Cachoeira, Bahia, Brazil: 16th Annual Encounter Dates

Mark your calendars, angoleir@s!

The 16th International FICA Conference will be held July 28 - August 1, 2011, in Cachoeira, Bahia, Brazil (a couple hours away from Salvador).

More information about registration, housing, transportation and other details will be coming soon - but for now save the date in your calendars!
  

Pics from Women's Event in Salvador

Here are some pictures from the FICA/Nzinga women's event that was held last weekend in honor of International Women's Day.

We started the fun at Nzinga on Friday night. We started the roda with an all-women bateria, and two women playing. Men were there, and soon joined in the roda. Following the roda we had a mesa de frutas, always welcome after an energetic roda.

The next day, the dedicated were up early and ready for music class with Ana. We had people from all over the city, not just capoeiristas take part in the music class, as well as the dance class that followed, led by Suelly. It was an amazing class! We were all ready for the roda.

We had another roda, with participation of people from FICA, Nzinga, Zimba, Grupo Bonfim, Filhos de Angola, and others. Again, we followed the roda with a mesa de frutas.

Many thanks go to Mexicana (Adrianna) for all her organizing efforts. It was a great event.

Salvador, Brasil: FICA/Nzinga Women's Event

This Friday & Saturday, Grupos Nzinga & FICA will be holding an event in honor of International Women's Day. Here's what's going on:

Schedule

March 6
Roda at Nzinga
Alto da Sereia, Rio Vermelho
7 pm

March 7
Events at FICA-Bahia
Rua Carlos Gomes, no. 111 5th floor

9 - 9:45, percussion class (bring an instrument if you have one)
10 - 10:45, Afro dance class
11 - 2, roda!!

Afterwards we will enjoy some fruits together.

Hope you can make it.

Thanks to Mexicana and Elina for the information.

Salvador, Brazil: FICA-Bahia Closes 2008

FICA-Bahia held its final roda of the year on Saturday, December 13. They welcomed capoeiristas from Grupo Nzinga, including Mestre Poloca, as well as Acanne, Acupe de Brotas, Angoleiros de Serra, Fabricio from Colombia (our old friend from FICA-DC who also trained for many years with FICA-Bahia), and a whole mess of gringos from all over the world- South Africa, Sweden, the USA, Russia, Canada, Australia, Israel, and many other countries.

It was a real good time. The energy was fantastic, the music was excellent, and we ate a lot of fruit when it was over.

If you missed the closing roda, you can catch the opening roda of 2009 on Saturday, January 10th at the FICA-Bahia space at Ed. Esther Moura Franca, Rua Carlos Gomes no. 111 5o andar, Centro.

Have fun!

Salvador, Brazil: End of the Year Rodas

Next weekend will be a busy one in Salvador. Don't forget your white clothes:

Friday, December 12
7 pm
End of the Year Roda at Nzinga
Alto da Sereia, Rio Vermelho

Friday, December 12
7 pm
End of the Year Roda with Grupo Zimba
Via Magia, Federacao

Saturday, December 13
9:30 am
End of the Year Roda at FICA-Bahia
(white clothes)
Rua Carlos Gomes, no. 111

And, in 2009

Saturday, January 10
9:30 am
First Roda of the Year at FICA-Bahia
(white clothes)
Rua Carlos Gomes, no. 111

Salvador, Brazil: Samba Percussion Classes at FICA-Bahia

Samba Class
Escola de Samba – FICA

Music class introducing the instruments and rhythms of Rio de Janeiro's samba school and of Bahia's samba de rodas.

Learn to play:

- pandeiro
- surdo
- caixa
- cuíca
- ganzá
- agogô
- reco-reco
- tamborim
- atabaque

Prof. Ana Tomich

Contact Info: 33217365 ou 91028066

Dia das Crianças in Massaranduba

On October 11, following the FICA Saturday morning roda, a group of capoeiristas headed over to the Massaranduba neighborhood to celebrate Dia das Crianças (Day of the Children) with the students at Grucom, where FICA has maintained a class for many years.

Here are some pictures to give you an idea of how much fun everyone had. The kids are really great and they loved having all the big people there to play. At the end of the roda they all got presents (not a bad way to end a roda...)

Currently, Adriana is leading the class in Massaranduba on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. If you have the time, stop by. You will be happy you did.

Thanks to Gata Russa for the additional photos.

Photos: Vadiando in the Streets of Salvador

Here are some photos from Salvador, Bahia on June 15th- the day Iphan (O Instituto do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional, The National Institute of Historic and Artistic Patrimony) voted to designate capoeira an official cultural patrimony of Brazil. Outside of the Palácio Rio Branco, where the vote was held, hundreds of capoeiristas joined to play in rodas in the square and demonstrate the beauty and trickery of their art.

