Kizomba Dancing in Rovinj, Croatia!
Table of Contents
Welcome To Your Ultimate Guide to Kizomba Dancing and Music!
This is a resource for information about Kizomba. In it, I will cover the history, music, dance basic steps, and also the most popular styles of Kizomba Dancing in countries around the world.
Kizomba is a popular genre of music and dance originating in Angola circa 1984. It means party in Kimbundu, a Bantu language spoken by the Ambundu or Mbundu of Angola.
Kizomba music was developed by musicians who were influenced by semba music and also by zouk music such as the band Kassav, a French Caribbean band formed in Guadeloupe in 1979, in addition to others from the Caribbean French Antilles.
The Kizomba dance roots come from Semba. Kizomba was traditionally danced in a circular pattern whereas Urban Kiz is danced in a straight line. Kizomba Fusion has more flexible rules and includes moves and techniques from other dance styles such as Salsa, Bachata, Tango, and Hip Hop.
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Kizomba Music
Eduardo Paim is internationally recognized as the “father/creator of Kizomba music”. Back in 1979 he along with his band SOS was responsible for a significant role in the development of the music style. Kizomba music emerged as a fusion of Semba, Angolan Merengue, and other Angolan music styles.
Kizomba music continues to evolve. Today the most popular YouTube video for Kizomba Dancing (Kizomba Fusion) is Lento by Daniel Santacruz. This video featuring Sarah Lopez and Marc Brewer has over 175 million views.
Additionally, some of the most popular artists are Mika Mendes, Nelson Freitas, Anselmo Ralph, Jennifer Dias, Johnny Ramos, Loony Johnson, Matias Damásio, C4 Pedro, Djodje, Daniel Santacruz, Denis Graça as well as Soraia Ramos.
Many songs are sung in Portuguese, however, more songs are being released in French, English, and Spanish. This is mainly due to the growing popularity of Kizomba Music and Kizomba Dancing, especially in Europe, The United States of America, and Asia.
Dance Genre Kizomba
Kizomba Dancing (also known as Traditional Kizomba) comes from Semba which has been danced in Angola since the 1950s. It is a couples dance, in which there is a strong connection to the ground. This is also sometimes referred to as earth-centered, as in many other African-style dances.
In Kizomba Dancing, the leader will guide the follower using his body and right arm. The couple will also express themselves through footwork and body movements in order to demonstrate a high level of musicality. Here is a good example of the traditional style by Black Cherry & Oncle Kani.
Besides the traditional style, there are several other newer Kizomba Dancing Styles that also fall under the Kizomba Umbrella. Here are the main ones!
Kizomba Fusion
Kizomba Fusion takes the basics from Kizomba to include the connection and weight transfer from foot to foot and adds in other moves from other dance styles, hence the name Kizomba Fusion. It allows dancers to have a lot of freedom and also use moves from Salsa, Bachata, Tango, and Hip Hop.
The popularity of Fusion dance videos on YouTube has resulted in a huge increase for Kizomba Fusion Artists & Dance Festivals around the world including in Asia.
Additionally, Fusion dance videos on YouTube currently have the highest number of views and outnumber the traditional style videos by millions of views.
Moreover many of the most popular Kizomba singers are writing songs specifically for this style of dance as it has a very high commercial value. The below video is a good example of Kizomba Fusion by Isabelle & Felicien.
Urban Kiz
Urban Kiz is another couples dance that came from Kizomba. It was created in Paris, France somewhere between 2012 and 2014 by Enah, Moun & Curtis.
This new style originally had several different names, such as Kizomba 2.0, French Style Kizomba Dancing, and New Style Kizomba Dancing until it was finally named Urban Kiz.
This new dance style was heavily influenced by Ghettozouk and R&B remixes. It is very popular in Europe and is growing in both the United States of America and also Asia. On YouTube, Urban Kiz Dance videos are second only to fusion dance videos with view counts in the millions.
