Chicago, USA: Workshops with M Valmir

   
Workshops with Mestre Valmir
of FICA-Bahia

September 7 - 12

Quilombo Cultural Center
1757 N. Kimball Avenue
Chicago, IL

Classes will be as follows:

tuesday: 7pm to 9:30pm
wednesday: 7pm to 9:30pm
thursday: 7pm to 9:30pm
friday: 7pm to 10pm
saturday: 11am to 1pm & 3pm to 6pm
sunday: 1pm to 4pm RODA

Classes are open to all. Not recommended for first timers.

Investment: $20/class
$45/3 classes

Questions: info (at) quilombocenter (dot) org
or call 773.227.8879
   

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
  

FICA Encounter 2008: Cheguei na Igreja e Não Confessei

The 2008 FICA Conference was a great success. Many thanks to FICA-Chicago for organizing such an outstanding event. It was truly one of the best conferences ever!!! We trained hard, ate well, met new friends,re-connected with old ones, swam in the lake, played with all the capoeira babies, stayed up too late, partied a bit, and, of course, played lots of capoeira.

Throughout the whole weekend, we enjoyed the presence of the three FICA mestres, Cobra Mansa, Valmir, and Jurandir, as well as Mestre Manoel from Grupo Ypiranga de Pastinha in Rio de Janeiro, and Contramestres Silvinho (FICA), Alcione (Angola Dobrada), and Chorão (Acupe de Brotas).

Opening roda at FICA-Chicago. (photo by Russell H)

People started arriving earlier in the week to help out, but the event began on Thursday night with a very energetic roda at the FICA-Chicago space.

Mestre Valmir in the roda with Shayna, FICA-NYC. (photo by T Gege).

Around 11 pm, we all piled into yellow and black school buses and made the journey to Camp Lawrence which is actually located in Valparaiso (or Valpo, as the locals call it), Indiana.

In the dark of night, we staked out our beds in the cabins and dorms-- one for men and one for women :)-- some brave souls pitched tents in the drizzle, and called it a night.

Acorda, dende.

A few hours later, M Cobra Mansa and his band of wandering minstrels paraded through the cabins and dorms to make sure everyone was awake and ready for breakfast at 6:30 am. It was a gray and rainy day, but after a bit of coffee and stretching everyone was ready for some capoeira. More capoeiristas arrived that morning to add to the fun. We had a great time training (2 classes the first day!), hanging out, and eating good food. After dinner, a little pagode broke out in the dining hall, and a little later, a roda started that went til 2 am.

On Saturday, the wandering bateria again roused all for the day. Back at the dining hall, Mestre Cobra Mansa gave a few late night revelers who had the bad luck to have held a lively, loud conversation outside his window the night before an early morning lesson.

CM Alcione leads class. (photo by Russell H)

We were all a bit more exhausted then Friday morning, but the great breakfast and the shining sun got us going. After the first class, many capoeiristas jumped-- or were thrown -- into the lake for a refreshing swim. Following lunch, we trained some more and there was a nice discussion about capoeira as an international phenomenon with Mestres Cobra Mansa, Valmir, and Manoel.

Nossa Senhora da Mata. (photo by T Gege)

Later that night, we had a really amazing roda. Camp Lawrence is actually a Christian camp, and there is a little chapel called Our Lady of the Forest, set up on a hill a little behind the camp. It is small and intimate, but it has high celings. Also, a little bird lived there.

Deepa O (as in Oakland) vadiando with T Beto in the little green church on the hill. (photo by T Gege).

The sound was tight and the energy was close. The roda rocked the little church into the wee hours of the morning. It was real nice.

M Cobra Mansa and Huu at the closing roda. (photo by T Gege)

Sunday started off right with french toast (yes, french toast. the food at this conference was amazing) served up by Mama Geni and her cooking crew. We had a FICA general meeting to go over group business while those non-FICA members at the conference got to do a class with Mestre Manoel. Later, we had some cake to celebrate 10 years of FICA-Chicago, and got down to business with a closing roda.

On the bus. (photo by Russell H - btw, that's him right in the front)

In the afternoon, we piled back into the yellow and black buses to go our separate ways, all exhausted but richer in our knowledge of Capoeira Angola and in our friendships.

Of course, one of the great things about conferences is that you can see all your cappy friends in one place. This year, people from all over the world came to participate in the Chicago conference. Pretty much all the US FICA groups were represented, as well as folks from FICA-Japan (Raheim, Asuka, and friends), the Capoeira Angola Center in Italy and New York, Chorão came in from Boston, Jeremy from Colorado, Sylvia from the Universal Capoeira Angola school, and many more.

