11–12 Apr 2014
There’s a special kind of thrill that comes with doing something for the second time, not quite the wide-eyed wonder of the first, but still filled with awe, now seasoned with a little more confidence, a little more curiosity. That’s exactly how I felt when I traveled to Vienna for my second-ever Brazilian Zouk event.
The city itself already had an elegant rhythm, but that weekend, it pulsed with something different—something fluid, alive, magnetic. The event was organized by Guido, and the lineup was nothing short of a dream for someone still fresh in the Zouk world: Alisson Sandi and Audrey Isautier, two dancers I had admired from afar, now suddenly within reach, right there in the room.
There was something surreal about it. Just a short time ago, I was watching videos, wondering what it might feel like to be surrounded by this kind of movement, this kind of energy. And now here I was, not just watching, but living it. Feeling the music from head to toe, witnessing the connection between bodies in motion, seeing the technique, the expression, the freedom. It wasn’t just beautiful...it was contagious.
Every moment was a mix of nerves and joy. The kind where you’re still finding your footing but are completely pulled in by the magic of it all. I was observing, absorbing, dancing, learning. And above all, I was reminded of why I fell in love with Zouk in the first place...it’s not just a dance; it’s a conversation, a feeling, a flow you never want to step out of.
Vienna gave me that.
And I walked away knowing it wouldn’t be my last.
