Zouk (pronounced “Zuke”) is a partner style coming from the Latin category but has become the first structured partner dance to incorporate significant elements of jazz and contemporary movement. It is presented at world music and dance festivals, but for the most part it is performed in nightclubs. Dance comes in two speeds with separate choreography (below are 2 videos showing different styles. There are others as well). This dance is extremely popular in Europe, South America, parts of Asia and Africa and it is slowly growing on the east and west coasts of the U.S.
Music utilized is sensual (light or heavy) French Caribbean Zouk and Portuguese Cape Verdean Zouk with a little Flamenco-Rumba and a few other anglo songs with a similar beat (the videos shown at bottom of this post are performance oriented and do not represent those musical styles; they are representative).
My friend Randy Nufer, an avid promoter of Zouk dance in Chicago, is looking for a female dance partner for performances and class instruction.
This is not a salaried position. However, once training is complete, performance, instructional and other small business opportunities can be realized. It is an opportunity to help build a community in Chicago and make a name for oneself.
Complete training included as part of the deal at NO CHARGE. If there is enough interest, it is possible that more than one female can be trained. Rehearsal studio is located in West DePaul/Lincoln Park.
Desired qualifications / time requirements:
Someone who is dedicated and dependable (meeting 2x times per weekday evenings and weekend afternoons if necessary for training and practice. Availability for performances and or instruction once a recurring event is launched.
Ethnicity unimportant
Some classical training – Contemporary/Jazz/Ballet
Will need to have fairly flexible back
Free flowing hair. It doesn’t have to be as long as shown in the videos below. It can be medium length. But it needs to move to create an effect. If one has long coarse hair, braids are a good solution.
Someone who can breathe life into the dance and enjoys experimenting with new movement and choreography.
Light acrobatics may be employed. TBD.
Please send short description of your dance background to zoukdancers@yahoo.com or whatever other material you would like to share. Looking to train soon!
Have questions about the dance? Ask another female Zouk dancer from Chicago: Katherine M. at kmetres@yahoo.com or 773-969-0140 .
Dance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITRCYkFMqfk
Dance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KNhi7eVQg0
Music: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xsre7n_fanny-j-sa-ke-ay-yourzouktv_music?search_algo=2#.UXNA9KJg-mA
Music: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xe9j9q_darius-denon-mes-larmes_music?search_algo=2#.UXaq-KLUemA
Chicago Urbanite 