What is Zouk? Zouk is a French word that means “Party”. Brazilian Zouk is a Latin dance which began in Brazil during the early 1990s. It originated from a Brazilian dance called Lambada with influences from other Brazilian dances. In the 80’s, Lambada was very popular in Brazil and quickly gained worldwide notoriety through its music, especially because of the popularity of the band Kaoma, Beto Barbosa, among others, and different styles of music such as Samba-Reggae, Caribbean Zouk, Flamenco music, mainly Gipsy Kings, among others. TV shows, films and DJ’s also helped promote the dance and the music. Lambada was a dance that dominated most nightclubs in Brazil, especially in Porto Seguro, São Paulo, Belo Horizonte and Rio de Janeiro. The most popular nightclubs in the 80’s and 90’s: Porto Seguro – Reggae Night and Boca da Barra Rio de Janeiro – Roxy Roller and Ilha dos Pescadores São Paulo – Lambar, Mel and Reggae Night Belo Horizonte – Casa Blanca and Cabaré Mineiro Lambada’s popularity began to decline in the 90’s, and the remaining lovers began to use primarily Zouk Caribbean music to continue dancing Lambada. During this period people naturally began to call the dance French Lambada, because of the music being sung in French Creole. Following that the community began to call the dance Zouk. Many other factors influenced the decrease in its popularity. It is important to mention that many Brazilian dancers/instructors were fundamental to help maintain the growth of the dance and they are dance references until today. Some of them are members of the Brazilian Dance Zouk Council such as: Jaime Arôxa, Renata Peçanha, Philip Miha, Rodrigo Delano and Gilson Damasco. Important dancers who supported and promoted the dance in their cities until today, among others. As a result of the Zouk music having different characteristics from Lambada, soon the Lambada dance began to adapt to the Zouk music. the dance was naturally modified, acquiring different characteristics in various states of Brazil and some places in the world, creating interpretations and different styles of Zouk. There was a time when several names were created making it difficult for the community to promote Zouk dance. Several meetings and debates took place and the community understood that the name Zouk was inappropriate because the dance and music already existed in the Caribbean. Around 2006, there was an important meeting at the Minas Zouk Congress (currently BH Zouk Congress) in Belo Horizonte, in order to define the official name of the dance and unite the community. The Brazilian Zouk name was decided by majority of votes. Until 2012, there were many meetings, lectures during dance congresses around the world to bring awareness and popularity to Brazilian Zouk name. Source: https://www.brazilianzoukcouncil.com/dance-education/history-of-brazilian-zouk/

Here is a playlist...

You can attend classes/bootcamps with a partner, or come on your own. We believe that by dancing with different people that will speed up your learning, during our classes we will ask you to change partners. As for the socials, you don't need to bring a partner! Try and dance with as many different people as you can, and enjoy the vibes!

Social dances are dances that have a social functions and context. Social dances are intended for participation rather than performance. They are often danced merely to socialise and for entertainment. At social dance people meet up to dance and socialise. We put on music and enjoy dancing together!

There are currently two Dance Schools in Oslo that offer Brazilian Zouk classes: - FeverDance. Mondays and Tuesdays. - EwaTrelaDans Wednesdays From time to time Oslozouk-team is arranging socials, workshops with International Brazilian Zouk dancers and bootcamps.

We advise to bring an extra change of T-shirt or top as it can get quite warm and a change may be needed. We also advise to bring a bottle of water to ensure hydration. Anything else that ensures hygiene & freshness. DANCECLASS CHECKLIST - Partner not needed. We rotate during the classes - Comfortable clothes - Shoes that don't stick to the floor. Flat sole. (it's perfectly fine to dance in socks) - Water Bottle - A snack, in case you get hungry - Deodorant, just in case - Sometimes you dance so hard you need a towel or a change of clothing - A gum, mints, just in case Most important is that you bring good and positive energy!

A private class is just you and the teacher(s). For anyone but especially for dancers who - prefers 1-1 method rather than a big class -want to reach the next level -want detailed, high quality corrections, personal assessment & tools to grow -want to work on a particular topic -are looking for inspiration and fresh input -are looking for great methodology & professionalism -feel like they stopped making progress

If you found the teacher you love, you can always ask if they offer privates. Here are the local teachers in Oslo: Val Danza and Rodrigo Omar and Hilde Petter Nøding aka Dj Viking Josue and Kristin

An open space for everyone who is interested in learning zouk and about zouk. Bootcamp is an intensive half a day crash course of zouk classes where you will develop dance skills, improve them, learn new techniques and of course, have fun while learning! We aim to provide you with all the tools, knowledge and techniques needed to take/complete your next goal for zouk, regardless of your level or where you are on your Zouk journey!

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Regardless of the level, teachers will always adapt to the level of the class and if necessary they will slow down or speed it up. At the Beginner Level the curriculum is pretty much set. At the Intermediate and Advanced level the topics can vary.

Dancing is for everyone! Brazilian Zouk Bootcamp is for everyone who is curious about the dance, have a desire to improve their skills, learn new techniques, strengthen their fundamentals and want to achieve better body control. Or simply wants to learn something new. Everyone is welcome!

YES! We want to make it easier for you to dance and participate in our bootcamps, that's why we have special discounts for you!

Here are some good playlists for beginners:

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Do you attend many dance classes per month? Are you an encyclopedia of dance figures? Let's say you have been taking tons of classes and you feel like your mind is a database of cool dance moves. Unfortunately, that doesn’t make you a good dancer. Dance is about the quality of the movements, not the quantity. You can use just the same three steps and create a beautiful dance. You can put 1.000 steps into a dance and create the ugliest dance ever. Why are we moved by a simple couple that simply walks to the music? Refine each movement, design them, understand the technique, listen to the music, make sure your partner feels comfortable, and then execute them on the dance floor. If not, I advise you to enjoy the basics – and just the basics moves. Do only the things you are confident enough to control and keep the dance flowing and remember not to be bending the girl around or from side to side the entire time, she will be very thankful! If you follow this, on the dance floor, you’ll see heads nodding in approval. It's common knowledge on the socials that we DO NOT give advices or tips to someone about their dancing unless they ask for it! Some people just like to practice what they have learned and enjoy themselves, rather than think about what they did wrong or what they should be doing etc. Be mindful of this!