero’s gift to the world. Brazilians are warm-blooded people full of energy and big smiles, and so is their dance, Samba is no exception to the magic. The Carnaval of Rio is the biggest samba event in the world, reproduced in many other places. This dance is now taught all around the world and many get to enjoy the pure energy of dancing Samba. Here are some basic steps and moves of Samba.

 

Basic Samba moves to get started

Feet: weight transfer

One of the important things is to follow the beat of the music. The basic feet movement involves transferring your weight from one foot to the other one on the beat. Keeping your knees slightly bent, with a toe-heel movement, keep the movement counting “one, two, three, four”.

Hip movement

Hip movement is key! As you move your feet, add a hip movement. When transferring the weight to the right, swing your hip to the right. Then do the same to the left. Make sure to engage your abs to keep in balance and get a core workout.

Arms to the sides

Move your arms opposite to your legs and swing them naturally and relaxed to the sides. Keep them waist high. Remember, the important thing is to keep the beat and smile!

samba squad
Learn Samba in Denver

Samba Classes at Bella Diva Dance

We offer Samba lessons for Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced students in Denver. We have our Samba No Pe class and an Intermediate/Advanced Samba Technique and Choreography class.  Our classes are thoroughly planned series in which we cover all basic samba foot patterns and sequences, body movements and different styles. Our prices:

4 week month series = $52
5 week month series = $65
$15 Drop-in rate (if spots are available)

 

Learn Samba today!  Read more about basic tips for women who want to be healthy and how world dance lessons are a great way to stay healthy.

World Dances: Origins of Samba

samba instructors

The cradle of samba can be found in Brazil, no doubt about it.

Modern samba is said to be born in Rio de Janeiro, more specifically. But the origins of this dance go further back in time and across the Atlantic Ocean to the place where much of South Americans and the Caribbeans owe their roots to: Africa. The slave trading era, during 1600-1888, not only brought new inhabitants to America but their traditions and customs, as well. The word “samba” is thought to be derived from the Kimbundu (Angolan) term semba, which referred to an invitation to dance. West African slaves were forced to leave their home countries in Africa to come live in a new continent, with foreign and unknown traditions to them. Even though they were also forced to become Christians, they kept practicing their religious traditions. The worship of their gods was done through dance and song. So, they managed to have parties where they camouflaged their ceremonies, as these, of course, were prohibited. Slavery was abolished in Brazil in 1888, and after decades of struggle to keep their traditions, the original dances and music were now combined with other rhythms and instruments. Many samba rhythms can be found in Candomble, an African religion, which is also practised in Brazil.

samba squad

Samba as a Popular World Dance

Some of the earliest records of samba trace it back to before 1914, when it was originally called “maxixe”. There are French records from the 1920s, that include instructions on how to dance it. It is said that samba, as we know it, was formed around that time. Samba was first introduced to US in movies, such as Flying Down to Rio, with Fred Astaire. The World’s Fair in 1939, in New York, was the stage for samba as it made a memorable impression on Americans. Samba is well-know as the the Carnaval of Rio in Rio de Janeiro’s official dance and it continues to impress and amaze spectators all around the world.

Samba at Bella Diva Dance

We offer Samba lessons for Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced students. We have our Samba No Pe class and an Intermediate/Advanced Samba Technique and Choreography class.  Our classes are thoroughly planned series in which we cover all basic samba foot patterns and sequences, body movements and different styles. Our prices:

4 week month series = $52
5 week month series = $65
$15 Drop-in rate (if spots are available)

samba squad

JOIN US FOR WORLD DANCE CLASSES IN DENVER

Bella Diva Dance’s  new studio is located in the Glendale Center on E. Mississippi Ave and Birch St, near Colorado Blvd.  We offer you: Belly Dance, Samba, Yoga, Bollywood, Hot Hula Fitness, Afro-Caribe and Kids’ World Dance. Contact Caitlin for more information about classes: 303.359.9414 or email us at [email protected].