One major difference between Kizomba & Urban Kiz dancers is that they usually keep a little more distance between them. They normally won’t have the same chest-to-chest connection as is common with Kizomba.
Additionally, Urban Kiz is danced in straight lines whereas Kizomba is danced circularly. The below video with Jojo & Victoria is a good example of Urban Kiz.
Why should I go Kizomba Dancing?
Kizomba dancing is a dance of connection. It can help improve your social life by meeting new friends. It can also help you reduce stress, develop muscles, lose weight, tone your body, improve your circulation, improve your posture, and improve your balance and coordination.
What are the basic steps of Kizomba Dancing?
Here are the basic Kizomba steps. Remember regardless of the style that you dance, the most important thing is the connection! Additionally, the below video by the Messina Dance Company will show you the connection and the basic steps.
Kizomba Dancing Basic 1
The first dance step that everyone learns in Kizomba Dancing is the Basic 1. This involves transferring the weight from one foot to the other. Normally the guy starts on his left foot and the lady starts on her right foot. This is done on either the 4 count, 2 count, or on tempo.
Kizomba Dancing Basic 2
The second dance step is Basic 2 also known as the sidestep. This step is pretty easy for most beginner dancers. It involves leading from side to side via the body connection.
Kizomba Dancing Basic 3
The third dance step is Basic 3 which involves walking forward and backward in a sequence of three steps. Moreover, the last step involves putting the feet together in a closed position.
Which Kizomba Dancing Style is the most popular in different areas around the world.
The Kizomba Embassy team looked at non-scientific data to determine which Kizomba Dancing styles were currently popular in different areas of the world.
This included local Facebook Groups, Festival Themes, Festival Instructors’ styles, Festival Workshops as well as the most popular weekly style socials.
We also received feedback directly from many of our Kizomba Embassy Ambassadors and members around the world, who have first-hand knowledge of the dance scene in these areas.
Kizomba Dancing Africa
Traditional Kizomba Dancing is the dominant style in its birth country of Angola as well as other countries throughout Africa. The main ones are the PALOP countries, which include Angola, Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, and São Tomé e Príncipe.
Many top artists here like Angola’s 2018 Kizomba and Semba champion Ary & Maura dance traditional Kizomba and also Semba.
Kizomba Dancing Portugal
Portugal is the most popular country for the traditional style outside of Africa. It is a powerhouse with many of the top instructors and artists based here. These instructors include Master Pechu, Paula & Ricardo as well as Paulo & Lanna,
However, Kizomba Fusion and also Urban Kiz are growing in popularity in Portugal. The Kizomba Dancer with the most followers currently on social media is Ben Pedrosa who dances with Ana Guerreiro. He is based in Faro, Portugal, and is trained in many different styles of dance. He along with Ana are known for their fantastic Kizomba Fusion workshops at festivals worldwide.
Kizomba Dancing Spain
Spain is another powerhouse for dancing all styles of Kizomba. Many of the top Fusion and Urban Kiz dancers live here. These include Albir Rojas, Sara Lopez, Marine & Mika, Jack & Sara, and also Guiu and Borboleta.
Urban Kiz and Kizomba Fusion Festivals & events are frequent here such as the Kizomba Spain World Congress, Malaga Temptation Festival, Barcelona Temptation Festival, and many more.
Being so close to Portugal you will also have many traditional style dancers teaching at events in Spain. A popular Festival for traditional style dancing in Spain is the Kizomba Open Festival held yearly in Madrid.
Kizomba Dancing France
France is the birthplace of Urban Kiz. It is also a powerhouse for both Urban Kiz and Kizomba Fusion. Many of the world’s top Urban Kiz and Kizomba Fusion dancers are from France. This is evident in the lineups at festivals around the world.
Additionally, many Urban Kiz and Kizomba Fusion dancers travel to France to train with these top artists and also attend local parties and festivals. Traditional Kizomba also has a strong following in France.
Regardless of which style you like to dance, you will find it here. Here is a current article on some of the Best places to Dance Kizomba in Paris.
