Call for Designs for Upcoming Youth Conference

    
As always, FICA-NYC brings us another innovative event - and you can be a part of it. This looks great!

New York Youth Conference Design

FICA New York is planning a youth conference in 2010. The theme of the conference is youth empowerment through activism. We will be providing capoeira workshops, dance and music classes, and a service project for the youth in attendance.

We are calling all artistically inclined individuals for image submissions for the conference. The selected image should convey the theme of the conference in a fun and exciting way. Remember our audience will be youth interested in capoeira. We expect to use the image on shirts and posters for the event. Let your creative side loose.

Send your works and questions to ficany[at]gmail[dot]com.

Good Luck!

Get your design on, friends!

And check back for more information on the event. Its going to be great for the kiddies.

Thanks to Njoli.
     

Berlin, Germany: Workshops with M Roberval

    
Capoeira Angola with Mestre Roberval

12/30
7 - 9 pm

12/31
6:30 - 8:30 pm

Torstr 109
Telephone: 030 4495738
Email: info (at) jangada (dot) com
    

Capoeira Angola in Hawaii

    

A note from Hawaii:

It was the first Capoeira Angola event in our new space, which is on the land where we have created a small homestead. Our space sits fifty feet from our house in front of the goat and chicken yard. We are excited to incorporate sustainable living and permaculture principles; planting bananas, fruit trees, papayas, taro and cassava, greens and vegetables, bee keeping, composting, mulching and living simpler and closer with nature. Since the first times that Mestre Jurandir and Contramestre Silvinho came to the Big Island of Hawaii in 2006 our group has been moving forward day by day, and today, with the blessing of our Mestre, we are able to hang our berimbaus on a wall devoted to this beautiful art form. Today we can light a candle and incense to remind us of the ones who came before us so that we can enjoy Capoeira Angola.

While Contramestre Silvinho was here we trained every morning and had workshops every evening. We promoted Capoeira Angola at the University with a free demo/first time workshop. The next day we did a demonstration at the annual parade in the historic downtown Pahoa. Students, who were taking a sabbatical from the group, joined us for the weekend of fun and challenge and learned more about group participation and community connection. When asked by Contramestre Silvinho, "What is Capoeira Angola", the kids from our local school program responded with answers such as, "to make friends", "respect", "martial art", "dance", "working together" and "music". And so, with gratitude in our hearts and the continued support of Mestre Jurandir, Contramestre Silvinho and FICA, Capoeira Angola continues to enhance our community here in Hawaii.

Many thanks to Joe, leader of the group in Hawaii for the report. Make sure to give him a call if you are headed to Hawaii. Sounds like pretty good living...
   

Closing 2009, Opening 2010

 
Another year has passed by and we are on the precipice of a new year. Let's play capoeira!

2009 End of the Year Rodas
dec 19
FICA-Bahia, 9:30 am
FICA-DC, 11 am


dec 20
FICA-NYC, 11 am
FICA-DF, 2 pm

2010 Opening Rodas
jan 9
FICA-Bahia, 9:30 am

Want to add your group's rodas to the list? Send us a note at ficadcarchives (at) gmail (dot) com
  

Salvador, Bahia: M Gigante CD Release

     

CD Release

Mestre Gigante
O Canto do Berbimbauman

Dec 19
10 am
at Casa da Mandinga

Rua Comendador José Alves Ferreira, 160, Garcia
Price, R$20
All proceeds of CD sales will go to M Gigante
     

Zumbi Pastinha Weekend 2009

  

FICA-DC hosted the annual Zumbi-Pastinha Weekend Encounter this year from November 12 - 14. Each day started with a 6 am morning training with M Cobra Mansa, and the hard training continued all day with workshops led by Mestre Jurandir, Mestre Valmir, M Cobra Mansa, and Contramestre Silvinho. We were also happy to have the presence of Contramestre Chorao, down from Boston, as well as many people from all over the country.

Besides training, we watched the film "Rhytmic Uprisings" and had a discussion with the film's directors. We also had a great party, hosted by legendary DC partyman Gaucho Dan, and many exciting rodas.

Can't hardly wait til the next one...

Thanks to Merle, Deepa and Celeste for the pictures.

If you have pictures that you would like to share, send us a link at: ficadcarchives (at) gmail (dot) com
 

Oakland, California, USA: Women's Conference 2010!

  

Mark your calendars!

FICA-Oakland is proud to invite you all to "Puxa, puxa! Leva, leva!", the 2010 Women's Conference to be held in Oakland, California, March 12 - 14, 2010.

Check back for more information soon.

Thanks to Kweeks for the information.
 

Salvador, Brasil: cd release, birthday party & workshop

 

Vem vadiar mais eu mano meu!

55 Years of Capoeira Angola
Mestre Virgílio da Fazenda Grande

CD Release
“Capoeira Angola na Travessia do Mar”

December 20, 2009

A Special Invitation
We would like to invite all capoeiristas to participate in our celebration of Mestre Virgílio’s 55th birthday, including his 55 years of resistance and practice of Capoeira Angola, on December 20 in Salvador, Bahia. Please bring your students to celebrate one of the great mestres of Capoeira Angola in Bahia.

Below is our event schedule. All events are free.

Also, the new CD will be sold at the event for R$15

Schedule of Events
9 am, movement class with invited mestres
11 am, Lecture: “The Tradition of Capoeira Angola as Social Education”, Mestre Roxinho
12 noon, Rhythm Class and Singing with invited mestres
1 pm, traditional Capoeira Angola roda and Samba de Roda
3 pm, Caruru

All activities are free!
Fruit will be served during the activities.

Place: Espaço Cultural Ana Amelia, Rua Melo Moraes Filho ao lado da Cesta do Povo
Neighborhood: Fazenda Grande Do Retiro- Salvador Bahia

Organized by:
Escola de Capoeira Angola 1◦ de Maio & ECAMAR Sydney
Mestre Virgílio & Uildes
Telephone: 071-8890-3295
E-mail: mestrevirgilio (at) hotmail (dot) com

Thanks to Paulo M for the information.
 

FICA-NY Website Re-launch

  
FICA-NYC has been busy re-designing its website. Check it out!

sometimes it's necessary to renew and revitalize the energies, to reevaluate our sense of purpose. rolling into yet another year here in new york, we've decided to take a good long look at the things we'd like to highlight, the things which make us special and a vital part of our smaller and larger communities. being here in such a cultural hub, nyc, we realize ourselves as strong devotees to the arts and see FICA NY as a wonderful forum to exhibit all of the arts which truly strive to propogate our values, the importance of culture, kinship, community, family and home.

as well, having a group full with educators, our dedication to youth work is a sort of given. we're trying, in every mode, to find new ways of addressing the hopes, aspirations and needs of our local young people and are "burning the candles" to maintain a presence in the public schools (elementary through high), universities, and co/extra curricular programs. we are, as well, currently in the midst of developing and designing the FICA Youth Conference.

all this being said, a viewable expression of these aspects needed to be designed in order that we might share the excitement we feel for all the up and comings. so here we are. as of saturday, december 5th, FICA NY - Study Group will re-launch itself with a new and inspired website (special thanks to our remarkable web team puck and shayna), complete with blogs, videos, photos. only a week later we will release some of the collaborative video work we've been putting together with local artist, benton greene. and yes!!! just one week later!! we'll be opening our new online art gallery, with the sole purpose of featuring some of the remarkable artisans within the FICA family. the gallery will be a venue for relevant photos, sculpture, paintings and visual arts of all sorts which represent the heart and sentiment of this socio-cultural movement (we hope you will put us in contact with anyone you think we might want to show).

we will also soon be releasing a special students section (password protected for FICA students) which will carry portuguese language learning resources, diasporic history materials, etc. we would love your input on things you would like to see included in this portion. the idea was to create this as a tool and incentive to those new and old FICA students looking to expand their knowledge and ability.

we thank everyone for all the support they've given us over the past few years and hope that the new old FICA NY can continue to put as much into the pot as it takes away.