These are pictures from the FICA-Nzinga roda. Enjoy!

Thanks to Cristina for the great pictures.

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

Capoeira is (Officially) a Cultural Patrimony

It is something that capoeiristas have known all along, and now, after centuries, the Brazilian government agrees: capoeira is an important cultural and artistic patrimony of Brazil.

On July 15, Iphan (O Instituto do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional, The National Institute of Historic and Artistic Patrimony) voted to register capoeira as an official cultural patrimony of Brazil in the Palácio Rio Branco. As the vote was taken inside, hundreds of capoeiristas played in Angola and Regional rodas in the square outside of the building.

Click on the link below to read the whole article (in Portuguese), published in the magazine História, and to watch some videos of the FICA-Bahia/ Grupo Nzinga roda, as well as interviews with Mestres, including Mestre Janja and Mestre Russo.

Here is a little bit of the article translated for your enjoyment:

Mestres on all sides. Each one is a celebrity, not instantly, but created over the course of decades of experience and dedication.

Consecrated by the people for their knowledge- expressed through movement, music, words or in a look- the cultural mission of capoeira mestres in the world has now been officially recognized by the Brazilian government.

July 15, 2008 is the historic date. On this day, united in the Palácio Rio Branco, in Salvador, in a ritual more formal than their irreverent rodas, dozens of mestres from all over Brazil testified as to why capoeira should be registered as an immaterial cultural patrimony of Brazil by the National Institute of Historic and Artistic Patrimony (O Instituto do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional, Iphan)

Members of the Consultative Council of the Cultural Patrimony of Iphan voted on the registration, in the presence of the Interim Minister of Culture, Juca Ferreria; the governor of Bahia, Jacques Warner; and the President of Iphan, Luiz Fernando de Almeida, among other authorities.

Outside, in the Praça Tomé de Sousa, in the Cidade Alta, rodas hummed on all sides. Between the zum-zum-zum and the isquidim-dom-dom, hundreds of capoeiristas mingled in a atmosphere of peace and mutual respect. The old guard showed that youth is a state of the spirit, while the younger generation already showed its malandragem.

Click here to read the whole article (in Portuguese) and watch some great videos.

Thanks to T Gege for the link.

Celebrating in Style: 12 Years of FICA-Bahia

The Fundação Internacional de Capoeira Angola-BA is pleased to invite all to participate in a week-long comemmoration of our 12 year anniversary, which falls on June 13, 2008.

This year our event will include the participation of mestres, contra-mestres, and treineus from different groups who will be leading FREE Capoeira Angola classes. At the end of the week, we will close the event with our traditional white roda (all participants should wear white clothes), followed by an exciting forró!!!

All the activities will take place in the FICA-BA building, located at:
Av. Carlos Gomes 111
Ed. Esther Moura Franco, 5º andar,
Tel- 3321-7365/ 9971-9283

We look forward to seeing you!

CAPOEIRA ANGOLA CLASSES!

Monday, June 9
Mestre Janja (Nzinga) from 7 – 8:30 pm
Mestre Valmir (FICA) from 8:30 – 10 pm

Tuesday, June 10
Professor Zoinho (ECAJPP) from 7 – 8:30 pm
Treineu Manoel (ZIMBA) from 8:30 – 10 pm

Wednesday, June 11
Contra-mestre Sinho (CCCAB) from 7 – 8:30 pm
Contra-mestre Gato Preto (GCFA) from 8:30 – 10 pm

Thursday, June 12
Mestre Valmir (FICA) from 7 – 8:30 pm
Mestre Poloca (Nzinga) from 8:30 – 10 pm

Friday, June 13
Roda de Branco from 6 – 9 pm
FORRÓ da FICA from 10 pm til the end

Audiovisual Cultural Events in Salvador

The Point of Culture Audiovisual Archive of Capoeira Angola invites all to:

FICA NO PONTO
Free entrance

12/10/07
9:00 am
Where: FICA
The knowledge of capoeira and candomblé
Mestre Valmir Damasceno – FICA
Jandira Mawusi – Terreiro do Bogum

2:00 pm
Where: Pelourinho
Meeting with a Griot: Mestre Curió – ECAIG
Visit to a Cultural Point

12/11/07
9:00 am
Where: FICA
The Audio-Visual Memory: Archives Preservation preservação de acervos
Representative of DIMAS, Márcio Abreu – Coordinator of FICA Cultural Point
Lecture

2:00 pm
Where: Liberdade
Blacks in the Scene: Liberdade
Visit to a Cultural Point, CSU Liberdade

12/12/07
9:00 am
Where: FICA
Digital Culture: What the heck is this?
Davi Rodrigues, Ponto Escologia
Fabiana Goa, Pontão Cultura Digital
Lecture

2:00 pm
Where: FICA
Web Design
João Ramos, Design DIMAS
Diego Araújo, Web Design, Jr.

