September 22nd, 2008
Empress of Carnival: “The Samba Schools Get Ready”
Scene from the documentary “Empress of Carnival”, which shows the 9-month preparation of the Imperatriz Leopoldinense samba-school for the carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro. This scene shows the preparation of several samba-schools for the upcoming parade. More information at www.imperatrizdocarnaval.com.br
Duration : 0:3:15
September 22nd, 2008
How to Dance Brazilian Samba - Basic Steps
There are different styles of Brazilian samba depending on where you are in the country, or your personal preference. Here are two basic samba videos, each are excellent in showing you the basic Brazilian samba steps. The video on the left is samba in the axe style (pronounce ah-shay) more typical in north Brazil, particularty the state of Bahia. Carol Styley shows you how it’s done.
The second video on the right is more the style danced in Rio de Janeiro at bars and backyard parties, particulary with Pagode music. Pagode is a slower style of samba. Here Carlinhos Araujo will show you how a very easy to follow basic samba step.
You can practice both styles and eventually break out in your own unique way of expressing your samba moves. Just remember to relax and not think too much about the step, just let your body roll into it. Enjoy!
September 22nd, 2008
Portela Samba School 2008 Enredo (theme song)
Every year each of the samba schools Brazil participating in Caranval, must have a new theme song or samba enredo, which every member of the school must know by heart. Here is an example of a theme song everyone in the samba school must sing the entire 85 minutes of their part in the carnaval parade, the 2008 carnaval theme song (samba enredo) of Portela, one of the top samba schools in Rio de Janeiro. The name of the song is “Reconstruindo a natureza, recriando a vida: O sonho vira realidade” which means “Reconstructing nature, recreating life: The dream turns into reality”.