Sincerely,

FICA NY - Study Group

  

Eparrei!!: celebration in Pelourinho

 

Today in Salvador, hundreds of people will pour into Pelourinho to pay hommage to Santa Bárbara, who is syncretized with Iansã in many terreiros. Here are some pictures from the festival last year, courtesy of Fabricio and some other folks.

Enjoy!

By the way, its probably not a good day to go shopping for those capoeira pants you saw in Pelourinho...
 

Salvador, Brazil: Book Drop this Friday

  
Book Drop: Capoeira, Identidade e Gênero: Ensaios sobre a história social da Capoeira no Brasil (Capoeira, Identity and Gender: Essays on the social history of capoeira in Brazil) by Josivaldo Pires de Oliveira and Luiz Augusto Pinheiro Leal

Friday, December 4, 2009
Biblioteca Central da UFBA, Rua Barão de Jeremoabo, s/n, Campus de Ondina, Salvador – BA
Retail: R$ 30,00
Special Offer (available only at release event): R$ 25,00
  

Chicago, USA: Workshops with M Valmir

  
Workshops with M. Valmir

Monday (Nov 30). Tuesday (Dec 1). Wednesday (Dec 2). Thursday (Dec 3).

ALL CLASSES ARE 7-9 pm
at 1757 N. Kimball Ave.
Chicago 60647

$20 per class
$60 for all 4 classes.

for more information:
call 773.227.8879
email: info (at) quilombocenter (com) org
  

São Paulo, Brazil: Workshops with M Angolinha

    

Mestre Angolinha
Oficina Aberta

for capoeiristas and other interested folks
Grupo Nzinga de Capoeira Angola

Saturday, November 28 at 2:30 pm
Sunday, November 29 at 9:30 am

Contribution:
R$20 for a single day
R$30 for both days

Rua dos Carris, 13
Travessa da Cardeal Arcoverde
8937 - 3398
    

NYC, Philly & DC: M Valmir's East Coast Tour

  
Get your recommended dose of Bahian axé (and probably a whole bunch of rasteiras and cabeçadas to boost your immune system) this winter.

Mestre Valmir of FICA-Bahia is in the United States and will be traveling around, visiting various schools, giving workshops and leading rodas.

M Valmir will preside at rodas to be held in the following cities at the following times on the following dates:

November 29
noon - 3 pm
FICA-NYC
six harmonies martial arts
232 7th av (between 23rd & 24th)
manhattan

December 12
noon - 4 pm
FICA-Philly
MLK Recreation Center
22nd and Cecil B. Moore Av
Philadelphia

December 13
9 am - noon  
FICA-DC
733 Euclid St, NW
Washington, DC

enjoy!
  

Remembering M Pastinha on November 13

    

Mestre Pastinha passed away on this day (November 13) in 1981 in the city of Salvador da Bahia, Brazil.

Let us remember him and celebrate his memory today - and every day - in our rodas and trainings all over the world. He lived his life to preserve what we enjoy today.

Here is a little memory of Pastinha, written by his great friend, the famous Bahian author, Jorge Amado. This comes from Amado's Bahia de Todos os Santos, a unique tour book of the city of Salvador that was published in 1941. Enjoy!

Mestre Vincente Pastinha is more than seventy years old. He is a small light-skinned man, of frightening agility, and uncommon strength. When he begins to “play”, everyone watching thinks, that poor old man with frizzy white hair will fall down in two minutes, knocked over by a young adversary or lack of his own breath. But, oh! There is much more to him than meets the eye! None of this happens. The adversaries come, one after the other, one young man, then another, then another, students or friends of Pastinha, and he beats them all and never tires, he never loses his breath, not even when he dances the “samba of Angola”.

The Escola de Capoeira Angola of Mestre Pastinha, is located on the ladeira do Pelourinho, in the square, on the first floor. From Thursday to Sunday they “play” in the school. But usually on Thursdays, the game is weaker, it is the new students who are training. On Sunday, the well-known capoeiristas come and the party starts in the afternoon.

If you visit Bahia, you should not miss the extraordinary show that is Mestre Pastinha playing capoeira to the sounds of the berimbau in the center of his school. And when he is not playing, he does not rest. He takes a berimbau and leads the singing. For me, Pastinha is one of the important figures of popular life in Bahia. It is imperative to meet him, to talk to him, to listen to his stories, and above all, to see him “playing”, confronting young and vigorous adversaries and knocking them down one by one…

… we should talk about the School of Waldemar, on the Liberdade Highway, where, beyond meeting the mestre of the school, you will meet Traia, a thin, quiet caboclo, made of muscle, a great mestre of capoeira. To watch him play is truly an aesthetic pleasure. He looks like a dancer and only Pastinha himself can compete with him in the beauty of his movement, in agility, in the speed of his blows. When Traia cannot be found at Waldemar’s school, he is nearby at the School of Sete Molas, also in Liberdade. At these schools, the visitor can acquire lovely berimbaus, helping in the development of our national fight…

… But oh! I hope that you never get into a fight with one of these capoeiristas, because however strong you may be, I would not bet on you to win because I am certain that in one minute you would be laid out on the floor, at the disposition of a shining razor blade…

You may however become friends with either one of these and watch a presentation. These capoeiristas are very fine people…

Ie! Viva Pastinha!
    

Padova, Italy: December Workshops

    
l'associazione capoeira angola pernambuco
presents
Capoeira workshops in Padova, Italy
December 5 – 6
with the presence of Contramestre Gato Preto and Professor Zequinha
website
website
capoeirapadova (at) gmail (dot) com
please confirm your presence at least one week before the event

laters,
staff associazione capoeira angola pernambuco

professor zequinha
+39 338 80 00 353
nadia
+39 349 87 43 945

--------------------------

l'associazione capoeira angola pernambuco organizza
stage capoeira a Padova
5-6 dicembre 2009
con la presenza : contramestre Gato Preto
e professor Zequinha
website
capoeirapadova (arroba) gmail (ponto) com
si prega la conferma almeno una settimana prima

professor zequinha
+39 338 80 00 353
nadia
+39 349 87 43 945
    

Olinda, Pernambuco, Brazil: Roda in Honor of M Pastinha

      

A note from Olinda, Pernambuco:

Grupo São Bento Pequeno

Roda de Capoeira Angola
in honor of
Mestre Pastinha

Beco do Bajado
Olinda, Pernambuco

11-13-09
friday, 7 pm

Professor Baixinho: 81 9696 7194
website

Have fun!                    

Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil: Peace Roda with M Virgílio

         

The Association Capoeira Angola Mucumbo (A Associação de Capoeira Angola Mucumbo, A.C.A.M) invites all to attend its 8th Encounter of Capoeira Angola – Peace Roda 2009.

The Peace Roda is an event organized by Mestre Virgílio de Ilhéus and has already become an important tradition of Capoeira Angola in the city Ilhéus. This year on November 5 and 6 the event will include Capoeira Angola workshops with Mestres: Jogo de Dentro (Grupo Semente do Jogo de Angola – BA), Plínio (Angoleiro Sim Sinhô – SP) and Bel (Malungo Centro de Capoeira Angola – BA) – as well as open rodas in Olivença Square and the Ilhéus Cathedral Square.

For Mestre Virgílio, the Peace Roda is a symbol of union, reflection and thankfulness. “It will be a great moment for the Capoeira Angola community in Ilhéus.”

