Tampa, FL 33617
International Samba
Samba is a lively, rhythmical dance of Brazilian origin in 2/4 time. However,
there are three steps to every bar (slow, quick-quick), making the samba feel
something like a 3/4 timed dance. The ballroom samba has its origins in Brazil
at the beginning of the 20th century. Many steps can be traced back to the Maxixe
danced in 1910s. A book published in France in 1928 already described how to
perform the samba. As a ballroom dance, the samba is a partner dance. Ballroom
samba, like other ballroom dances, is somewhat disconnected from the origins and
evolution of the music and dance that gives it its name. It is a form adapted
for its suitability as a partner dance. The dance movements, which do not change
depending on the style of samba music being played, borrows some movements from
Afro-Brazilian traditional dances such those used in candomble rituals and the
chamadas of capoeira angola. The ballroom samba is danced to music in 2/4 or 4/4 time.
The basic movements are counted either 1-2 or 1-a-2, and are danced with a slight
downward bouncing or dropping action. This action is created through the bending
and straightening of the knees, with bending occurring on the beats of 1 and 2,
and the straightening occurring on the "a". Samba is notable for its constantly
changing rhythms however, with cross-rhythms being a common feature.
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