On April 2, Belo Horizonte’s Mercado Novo hosts a free Zouk and Forró event, reinforcing the city’s role as Brazil’s partner dance capital.
Dance takes over downtown Belo Horizonte
On April 2nd, starting at 7 PM, the 3rd floor of the Mercado Novo — one of Belo Horizonte’s most iconic cultural spaces — becomes a dance floor. The launch of Zouk & Forró – No Mercado brings together Brazilian Zouk, Lambada, and Forró in a free public event, part of the broader movement BH Cidade da Lambada, do Zouk Brasileiro e do Forró.
The initiative aims to democratize access to Brazilian partner dance, bringing together people of all backgrounds in a shared cultural experience at the heart of the city.
What to expect on the night
Attendees can join open classes for all levels, guided by a welcoming host team designed to help newcomers feel at ease and connect with other dancers. The music will be in the hands of DJ Sérgio Vilela, whose set blends the roots and contemporary evolutions of Zouk, Lambada, and Forró.
The event builds on the foundation of projects like Dança BH, which have been steadily bringing dance into Belo Horizonte’s urban spaces. The goal: make Brazilian dance culture accessible to everyone.
The visionary behind the project
The project was conceived by Rodrigo Delano, a physiotherapist, movement scientist, and globally recognized authority in Brazilian Zouk. A graduate of UFMG with an international career, Delano has developed methodologies that use dance as a tool for personal transformation, well-being, and social connection.
The project proposes more than an event. It is a movement of conscious occupation of the city, in which dance becomes a means of connection between people, of valuing Brazilian culture and of promoting health.
A legacy over two decades in the making
This new initiative draws directly from the legacy of BH Zouk, launched in 2005 and now regarded as both a national and international benchmark. Over more than two decades, the event has attracted artists, instructors, and dancers from around the world, cementing Belo Horizonte’s place on the global partner dance map.
In 2026, that legacy expands through urban cultural occupation, reaching new audiences and deepening the social impact of the movement.
Event Info
- Event: Zouk & Forró – No Mercado
- Date: April 2, 2026
- Time: 7 PM
- Venue: Mercado Novo – 3rd floor – Avenida Olegário Maciel, 742 – Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Music: DJ Sérgio Vilela
- Tickets: Free – available on Sympla: https://www.sympla.com.br/evento/zouk-forro-no-mercado-novo-bh-cidade-da-lambada-do-zouk-brasileiro-e-do-forro/3364388
