Samba no Pé

Samba no Pé, or Samba on the foot, is an Afro-Brazilian solo dance brought to Rio de Janeiro by immigrants from the North-Eastern State of Bahia and is internationally known for being danced as part of the Rio Carnival. Foreigners are also allowed to participate in the carnival parades by purchasing a costume either through specialised websites or by contacting their chosen Samba school directly.

With origins rooted in slavery, samba parties take place every Monday and Friday at Rio de Janeiro’s Pedra do Sal, a large rock where slaves had carved stairs to lug heavy sacks of salt. When they became free, the rock became home to Rio’s first samba street parties that continue until today. For a more personal approach to learning samba at your own pace, you can take classes 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.

Pledging allegiance to my samba school Beija-Flor just a few days before our parade

Samba Class Rio with Bruno Cantisano

Group and private classes (Portuguese and English)

Tel. +55 21 998038727

sambaclassrio@gmail.com