Kabula, Capoeira Angola and Percussion organization, conducted workshops and demonstrated Capoeira culture (video below) at the Southbank Centre's summer long Brazilian Festival in London, England (video above). The festival aims to use Brazil's music, dance and culture to promote dialogue of Brazil's global role and future involvement. For more media on Kabula in the festival check out the bottom link.
Time Out New York Kids published a useful article for parents who might have a child interested in starting a martial, but have no clue about which class to join. This article is breaks down 9 different art forms into quick facts to wrap your head around what it is, how your kid can benefit and what the basic risks are.
ABADA CAPOEIRA
Where: Ginga Kids What it is: In colonial Brazil, African slaves hid powerful martial-arts moves in this graceful dancelike sport; today, modern Abada-style capoeira is still "played" in a circle, or roda, accompanied by Afro-Brazilian berimbau and drum music. Signature move: The ginga-a shifting from side to side while drawing one leg back Learning ops: The focus is on flexibility and core strength; the bonus is a lesson in Brazilian history and rhythm-pupils learn to play capoeira instruments and sing songs in Portuguese. Risk factor: Abada doesn't involve contact; it's about kid-friendly games. Cool factor: Capoeira is the root of breakdancing. Even cooler, every student gets a personal nickname-a practice that dates back to the days when capoeira was outlawed and its players kept their real names secret.
Starting in a couple weeks, Professor Gaivota of Capoeira Guerrerios will be teaching Capoeira at William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ. However, unlike a normal Capoeira club, Professor Gaivota's class is being offered for 2 credits in the Fall and, if it's successful, it will become a 3 credit class in the Spring. It would be awesome to see Capoeira being offered at colleges around the nation as an actual course (like Karate and many other martial arts are) both for future students and for the art as a whole.
Now, here's where your help is needed. The course was approved after this semester's course catalog was printed so WPU students are not able to read about the class. Additionally, the school is basing the success of the class on how many students are enrolled and as of right now, Professor Gaivota needs 5 more. If you, or anyone you know, goes to or knows someone who goes to William Paterson, please forward this to them so they know the class is being offered. Below is a description of Professor Gaivota's Capoeira Class at WPU (course number PEEL 399).
Capoeira is an Afro Brazilian art that blends movement, song, and music. Inter-modal and interdisciplinary by nature, Capoeira exposes students to the rich cultural history and heritage of Brazil. Capoeira also familiarizes students with the Brazilian Portuguese language and gives them a hands-on experience creating and playing traditional instruments. This course will provide students with knowledge of Afro Brazilian culture and history using text, lecture and AV Presentations. Students will participate in individual movement and technique training, discussion of assigned readings from text and videos observed in class.
Last week on Capoeira Science, Cordao de Ouro London's Contra-Mestre Casquinha posted a list of his favorite Capoeira quotes from various Capoeira masters. It's really cool to see what quotes experienced Capoeiristas reference to keep themselves inspired. Below are a couple favorites. Enjoy!
"The flame of this beautiful art is now in your hands. You can dampen it, you can burn yourself or your brothers and sisters, or, afraid of its heat, you can let go of it. I hope that you take good care of your capoeira and kindle this fire alive and powerful, enlightening your life". (Mestre Acordeon)
Seu Jorge is an incredible Brazilian musician. Above is a video of him performing his hit Carolina live. For those who don't listen to samba, you may know him as Knockout Ned from Cidade de Deus (City of God) or Pelé dos Santos from The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. Way cooler from The Life Aquatic are Seu Jorge's David Bowie covers (below is Changes). His new album was recently profiled on Spinner.com and in the feature, it mentioned how Seu Jorge is trying to break many of Brazil's global stereotypes, including Capoeira. Here is an excerpt:
Seu Jorge may be considered a major force in the revival of the samba, but the singer and actor ('The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou') is a somewhat reluctant ambassador. "I don't want this. I just want to make music for everybody -- not just for Brazil, or Brazilian people. There is so much more to our country than Caipirinhas, Carnival and capoeira. The new generation is not happy with these stereotypes."
Produced for PBS's EGG Art Series by Little Big Pictures, this energetic clip features Mestre Jelon and Capoeira Luanda from what we're guessing to be the early 2000s. If you look closely, you can see New York's Professor Tiba when he was a Monitor, Denver's Instructor Gaviao when he was an orange cord (one cord below Monitor in the Capoeira Brasil cord system), and Equipe Jo Capoeira's Contra-Mestre Jo when she was a Professor. Enjoy!
Editor's note: The reason everyone is wearing a Grupo Capoeira Brasil logo on their abadas is because this footage was shot before Mestre Jelon and Contra-Mestre Jo formed their own groups.
ABADA CAPOEIRA
