Brazilian Zouk, also known as Zouk Lambada, is still unknown to most Americans. But the sensual dance has been growing tremendously around the world over the past decade. Will it be the next hottest thing in the U.S.?
Zouk instructor Adrian López shares on how he fell in love with Zouk and his hopes to “give it a home” in the DC area and in the U.S.
CM: So how did you get involved in Zouk?
AL: I was tired of dancing the same Latin dances, it had gotten monotonous. I had stopped dancing for three months and one day I saw this guy dancing at a club in Buenos Aires and he just blew me away. I immediately went up to him and asked him what style he was dancing and he said he was a Zuqueiro. I started rehearsing and learning with him and then with any Zouk instructor who would come to the U.S. I was living in DC at the time and would commute to NY on the $20 bus all the time to take as many lessons as possible.
CM: Is there a specific quality about the dance or a certain experience that attracted you to this dance over other dances?
AL: The dance engrosses you. The connection is so strong, it’s like you live in connection. It’s not about performing; it’s about dancing for each other and being in the moment. It’s very real and very natural.
CM: Is there a big scene outside the U.S. for Zouk? Where?
AL: Brazil is the biggest, in Rio de Janeiro and Porto Seguro, where they have the largest Zouk congress every two years. It’s also huge in the Netherlands, in Rotterdam, and Amsterdam. Barcelona, UAE and Australia have strong communities. There are many communities throughout the world of varying sizes.
CM: Do you think it has the potential to become big in the U.S.?
AL: Absolutely. But it could be limited because some Americans are not comfortable with being intimate. Cities that will do well are Miami and San Diego.
CM: What about DC?
AL: Even in DC it will do well because people here are driven. They strive to achieve anything they want in life.
CM: Why would the average American like Zouk?
AL: It’s intense. It shakes you out of wherever you are. The intensity and the realness require you to be in your body all the time and that’s incredible.
CM: Does it take a lot of training to get good?
AL: Yes. But it depends on how far someone has to travel to be comfortable (mentally). The basics are simple, but you have to let go to the point where [the movements] flow together. It might sound kind of deep but I call it moving meditation. All your stress is gone. It’s like going into a trance.
CM: What was your best experience performing Zouk?
AL: Actually, the first time I performed Zouk was last Saturday at the Resolution Jam [at The Salsa Room in DC]. Before that I had an ideological problem with performing Zouk. I thought that choreographing the dance was against the spirit of what makes it special. It shouldn’t be premeditated.
CM: Any embarrassing moments? It’s a pretty intimate dance.
AL: No. You’re safeguarding the woman’s intimacy. It’s only awkward if they won’t go there with you or if they misinterpret your lead.
CM: Will you continue teaching in DC?
AL: Yes, I’m just getting started.
CM: What are your future plans?
AL: To start the Zouk scene in DC, establish a place for people to come, to give it a life, give it a home. That’s my goal.
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Lopez is currently teaching Beginner Zouk 1 – Strong Foundation at ClaveKazi studio in DC. Visit clavekazi.com for more info.
He and his partner Lottena are available for classes, private lessons and performances. For more information, visit Zoukalma.com, your guide to this beautiful Brazilian art.
What is Zouk?
Zouk Lambada (Brazilian Zouk) is a flowing, intimate partner dance which began in Rio and Sao Paolo and swept 28 countries worldwide. It is the descendent of Lambada, which began to evolve when Zouk music came to Brazil from the Carribbean. Zouk dancers (Zuqueiros) dance with an intense, trance-like connection and interplay between partners that involves the entire dancer - hips, torso, arms, head, heart, and soul. Brazilian Zouk is sensual, intimate, and sensitive to the music in ways not seen on the American dance scene. Latin movement is sensual, but Brazilian Zouk extends lead-and-follow through the entire body. Zouk Lambada is not about the audience, but about the dancers and music – the real beauty is felt, not just seen.
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Comments
Very interesting article! I didn't know what Zouk exactly was, so I googled it and saw some videos, from Europe mostly, it's an amazing dance! so much flow! I would love to see more of it in DC.
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