Forró

Forró is probably one of the most popular dances in Brazil today. Originally from the North-East of the country, its origins remain disputed. Some argue that the word forró comes from forrobodó, often used to describe a fun party, while others argue that it was a dance that was “for all”, a termed coined when English engineers were working on a railway in the early 1900s, or when US Air Force personnel were stationed in the northern state of Natal and held balls on the weekend.

Some people, including myself, feel that forró combines elements of salsa and tango in the sense that it is a partner dance with spins and steps as in salsa, though it places emphasis on a shared balance and connection as in tango. Some of its most distinctive instruments include the accordion,  the triangle, and the flute or fiddle. You can learn forró with my teacher Bruno Cantisano in Rio, or otherwise take group classes at the country’s two main dance academies Carlinhos de Jesus and Jaime Arôxa.

Dancing Forró with my teacher Bruno Cantisano in Rio de Janeiro’s Lapa district

Samba Class Rio with Bruno Cantisano

Offers group and private forró classes (Portuguese and English)

Tel. +55 21 998038727

sambaclassrio@gmail.com