Imagine if tango and salsa had a secret love affair… and their child grew up in Brazil. That’s forró. A dance that blends the intimacy of tango with the playful turns of salsa—plus a little Brazilian warmth and spontaneity.

This week, I sit down with Rafael Piccolotto to explore how Forró evolved, how it compares to tango, and why dance cultures develop such specific rules (like cabeceo vs. straight-up asking someone to dance). Spoiler: forró dancers might find tango etiquette terrifying. 😅

See a forró demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqA-zRTjOpU

👉 Learn more about forró:

Online: https://www.forronewyork.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/forronewyork

Instagram: @‌forronewyork

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Rafael and Forró Dance

01:53 The Origins and History of Forró

04:40 Musical Influences and Instrumentation in Forró

07:18 Evolution of Forró Dance

09:51 Comparing Forró to Other Partner Dances

12:22 Dance Floor Dynamics in Forró

14:52 Cultural Etiquette in Forró and Tango

17:24 Dancer Preferences and Styles in Forró

21:55 The Art of Capaseo in Dance

23:59 Understanding Dance Dynamics and Tandas

26:27 Navigating the Tango Scene as a Beginner

29:44 The Challenges of Attracting New Dancers

33:05 The Structure of Dance Levels and Social Dynamics

37:40 The Growth of Forró and Its Community

39:46 Technique Over Charisma in Dance

40:23 The Critical Eye of Followers

40:39 Flirting and Connection in Dance

42:07 Cultural Differences in Dance Scenes

44:02 Gender Roles and Balance in Forró

44:56 The Future of Forró and Online Learning

45:06 Exploring Forró Scenes in Brazil and Beyond

📌 Stay Connected & Learn More

🌍 Website: imsotango.com

📩 Email: [email protected]

📸 Instagram: @‌imso_tango

💬 Have questions? Drop a comment below or DM me on Instagram!

🎶 Curated Tango Playlists: https://imsotango.namastream.com/product/70580