by Natasha V. Borisov

Samba Bar and Grill at 608 Somerville Ave, the popular Brazilian dance spot, was voted as the best dance floor in Somerville by the readers of The Somerville News, opened in April.

Although the club had existed under a different name of Club III for over twenty years, Maria Assunta, part of the new ownership, said she plans to create her own unique atmosphere with a variety of new programs.

“Right now we plan to establish a night when we would show different sports, such as football, baseball, soccer on big television screens inside the bar,” said one of the owners of Samba.

This would add a different touch to the bar atmosphere of the club, which also serves a number of appetizers and drinks, with an open kitchen until 12:30 in the morning, Assunta said.

Assunta worked with the old club for a number of years, she said. She used to help organize Brazilian nights on Fridays, and her husband used to perform in the club with his own band.

Somerville resident, Jair Noguero, said he used to work at Club III, and now he is a regular at Samba, because he likes the owners and the way they run the club.

Although they do not perform there anymore, Assunta said she still follows the tradition and invites both DJs and different bands to entertain the public on different nights.

Recently, she lined up an American band to perform in the club for the first time, she said. “We are fairly open to try different things and invite new bands to perform at the club.”

Assunta said in the near future, she plans to establish a jazz night on Tuesdays where she would also invite a singer with an acoustic guitar.

She also tries to make the club atmosphere more interesting by offering a variety of different programs on Friday nights with some nights samba music and others reggae or jazz, Assunta said. The weekends are reserved for Latin music.

Saturdays and Sundays are the club’s busiest nights with people coming for the not only the Latin music, but also Soho, popular couple dance in Brazil, she said.

Club Samba tries to unite the community together. The club reaches out to people of all ages and backgrounds. People of all ages gather within the cozy atmosphere of the club to relax, eat, dance and simply enjoy their night out, she said.

There is no dress code for the club-goers, so visitors get to choose themselves what look to create on a specific night, Assunta said.

Waitress Minas Gerais said she has been working at Samba and the Assunta’s other club, Club Brasil, for 18 months.

The music at Samba is authentic, Gerais, who was raised in southern Brazil, said.

Her favorite night is Sunday, because it is her day off and so she can dance, Gerais said.