Chocolate Kizomba

Chocolate Kizomba is one of London's longest-running Kizomba schools and weekly social parties, founded in June 2010. Every Tuesday they run a beginner Kizomba class at 19:15, an intermediate Kizomba (and rotating Semba) class at 20:30, and a party from 21:30 until 01:00 in central Soho. The home venue is the basement of Be at One on Regent Street (10 Beak Street, W1F 9RD), the same address that previously housed Gem Bar where the night was based for over a decade. DJs play a mix of Kizomba, Semba and Ghetto Zouk and the last Tuesday of each month is a colour-themed party. The school positions itself as ethical, community-driven and inclusive, working with respected London teachers and DJs and explicitly aiming to grow the UK Kizomba scene. Classes cost GBP 8 for one hour or GBP 10 for two hours back-to-back, and entry to the party is free with a class or GBP 5 on its own. Many current London Kizomba teachers and promoters started their dancing journey at Chocolate Kizomba, making it a cornerstone of the city's Kizomba community.

Chocolate Kizomba launched on the second Tuesday of June 2010 at Corks Wine Bar, choosing Tuesday because nothing else was on in the area at the time. When Corks closed in October 2010 the night moved temporarily to 229, then in February 2011 settled at Gem Bar (10 Beak Street), which has been its permanent home ever since (the venue is now branded Be at One, Regent Street). Founders specifically credit early UK Kizomba pioneers including Kwenda Lima, To' Costa, Eddy Vents, Marie Doyen, Iris De Brito, Danilo Goncalves, Norma Facey and Riquita Alta for bringing Kizomba to UK audiences outside the Palop community. Chocolate Kizomba has since launched the dance journeys of many London teachers and promoters and is positioned as an ethical, community-first Kizomba night.