Folkloric Dance Group

Our folklore dance group consists of children ages 4-18, students and non-students.

Portuguese folk dance is a vibrant expression of the country’s rich cultural heritage. Each region has its unique style that reflects local traditions and histories. These dances tell stories of everyday life, work, and celebration accompanied by traditional Portuguese music.
Folk dance celebrates the cultural roots of a particular group of people. Folk dance is typically performed as ritualistic entertainment at social gatherings. Folk dance tells a culture’s foundational stories and cultural pride.
Each “dance” has a different technique, consisting of two or three steps, and is danced in long lines or small circles. A few of the more popular techniques include the vira, fandango, and corridinho. The most traditional folk dances stem from the north of the country, but some, like the corridinho, are also part of the south’s history, and will even be observed in the Algarve during festivals. Our children’s group also performs dances from the Archipelagos of Madeira and of the Azores.

Commitments and Expectations

Outfits are the propriety of DLA.

Outfits are to be kept clean, ironed, and inside a garment bag.

Outfits are to be returned in the same condition as they were given upon departure.

If an outfit is not returned within 15 days, the full cost of the uniform will be charged to the dancer’s parents/ guardian

Rehearsals will be once a week (possibly twice a week during the high season – Summer).

For a performer to dance at a scheduled performance, they need to be present at rehearsal 75% of the time, that is 1 absence per month.

If a performer misses more than 1 absence per month, the dancer will not dance at the next performance.