Kizomba Dancing USA
The predominant style here largely depends on which area of the USA you are in. If you are on the East Coast, mainly in the cities of New York, Washington, DC, and Miami, then you will find many traditional style festivals and socials.
For example, the SAWA Kizomba Dance Festival is normally held twice a year in Washington, DC and it is a 100% traditional style festival.
Further down south in Miami, the yearly Miami Beach Kizomba Festival is also a traditional-style festival. However, at the 2022 Miami Beach Kizomba Festival, the organizers announced that they will now be adding an Urban Kiz room to the Festival.
Additionally, most New York City Kizomba Dancing festivals and social events have been traditional style focused.
Urban Kiz is growing quickly from its stronghold in Austin, Texas. Charles Ogar is known as the most influential pioneer of Urban Kiz in North America. He is responsible for teaching Urban Kiz at events around the United States every weekend.
He is also responsible for two flagship Urban Kiz events each year. Number one is the Neokiz Kizomba Festival held in Austin and number two is the Neokiz Cruise.
Urban Kiz is also very popular on the West Coast of the United States in many cities such as Los Angeles & San Francisco. Many of the current Dance Festival Organizers have added this style and also Kizomba Fusion to their Salsa, Bachata & Kizomba Festivals known as SBK Festivals.
A good example of this is the Los Angeles Bachata Festival which also includes Salsa and Kizomba dance rooms.
Kizomba Dancing China
In China, the most popular style by far is Urban Kiz. The four cities with the most active and also frequent Kizomba groups, social parties, and events are Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hangzhou.
Traditional style also has a good following due to Instructors such as Kevin Masgrau and Michael Nice. Kevin along with his partner Qu Qu is responsible for the Genesis China Kizomba Event, which brings together dancers from all styles in the same event.
Michael along with his partner Ivy also teaches multiple styles of dance including Kiz Tango. Michael is an American professional dancer from Los Angeles and has been teaching in China since 2012. He is responsible for helping to develop many of the current local kizomba teachers in China.
Lastly, the China Kizomba Congress held yearly in Shanghai also normally features a diverse lineup of Urban Kiz, Kizomba Fusion, and traditional style artists, many of whom are from France.
Japan
In Tokyo, Japan both Urban Kiz and Kizomba Fusion Festivals and socials are the most popular forms of Kizomba. Many of the top Urban Kiz & Fusion dancers such as Sarah Lopez, Isabelle & Felicien, Jojo, Guiu & Borboletta have also taught and performed at Festivals in Tokyo.
One of the top Kizomba dancers in Japan is Ami Nagano. When she is in Japan, she often holds advanced UrbanKiz, Taraxxo, and ladies’ styling workshops. These workshops are very popular with Japanese ladies and are normally sold out in advance.
She also works with one of the top DJs in Japan known as DJ Smith. DJ Smith is also a Kizomba dancer whose favorite style is Tarraxo. She is also a frequent guest DJ at Festivals in Asia such as the yearly Japan Kizomba Festival and other Festivals across the United States of America.
Additionally, many Japanese dancers travel to Paris, France each year to dance at Kizomba Fusion and Urban Kiz at festivals such as the Eiffel Tower Kizomba Festival as well as the Paris Etoile Kizomba Festival. You will also find visiting Japanese dancers attending the popular weekly Let’s Play Kizomba socials and Saida socials in Paris, France.
South Korea
In Seoul, South Korea Urban Kiz, Kizomba Fusion as well as Tarraxa, or Tarraxo are very popular. In fact, Toco Yoo, a popular Urban Kiz dancer based out of Seoul, South Korea won the 2019 Seoul Kizomba Competition, Freestyle Couples Category. He along with his dance partner Dylane also won the 2020 Global Tarraxo Festival in Montreal, Canada.
