Brazil

Brazilians have a reputation for knowing a thing or two about throwing a good party. Maybe its because of Carnival, maybe it's because of its diverse mix of cultures, or maybe its just because they really do like a good old fashioned fiesta. The country's got a great climate, beautiful landscapes and an even more beautiful population, so it only makes sense that they like to celebrate. Brazil's music festival scene ranges from intimate charmers on the beach to extravagant urban behemoths. It wasn't easy, but someone had to do it.

 “Social dancers think that life may be just a dance with different kinds of rhythms

depending on what music is playing in the background."

There are two big gifts from Brazil in music and dance. The Samba and the Bossa Nova which strangely enough competed with each and contributed to less Fans throughout the World. The Samba evolved from the Indian dances which in South America, most were on the two count. The Portuguese had a chassé step duplicate of the Samba basic and that did it. By the time of the arrival of the Africans, the Samba was pretty well fixed in Brazil under different names, for it is the largest country in South America.

"Chica, Chica, Boom, Chic." by Carmen Miranda

In the US we are still expecting something closer to Da Reel Teeng. Somewhat different than our disciplines, some of them have three and even four basics, when most social dances have only one. The night clubs are getting a little experience in it. The Brazilians with the use of more of the ordinary basic chassé into more familiar patterns similar to other dances. And the Samba music is getting better all the time, slow for ballads, the medium speed for a swinging samba.

“Social dancers who love the song playing, sometimes focus on the lyrics

too much and forget to dance to the music. So who's perfect?”