12/13/07
9:00 am
Where: FICA
Cinema: Photography & Art
Jairo Eledoro – Photography Director
Angel Callero – Art Director
Workshop

2:00 pm
Where: Barris
Visit to DIMAS
Festival of the 5 Minute Film

12/14/07
Where: Pelourinho
Visit to the Cultural Point: Electrocooperativa

Upcoming Events at FICA-Bahia

December is going to be a busy month at FICA-Bahia. If you will be in the area, take advantage of these great activities!

The Fundação Internacional de Capoeira Angola invites all to participate in its end-of-the-year activities.

December
13
Screening of “Hotel Rwanda” by Terry George, 7 pm
Followed by a discussion with Mahomed Bamba, Ivory Coast
In collaboration with Cinemafro

14- 15
Roda de Malungos
Starts 7 pm 12/14 goes til noon 12/15
Organized by FICA-Bahia, Grupo Nzinga, Grupo Zimba

21
Video presentation, Akía Kokomuo Adessá, 7 pm

22
Last roda of the year

January
5
Roda de branco, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm

All events will take place at the FICA-Bahia space, located at:
Rua Carlos Gomes, no. 111
Edificio Ester de Moura Franco, 5th Floor
Centro - Salvador - Bahia
(tel) 71 3321 7365


Many thanks to Mestre Valmir for the flyer.

Film & Lecture at FICA-Bahia

We all know that Capoeira Angola is more than simply movements and music, but also philosophy, knowledge, history, malícia, and a responsibility to the greater community, among many other things.

In this spirit, FICA-Bahia and the film club CINEMAFRO have been presenting a series of films and lectures at the FICA-Bahia school that deal with Africa and the African diaspora. Here are the details for 2 events in Ocotber:

The film club Cinemafro in partnership with the Fundação Internacional de Capoeira Angola (FICA) will present and discuss the film A Negação do Brasil by Joel Zito Araújo. This documentary film analyzes the presence of black actors on Brazilian television.

Date: October 19, at 7:00 pm
Place: Av. Carlos Gomes, Ed. Esther Moura Franco, nº 111, 5th floor – Centro
Tel: 71 3321-7365
Free admission

The film club Cinemafro in partnership with the Fundação Internacional de Capoeira Angola (FICA), presents L'envol d'un Masque?, by Phillippe Cassard, produced in Burkina Faso. The film deals with the relationship between tradition and modernity through the fable of an African mask. Following the exhibition, there will be a discussion with the anthropologist Maria Paula Aldinofi.

Date: October 21, at 7:00 pm
Place: Av. Carlos Gomes, Ed. Esther Moura Franco, nº 111, 5th floor – Centro
Tel: 71 3321-7365
Free admission

Film & Discussion with M Cobra Mansa

Another event from the folks at CINEMAFRO:

What: Film and discussion with Mestre Cobra Mansa
When: August 17, 2007, starting at 7:00 pm
Where: FICA-Bahia, Avenida Carlos Gomes no. 111, Salvador, Bahia

A mosaic of everyday city life in post-war Angola through the musical poetry of Paulo Flores, who brought the film “Angola Saudades de Quem te Ama” by Richard Pakleppa.

This is an African production that will be shown by CINEMAFRO in partnership with the Fundação Internacional de Capoeira Angola, followed by a discussion with Mestre Cobra Mansa.

25 Year Celebration in Salvador!

This is going to be good!

Janja, Poloca, Paulinha, Valmir, and Boca do Rio will be celebrating 25 their years in Capoeira Angola with this great event.

If you will be in Salvador during the first weekend of August you would be insane to miss this!! And if you're not in Salvador, then try really hard to get there. Mestre Cobra Mansa will be a special guest.

Here are the details from the flyer:

Malungos: 25 Years of Capoeira Angola

Celebrating 25 years of Capoeira Angola of Mestres Valmir, Poloca, Janja, Paulinha, and Boca do Rio.
Invited Guest: Mestre Cobra Mansa

Classes, Rodas, Lectures, Expositions, & a Party
August 3-7, 2007

Information & Registration: (71) 9973 9870 and 99719283
institutonzinga(arroba)uol(ponto)com(ponto)br
ficasalvador(arroba)ficabahia(ponto)com(ponto)br

Schedule of Events

Friday, August 3, Centro de Estudos Afro-Orientais CEAO/UFBa
3:00 pm Registration
6:00 pm Opening Cocktail

Saturday, August 4
2 classes at each site
9:00 am – noon
Cobra Mansa & Valmir, FICA
Janja & Paulinha, Nzinga
Boca do Rio & Poloca, Zimba

2:00 pm- 5:00 pm
Valmir & Janja, FICA
Poloca & Paulinha, Nzinga
Cobra Mansa & Boca do Rio, Zimba

