Addicted to Zouk Newsletter #1
Submitted by ssteph on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 02:06.
Dear (Contact First Name),
First salsa congresses exploded all over the world. Then bachata congresses popped up, not even 3 years ago....and just behind these, bachata, Zouk and (Kizomba!) Our Latin Dance scene is moving and shaking like never before.
What's even more exciting is, just like salsa and bachata are Latin yet have been embraced by the whole world, Zouk is no longer just Brazilian and is being embraced internationally.
This newsletter is dedicated to Connecting, Informing and Inspiring salseros and bachateros about the emerging Zouk classes, workshops, events and socials in Toronto.
Get readyToronto! Look forward to more and more exciting events planned throughout the year! You'll be surprised to know who is already falling in love with zouk.
New! Sunday Zouk Social @ Dovercourt
When zouk was introduced at the Toronto Bachata Festival, it made such an impression on salseros and bachateros and has been gaining crazy momentum ever since !
It was a goal of mine to have 2, even 3 dance floors happening all at once...but it was hard to know which dances would be featured. With zouk having exploded in Toronto, it was easy to find the solution!
Come join us on August 7th, for the opening of the
new Sunday Zouk Social!
*FEATURING performances by Mazouka Dance & Dzouk Productions
*Weekly all-level zouk lesson and DJ music by rotating guests.
(See description to your right).
Wohooooooo!
Featured Article: What is Zouk?
I know most of you reading this are salsa dancers,
so I will relate it to salsa.
Zouk is a mid to slow-paced dance, with influences of lambada, salsa, R&B, blues and even contact improv dance. To put it simply, it's originally a French Caribbean dance that was borrowed by Brazilians in the 90's and morphed into lambada-zouk.
It has now branched into 2 main branches : Rio-style (comparable to cross body linear style) & Lamba-zouk Porto Seguro style (comparable to Cuban or Columbian style danced in a circle and travelling around).
As a newcomer to zouk, this is how I see zouk:
- Dancing in close hold, improving to the music with sways, body waves and ribcage isolations (so fun!)
- Turn patterns that are quite far apart from one another. Although zouk is distinct, there are some similarities to salsa patterns (soltinho=enchufla, yo-yo=roll outs before dips, turns, cross body).
- Improvisation: coming outside of the zouk rhythm to do dips (called cambres, pronounced 'cambrays') and upper body isolations which take your head with you called 'boneca'. Note that when you learn the technique on head movement, it's very relaxing and I personally have never hurt myself despite my very sensitive neck!.
- Zouk shines: letting go of your partner, and shadow dancing ie the lady follows the man who shows her with his shoulders where he wants her to go. It's so much fun!
- There are no spins, only pivot turns in zouk, unless you 'fuse' salsa into zouk. The woman completely surrenders to the man's lead, whereas in salsa it's more 'equal'. Surrendering improves your following technique, and is a freeing, beautiful space to be in. The man gets to play with the music and can come outside of the music so there is less pressure than in salsa to be on time. He can relax and enjoy.
- Zouk is really about being one-on-one intimate and calm, and not flashy and adrenaline packed like salsa. One really needs to 'slow down'. I used to be addicted to speed, and now I'm addicted to the gentle, sensual flow of zouk.
Look for these aspects in the following videos:
-
Videos of Zouk
Basic Steps: Adilio Porto & Laryssa (at the beginning!)
Adilio is the creator of Brazilian Zouk from the 90's.Basic Steps: Kadu & Laryssa (at the beginning)
Intermediate Social dancing: Leo Fontes in his class
Advanced Social dancing: Renato & Sheila at a social in Rio
Zouk helps improve Salsa technique
In a few short months of taking zouk, my following technique has gotten even better in salsa.
Zouk feels different than it looks generally. Some women don't like the hair flicking and think it's rough when the see it. Big hair movement is actually the last wave of a small movement. So in reality, zouk movements are very smooth, flowing and sensual. The only warning is men shouldn't do dips if they don't support the lady's back. Stick to lots of fundamentals and take classes to learn how to do the more adventurous moves!
Special Guests & Dates for this Fall!