Famous Kizomba Fusion and Urban Kiz dancers such as Albir Rojas, Steffy & Val’R, Enah Lebon, as well as Isabelle & Felicien, have taught and performed at Korean Kizomba Festivals. However traditional Kizomba Dancing also has a following and traditional Kizomba dancers such as Oncle Kani & BlackCherry have also performed in Seoul, South Korea.
Thailand
In Bangkok, Thailand you will find a very good mix of the Traditional style, Urban Kiz, and Fusion. An example of this can be seen from the variety of international instructors who taught at previous Bangkok Kizomba Dance Festivals.
Malaysia
In Malaysia, we see a strong traditional style dance scene. This includes a local Kizomba & Semba Facebook group with over 2,400 members.
Additionally, the traditional style dancers here actively participate in Ginga Flashmobs such as the 2022 Ginga Flashmob. Kizomba Fusion and Urban Kiz however are growing in popularity.
Mexico
In Mexico, there is a strong Urban Kiz movement that can be seen in the Facebook group Urban Kiz Mexico. Kizomba Fusion is also very popular. At the last Mexico Kizomba Festival in 2019, the instructor’s styles were mainly Kizomba Fusion & Urban Kiz. These dance instructors included Yami & Martha, Ronie Saleh, Steffy & Var’R, and Laurent Yishu.
Argentina
In the capital city of Buenos Aires, Argentina there is a growing Kizomba Fusion dance scene. Many of the local Latin night clubs such as La Salsera have Urban Kiz and Kizomba Fusion classes weekly. Additionally, a local Kizomba Fusion group called Fusionkizlab has a very active social scene with both weekly events and Festivals.
Italy
Italy has a very strong dance scene. All three styles of Kizomba, Urban Kiz, and Kizomba Fusion are popular here. This can be seen in the numerous dance festivals and Facebook groups featuring each dance style.
Where can I take Kizomba dancing classes?
Firstly it’s important to determine what style you would like to learn. Start by watching some Kizomba Dance videos online to see who are your favorite dance teachers and what style they dance.
Once you have this figured out the next step would be to see if you have any good teachers or groups in your area. If you live in an area without any Kizomba dance instructors, then learn the basic steps from YouTube videos.
Afterward, see where the next closest Kizomba festival is going to be. You can see many of the popular kizomba festivals on the Kizomba Embassy Festival Calendar.
By traveling to a weekend festival, you will be able to get expert-level training from several dance experts such as the ones listed here as Kizomba Embassy Ambassadors.
These intense nonstop weekend festivals will also allow you to social dance with many other Kizomba dancers and improve your dance level.
Lastly, remember that Dance is an Art form. An Art form is intuitive, imprecise, and also subjective. It can also be a skill developed through practice and imagination. “Science” on the other hand means something that is objective.
If you enjoyed this article, then please share it with your friends and colleagues! Feel free to leave a comment below! Also, don’t forget to join the Kizomba Embassy Facebook Group and email list to keep up to date on future news!
Brian Moran
CEO of Kizomba Embassy
Brian Moran is a Salsa, Bachata & Kizomba dancer from New York City. He has been fortunate to live and work abroad in Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean for over 13 years.
While living overseas, he has attended hundreds of international dance festivals and events and has taken classes with some of the top professional Salsa, Bachata, and Kizomba Instructors worldwide.
About US
The Kizomba Embassy was founded in the Washington, DC Metro Area with Team Members from all over the globe! Indeed we are passionate about Kizomba!
We are also dedicated to growing the community by highlighting all styles of professional kizomba dance instructors, artists, festivals, news, and events worldwide!
This includes Kizomba, Semba, Urban Kiz, and Kizomba Fusion. We are also a multilingual website.
To see the latest Kizomba Festivals around the world, check out the Kizomba Embassy Events Calendar here! If you are a Kizomba Organizer then add your Kizomba Festival here!
You can also join the Kizomba Embassy Facebook Group here!
Furthermore, follow us on Instagram here! Likewise, catch up on our latest blog posts here! Also, check out our new sister site Bachata Embassy!
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