Espirito do Samba
Brazilian Samba is a powerful and high energy Latin dance style made famous by the Carnivale in Rio de Janeiro and it's seen an explosion of interest around Australia.
By Liz Rogers
In 2017 Erin Gilbert founded Espirito do Samba with an ethos to build a culture of inclusion for people to foster a love of movement and love of self.
Dancer Rachel Marks met Gilbert through Darwin’s Latin community and says the dance group has done far more than just add to her exercise routine.
“I wanted to get fit and I wanted to get over the issues I had with my body image,” she says.
“I’m feeling so much more confident in myself now.
“I also love that it’s a solo dance style – you don’t need a partner and you can practice anywhere.
“As a single mum, it’s become so important to me to have that class as my time.”
Since Espirito do Samba opened its doors, their weekly classes and workshops have also seen the development of a professional dance group that performs at corporate gigs, weddings and fiestas around Darwin.
Dancer Stacey Anderson says she joined the classes after seeing their glitz and moves at a public event.
“I saw two performers at Darwin Carnivale in 2017 and was mesmerised by their confidence and sassy but feminine moves and posture, and I wanted to feel that confident and alive within myself,” she says.
“Every week I come to class and train, I feel myself getting closer to that goal.”
Every Mon & Tue | Studio 13, Coconut Grove | $15 Casual Class | $75 Six-Week Term | facebook.com/espiritodosamba
