BLOG

If you've been dancing Kizomba, Urbankiz or Brazilian Zouk, you've probably heard the term ghetto zouk. But what exactly is it, where did it come from, and why has it become so popular on dance floors around the world? The Birth of Ghetto Zouk Ghetto zouk emerged in the late 1990s within the Cape Verdean community in the Netherlands. Young musicians of Cape Verdean descent began blending the romantic sound of Cabo Zouk (Cabo Love) with contemporary R&B, hip-hop, soul and

Kizomba or Urbankiz — how do you choose where to start? One of the questions I hear most often from beginners is: "Should I start with Kizomba or Urbankiz?" It usually comes from one of two reasons. Either Kizomba looks softer, more connected and more approachable, while Urbankiz looks confusing — everyone seems to dance it differently, and from the outside it can feel robotic or overly technical. Or there's the old idea that you need to master Kizomba before you're allowed t

Looking for social dance classes in Helsinki? From August 24, weekly Kizomba & Urbankiz classes at S-Dance are open for new students — two evenings, two dance styles. Whether you've been curious about Kizomba for a while or you've heard about Urbankiz and want to see what it's all about, this is your moment. Social Dance Classes in Helsinki — What's On This Autumn Mondays — Kizomba & Semba 18:00–19:30 — Open level classes Kizomba is one of those dances that looks effortless a

You've read about what Urbankiz is. Maybe you've watched a video or two. Maybe you've been thinking "I want to try this" for a while now. This is where it actually begins - join Urbankiz Bootcamp Helsinki as your Step 1! Urbankiz intensive training with S-Dance Helsinki. Urbankiz Bootcamp Helsinki - A Real Foundation, Not Just a Taster Six hours across two days, built from the scratch. We don't rush. We don't skip steps. Each hour builds on the last - so by Sunday afternoon y

What is Urbankiz? Urbankiz is truly one of a kind — and once you catch the bug, there's no going back. What makes it special is its expressive freedom and the incredible variety of ways to dance it. Unlike many partner dances, it's not about fixed steps or choreography — even though we do learn figures and variations. At its heart it's about connection, rhythm, groove and real-time communication between partners, making every dance completely unique. No two dances are ever th

Looking to level up your dance, or struggling to find weekly classes that match your schedule or level? - Private classes might be exactly what you need: 🔸 full attention on you 🔸 clear progression from where you are to where you want to be 🔸 learning at your own pace, in your own way. Private classes with Tatjana: Urbankiz, Tarraxo, Kizomba, Fusion... With years of experience teaching and dancing in both roles, I focus on what truly matters: technique, connection, and und

A new season is coming — and with it, a fresh opportunity to build strong fundamentals, deepen connection, and grow as a social dancer. From February 2 to May 20, 2026, S-Dance Helsinki welcomes you to a full Spring of weekly Kizomba & Semba, Urbankiz, and Tarraxo courses, designed for dancers who want more than just steps. Our focus is on quality movement, clear communication, and understanding the structure of the dance, so you can feel confident, creative, and comfortable

Last Saturday Tatjana had the pleasure of teaching an Urbankiz workshop with Anni at Petra’s Urbankiz Weekender in Helsinki—and what a wonderful day it was! From the very first song the room was full of curiosity, energy, and inspiration. We’re so grateful to everyone who joined us, tried new techniques, and shared their great vibes on the dance floor. For us, it was a joy to represent S-Dance School, connect with dancers from Helsinki and other places, and watch you bring th

This past weekend we had the pleasure of hosting our Urbankiz Beginner Bootcamp in Tampere. A big thank you to everyone who joined us. It gives amazing feeling when students come with curiosity, enthusiasm, and positive energy, ready to learn. Exploring different ways of walking and weight shift. Throughout the bootcamp, we explored the fundamentals of Urbankiz: posture, connection, different ways of walking and energy level; practiced body control, leading and following, a

Curious about Urbankiz? Join us! Our classes are designed to support your growth at every step — from breaking down figures and play with combinations to the technique drills and musicality exercises. As our Spring season comes to a close (just two weeks left!), we're already looking ahead and excited to welcome you this August for our Autumn season. Urbankiz classes at S-Dance school, Helsinki. April 2, 2025. Interested? - Check out our SCHEDULE - AUTUMN 2025 | S-dance No ma

One more collaboration this season - Urbankiz with Tatjana & Anni. Tatjana & Anni Kiz held an Urbankiz workshop together some time ago. This month, they teamed up again for two Urbankiz workshops: an open-level pre-party class at Avec Dance Club and an intermediate-level pre-party class at the Kalasatama party, hosted by Petra & Otso. Check out those after class improvisations. After class demo from Petra & Otso's events @Kalasatama on March 22, 2025. After class demo from I

Spring 2025 Courses Are Now Open for sale and we start with discounted prices 20%OFF for 8, 11 and 15x-cards until January 6th!

Our next Kizomba & Urbankiz Beginner boot camp is just a few weeks ahead. Have you attended the previous one? - Whatever is your answer, there will be something for you. We cover the basics and add some new movements and figures every time so everyone could make a progress. For more detailed information please visit our Facebook page: https://fb.me/e/cAUftO6Vk

Discover a new hobby at our Beginner Bootcamps this Spring in 2024! It's a fantastic chance to explore a different activity, learn new dance styles like Kizomba, Semba, and Urbankiz, and connect with fresh faces. Our boot camps will run on the first Sunday of each month from February to May: February 4th, March 3rd, April 7th, and May 5th. You have the option to select Kizomba & Semba or Urbankiz, or try both if you'd like! No partner is necessary as we'll switch partners dur