Guest Bios

Born in Benguela, Angola, in the early 1970s, Riquita is the youngest of four siblings with an Angolan mother and a Portuguese father. As Angola gained independence from Portugal in 1975, the ensuing civil war forced Riquita and her family to flee to Portugal, where they lived until she moved to London in 1989.

In Portugal, amidst the influx of Angolan refugees, the government inadvertently created immigrant communities where cultural heritage thrived through music, dance, and food. It was in this vibrant environment that Riquita's love for dance and music blossomed. The neighbourhood would gather for "Festas de Quintal" (backyard parties) every weekend, where dance and music were the heart of social life. Everyone danced together, including the children.

Back then, Kizomba music did not exist, but its precursor, Passada, was danced to music by artists like Bonga, Africa Tentação, Os Kiezos, Duo Ouro Negro, Bana, Elias Dias Kimuezu and Teta Lando.

In 1984, Riquita heard "Zouk La Se Sel Medikaman Nou Ni" by Kassav, sparking her lifelong passion for Retro Zouk. Zouk's influence on Angolan culture was immense, and Passada began to be danced almost exclusively to Zouk music. Riquita's return to Angola in 1986 deepened her understanding and passion for this dance style, where a life-long bond was formed and she honed her skills attending numerous parties & clubs. 

By the mid-1980s, with the arrival of more immigrants from Portuguese ex-colonies, the demand for dancing venues grew, leading to the opening of the first Kizomba clubs in Portugal. In addition to parties, Riquita danced at places like If Club, Maiombe, and Globo. During this period, artists like Eduardo Paim started blending Zouk with Angolan Semba, creating Kizomba music. 

Riquita's teaching journey began by chance in 1989, when she taught her reluctant best friend to dance Kizomba in one afternoon, igniting her passion for teaching. Moving to London later that year, she joined a small but growing PALOP community. Like in the early years in Portugal, all dancing was done in house parties. The first Kizomba club in London, Club 79 on Oxford Street, opened by Alex Gurgel, became a pivotal place for Riquita, where she won her first Kizomba competition in 1992. 

As Kizomba's popularity grew, so did the demand for classes. In 2004, recognising a gap in the market, Riquita partnered with Kwenda Lima to become the first Kizomba teachers in London. Many of her early students have since become successful teachers themselves. In 2009, Riquita and her then dance partner Guimas represented the UK in ÁfricaDançar.

Over her 30 year career, Riquita has become one of the most sought after and respected Kizomba teachers in the UK, known for her emphasis on strong foundational skills (basics & foundation), giving her a reputation as a Kizomba Purist. To her, being a Purist merely means that if one has a strong foundation, one becomes a better dancer... And the results speak for themselves. 

Riquita's passion for Kizomba is unmatched, and she has a love for sharing it with others. Her teaching method, known as "The Riquita Way", focuses on strong basics, ensuring her students become confident and skilled dancers. For Riquita, Kizomba is not just a dance–it's a way of life. Kizomba is a part of her soul. If you wish one thing for yourself today, wish that you get to learn and be touched by Kizomba... The RIQUITA WAY!!

Connect with Riquita on the following social handles:
@riquita.bailunda (Instagram)
Riquita Alta (Facebook)

In 1999, Sabura settled in Lisbon, where his journey into the world of music and dance began. During a casual boys night out at Mussulo nightclub, he was captivated by an unfamiliar yet irresistible beat that kept him moving all night. Despite facing a few awkward rejections on the dance floor, he embraced the music with a Cuba Libre in hand, his trusty companion.

In 2003, his passion found a new outlet. While hanging out at Paulinho and João's Carib Club, the DJ failed to show up. Paulinha, a longtime friend, asked him to step in and change the CD. That night marked the beginning of his DJ career, and he hasn't looked back since.

He has since gone on to become one of the most recognisable, well respected and sought after DJs on the scene. To name just a few, he has played the decks at events such as:

- Show after parties for Bonga, Don Kikas, Tito Paris, Dany Silva, and Tcheka
- Africadançar (Portugal, Italy, and Germany)
- Like Festival (Lisbon)
- Keta Festival (Lisbon)
- Back-to-Basic (Paris)
- Loucura (Paris)
- Kizomba Roots (Belgium)
- Tabanka Party (USA)
- Luxembourg Kizomba Festival (Luxembourg)
- Warsaw Kizomba Festival (Warsaw)
- Afro Retro Sessions (Lisbon)
- Sabura (Paris) etc.

He is a former resident DJ for both B'Leza and Jazzy Dance Club, as well as being the co-founder of Fame, Regra's, and Mercado da Ribeira. Other clubs he has played at include Mwangolé, Terra da Música, Sussussú, Kalema, Luanda, Kretcheu, and of course the one that started it all - Club Carib.

Connect with Sabura on the following social handles:
@dj.sabura (Instagram)
African Tour DJs (Facebook)