Oh man, Abe's experience really resonates with me as a newbie to the LA Zouk scene! I have prior dance experience but there's such a wide divide between my class performance and my social dance capabilities, and some follows are simply unforgiving in a way I have never experienced. It's an intense humility shock.
We will probably make a video on it soon, but here are some links to some of the performances: Lucas & Vivi: instagram.com/p/CvXcB9cOWZS/?hl=en Allan & Vick: instagram.com/p/Cvp-WQWtu16/?hl=en Kevin & Diego: instagram.com/p/CvyHUzxtJS1/?hl=en
😍😍😍 I just watched this video after they sent it to me saying that I was mentioned in it :) I was very happy to know that our dance was positive for you too. I loved dancing with you, Anthony! It was a very light and fun dance 🥰 I have been gradually returning to the parties because I had a baby recently, and I take her with me, so I find the challenges of being close to her most of the time and end up limiting myself to dancing with the people who are close to me. I was happy to hear everything I said about my energy and I can say that I felt the same way about you! I hope we dance again soon 🤍✨ 45:30
I just want to keep on emphasizing, that I absolutely love this channel!! It might not have a million followers, but I have a strong feeling that those who are watching are amazed by the content and your energy! 🤩🤩
Love the episode, you guys are killing it. This channel is gonna go mainstream, content is amazing. Topic suggestion: what are your experiences with finding a regular partner to train with, from being just hobbyist to wanting to train more seriously and finding reliable people to train with, navigating the different experiences of training with different dancers, people with different training/communication styles/temperaments.
The festival we went to, Zouk Unity, had challenges throughout the weekend where if you completed all of them, you could win a free pass to next year's event. Appreciate your support! :)
Love all these interviews Anthony, I've been watching basically all of them and learning a lot from your journey. It's cool to get perspectives closer to the source. Curious what you mean when you say that Austin isn't teaching "real Zouk". How would you characterize the differences between the Zouk that is taught in the group classes in Austin/the US and "real Zouk"? Is it a technique thing? mindset? feel? I would love to see you guys go more deeply into that topic
Hey man! Thanks for your support! We can definitely address this topic in a future episode, good question. I don't remember saying that Austin isn't teaching "real Zouk" as I think Nhat and Gigi are doing a great job. They are very thoughtful and teach in a very comprehensive way. If I did say that, I perhaps was expressing my frustration with some of the teachers I did start with (which were not Nhat and Gigi). I came from a studio that taught the basic step as marching to boom chik chik and taught only sequences. The name of the game was to memorize a bunch of sequences that the instructors taught us. In my opinion, this way of teaching set us up to get to know the dance in a very superficial way. In coming to Brazil, I learned that there is so much more to Zouk. There is the "metaphysical" aspect as Gui Prada calls it, and the technical aspect. For the technical aspect, I was not taught sequences but foundational concepts such as elactiscity, grounding, control, timing, musicality, etc. (I know this is very vague as different teachers have different perspectives on this). For me, the richness of Zouk comes from these concepts, building blocks that once worked on not only improves your dance, but helps find your own expression. There are so many ways to dance Zouk, there is no "right" or "wrong" way to dance it. However, there are efficient and inefficient paths to learning; and I would consider that studio I originally learned from as inefficient. But, I still would support them because they are helping grow Zouk and bringing people together to bond over it. I remember one time, Abe and I went to a dance studio in São Paulo as we were filming a project. As we were waiting, there was a group class going on and I was shocked!! What was being taught in the class was very rough and forceful hair whipping head movement. Abe was telling me that this is how Brazilian Zouk looked like 15-20 years ago, and that for some reason, this teacher never evolved with the times. My point is, even in Brazil, some instruction is just as inefficient, or worse in some cases such as rough forceful head movement. However, there are more opportunities for great instruction and to meet higher level dancers. The last thing I will say is that if you do get a chance to travel to Brazil, I highly recommend. I do feel that my perspective expanded on what Zouk looked like; dancers are constantly innovating and creating new things. It's amazing. I hope this helps! :)
Hey, thank you so much for spend so much effort on this project. Is there a way to put CC (can be in english) in next videos? My english not very well, so when i have a CC is so easier to understand. Again, this project is amazing! Thank you so much
I just wanted to tell you, that I really love - let me say it again - loooovvveee your channel! So although you are just starting to document your passion, I am so so happy for all the content you put out here! Keep it up! 😘
Thank you so much!! I am glad you are enjoying the content If there is anything you would like to see more of or discussed, feel free to let us know :)
Hy!!!! Important to say that everything begin with the Lambada, the real Zouk its fron French west indies Guadaloupe and Martinique.... So... with a lot of respect the dance zouk outside the Caribe we call LAMBADA.... thanks big hug.... 😀
We agree. The dance we are referring to is called by many as "Brazilian Zouk" which is danced very differently than lambada, but originiates from those roots. How the story goes is that the founders of Brazilian Zouk found a Vinyl and adjusted the footsteps of lambada to Carribean Zouk music, and that is how the name came to be. We do agree the name "Brazilian Zouk" is inaccurate, but the founders did talk about this, and decided to keep the name.
