Samba, is an old Brazilian style of dance with many variations, is African in origin. It has been performed as a street dance at carnival, the pre-Lenten celebration, for almost 100 years. Many versions of the Samba are danced at the local carnival in Rio. The ballroom Samba or Carioca Samba is derived from the rural "Rocking Samba" and has been known for many years. During carnival time there are "schools of Samba" involving thousands of elaborately-costumed dancers presenting a national theme based on music typical of Brazil and Rio in particular.

Before 1914 it was known under a Brazilian name "Maxixe". As early as 1923 an international meeting of professors of dancing took note of the rise of the Samba's popularity, particularly in France. A French dance book published by Paul Boucher in 1928 included Samba instructions. The dance was introduced to United States movie audiences in 1933 when Fred Astaire and Dolores Del Rio danced the Carioca in Flying Down to Rio and several years later, Carmen Miranda danced the Samba in That Night in Rio. A Samba exhibition was given at the November 1938 meeting of the New York Society of Teachers of Dancing. General interest in the Samba was stimulated at the 1939 World's Fair in New York, where Samba music was played at the Brazilian Pavilion. A few years later the Brazilian composer Ary Barroso wrote the classic Samba, "Brasil," which quickly became a hit, and in 1944 he went to Hollywood to write the score for the musical Brazil.

Samba has a very specific rhythm, highlighted to its best by characteristic Brazilian musical instruments: originally called tamborim, chocalho, reco-reco and cabaca. Much of Samba music came from daily life in Rio, the first famous example being "Pelo Telefone" composed by Donga. To achieve the true character of the Samba a dancer must give it a happy, flirtatious and exuberant interpretation. Many figures, used in the Samba today, require a pelvic tilt (Samba tic) action. This action is difficult to accomplish, but without it the dance loses much of its effect. Principal characteristics of the Samba are the rapid steps taken on a quarter of a beat and the pronounced rocking motion and sway of the dancing couple. The Samba (also known as the Brazilian Waltz) is now a moderately popular ballroom dance, limited pretty much to experienced ballroom dancers because of its speed.

• Timing: 2/4
• Tempo: 100 beats per minute
• Accent: On the 2nd beat of each bar
• Competition: 1,5 - 2 minutes
• Rise and Fall: Nil

• Basic Rhythm : 1a2* (also, 1a2a3a4 and SQQ)

• Counting in Beats and Bars: : 12, 22, 32, 42, etc.

Footwork:
Ball Fall, Ball, Ball Flat primarily. Toes should be slightly turned out. Feet should be kept in contact with the floor using slight pressure.

General Technical Tips:
Stand with a forward poise to create connection. Lead and follow from the center of the body, use compression and tension, and complement the music with the free arm


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	BRONZE	SILVER
	Samba Basics	Kick
	Whisks	Twinkles to PP & CPP
	Samba Walks	Back Samba Walks
	Simple Twinkle	Solo Turns
	Samba Box Step	Syncopated Twinkle
	Chasses Right & Left	Criss Cross
	Open Break & Underarm Turn	Shadow Twinkles
	Back Spot Turn	Rolling of the Arm
	Progresive Twinkle	Maypole Left & Right
	Opening Out	Closed Swievels

	BRONZE	SILVER	GOLD
	Basic Movement	Closed Rocks	Stationary Samba Walks
	Alternative Basic	Side Samba Walk	Open Rocks
	Progressive Basic	Volta Movements	Back Rocks
	Whisks	Shadow Botafogos	Plait
	Samba Walks in PP	Argentine Crosses	Foot Changes
	Travelling Botafogos		Contra Botafogos
	Botafogos PP & CPP		Rolling Off the Arm
	Reverse Turn		Natural Roll
	Corta Jaca		Volta Movements
	Side Basic		PP & CP Runs
	Rhythm Bounce		Cruzado Locks in Shadow Position
	Voltas Right & Left		Travelling Locks in Open CPP
	Lady Spot Volta
	Outside Basic