Samba, 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 (from
Baion to Marcha) 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. (The Carioca is a small river that runs
through Rio de Janiero - hence the name Carioca
refers to the people of Rio.) Today Samba is still very
popular in Rio. 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.

The Samba dance was specifically created
to fit the unique time signature of Samba
music. Although Samba music is in 2/4
time, three steps are performed in each
bar. This gives it the feel of time. The
Samba as we know it didn't really start until
about 200 years ago, but several different
variations of Samba dancing have
developed over the years. In addition to
street Samba, there is competitive Samba,
solo Samba dancing and other twists on
this popular form of dance.
Back Basic
On the first beat of the music, slide the right foot
back very slightly and put the body's full weight on
it.
Sliding the left foot back, let the weight shift subtly
onto the ball of the left foot. This move is also
subtle, with the left heel never even making it to
the floor.
After the right leg rises because of the ball
change, let it come back fully to the floor, the full
weight coming back.
Gentlemen will begin with a forward basic, but
both partners immediately follow with the opposite
movement.
Forward Basic
On the first beat of the music, slide the left foot
forward very slightly and put the body's full weight
on it.
Sliding the right foot forward, let the body shift
subtly onto the ball of the left foot. As with the
Back Basic, the right heel shouldn't touch the floor.
After the left leg lifts as the weight shifts, place it
back on the floor, flat and ready to go into the
complementary back basic.