Flamenco

www.danceweardaily.nl/details/flamenco-substyle

How did flamenco originate?

The dance and music originate from southern Spain and contain many influences from Greek, Roman, Native American, Moorish, and Jewish cultures. When these groups came to Spain, they blended with the music and dance. This is how the flamenco we know today came into being.

Flamenco dance techniques

• Flamenco dance
  Flamenco dance is known for its passion. There are more than 50 palos (types) , which differ in atmosphere, rhythm, and tradition. Because flamenco leaves a lot of room for improvisation, dancers can let their emotions determine how the dance looks.

• Flamenco dancers
  A flamenco dancer, the bailaor or bailaora, begins by listening quietly to the music and singing (cantaor). This is followed by a dance in which emotions are clearly visible. The graceful arm movements and hard footsteps tell stories of pain or history. The most lively performances are duets between a man and a woman, in which they look at each other defiantly and portray a battle full of passion.

Here are some more great songs to dance to:

• “Bulerías” - Paco de Lucía, Camarón de la Isla, Tomatito
• “Alegrías” - Niña Pastori, La Perla de Cádiz
• “Al titi” - Esperanza Fernández
• “DI MI NOMBRE” - Rosalía
• “Juro que” - Rosalía

Capoeira

www.danceweardaily.nl/details/capoeira-substyle

The Origins of capoeira

Capoeira originated in Brazil during slavery. Enslaved Africans devised a way to train themselves in self-defense, but they had to hide this from their slave owners. Therefore, they disguised their fighting techniques as a type of dance, accompanied by singing and rhythm. This allowed them to practice without arousing suspicion.

After the abolition of slavery, capoeira was still banned for a while because it was seen as dangerous. Nevertheless, it continued to exist in Afro-Brazilian communities. Later, it was recognized as an important part of Brazilian cultural heritage. Eventually, capoeira grew into a globally practiced art form, with schools all over the world.

The Roda and the Music

Capoeira is played in a circle called a roda. In the middle, two capoeiristas “play” the game, while the rest sing, clap, and make music. The most important instrument is the berimbau—a single-stringed bow that determines the rhythm and style of the game. Other instruments, such as the pandeiro (drum), atabaque (drum), and agogô (metal bell), complete the ensemble.

The music is essential: it determines whether the game is calm, playful, fast, or challenging. Singing is also part of the tradition, often with short choruses that the whole group sings along to.

Here are some more great songs to dance to & which are often sung during a roda:

• “Paranauê Paranauê Paraná” - Grupo Capoeira Brasil
• “Zum Zum Zum (Capoeira Song)” - Mestre Suassuna
• “Corre Bimba” - Grupo Muzenza
• “Sim Sim Sim / Não Não Não” - Capoeira Brasil
• “Ei Meu Camarada” - Acerola Capoeira