The amazing Mama Geni making magic in the kitchen. (photo by Russell H)

Just a note, the food at the conference was outstanding!! We enjoyed feijoada, bobo de camarão, lentils, smoothies, the above mentioned french toast, and lots of amazing veggies. (yeah, the food alone was worth coming). Many thanks to Mama Geni for her excellent cooking skills and kitchen management, and special thanks to Wajid, his daughter Laila, and Sarah, who brought fresh produce from their farm... tomatoes, greens, squash, beets, and more. It was amazing and it made us so happy.

Farming family + Russell H.

Many thanks to FICA-Chicago for organizing this year's conference. It was a >blast<. The group would also like to thank John and Laura Thorstad of Camp Lawrence, the IAC (Illinois Arts Council) and all the day care volunteers.

This conference must have set a record for capoeira babies present. Here is just one of the many with Jasper of FICA-Atl. (photo by Russell H)

Also, a special shout out to Ama of FICA-Baltimore along with her editing team, Drea, Isa, Gege, and Carlos Gomez for the production of another great issue of the Caxixi literary magazine.

**If you have something creative (or not, doesn't really matter) you would like to share, there will be another issue of Caxixi coming out in March 2009 in conjunction with the Women's conference. We'll have more information about it coming up, so check back, and please participate. The more, the merrier.**

Did I forget anything or anyone? Let me know if I did - I am still recovering from the weekend. I had a great time in Chicago. The only things I was missing were Phu and Lauren!!! We miss you. Be safe in your respective danger zones (Thailand & New Orleans).

Everyone in front of the weeping willow at Camp Lawrence, where being close to nature is being close to god. (photo by Russell H)

Here are some more pictures from T Gege.

See more photos on the Portuguese side of the blog.

**Check back later for more pictures.**

If you have pictures of the conference you would like to share, send us the link at: ficadcarchives (at) gmail (dot) com, or leave it in the comments.

The next FICA conference will be in Belo Horizonte in July or August of 2009. Hope to see you there!

Annual FICA Conference: Program & Reminder

camaradas

the deadline for the discounted price for the conference is AUGUST 01. you must submit payment via paypal up until july 31st or a letter post marked to the same date with your check or money order to make the deadline.

let me know if you have any questions.

t. beto
fica chicago
info (at) quilombocenter (dot) org

FICA XIV International Capoeira Angola Conference
September 4th-7th, 2008
Camp Lawrence, Valparasio, Indiana

Mestres Attending: Mestre Valmir, Mestre Jurandir, Mestre Cobra Mansa, Mestre Manoel, Mestre Bigo and Contramestre Alcione

Thursday, 9/4
6:00 - 7:30pm : Opening Ceremony
7:30 - 9:30pm : Opening Roda
10:30pm : Bus leaves for Camp Lawrence

Friday, 9/5
7:00 - 8:30am : Breakfast
9:00 - 11:00am : Class
11:00 - 12:30pm : Roda
12:30 - 2:00pm : Lunch
2:00 - 3:00pm : Break
3:00 - 5:00pm : Class
5:00 - 7:00pm : Meeting/lecture
7:00 - 8:30pm : Dinner
7:00 - 11:00pm : Roda

Saturday 9/6
7:00 - 8:30am : Breakfast
9:00 - 11:00am : Class
11:00 - 12:30pm : Roda
12:30 - 2:00pm : Lunch
2:00 - 3:00pm : Break
3:00 - 5:00pm : Class
5:00 - 7:00pm : Meeting/lecture
7:00 - 8:30pm : Dinner
9:00pm: Party "10 years of Fica Chicago"

Sunday, 9/7
7:00 - 8:30am : Breakfast
9:00 - 11:00am: Class
11:30 - 1:00pm : Lunch
12:30pm : 1st bus leaves for Chicago
1:30 - 4:00pm : Closing roda
6:00pm : Last bus leaves for Chicago

Fees:
FICA members
Before/On August 1st: $130
August 1st and after: $150
Single Day Only: $80

Non-FICA members
Before/On August 1st: $140
August 1st and after: $160
Single Day Only: $90

Registration & Payment
Please send an email to info (at) quilombocenter (dot) org, with the following information:

name
address
email
Capoeira group affiliation
# of years training Capoeira Angola
nights for which you will need accommodation
food preference (vegetarian or not)
whether you will need transportation between Chicago and Camp Lawrence
payment method (paypal, check, cash)

