Text: Chris Martins   Photos: Paulo Mumia

They come from miles around, every weekend, to dance the night away under a motorway underpass. Outside of Rio, they have never attracted much attention. But that is about to change. Later this year they will strut their stuff on the biggest stage of all, when they take part in the Rio 2016 ceremonies.

They are devotees of charme, a dance craze that exploded in Brazil in the 1980s, born out of a passion for American soul music. The musical style nowadays is similar to modern RnB and the participants let loose in unison, in a kind of urban line dance.

Creative team gives glimpse of opening ceremony

In search of ordinary Brazilians who can swing their hips, Rio 2016 went to this popular baile charme (charm party) on 5 March in the hope of recruiting some of the dancers for the opening and closing ceremony casts.

The mission was a success: about 100 dancers signed up on the night
 

Under the flyover in the working class neighbourhood of Madureira, where bailes charme have been held every Saturday since 1990, young and old mix happily. Robson Junior, 20, travels 25km from São João de Meriti every week. “The atmosphere is contagious,” he said. “And my family are happy that I am part of this group – they would be worried if I was hanging around on the streets, doing nothing.”

“I’ve been dancing for more than 30 years, all over the city, and now I’m going to the Games!”

Eliane Ribeiro do Rosário, 55

The parties could be called Rio Northern Soul: the majority of the dancers come from neighbourhoods across Rio’s north zone, which is generally poorer than the famous beach neighbourhoods in the south zone.

However, Líbia da Silva Corrêa, a 49-year-old teaching coordinator, drove 70km from Seropédica, just outside Rio, along with her niece Pamela Soares de Oliveira. “I love to dance and today was even better,” said Silva Corrêa. “I’m so excited, I can’t wait!”

For the Rio 2016 auditions, dance teacher Eduardo Gonçalves produced a special choreography. At the end of a strenuous work-out, another choreographer, Renata Vieitas, who is helping select the Rio 2016 ceremonies cast, was so impressed that she climbed the stage and broke the good news: everyone in the group would be selected.

“You all dance so well, you were amazing! Together we’ll show Rio’s culture to the world!”

Renata Vieitas, Rio 2016 choreographer

The dancers were asked how many people would be watching the Rio 2016 ceremonies around the world... check out their responses (click on cog symbol to select English subtitles):

Auditions are continuing in Rio for people who want to join the Rio 2016 ceremonies cast. If you want to be part of it, you should register on the voluneteers website or get in touch by email to elenco@cc2016.com.br.

With stars in their eyes, dancers start auditions for Rio 2016 ceremonies cast

Hip-hip dancers and skaters audition for Rio 2016 ceremonies

Dancers with a disability audition for Rio 2016 ceremonies cast