Zouk-Lambada
The Lambada dance (or an evolved version of lambada) danced to Zouk rhythm music. There are two dominant styles of Lambada-Zouk called (Brazilian) zouk and Lambazouk.The Zouk-Lambada dancing styles are among the most popular non-ballroom dances for couples in Brazil, others being Forró, Lambada, Samba de gafieira and Salsa.
Brazilian zouk
Brazilian zouk (also just called Zouk) is mainly danced in Brazil (Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia), The Netherlands and some other European countries, It uses a modified, slower, smoother, even more sensual version of the lambada and is typically danced on Zouk-love style music. The dance style was first developed by Jaime Aroxa, Adilio Porto and Renata Peçanha in Rio de Janeiro around 1989. In the Netherlands it was first introduced (in the early 2000's) by Claudio Gomes. Today Brazilian zouk is also danced on R&B, latin pop and arabic music, mixed with a Zouk music beat.
Unlike forró, which is led with the whole body, or salsa, which is led with the hands; Brazilian zouk is led by the glued-to-each-other hips of the partners. Thus, in a basic sideways movement, it is the hips that move first, followed by the rest of the body, and this is part of what makes the dance so sensual.
When practicing zouk in dance classes, teachers generally warn women to be very careful with their backs, as one of the most distinctive and commented-on movements is for the woman to lean her head far back, sometimes below her waist, and whip her head and hair from side to side. If not done properly this could possibly lead to injury.
As of today Zouk is becoming well known and apart from the original styles Lambada (faster) and Zouk (latter development) some other styles like Soulzouk, Zoukstyle and Zouk-Revolution are distinguished .
Lambazouk
In many countries the term Lambazouk refers to the Lambada dance style or a variation of it, danced to Zouk music. It distinguishes from Brazilian Zouk in the way the steps are performed on the music. To put it simple, Brazilian Zouk is danced on the dominant beat ("toom-cheek-cheek"), while Lambazouk is danced on the small beats ("cheek-cheek-toom"). In general the Lambazouk/Lambada dancing style is more suitable for fast tempo music, while Brazilian zouk is more suitable for slow tempo music. It is also very common praticed to switch fluently between these dancing styles during a single Zouk music song.
One version of Lambazouk was created in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, by fusion of the Brazilian Lambada and the Zouk of the Antilles, and has also influences of the Spanish Rumba. The technique was created by Jefferson Coast of Oliveira, Rio de Janeiro, who is resident in Mallorca since 13 years ago. The term Lambazouk was created there. Jefferson decided to experiment on 6 dancers. They studied the adequate way of the position of the body and established adequate exercises to utilize technical happiness in the dance LambaZouk. After seven years the six dancers became the professors of the new dance Lambazouk. Two of the professors are Daniel and Leticia Estévez López that since 1998 are carrying out the work of diffusing the Lambazouk in different environments.
In the year 2000 Jefferson Coast along with his six professors founded the Association Lambazouk of Mallorca wich was recorded at the Government as a cultural association with the aim to spread Lambazouk by means of contests, seminars, Congresses.
Soulzouk
Soulzouk, zouk freestyle is a variation on the Zouk-Lambada style. Created a little more than two years ago, the Soulzouk, zouk freestyle is a new style of Brazilian zouk that is getting more and more space among Brazilians. More contemporary, it differs from traditional Brazilian zouk by a new way to relate with the music. Not being limited only by the beat, the style emphasizes the song’s melody, that way it can be danced with zouk or with a variety of music genres like R&B and Hip Hop. It also differs by a great movement improvement, like torsion steps and table cambrets. Differentiated lead, for the men learns how to lead with not only his hands and arms, but also with his legs, shoulders and head.
Other Zouk-Lambada dancing styles
Apart from the more well known Lambazouk, Lambada and Brazilian zouk dancing style, other dancing styles like Soulzouk, Zoukstyle, Zouk-Revolution and Spiral Dance are distinguished.
Famous Zouk-Lambada music crews and DJ's
Brazil has 4 famous zouk crews that are all very distinct:
- Bamboo Tribe Crew - Arkanjo, Low Rider,Shrek, Beto Street.
- Z.N.L.(Zouk Night Love) - Mafie Zouker, Lex Zouk, Mr Dragon (Netherlands), Nyx (USA), Max Blacksoul.
- Cariberio - Lord Feifer, Tricinha.
- RioZouk - DJ T!
All these crews have DJ's that make remixes in neozouk style. Other DJ's that have produced zouk remixes are Pedrada, Poi, Ramonzito. New remixers are DJ Melodia, Biel.
Famous Dancers
Zouk-lambada dancers from Brazil: Mafie Zouker, Bruno Arkanjo, China Zouk, Ramonzito, Filipi.
List of upcoming and historic Zouk-Lambada congresses
- The First International Lambada Congress Barcelona 2004
- 2º Congresso Internacional de Zouk em Brasília on 17th of Februari 2007
- First International Zouk and Lambada Congress in Rio de Janeiro on 4th of Januari 2008
- Lambaporto Dance Congress 2008 in Porto Seguro on 7th of Januari 2008
See also
- Zouk
- Lambada
External links
de:Zouk es:Zouk fr:Zouk it:Zouk lv:Zuks nl:Zouk pt:Zouk sv:Zouk