Samba no pé is a solo dance and most well known from the Carnival parades in Rio de Janeiro.  This joyful solo samba is also danced alone or with groups of friends on the streets and in the clubs in Rio de Janeiro and throughout Brazil.

Samba de Gafieira is a partner dance that comes out of the ballrooms of Rio de Janeiro in the 1940’s. It’s name comes from the Gafieira, the name of the nightclubs in Rio de Janeiro or the dance hall where it is performed. Samba de Gafieira is different from International Ballroom Samba and has its roots in the Maxixe (predecessor of the samba), and other European dance styles. It is a very playful and beautiful social dance that can be danced to almost all kinds of samba songs, such as Bossa Nova, pagode, samba canção, choro and other fast-paced sambas.

Forró is a popular couples dance out of Northeast Brazil. It is danced all over Brazil, and has become all the rage in New York City. Some people say that the word “forró” comes from the English words “for all”, which meant that everyone was welcome to the parties organized by the English, who were building roads in Northeast Brazil, and holding parties for their Brazilian employees. But the word “forró”, probably comes from the word “forrobodó”, which meant the popular parties powered by music, dance and “cachaça” (Brazilian sugarcane rum). A Forró band is usually comprised of an accordion, a zambumba (drum), and a triangle.