Samba de Gafieira

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Samba de Gafieira (also just called Gafieira and often spelled as Gafiera) is a ballroom dance expression of Brazilian samba musical rhythm. The samba music played by a ballroom orchestra or the dancing hall where it is performed is also referred as gafieira.

Gafieira is usually an elegant partner dance, although in artistic performances it is not uncommon mixing solo steps of Samba no Pé.

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[edit] Origins

Its origins include the Maxixe, a Brazilian contemporary to Tango. The term gafieira was a Brazilian Portuguese slang meaning "low dancing resort, gaff, honky-tonk" or "dance festivity frequented by the populace"[1].

[edit] Basic Steps

Gafieira basic steps (gentleman).
Gafieira basic steps (gentleman).

[edit] Quadradinho (little square)

The basic movement common across most Gafieira styles is to step quick-quick-slow over the 4 beat measure. Like Tango, Gafieira is danced in either open embrace, where lead and follow connect at arms length, or close embrace, where the lead and follow connect chest-to-chest.

[edit] Saída ao Lado

Saída ao Lado step is used to entry and exit almost every other elaborated Gafieira step. Lady follows stepping backward when gentleman steps forward, crossing foot behind when he crosses ahead and so on.

[edit] Media Links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Michaelis 1992
  • (1992) in Michaelis: Michaelis: Dicionario Pratico Ingles-Portugues Portugues-Ingles. Companhia Melhoramentos de Sao Paulo. ISBN 978-8506016008. 
  • (2001) Samba de Gafieira - a história da dança de salão brasileira. ISBN 85-901965-5-0.