Schedule (attention: space is limited!)
Saturday, 12/05
8 – 10 am, Registration
10 am – noon, Movement Workshop
noon – 3 pm, Break
3 – 5 pm, Movement Workshop
7 pm, Roda - Olivença Square

Sunday, 12/06
10 am – noon, Movement Workshop
7 pm, Peace Roda 2009 - Ilhéus Cathedral Square

Cost:
single workshop = R$20,00
two workshops = R$30,00
three workshops = R$45,00 + an event t-shirt

For more information, visit the website
or contact: capoeiramucumbo (at) yahoo (dot) com (dot) br

Thanks to Paulo for the information.
         

Ilha de Itaparica, Brasil: Angoleiros da Mar Event in January

           
A note from Angoleiros do Mar:

Yeahhhhhh capoeiristas de todo mundo ..

Capoeiragem na Ilha de Itaparica
Angoleiros do Mar

January 15 – 17, 2009
Barra Grande, Ilha de Itaparica

Costs:
R$80,00 - 3 days
R$60,00 - 2 days
R$40,00 - 1 day

Camping (Saturday & Sunday)

Invited Guests:
Mestres:
Marcelo Angola (Angoleiros do Mar)
Lua Rasta (Tribo da Lua)
Claudio (Angoleiros do Sertão)
Ivan (Santo Amaro)
Torito (Salvador)
Barteló (Angoleiros da Serra)

Contra-mestres:
Luciano (Malta da Serra)

Professores:
Sapoti (Bando Tupinambá)
Ricardo (Zimba)
V.O. (ACANNE)
Calça Furada e Oriquerê (Angoleiros do Sertão)
Adilson (Angoleiros da Serra)

Professores from the Angoleiros do Mar family:
Fubuia (França)
Mandela (Japão)
Guaxini
Gigante
Daniel Cachaça (Minas Gerais)
JP
Peixe frito
Macarrão
Tarzan
Grilo (Espanha)


And more invited guests.

Guaxini's website
Angoleiros do Mar website
           

New York City, USA: Kids Roda in December

    

FICA NY - Youth Roda
a special roda for youth and their families. all groups, all ages, all levels are more than welcome. you are especially invited.

FICA NY @six harmonies martial arts
232 7th av (between 23rd & 24th)
manhattan
sunday, dec 6th
noon-3

a short chat (bate papo) about the ritual and expectations of the roda along with some q&a, a couple hours of play and some snacks and post roda jams (of course) to round it all out.

i hope you'll all put this into your schedule. bring your kids, bring the neighbors kids and bring the best of your energy

feel free to call puck or myself with any questions...

njoli 551 574 0644
puck 917 971 7980

Also (posted earlier):

Mestre Jurandir
nov 16th @ 440 studios
440 lafayette (near astor pl)
manhattan
7pm-9pm

nov 17th @ six harmonies martial arts
232 7th av (between 23rd & 24th)
manhattan
7pm-9pm

Mestre Valmir
nov 23rd @ 440 studios
440 lafayette (near astor pl)
manhattan
7pm-9pm

nov 24th @ six harmonies martial arts
232 7th av (between 23rd & 24th)
manhattan
7pm-9pm

nov 29th @ six harmonies martial arts
232 7th av (between 23rd & 24th)
manhattan
roda
12pm-3pm

Thanks to Njoli for the information.
   

Lima, Peru: Going-Away Party, Roda & Feijoada

    
Capoeira Angola Workshops – Brazilian Party & Felijoada!
Going-away party for Treinel Leninho, who is going back to Brazil.

Saturday, Nov 7
José Galvez 588, Miraflores
contact: capoeira (dot) Angola (dot) peru (at) gmail (dot) com

Schedule:
5 pm: Capoeira Angola workshop
7 pm: roda!
8:30 pm: raffle with prizes. Surprise presentation & dance party with feijoada (Dj Boggito and DJ Pishtaco)

Donation:
30 soles, workshop (includes a plate of feijoada)
8 soles, raffle (includes a plate of feijoada)
we’ll be selling beer & caipirinhas

Axé!
FICA Peru
Study Group

----------------
Taller de Capoeira Angola - Fiesta y rica Feijoada* Brasilera!
Como despedida a nuestro Treinel Leninho que vuelve a Brasil.

Programacion:
-. 5pm: taller intensivo de capoeira angola: movimientos, musica y fundamentos.
-. 7.00pm: roda de capoeira angola
-. 8.30 pm: sorteo (habran premios!) , Performace sorpresa y feijoada bailable (con DJ Boggito y DJ Pishtaco)

Donacion:
-Taller intensivo de capoieira angola y musica: 30 soles (incluye 1 plato de feijoada)
-Rifa: 8 soles (incluye 1 plato de feijoada)
-Se venderan chelas y caipirinhas.

AXE,

FICA Peru
Grupo de Estudio

Thanks to Fiorella for the information.
   

Oakland, California, USA: A Visit from M Cobra Mansa

Mestre Cobra Mansa will be in Oakland, California leading classes in late November.

Who: M Cobra Mansa
What: Capoeira Angola Classes
Where: FICA-Oakland space, 2513 Magnolia Street Oakland, CA 94607
Why: Because we like it
&
When: November 27 - 29

Contact: danielmattar12 (at) hotmail (dot) com or call: 510 684 4797
website

New York City, USA: Mid-November Events

Two separate mestre visits happening in New York City in mid-November. Have fun!

November 16 & 17
A rare opportunity to take advantage of a wealth of Capoeira Angola knowledge, history and practice. During this short visit to the states Mestre Jurandir will share his unique understanding through classes in music and movement

nov 16th @ 440 studios
440 lafayette (near astor pl)
7pm-9pm

nov 17th @ six harmonies martial arts
232 7th av (between 23rd&24th)
7pm-9pm

November 23 & 24
Mestre Valmir comes to visit us here in New York during one of his rare trips to the U.S. How lucky we are to have him with us here during the Thanksgiving holiday week. Through Salvador and beyond, Mestre Valmir is famed for his his musical ability, his grace, creativity and profundity. I hope you will all take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to connect with one of this period's great mestres of Capoeira Angola.

nov 23rd @ 440 studios
440 lafayette (near astor pl)
7pm-9pm

nov 24th @ six harmonies martial arts
232 7th av (between 23rd&24th)
7pm-9pm

Rio de Janeiro: Capoeira Book Release

Dear Friends,

We invite you all to participate this Saturday, October 31 in a unique event that will unite the literature, capoeira, and samba communities.

All in one place:Livraria Largo das Letras e Federação dos Trabalhadores Cristãos do Rio de Janeiro.

Mauricio Barros de Castro (one of the event organizers) will be autographing his book, Capoeira, a collection of interviews with Mestres past and present, all true references of this Afro-Brazilian tradition.

There will be a roda with Grupo N'Golo (Mestre Jose Carlos) that will include the presence of mestres, contramestres, and many capoeiristas from the Carioca capoeira community who will be at the event. We will close the event in grand style with a Samba de Raiz do "Samba do Chapeu".

