Keen to get involved with Rugby World Cup celebrations, but not sure how? Why not learn to samba, and take part in Wellington’s own carnival.
Dance teacher, performer, circus artist and student Clo Mudrik has been dancing the Brazilian samba since she was five years old; taught by a mother who was involved in Brazil’s Carnival street parades.
Now 41, Mudrik is teaching New Zealanders the art of the dance – and will lead the wing of dancers from Wellington Batucada, that will parade at Rugby World Cup celebrations. “Samba is related strongly to African origins, and [the beats] all come from something simple – our heartbeat. When you’re dancing the samba, the first feeling comes from the vibrations in your feet, and then after that through your bones to the knees and through to your heart.”
The samba ‘wiggle’ comes from the order of movement – one beat hits the feet, one the knees and one the hips. You’d think Kiwi men would have an especially hard time moving their hips like a samba dancer, but apparently Kiwi women have trouble with it too.
“Sometimes the girls are actually more blocked, they feel a little self-conscious… [Brazilians] have a different relationship with our bodies than New Zealanders. We are more relaxed. It’s a warm place, too, so we are used to not wearing much,” she explains, laughing.
Part of teaching samba here is helping people ‘unblock’ themselves, and  get rid of their self-consciousness. Can that get a little emotional?
“Yes it can, but the classes are in a really fun environment. There’s lots of playing and making jokes; the social side is also very important.”
Clo’s current performance group includes people from Sweden, Poland, Japan, USA and the Netherlands.
Clo says people of any size, shape and age can dance the samba.
“Instead of the word ‘dance’, we like to think about movement. Everybody can move. After learning the movements, comes the use of rhythm.”
What is it about samba that makes it so well loved?
“I think it’s just that if you have a connection with your heart, a happiness comes to your body. It’s a very holistic way of looking at health.”
Visit zambabemdances.com for information on classes.