6:00 pm Roda & Party, FICA

Sunday, August 5
2 classes at each site
9:00 am - noon
Cobra Mansa & Paulinha, FICA
Poloca & Janja, Nzinga
Valmir & Boca do Rio, Zimba

2:00 pm- 3:30 pm
Children’s Activities, Nzinga

4:00 pm Roda

Monday, August 6, Casa da Mandinga
6:30 pm
Discussion: Mandinga de Mulher: Gender & Capoeira
M Janja, Nzinga
Christine Zonzom, Nzinga
Adriana Alberta, FICA
Isabelle Sanches, Centro de Referência Lélia Gonzalez

Tuesday, August 7, Nzinga
6:00 pm
Capoeira Today
Fred Abreu, Instituto Jair Moura
M Valmir, FICA
M Cobra Mansa, FICA
Poloca, Nzinga
Paulinha, Nzinga
Boca do Rio, Zimba

8:00 pm Closing

"Black Atlantic: Route of the Orixás" at FICA-Bahia

The International Capoeira Angola Foundation- Bahia, a non-profit organization whose mission is the promotion and diffusion of black culture through capoeira, will host the opening of Projeto CINEMAFRO with the screening of the film "Atlântico Negro: Na Rota dos Orixás" ("Black Atlanic: the Route of the Orixás) by Renato Barbieri, followed by a discussion with Professor Cláudio Pereira CEAO-UFBA. Free.

The International Capoeira Angola Foundation is a non-profit organization that promotes the diffusion of black culture through Capoeira Angola as an expression of Afro-Brazilian culture and as a vehicle for the values of the Afro-Brazilian cultural universe. Considering that cinema, while a representation of reality, influences the continual formation of our cultural identity, O CINEMAFRO proposes a discussion about Afro-Brazilian identity as portrayed in Brazilian and African cinema.

Where: FICA- Bahia, Av. Carlos Gomes, Ed. Esther Moura Franco, 5º Floor - Centro (in front of Bradesco)

(71) 3321-7365

When: July 20, 7:00 pm

Thanks to FICA-Bahia for the information.

FICA video featuring Chichi Peralta

Ok, so its really a Chichi Peralta video featuring FICA-Bahia and FICA-Rio, but that's just semantics.

Check out this great video (altho next time a little more capoeira and a little less bad dancing-- where did they find those dancers at about 3:00-4:00??).

You'll see lots of great shots of Pelourinho, as well as M Valmir, CM Rogerinho, T Baba, T Jorge, Aloan, Dija, Roque, Dulce, Luciana, Alexandre, and Alder. There are others there too, but it cuts out so quickly-- let me know if we missed you.

Thanks to AnaMariaC for the link!

Mestre Valmir & the roots of FICA-Bahia

Mestre Valmir with Mestre Bigodinho at the FICA-Bahia space.

One of the richest historical aspects of our archives is our complete collection of “O Angoleiro” back issues. “O Angoleiro” was a labor of love for Sylvia Robinson, who sat down every month to edit, layout, print, and send hundreds of copies of the newsletter to readers all over the world. Over the years, Sylvia took the opportunity to interview many mestres and students. Here is a bit from an interview with Mestre Valmir from the spring of 1999 conducted by Janiana, when he came to DC for three months:

I’ve been practicing capoeira since 1981 and was part of Grupo de Capoeira Angola Pelourinho (GCAP) in Salvador until 1995. My mestres were João Grande, Moraes, and Cobra Mansa. I became Contramestre in 1990. While I was in GCAP, I always had a parallel job. Before, I used to be a metal worker. When I was training Capoeira I also had a job where I made instruments and did research about instruments of African origin. I worked for ten years in the instrument commission of GCAP and I was responsible for all the instruments in the group. I was also a teacher in the University of Feira de Santana where I taught capoeira for two years and worked on a project with musical instruments, teaching children to work with their hands. I was also a part of the social program, Projeto Axé. Projeto Axé and GCAP were partners; the project had the structure and GCAP had to do the work- it was Capoeira Angola… GCAP gave me a strong structure to be able to start my own work.

… The group started thinking about using this money for our own space. So we worked together with energy and concentration. The idea of having our own space started to become stronger. We looked for help from our spiritual father and he said that the group was strong and that it had roots. The word FICA means roots and we do not create roots in someone else’s house. We decided to get our own space… We put everything together and we now have a new space in Carlos Gomes, downtown Salvador since December of last year. So far, we just have capoeira Angola in the space, but we have some ideas and projects for the future.

Eight years later, FICA-Bahia maintains its space that now has a computer center, an archives, and is the place to purchase high-quality berimbau. It has done many projects with the city government in Salvador, and some of the best community organizations, including Ilê Aiyê, Projeto Axé, and GRUCOM.