It will be worth it!
Mestre Carlão

Azougue Editorial & Livraria Largo das Letras
invites you to

The release of the book –
CAPOEIRA

Organization
Frede Abreu
Maurício Barros de Castro

Schedule of Events
- traditional capoeira roda with Grupo de Capoeira Angola N’golo
- samba do chapéu
- release of book

Dia 10/31/2009
11 am – 5 pm

Place: Livraria Largo das Letras
Rua Almirante Alexandrino,
Largo dos Guimarães – Santa Teresa
Tel: 2221-8992
website

Salvador, Brazil: Cultural Fair at CECA of M João Pequeno

Cultural Fair: ARTE DE APRENDER
"92 years of art and life"

CAPOEIRA
ART
HANDICRAFTS
POETRY
CULTURE
ARTS WORKSHOPS

With the goal of fostering a fertile space to exchange ideas about art and culture, the Centro Esportivo de Capoeira Angola – CECA, Academia do Mestre João Pequeno de Pastinha (Forte do Santo Antonio) is organizing a Cultural Fair with activities that cross different artistic languages, including workshops of capoeira, dance, body percussion, instrument-making and workshops led by artisans who work with recyclables to craft dolls and sculptures. Beyond the offered workshops, there will be an artisans’ fair, a capoeira roda led by M João Pequeno de Pastinha, video screenings concerning aspects of regional culture, and the release of a DVD of the tribute event for Mestre Ferreirinha.

Place:
Academia de João Pequeno de Pastinha, Rua Barão do Triunfo, s/n
Forte de Santo Antonio (Largo do Santo Antonio)
Tel:(071)33230708;88331469; 87464161;81159235

When & where:
06 de novembro a partir das 14:00hs
7 e 8 de novembro a partir das 10:00hs

Free admission
Register: feirartedeaprenderajpp (at) hotmail (dot) com
website

Zebras in the City: Art & Capoeira in NYC

The creation of a banner representing a group or school is a significant undertaking. How does one create an image that encompasses hundreds of years of history, potential for the future, group history, group location, your native language (and some Portuguese if it is not your native tongue), an art form as rich and wide as capoeira (all those moves! all those instruments!), a bit of philosophy, plus perhaps an enthusiastic zebra or two?

Clearly, many decisions have to be made, but what you end up with should just about represent the essential of your group - its individual characteristics as well as its place within the larger community. Recently, FICA-NYC artists Duhirwe Rushemesa and Michael Loughlin developed a banner for their group. Group leader Njoli (who shares the responsibility with Puck) asked them to write a little about:

almost a year ago our two resident artists, Duhirwe Rushemesa and Michael Loughlin, designed a beautiful banner for the group and gave us all the opportunity to participate in its crafting. i asked them to do a short write up about the ideas and themes at work in the image and thought it would be nice to share with everyone.
thanks to you and to them,
-n-

FICA NY - Study Group Banner
A Brief Description of Its Themes by Michael Loughlin:

I believe the banner we created for fica ny is a call to arms, an image that lets people know that fica has arrived and wants to be heard in the great city of New York!

The iconic image of the empire state building is the center piece of the impressive new york skyline, hence it is used to symbolized that we are alive in the heart of this city. The fica logo is indeed iconic in its own right thus it is symbolized as being larger than the city for all to see and bring attention to the group that has established itself here.

The use of zebras in the foreground is to represent animals from the birth place of Capoeira Angola, Africa, and to demonstrate just how far the art has migrated. The zebras seem out of place yet blend into the city. The fica logo also shares the image of the zebra as if it were playing along with the capoerista. Thus it is an image that solidifies that we are all animals roaming this interesting city and planet.

The overall style was created to look loose and fluid. The buildings are not square and no line is truly straight, they are there yet transparent. The city is obviously new york yet it is done in a gestural style that gives it movement and life, not rigid and grounded. The stylized quality used is to mimic the beauty and fluidity found at the heart of capoeria.

The colors used in the banner are that of the typical colors used in Fica unifying our group with a global society that is interested in enriching the lives of many throught the spirit of dance and sing! The color blue is used as a mark of uniqueness, a slight touch of hand that signals a sense of life and artistic freedom to accent. The color is sharp and vibrant in hopes of catching the eye and enlivening the surrounding.

The banner was created to give a sense of pride and spirit to those who train, play and sing in front of it. To establish a voice and pay homage to the art and beauty of Capoeira!

Many thanks to Duhirwe and Michael for their artwork, and to Njoli for passing it along. I have noticed over the years that Njoli really challenges his group with exercises like this - beyond just learning the movements and the music - that require reflection upon your growth as an individual within capoeira as well as your place in the capoeira community. That's really cool.

What does your logo, banner, or even group name say about you and your school? Its something interesting to consider.

Capoeira Angola Center Fall Newsletter

Wonder what's up with Mestre? Well, you can find out quarterly with the Capoeira Angola Center newsletter. Action-packed and in full-color, the newsletter lets you know where Mestre has been and where he is going (so you can be there, too).

Here is the text from this issue:

Once every season, we’ll keep you in the loop!
Welcome to the Capoeira Angola Center newsletter! In an eff ort to strengthen our community, we’ll welcome every season with a (re)collection of happenings -past and upcoming- to keep you up to date. This is a work in progress, and of course we welcome any feedback!

MESTRE JOAO GRANDE VISITS SAO PAULO
ON OCTOBER 01-04, 2009, Mestre João Grande participated of the III Encontro Zungu Capoeira - Resistência Cultural in the city of São Paulo. The event, hosted by the Escola Cultural Zungu Capoeira, had the presence of renowned angoleiros such as Mestre Ananias, Mestre Bigo (Francisco 45 de Pastinha), Mestre Russo de Caxias and Mestre Plínio. Many other Mestres and Contra-Mestres from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro participated as well. Mestre João Grande enjoyed the many workshops, rodas and cultural presentations that took place during the event and was particularly pleased with the social work that the group, under the guidance of professor Cacá, provides for the under-served children of the region.

CAPOEIRA FESTIVAL in NYC
ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2009 The Brazilian Consul continued his promotion of capoeira as a National Heritage by hosting the Capoeira Festival in New York City. The event was held to recognize the importance of capoeira in Brazilian history with the distribution of the publication No. 14 of Texts From Brazil : Capoeira, along with the presence of Mestre João Grande, Mestre Camisa, Mestre Jelon Viera and Mestranda Edna Lima who were present for demonstrations and panel discussions during the event.

XV ANNUAL CAPOEIRA ANGOLA CONFERENCE (FICA), Jul-Aug 2009
DURING THE summer, Mestre João Grande travelled to Belo Horizonte, BZ where Mestre Cobra Mansa, Mestre Jurandir, and Mestre Valmir hosted their XV Annual International Encounter. The event was well attended and it brought together capoeristas from several different countries.

MESTRE’S UPCOMING TRIPS
oct 8-12 Texas, Dente de Ouro

dec 2-4 Los Angeles
N’golo Arts Preservation Society
Movement, Music, Songs, Rodas & Conversations with Mestre
info: ngolo.arts (at) gmail.com
facebook / myspace
phone: 424.200.4968

dec 5-7 Arizona
CAC Arizona
Movement, Music, Songs, Rodas & Conversations with Mestre
info: ngolo.arts (at) gmail.com
facebook / myspace
phone:_ Xango: 602.791.7545
Uncle James: 424.200.4968

Looking forward to the next one.

Washington, DC: Film Screening this Friday

Its going to be a red carpet affair - get out your top hat and fancy dinner gloves.

Please join us at the FICA-DC space this Friday, October 30, as our own Lucia Duncan will be screening three films she has made.

Here are the details:

Friday October 30 from 8 - 9:30 pm.
FICA/Emergence Community Arts Collective
733 Euclid St NW

"Olinda: World Cultural Heritage Site" 12 min, 2002
The viewer is introduced to the historic and scenic city of Olinda, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, through the perspective of native tour guides. Little by little, the daily life of the tour guides and the city is revealed, showing a side of the city that many prefer to ignore.

"Lord of Olinda" 20 min., 2004
For more than 60 years, the Lord of Olinda has been a colorful figure of Olinda's carnival.Intercutting scenes of his daily life and carnival appearances, O Lorde de Olinda blurs the line between person and character.

