Easy Ways to Help an Important Mestre

  

Now’s the time to walk the walk, folks.

Here’s a message from Mestre Lua Rasta in regard to Mestre Bigodinho in Salvador.

He gives some easy suggestions that every group can take to help. If we all give, we can make a big difference!

Keep in mind that euros, dollars, and yen go far in Brazil.

Oi galera,

Mestre Bigodinho is recovering from a fracture in his leg and it is hard for him to get around, and consequently, work.

So, we are asking everyone to pitch in and help.

If everyone who understands the importance of Mestre could do a little, I believe that we can ease this difficult time for him.

The following actions would be a lot of help:

- A fund-raising event at your space (roda, workshop, film screening, party, feijoada) to support Mestre.
- Buy a Mestre Waldemar cd (a single one or an entire box!) from Teimosia who has proposed that the proceeds be donated to Mestre. Email requests to: cdmestrewaldemar (at) gmail (dot) com
- Buy the DVD "Tributo ao Mestre Bigodinho" from o Atelier de Mestre Lua Rasta. The proceeds from this will be donated to Mestre. E-mail requests to: atelierlua (at) hotmail (dot) com
- Visit Mestre because it’s no fun to feel lonely during a hard time. You can contact him by calling his daughter Joanice at: 55 71 3257 98 05 or 55 71 8854 56 80

Once again, we have reached a troubling situation in regard to capoeira mestres in Brazil. Through thousands of processes where rivers of money are spent on contracting professionals – that in many cases aren’t even capoeiristas – to “decide” the destiny of capoeira as a historic patrimony, our true patrimonies (the guardians of culture, as the intellectuals like to say) do not have support of the government in moments like this, that happen all the time.

It falls to us capoeiristas, the people who understand the path of a capoeira mestre , to resolve to, at the very least, lessen the suffering of someone who has dedicated his life to capoeira and who is now facing difficulties buying expensive prescription medicines, pay the bills and at the same time be cared for and fed with the dignity he serves.

For these and for others, we ask for your help. And don’t wait! É hora é hora.

If you can help, let us know!

Obrigado
Mestre Lua Rasta