(see descriptions on the right)
K-Yo Victor (Brasilia)
Teaching Sept 18 in Toronto @ Dovercourt
K-Yo & Gabi Povoa (Brasilia)
Teaching Oct 22/23 in Toronto @ Dovercourt
Rodrigo & Karina (Sao Paulo)
Teaching and performing Oct 16 @ the Sunday Zouk Social
*All 4 dancers will be at the Canada Salsa Congress in the new Zouk/Bachata Room and teaching in different Canadian cities.
Check Canadian tour schedule here.
Zouk Music Picks!
For your listening pleasure....
There are different zouk music styles: Ghetto, Black, Neo-zouk, R&B, Cabo, Remix, Tarracha, Ambient, Cargo and of course Kizomba (to which you can dance zouk). Many djs are remixing R&B songs by Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, 50 cent, Coldplay, Robin Thicke, and even Sarah Brightman... Popular R&B Brazilian artists are Nelson Freitas, Anselmo Ralph, Paulo Mac, Kaysha.
(Ok, apparently we all love Anselmo! haha!)
K-Yo (Brazilian soulzouk instructor):
Stephanie
Out from under Remix by DJ BigZouk
DJ Darius:
HÃ Quem Queira by Anselmo Ralph
Jules Bertrand (Interfusion danse Montreal):
*Check out Mazouka's Grooveshark weekly musical selections!
Zouk Quick Links
Go Dance Mambo
Founded by Stephanie Gurnon,
Go Dance Mambo offers classes in salsa, bachata, cha cha and now zouk! Check for open houses in August til our new session starts August 30. We organize the Toronto Bachata/Zouk Festival, and are opening a new Sunday Zouk Social August 7!
Stephanie is in love with zouk!
Toronto Dance Zouk
Founded by Renata Lisa, Renata was the first person to promote zouk in Toronto. Thank you Renata, and partner Anton Grouza! They'll be taking a break from classes in the summer. Check back for updates at
Mazouka Dance
Founded by Junyan Boon, Junyan used to be in love with salsa and tango. Now, him and partner Danielle Nash are crazy about zouk!
Register for Mazouka Dance Classes
Dzouk Productions Toronto Zouk
DZouk is a production company lead by Darius Zi, specializing in choreography, performance groups, djing services, and is a guest instructor at GDM. He used to be a die-hard on2 dancer, and now zouk is his passion. 
Toronto Zouk is a facebook page, lead by Valentin Darci, that promotes all things zouk in Toronto and abroad, like congresses and festivals. Valentin is very passsionate about zouk and travels a lot to international events, so he knows what's going on !
*July 7-Aug 25 Bachata Bootcamp @GDM with Bowie Romero (drop-in friendly)
*July 23 Workshops with Mari Hodges and partner Pablo from NYC
*August 7 Opening date of the new Sunday Zouk Social
*Aug 21 Bachata dance-off at Sunday Salsa Social $100 cash prize @ Dovercourt House
*Sept 18 Zouk dance-off at Sunday Salsa Social $100 cash prize @ Dovercourt House
*Sept 18- 4 hours of zouk workshops int level 10:30-3pm @Dovercourt w K-yo from Brazil!
*Sept 30/Oct 1 K-yo & Steph of Toronto Bachata Festival workshops & demos in Gatineau by Salsa Ole.com
*Oct 1/2 K-yo, Steph and the TBF go to Montreal for Danse ta Vie by Interfusion Danse (bachata and zouk event).
*Oct 6-9 Canada Salsa Congress: Bachata & Zouk Room new this year! (Kyo/Gabi/Rodrigo/Karina here). Bachata competitons Pro and Am on Thursday Oct 6 (winners qualify to TBC semis) & new this year, Pro/am division Sunday Oct 9.
*Oct 16 Rodrigo & Karina teaching at Sunday Zouk Social
*Toronto Bachata Competition Prelims Oct 16-Nov 13 @Dovercourt
*Oct 22/23: K-yo & Gabi weekend workshop and Ghetto do Zouk Saturday Party
*Nov 5 Montreal's 1st Annual Bachata/Zouk Fest! Interfusion Danse and San Tropez
*Nov 13-last day to qualify for TBC
*Nov 20 Toronto Bachata Competition Semis Amateur Division
*Nov 27 Toronto Bachata Competition Semis Pro Division
*Feb 16-19 3rd Annual Toronto Bachata & Zouk Festival
*Feb 19 Toronto Bachata Competition Finals
