Playlist: Warm-Up

The tracks you'll hear during the warm-up in my samba dance classes. You can find most if not all of these on iTunes. Enjoy!

"Já É" Jeito Moleque (download)
"Coração Radiante" Grupo Revelação (download)
"Sou Negrão" Rappin' Hood (download)
"Sunday Bloody Sunday" Grupo Sambô (download)
"Água de Côco" Marcos Valle (download)
"Zagueiro / Umbabarauma (Ponta de lança africano)" Jorge Ben (download)
"Charles Anjo 45 / Caramba / Galileu da Galiléia / Cadê Tereza? / Miudinho" Jorge Ben (download)
"Chorando Saudade" Banda Eva (download)
"Ai, Ai, Ai" Vanessa da Mata (download)
"A Galera" Ivete Sangalo (download)

Is Samba the same as Zumba?

The short answer is: No.

Many people are just now becoming aware of samba dance thanks to the popularity of the "Latin-inspired" Zumba dance-fitness program. Zumba brings together many different types of dance and each instructor creates a specific workout including their choice of various dances. Samba can be one of the dances included.
Also, Zumba is a registered trademark, samba is not.

What does samba look like? Like this:

There are several styles of samba dance including samba no pé, gafieira, axé, and samba rock. Rio and Bahia styles of the basic samba step also differ. Samba also refers to the music to which samba is danced. There are several variations or types of samba rhythms including but not limited to: samba reggae, partido alto, samba canção, samba enredo, and samba de roda.

Mas Que Nada

A classic Brazilian tune updated. Used this song in class tonight and you loved it! Enjoy. (Single by Sérgio Mendes featuring The Black Eyed Peas
from the album Timeless, 2006)



The original "Mas Que Nada" is by living legend Jorge Ben (formerly known as Jorge Ben Jor). Ben wrote and performed the song in 1963. The song became Sergio Mendes' signature around 1966.



"Mas Que Nada" is Brazilian Portuguese slang, literally meaning "but, that [is] nothing". The figure of speech means "come on", "no way", or "Yeah, right!".

Sources:
Song history, meaning - Wikipedia
Videos - YouTube
More on Jorge Ben - Músicabrasileira.org

Samba Dance Classes NYC

MONDAYS (Brooklyn)
all levels
8:00 - 9:30pm ($15)

TUESDAYS (Manhattan)
all levels
7:30 - 9:00pm ($20)


SATURDAYS (Manhattan)
both classes all levels
Samba 1 - 3:00 - 4:00pm ($14)
Samba 2 - 4:00 - 5:00pm ($14)

SUNDAYS (Brooklyn)
All levels 3:30 - 5:00pm ($15 - please commit to 4 consecutive classes, $60)

FOR FULL DETAILS CLICK HERE