"Whales of Gold" 38 min., 2009
Tourism and conservation have brought profound change to a small fishing community on the San Ignacio Lagoon, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Twelve-year-old Antonio negotiates between the different points of view of locals and outsiders about how to conserve the lagoon and sustain the livelihoods of the people who live there.

And of course, O Lorde never left the house without checking the blog.

Mainz, Germany: 4th Capoeira Angola Workshop

Fourth Capoeira Angola Workshop
with Mestre Valdec
12 Anos de Resistencia
November 13 - 15, 2009

Friday - November 13
6pm - 7pm Presentation
7pm - 9pm Roda de Capoeira Angola

Saturday - November 14
10 am - 1 pm Practice/Workshop
1pm - 3 pm Lunch Break
3 pm - 4:30 pm Practice/Workshop
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm Roda de Capoeira Angola
8:30 pm Casual Get-together

Sunday - November 15
10:30 am - 12:30 pm Music Class (Instruments and Singing)
12:30 pm - 2:30 pm Lunch Break
3:00 pm - Final Open Roda

All Events those three days will take place at the 'Inter-1 Saal' on the Mainz University Campus
Wittichweg 45, 55128 Mainz,Germany

For Information contact:
grupobantu (at) gmail (com) com
cell +49 0175 7709075
phone + 49 (0)6131 28 08 476

Registration Fees for the Entire Weekend: 50 Euros
For a single day: 20 Euros

Thanks to Lars for the translation from German. Thanks to Grupo Bantu for the flyer

Rancharia, SP, Brazil: Encounter with M Cláudio

Capoeira Angola Encounter with Mestre Cláudio from Bahia

Schedule of Events
Assis:
11/18 Wednesday
5 pm - Workshop & Hanging Out with M Cláudio and Angoleiros do Sertão
Place - Barracão Cultural.

Rancharia:
11/19 Thursday
9 am - Encounter with students of Projeto de Capoeira Municipal and time with M Cláudio and guests
Place - Quadra do CSU
7 pm - Children’s Workshop with Contramestre Xandão
8 pm – Workshop with M Cláudio, hanging out and samba de roda

Presidente Prudente:
11/20 Friday
7 pm – Time with M Cláudio
Place - Centro Cultural Matarazzo

11/21 Saturday
9:30 am - Capoeira - Os Angoleiros do Sertão and guests
Local-Calçadão de Pres. Prudente
6 pm – workshop with M Cláudio
Place - Centro Cultural Matarazzo

Rancharia:
11/22 Sunday
9:00 am – Capoeira- Os Angoleiros do Sertão and guests
Place - Praça da Baixada

Housing will be provided, please bring sheets/sleeping bag
Cost of event: R$40.00, includes all workshop

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Very cool. Have fun.

Brighton, UK: Workshops with M Laércio

Capoeira Angola Workshop with Mestre Laércio

Friday, Nov 6
7 – 9:30 pm
Capoeira at Middle Street School £10

Saturday, Nov 7
12 – 6 pm
Capoeira at Wagner Hall, Lewes Road, £15

Sunday, Nov 8
12 – 1:30 pm, Afro-Brazilian Dance, £8
2:30 – 7 pm, Capoeira and Roda, £15
Whole weekend, 35

Brazilian Quilombo Party @ the Cubar
5 Preston Street, Brighton BN1 2HN
Saturday, Nov 7
10 pm – 2 am
£3 for capoeiristas & in advance
£5 on the door

Contact: Ed, 07792 195 807

Brighton Capoeira Angola

Salvador & Recôncavo da Bahia: 3rd Capoeira Encounter

This event looks amazing. You can't miss it if you are in the area!

The 3rd Capoeira Encounter of the Recôncavo will honor Mestre Felipe de Santo Amaro de Purifcação, a significant mestre from the old guard, as well as an artisan and capoeira singer.

This is a traveling event that aims to show and give value to the existing movement between urban capoeira and the rural capoeira of the Bahian Recôncavo.

This event will take place in Salvador, Santo Amaro and Santiago do Iguape, a small village of fisherman and farming quiombolas from the 27th to the 29th of November, 2009.

Schedule of Events

11/27, Salvador
10 – Opening and reception with the children capoeiristas of Santo Amaro, students of Mestre Ivan (ACANA), at the Faculdade de Educação/UFBA
10h30 – Exhibition and discussion about the film “A CAPOEIRA DE UM MESTRE E O SEU BANDO ANUNCIADOR” in the Sala de Cinema da UFBA/Faced.
14h – Percussion Workshop with Mestre Lua / Praça do Pelourinho
16h – Educational activity for the kiddies (painting in honor of M Felipe)
18h - BANDO ANUNCIADOR parade with the children capoeiristas from Santo Amaro
20h - Roda de Capoeira at the Terreiro de Jesus
22h – Table of fruits and mingling following the roda

11/28, Santo Amaro
8 am – Leave for Santo Amaro
11 am – Arrival at the Praça da Matriz with a welcome roda
2:30 pm – Capoeira Angola Workshops with M Ivan and Maculelê Workshop with com Erisivaldo at the Barracão of M Ivan
4 pm – Snack and education activity for children (games, songs and painting)
5 pm – Discussion at the Barracão, with M Felipe and the old capoeira mestres of the Recôncavo + Roda
8:30 pm – Film: “Tributo a Mestre Bigodinho” and “Umbigada” at the Praça da Matriz

11/29 - Santiago do Iguape
9 am – Collective breakfast at the Casa do Samba
9:40 am – Leave for Santiago do Iguape
10:30 am – Arrival, capoeira roda, and hang time with the old mestres of the community
1 pm – Lunch in Santiago do Iguape
2 pm – Berimbau and Song Workshop with M Felipe
4 pm – Return to Santo Amaro
5 pm – Closing roda at the Casa do Samba
6:30 pm – Return to Salvador.

Registration: R$130
Includes food, transportation, housing, workshops and a t-shirt.

Warsaw, Poland: Workshops with M Poloca

Week-Long Capoeira Angola Workshops with Mestre Poloca

Fabryka wódek "Koneser", Ząbkowska 27/31, Warsaw, Poland
Warsaw Capoeira Angola Group

Capoeira Angola workshops for children
Capoeira Angola workshops for adults
Brazilian batucada workshops
Afrobrazilian film show
lectures and discussions on multiculturalism

Everyone who would like to improve their capoeira skills, and also those with an interest in this unique dance-fight-game, we invite you to take part in Capoeira Angola workshops in Warsaw. Workshops are organized by Warsaw Capoeira Angola school, and our guest will be Mestre Poloca from Salvador, Bahia.

November 2-6, daily trainings:
17:00 - 18:30 children classes
18:30 - 19:30 music classes
19:30 - 21:00 movement classes

November 4
21:00 warsaw Rhythms of Resistance group - idea presentation, batucada
workshop and music jam on afrobrazilian instruments

November 6
21:00 afrobrazilian film show /additionally: brazilian food, film discussion afterwards
The spirit of samba, black music of Brazil, documentary, Jeremy Marre
Pastinha, Uma Vida pela Capoeira, documentary, Carlos Murley

November 7
9:00 - 10:30 children classes
10:30 - 12:00 music classes
12:00 - 15:00 movement classes
18:00 lecture and discussion panel depicting multiculturalism, lead by renowned Polish anthropologists
20:00 music workshops final concert
21:00 open roda

November 8
9:00 - 11:30 music and movement classes
11:30 - 13:30 final roda

Reservations and further information: maciekroz (at) gmail (dot) com
Cost of whole session: 50 euro, children session: 25 euro
We can help you organise a sleeping place.

Thanks to Agnieszka for the information & flyer. Have fun!

