CM Janja, T Andrea, and CM Alcione get things started at the opening roda.The conference got started early Friday morning with a class at FICA-Atlanta’s space. Following the class, some people went for a tour around the city which included viewing some community gardens and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial (others of us had breakfast and slept—especially the folks from Washington, DC & Baltimore who had driven down the night before). Later Friday night there was an opening ceremony, a capoeira roda, and a roda de samba.
T Gege and M Cobra Mansa at the opening roda.
CM Alcione & M Cobra Mansa at the pé do berimbau.
The rest of the weekend was packed with classes, lectures, rodas, a party, and lots of sunshine. CM Janja made a fantastic presentation about working with children, and showed us a video that interviewed three children from São Paulo who train with Grupo Nzinga. We also heard from women leaders. CM Alcione led a dance class in Bumba-Meu-Boi.
CM Janja's music class.
The future of capoeira in the United States!
CM Alcione spinning round and round.
Juan was available throughout the weekend for back adjustments and support.
There was a big group from Oakland, including Bessa, Deepa, Maia, and Alexis. From LA, we had Xavier, Neva, and friends. A whole bunch of people came down from Indianapolis and Boston. There were folks from the group at Wesleyan University in Connecticut. Dina, ex-Oakland student, now in Philadelphia, was there. Driving the ten hours down from the DC-Baltimore region were Katie, Troy, Jennifer, Maria Luz e Nena, and Nandita, Drea, Thiambe, and Nica. Kristen and Deepa from DC made it down. And all the way from New Orleans, Lauren, Rose, and Emily.
If I have forgotten anyone, let me know.
Cali women and Boston women.
Ugo presents CM Janja with a thank you gift.
Thank you Atlanta group!
Thank you to Gege, Juan, & Xavier for the photos. (There are even more on the Portuguese side of the blog.)
Xavier snapping away.
What was your favorite part of the conference?
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