Samba:
The Samba is a lively Brazilian dance and known to Brazilians as their native dance. This Brazilian dance was first introduced in 1917 by African slaves, & was finally adopted by Brazilian society in 1930 as a ballroom dance. Gradually members of the high society in Rio embraced it, although they modified it to be done in closed ballroom dancing position (which they knew was the only correct way to dance anything). The dance was then called the Zemba Queca, and was described in 1885 as "a graceful Brazilian dance". It is sometimes referred to as the Samba, Carioca, a Baion or a Batucado. The difference is mostly in the tempo played, since the steps in all three dances are very similar. The style is to bounce steadily and smoothly in 2/4 meter. A form of the Samba called the Carioca (meaning: from Rio de Janeiro) was revived in U.K. in 1934. It was popularized by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in their first film together: 'Flying Down to Rio' The Carioca spread to the U.S.A. in 1938 In 1941, its popularity was boosted by performances by Carmen Miranda in her films, particularly 'That Night in Rio' and later with the Chiquita banana commercials . The Samba was further popularized in the 1950's by Princess Margaret, who played a leading role in British society (Rust, 1969, 103). The Samba was formalized for international propagation by Pierre Margolie in 1956.