"Porque Ele Voa": Besouro the Movie

Ok, so they are calling it "Beetle" (it just does not sound the same...) in the English-language trailer, but the movie Besouro is coming out in Brazil this month. Based on the life of Manoel Henrique Pereira and filmed in Chapada Diamantina, it was apparently quite a massive production, costing millions of dollars and using the special effects guy from "Crouching Tiger". Here is what one article reports:

One of the biggest productions in the history of Brazilian cinema, Besouro (Beetle) is confirmed for theatrical release in Brazil in October 2009 with international launches to follow. Directed by João Daniel Tikhomiroff, Besouro is an action movie set in 1920s Bahia, the story of a legendary capoeira fighter who uses the power of Candomble to fight the harsh conditions which, even post-abolition, the black population endured in Brazil. With action director Huan-Chiu Ku (Kill Bill, Matrix) the film promises spectacular stunt sequences and a soundtrack featuring Gilberto Gil, Naná Vasconcelos, Rica Amabis, Tejo and Naçao Zumbi’s Pupillo.

Here is the "making of" trailer in English on youtube.

And here is the movie's official website.

Looks pretty cool.

With international releases, get ready for an influx of aspiring Besouro/as at your school.

Thanks to Elsie for the link.

Salvador, Brazil: Menina, Quem foi Sua Mestra?

A note from Salvador:

Amig@s,

The Nzinga Institute of Capoeira Angola and the Pierre Verger Foundation invite you to the the event Menina quem foi sua mestra? – with movement and cong workshops, as well as rodas of discussion and capoeira.

Invited guests:
Sônia Santos (Rio de Janeiro)
Mestra Cristina (Rio de Janeiro)
Mestra Elma (Santa Catarina)
Professora Nani Pequeno (Bahia)
Mestra Brisa (Bahia)

Menina Quem Foi Sua Mestra?
Workshops – Lectures – Rodas

November 19 – 22, 2009

Locations:
Instituto Nzinga de Capoeira Angola – R. Alto da Sereia, no. 2, 3rd floor – Rio Vermelho

Fundação Pierre Verger – 2a Travessa da Vila America, 6 – Engenho Velho de Brotas

Information and registration:
Nzinga website
meninaquemfoisuamestra (at) gmail (dot) com
55 – 71- 99999230

Thanks to Ligia for the flyer and note.

Seattle, USA: Afro-Brazilian Arts Festival

A note from the Capoeira Angola community in Washington state:

International Capoeira Angola Foundation Seattle
& the Capoeira Angola Club - Evergreen State College

Invite you to join us for our
FREE
Afro-Brazilian Arts Festival

Exploring Culture through African and
Brazilian Art Forms

November 6 – 7, 2009

The Afro- Brazilian Arts Festival is a FREE event hosted at the Evergreen State College in collaboration between FICA Seattle and the Olympia group. The purpose of this event is to celebrate the intimate connection between African and Brazilian
culture here in the Pacific Northwest. The Festival will include workshops on
Capoeira Angola, Samba Dance, Brazilian Percussion, and West African Dance.
Schedule:

Friday November 6 (Rainier Beach Community Center, Seattle)
7 pm, Opening Roda

Saturday November 7 (Evergreen State
College, Olympia)
10 - 11 am - Brazilian Percussion, Eduardo Mendoca
11:15 - 12:15 - Samba, Dora Oliveira
12:30 - 2:00 - Capoeira Angola, Mestre Jurandir
2:15 - 3:15 - West African Dance, Manimou Camara
3:30 - until - Roda

This is a lively community festival with lots of drumming and dancing. Also, a great opportunity to spend some time with Mestre Jurandir. We hope you can join us!

Have fun! Thanks to Criss for the information.

Bahia, Brasil: DanceBatukeira Bahia 2010

DanceBatukeira Bahia 2010
January 20 - 24, 2010
Fazenda Cultura Ouroverde
Bahia, Brasil

You will be staying in the south Bahia close to historical city of Ilheus and the very famous Itacare surftown for 5 days and nights, participating in Capoeira Angola, Maculele, Afro Brazilian Dance and lots of Drumming classes plus instrument-making workshops, forest hikes, visits to waterfalls and white sand beaches, a forro dance party, and more.

Enjoy and experience classes and workshops of Caxixi, Pandeiro, Atabaque, Batucada drumming, Samba dance, Orixaï Dance, Capoeira Angola Rodas songs and other percussion ensembles and moreï

No prior experience required!! All levels welcome!!!

Space is limited to 35 people so please register soon!!

More information at the event website.

Salvador, Brazil: 7th Feijoada of ACANNE

ACANNE
Associação de Capoeira Angola Navio Negreiro

O Sabor do Saber Ancestral
7a Feijoada da ACANNE

The ACANNE community invites all to taste the Flavor of the Ancestral Knowledge (o Sabor do Saber Ancestral, yes it sounds much better in Portuguese…) during the Month of Black Consciousness.

This year, the event will be augmented to include a series of lectures concerning our struggle and our culture.

On Saturday, a traditional feijoada for Ogum will be served along with the customary canelinha of Iansã.

But don’t forget: everyone must eat with their fingers and everyone must bring a najé bowl.

ACANNE
Rua do Sodré, no. 48 – Largo Dois de Julho – Salvador – Bahia – Brazil
telephone: 71 3321 7496/ 9146 5999
mestrerene (at) yahoo (dot) com
acannezion (at) hotmail (dot) com
website

Schedule of Events
11/11, Wednseday
6 pm, Lecture: “Cheikh Anta Diop, the Senegalese intellectual, and his theory of a Black-African Egypt”, Prof. Paula Vargas Arana, masters in African Studies, El Colêgio de México
7:30 pm, Capoeira Angola class with Mestre Renê Bitencourt

11/13 - Friday
7 pm, Capoeira Angola roda

11/16 – Monday
6 pm, Movie: “Cry Freedom”. Directed by Richard Attenborough, 1987.
7:30 pm, Capoeira Angola class with Mestre Renê Bitencourt

11/18 – Wednesday
6 pm, Lecture: “The Black Consciousness of Stephen Biko and the South African Movement”, Prof. Christianne Vasconcellos, master of Social History, UFBA
7 pm, talk with Elizabeth, a South African from the khosa society (to be confirmed)
7:30 pm, Capoeira Angola class with Mestre Renê Bitencourt

11/20 - Friday
7 pm, Capoeira Angola roda in homage of Zumbi dos Palmares and Black Consciousness Month

11/21 – Saturday
10 am, Capoeira Angola roda, Samba de Roda, and Feijoada

Have fun!

New York City, USA: Celebrating 4 Years

A note from NYC:

hello all,

i just wanted to send a reminder that fica-ny study group will be celebrating its 4th anniversary in just a few weeks. it would be great if you could post this in all the places appropriate and let your groups know as well. we would love to see everyone out here for the roda that sunday (oct 18th, noon-3pm) and, for anyone who can find themselves free, at the anniversary festa throughout the day on saturday (oct 17th, noon-9pm). as always, we have room for anyone who's interested in staying overnight and look forward to accomodating the family. as well, it being sunday, yet another opportunity to add your beautiful presence to mestre joao grande's roda directly after our own.

our details...

fica-ny:
@six harmonies martial arts
232 7th av (between 23rd & 24th st)
new york, ny 10011
roda: sunday, oct 18th noon-3pm

njoli's house:
1118 north wilson av
teaneck, nj 07666
getdown: saturday, oct 17th noon-until...

Ok, who is making the cake?

D.F., México: 5th Anniversary Celebration

From Mexico:

On behalf of FICA-México, we would like to cordially invite you to join us at our fifth year anniversary celebration, "Resgatando as nossas raizes," with Mestre Jurandir, Mestre Cobra Mansa and Contramestre Rogerio Teber.

