Forró and Piseiro Experience Growing in São Paulo

Forró is experiencing a resurgence in São Paulo, evidenced by the growth of local dance projects and a diverse range of venues offering the music and dance. Ellen Trizi, a dance teacher, reported that her free weekly project, Forró do Bom, grew from small groups of 20 people in 2022 to record crowds of approximately 200 students this year. Trizi attributes this increase to a new generation of musicians, including João Gomes, Mari Fernandez, and Mestrinho, who have brought the rhythm back into the spotlight.

Forró is a recognized cultural heritage of Brazilian music that originated in the northeastern sertão with the success of Luiz Gonzaga. The genre has evolved over time, moving from traditional styles to the university forró of the 1990s, the electronic beats of the early 2000s, and the current popularity of piseiro. Piseiro is a derivative of forró that utilizes keyboards and electronic synthesizers, often heard in vaquejadas and bars across São Paulo.

Several locations in the city currently offer opportunities to learn and listen to the music. Canto da Ema in Pinheiros provides paid classes and live performances. The Festival Forró das Minas, organized by a collective of women and LGBTQIA+ artists, offers dance and percussion classes at Tendal da Lapa. Forró do Bom continues to provide free classes at Novo Anhangabaú, while Futuro Refeitório in Pinheiros offers weekly lessons for all skill levels.