When: From the 19th to the 22nd of November
Where: Centro Cultural de Capoeira Angola México
Price: Before October 31st, 700 pesos
On or after November 1st, 800 pesos
Per day: 500 pesos

For more detailed information please go to our website.

Hope to see you all there, FICA-MX

Many thanks to KevinG for the info and Happy Birthday to FICA-México!

Sydney, Australia: 4 Mestres for 5 Days

This looks like an exciting event.

3rd International Capoeira Angola Encounter
ECAMAR - School of Capoeira Angola Mato Rasteiro

When: November 18 - 22
Where: Capoeira Angola Cultural Centre, 41 Belmore Street, Sydney, Australia
Invited Mestres: Mestre Moraes, Mestre Augusto Januário and Mestre Virgílio

Hello Capoeiristas,

We are excited about the upcoming event with Mestres Moraes, Augusto Januario and Virgilio from the 18th to the 22nd of November. It is now only a month and a half to go.

Thank you to those who have already paid in full. For those who haven’t quite gotten around to it yet there is still time to get the discounted price before the 15th of October.

We need your support to make this event happen. To have four Mestres of Capoeira Angola together in Sydney, Australia for five days is no easy task but it is a significant contribution to the growth of Capoeira Angola in this region.

We will be running workshops in Berimbau Rhythms, Movement, Singing, Samba de Roda along with discussions with the Mestres about Capoeira Angola and Zumbi dos Palmares and of course unforgettable Rodas.

Join us for the 3rd International Capoeira Angola Encounter in Sydney, Australia

Please feel free to call or email if you have any questions

email: encounter (dot) angolasydney (at) gmail (dot) com
phone: 92121593
website

Have fun!

Mestre Joao Pequeno Officially on the Internet

Exciting news from Salvador regarding another great virtual resource that we all can access:

Dear Friends,

I would like to thank everyone the team of collaborators, visitors, partners, and friends for a big step we have made in the direction of dignity and the spread of information about capoeira.

I speak of a partnership between the great João Pequeno, through his granddaughter Nani, and Portal Capoeira.

This partnership consists of the creation and development of an official website for Mestre João Pequeno, maintained at no cost by Portal Capoeira and will be continued in partnership between Portal Capoeira and Nani.

This site was born in response to the need to dignify and give value to the old mestres and all of their knowledge and experience.

I invite you all to get to know the result of this partnership and visit the Official Site of Mestre João Pequeno.

And now, a bit from the site (translated):

On December 27, 1917, in the city of Araci in the interior of the state of Bahia, João Pereira do Santos was born to Maria Clemença de Jesus, a potter and descendant of native Indians and Maximiliano Pereira dos Santos, a cowboy on the Fazenda Vargem do Canto in the region of Queimadas.

When he was 15 years old (in 1933) he fled the droughts on foot, reaching Alagoinhas, going onto to Mata de São João where he would remain for ten years. He worked on a sugar cane plantation as a “cow caller”. He then met Juvêncio, who was an blacksmith and capoeirista, on the Fazenda São Pedro. This is how he discovered capoeira.

When he was 25 years old, he moved to Salvador, where he worked on a tram and in civil construction as a mason’s assistant. Eventually, he worked his way to become a master mason. It was in this line of work that he met Cândido, who introduced him to Mestre Barbosa, who was a porter in the Largo Dois de Julho. Barbosa led trainings along with a group of friends, and on the weekends he went to Cobrinha Verde’s roda in Chame-Chame.

João became a part of the Centro Esportivo de Capoeira Angola which was a group of capoeiristas coordinated by Mestre Pastinha.

Read more on the site (in Portuguese) or just go and look at the pictures.

Thanks to Nani, Portal Capoeira, and Mestre for their great work.

Reminder! Register for Zumbi/Pastinha Weekend Soon!

Hey folks, just a reminder that the deadline for discounted registration to this year's Zumbi/Pastinha weekend event in DC is October 1st.

Don't miss out on this great event. Its going to be a lot of fun.

Zumbi-Pastinha Weekend Event
Washington, DC USA
November 12 - 15
Invited Mestres: Mestre Cobra Mansa, Mestre Jurandir & Mestre Valmir

Conference Costs:
Received by October 1st: $75.00 (by cash or check, make check to ICAF-DC)
Received October 1st: $78.00 (using PayPal send to ficadc@hotmail.com)

After October 1st: $90.00 (by cash or check, make check to ICAF-DC)
After October 1st: $93.00 (using PayPal send to ficadc@hotmail.com)

Register here!!

See you all in the roda.

Caixa Pregos, Bahia, Brazil: Semeando 2010 (já!)

SEMEANDO 2010

In commemoration of 20 years of struggle and resistance, the Grupo Semente do Jogo de Angola will be hosting the VII International Capoeira Angola Encounter in Salvador and on the island of Caixa Pregos, Bahia, in 2010.

It will also be the inauguration of the home of the group on the island of Caixa Prega and the release of the book “Jogo de Angola – Mestre Jogo de Dentro, Vida e Obra”.

Beyond this, there will be capoeira angola, samba de roda, percussion, and afro-dance workshops as well as video screenings.

There will be various mestres, friends and those responsible for each affiliate of the group present at the event.

Date: December 26, 2010 – January 10, 2011

Schedule of events

Contact number:(55) (71) 8727-7127
contato (at) sementedojogodeangola (dot) org (dot) br
Blog of Grupo Semente do Jogo de Angola

payment options

São Paulo, Brazil: Gimme Candy!!!

III Caruru de São Cosme & Damião
da Casa Mestre Ananías
Cia Dubêrro: storytelling

Games for kids
Samba de Roda
Garoa do Recôncavo

September 27
1:00 pm
Rua Conselheiro Ramalho, 943

Free to the public

Have a >blast!<

São Paulo, Brazil: Ongira para Angola This Weekend

ONGIRA PARA ANGOLA

Semente do Jogo de Angola
September 25 - 27
São Paulo, Brazil

Contacts:
Alan - (11) 8265-4788
Formigão - (11) 8547-4664
Leila - (11) 8345-9045
Simone - (11) 9324-1389

Visit their website for more information.

Helsinki, Finland: 2 Mestre Weekend

Mestre Cobra Mansa and Mestre Valmir will be in Helsinki October 16 - 18. Here are the details:

Oi camaradas!

Welcome to M. Cobra Mansa's and M. Valmir's workshop in Helsinki in 16.-18.10.2009. Unfortunately we have to limit number of participants so it's better to register in advance. Please, bring your own instruments if possible and dress up properly (shoes, trousers and t-shirt). Also let us know if you need accommodation.

Place: Zodiak, Kaapelitehdas (Tallberginkatu 1, 00180 Helsinki)

Schedule:
Fri 16.10. 18:00-22:00
Sat 17.10. 12:00-15:00 & 17:00-21:00
Sun 18.10. 11:00-19:00

Price: 90e (80e if paid before 9th October)
OR
Friday 25e
Saturday 40e
Sunday 40e

Registration and information:
tapani (at) capoeira-angola (dot) fi
+358-50-3780292

Paying in advance:
Bank: Nordea
Receiver: Tapani Suihkonen
Account number: 102035-97926
IBAN: FI22 1020 3500 0979 26
BIC: NDEAFIHH
Message: your name, workshop Cobra Mansa & Valmir

Welcome!!!

-------------------------------------

Tervetuloa M. Cobra Mansan ja M. Valmirin workshoppiin Helsingissä 16.-18.10.2009. Paikkoja on rajoitetusti, joten on parasta ilmoittautua ajoissa. Olkaa hyvät ja tuokaa omat soittimet mikäli mahdollista ja ottakaa mukaan asialliset treenivarusteet (kengät, housut ja t-paita). Ilmoittakaa myös jos tarvitsette majoituksen.

Paikka: Zodiak, Kaapelitehdas (Tallberginkatu 1, 00180 Helsinki)

Aikataulu:
pe 16.10. 18:00-22:00
la 17.10. 12:00-15:00 & 17:00-21:00
su 18.10. 11:00-19:00

Hinta: 90e (80e maksettuna 9.10. mennessä)
TAI
perjantai 25e
lauantai 40e
sunnuntai 40e

Ilmoittautumiset ja lisätiedot:
tapani (at) capoeira-angola (dot) fi
+358-50-3780292

ennakkomaksut:
Pankki: Nordea
Saaja: Tapani Suihkonen
Tilinumero: 102035-97926
IBAN: FI22 1020 3500 0979 26
BIC: NDEAFIHH
Viesti: oma nimi, workshop Cobra Mansa & Valmir

Tervetuloa!!!

Tervetuloa indeed.

Valença, Brazil: Permangola, January 2010

IV Permangola, IV Agropercology Meeting
agriculture, permaculture, ecological construction, & Capoeira Angola

Date: Jan 27 – Feb 7
Place: Kilombo Tenonde www.kilombotenonde.com
Rodovia Valença - BA 524
KM 23 (Bomfim)

Cost for Brazilians: R$350 (includes 3 meals daily and camping space) Please bring your RG
Cost for non-Brazilians: USD300

* bring your tent and/or sleeping bag
** transportation to Valença is not covered

Organizers
Scott (EUA)
Serelepe (IPOEMA)
Lua Santana (Morro do Chapeu, Bahia)
Isabel Modenci (Salvador, Bahia)
Paulo Feliciano (Rio de Janeiro)
Paula Elaine (Rio de Janeiro)
Dona Eliane (Salvador, Bahia)
Do (Valença, Bahia)
Mestre Cabelo &Tiza (Itacaré, Bahia)
Mestre Cobra Mansa

Para maiores informações:
Mestre Cobra Mansa
cobramansa (at) hotmail (dot) com
011 55 71 3217 4946

Its never too early to start advertising your capoeira event. Send your event information to ficadcarchives (at) gmail (dot) com and we'll post it.

Cologne, Germany: 5th Encounter Capoeira Angola Mãe

Information about an upcoming event in Germany:

V Encontro Capoeira Angola Mãe
in Cologne, Germany
November 6, 7 & 8

Teachers:
Mestre Russo - Proj. Cultural Irmaos Cosmos, Rio
Mestre Rogerio - ACAD Germany
Contra Mestre Rogerio - GCAM Cologne
Contra Mestre Lagartixa - GCAM Italy
Contra Mestre Silvinho - GCAM Italy
Trenel Carlinha - GCAM Cologne

Prices:
now - September 15th: 85
after September 16th: 95
Breakfast on saturday and sunday for free!

There are several sleeping accommodation options, please contact us as soon as possible

Contact/ more information:
phone: +49 0157 71968981
e-mail: info (at) capoeiraangolamae (dot) de
website

Rasteira & cabecada,
Contra Mestre Rogerio and Trenel Carlinha

Good thing they finally completed that bridge between Rio and Germany. Have a blast.

São Paulo, Brazil: Capoeira & Dança Pé no Chão

Grupo Nzinga
Capoeira Angola
Núcleo São Paulo

Mestre Janja
Tata Mutá Imê
September 2009

19, Saturday
2 pm, Capoeira Angola workshop
music & movement
5 pm, roda

20, Sunday
9 am, Capoeira Angola workshop
music & movement
11 am, conversation about ancestors

Dança Pé no Chão
Of the nkises, orixás and voduns
Workshop led by tata-de-nkise of the Casa dos Olhos de Tempo- Nação Angolão Paquetan – Salvador

Percussion of the nkises
Led by Mauricío Alves (Mestre Ambrósio) and Alysson Bruno (Abaçaí)

22, Tuesday & 24, Thursday
7 pm, percussion
8 pm, dance

26, Saturday
3 pm, percussion
4 pm, dance

Capoeira: R$30,00 or R$20,00/day
Dança dos nkises: $60,00 or $25,00/day

Grupo Nzinga – Rua dos Cariria, 13
Pinheiros, 89373396
Website

All are welcome to participate!

Cake and Capoeira in Mozambique

Some pictures and a note from Kt, who just got back from Mozambique!

Here are some photos from the FICA Maputo and Nzinga Maputo Capoeira Angola groups in Mozambique . FICA Maputo celebrated their 5th anniversary as a Capoeira Angola group in Maputo and their 4th year as part of FICA during the Friday night roda on August 28th. Definitely check out the groups in Maputo and if you can't make the trip out here's the Nzinga Maputo blog too.

The balloons are a nice touch, too.

Cesena, Italy: Angola Dobrada Event

Capoeira Angola Dobrada Association
II International Encoutner of Capoeira Angola
Cesena, Italy
September 18 - 20, 2009

Invited Guests
Mestre Rogério – ACAD Germany
Mestre Índio – ACAD Italy
Mestre Primo – Grupo Íuna de Capoeira Angola, Belo Horizonte - Brazil
Contra-Mestre Alexandre – ACAD Ireland
Professor Marquinho – Angola Center Italy
Chuluca – Meninos de Angola, Goiás - Brazil
Victor – Meninos de Angola, Firenze - Italy

Place
Chiesa (church) dell’Osservanza (close to the Cinema Astra), Viale dell’Osservanza 198, Cesena (FC) - Italy

Information and Schedule of Events.

Thanks to Chiara for the information.

M Cláudio: Angola Roots in Feira de Santana, Bahia

Here is an excerpt from an interview done with Mestre Cláudio of Grupo Angoleiros do Sertão of Feira de Santana, Bahia (I do not know in what year the interview was done).

If you would like to visit M Cláudio and his group, they have a great roda on Saturdays in Feira de Santana starting at 10 am in front of the Mercado Popular. There are a lot of good angoleiros there, and you should be prepared to get your samba on all afternoon following the roda!

In the 1980s, Cláudio Costa, a native of Feira de Santana, a city in the interior of the state of Bahia, founded Escola de Capoeira Angoleiros do Sertão in his hometown.

The school is headquartered in Feira de Santana and maintains affiliate groups in other cities.

Cordão Branco: Describe your introduction to Capoeira Angola.
Cláudio: My first contact with capoeira was in the sticks, when I was a boy and I watched my Uncle Domingos. Today, he lives in Salvador. Another was my Uncle Roque who made berimbaus from imbé plants.

But the greatest influence for me was when I accompanied my mother, who sold acarajé, to the market and I watched the capoeira roda. I remember the first roda at the Igreja Senhor dos Passos. In fact, I started training at the school of Mestre Di Mola, who has since passed away, in Salvador. I trained with the group for less than two years. Meanwhile, I really learned capoeira in the streets of Feira de Sanatana. From there, I made contact with other capoeira mestres in Bahia, including angoleiros. When I began, I would go to street rodas, where I met mestres Gago, Bigode, Zé Domingos, o Roque Rio and others.
....

Cordão Branco: Many people practice Capoeira Angola outside of Brazil. Does this make it more difficult to maintain the traditional roots of the art form?

Cláudio: It depends. If we were to analyze it, there are many responsible projects being done outside of Brazil, led by people who truly concern themselves with the roots of Capoeira Angola. My fear is that outside of Brazil, Capoeira Angola will be viewed simply as a sport. In this case, yes, the traditions which many people have died to preserve, will be compromised.

........

Cordão Branco: I am an angoleiro because...
Cláudio: Capoeira Angola is one of the greatest ways for me to discover myself. To find my values in a world full of differences and inequalities.