*TRANSPORTATION IS LIMITED. A REGISTRATION EMAIL MUST BE RECEIVED BY FICA CHICAGO TO RESERVE A SPOT ON THE BUS TO/FROM CAMP LAWRENCE.*

Registration and payment must be received prior to or on August 1st to receive the early registration discount. Payment can be made in advance by Paypal (www.paypal.com), check, or money order. Do not send cash by mail! Checks and money orders can be made out to ICAF Chicago and sent to our address (see bottom of this page). *Paypal requires an account to use. Paypal payments should be made to our email address, info (at) quilombocenter (dot) org

Registration fee covers conference fee, housing (Thursday night through Sunday afternoon), food (Friday breakfast through Sunday breakfast), and transportation to/from Chicago and Camp Lawrence.

Getting There
FICA Chicago will provide transportation to and from Chicago. You must indicate in your registration email if you will need this transportation..

FROM INTERSTATE 80/90 (THE INDIANA TOLL ROAD): In either direction, exit the Chesterton/Valparaiso exit and turn right on U.S. Hwy. 49 south. Approximately one mile, exit the Westville exit of US Hwy. 6, turn left at stoplight. At the next light, (Calumet Ave) turn right. The road will crest a bridge (over Hwy. 49) approximately two miles later. At the bottom of the hill, County Road 700 North is on the right. Turn right at that street. Camp is approximately two miles on the left.

FROM INTERSTATE 94: In either direction, exit the Chesterton/Valparaiso exit on U.S. Hwy. 49 south. After passing the exit for the In. Toll Road, approximately one mile, exit the Westville exit of US Hwy. 6, turn left at stoplight. At the next light, (Calumet Ave) turn right. The road will crest a bridge (over Hwy. 49) approximately two miles later. At the bottom of the hill, County Road 700 North is on the right. Turn right at that street. Camp is approximately two miles on the left.

What To Bring
In addition to the basics (clothing, capoeira stuff, etc) you'll want to bring bedding (sleeping bag or sheets), swim suit, towel. More details to follow. Send an email if you have specific questions.

Selling Merchandise
If you are interested in selling merchandise at the conference please let us know in advance. Individuals without advance permission from FICA Chicago will not be allowed to sell merchandise (t-shirts, CDs, etc.).

News: Annual FICA Conference in Chicago

FICA-Chicago is organizing this year's big FICA-Conference. Considering the conferences they have put on in the past, this is going to be a great event that you do not want to miss.

Here are the latest details from the group:

camaradas

this is the most updated information we have about our upcoming conference in september. please spread the word widely. your efforts in inviting people to attend is greatly appreciated and will ensure a great event. please let us know if there are any questions or concerns asap so we can address them.

t. beto and fica chicago

FICA XIV International Capoeira Angola Conference
September 4th-7th, 2008
Camp Lawrence, Valparasio, Indiana

Mestres Attending
Mestre Valmir, Mestre Jurandir, Mestre Cobra Mansa, and others

Schedule
Details To Come...

Fees
Before/On August 1st
FICA members: $130
Non-FICA members: $140

August 1st and after
FICA members: $150
Non-FICA members: $160

Single Day Only
FICA members: $80
Non-FICA members: $90

Registration & Payment
Please send an email to info (at) quilombocenter (dot) org, with the following information: name, address, email, Capoeira group affiliation, # of years training Capoeira Angola, nights for which you will need accommodation, whether you will need transportation between Chicago and the event, and payment method (paypal, check, cash).

Registration and payment must be received prior to or on August 1st to receive the early registration discount. Payment can be made in advance by Paypal (www.paypal.com), check, or money order. Do not send cash by mail! Checks and money orders can be made out to ICAF Chicago and sent to our address (see bottom of post). *Paypal requires an account to use. Paypal payments should be made to our email address, info (at) quilombocenter (dot) org.

Registration fee covers conference fee, housing (Thursday night through Sunday afternoon), food (Friday breakfast through Sunday lunch), and transportation to/from Chicago and Camp Lawrence.

Getting There
FICA Chicago can provide transportation to and from Chicago. You must indicate in your registration email if you will need this transportation..

FROM INTERSTATE 80/90 (THE INDIANA TOLL ROAD): In either direction, exit the Chesterton/Valparaiso exit and turn right on U.S. Hwy. 49 south. Approximately one mile, exit the Westville exit of US Hwy. 6, turn left at stoplight. At the next light, (Calumet Ave) turn right. The road will crest a bridge (over Hwy. 49) approximately two miles later. At the bottom of the hill, County Road 700 North is on the right. Turn right at that street. Camp is approximately two miles on the left.

FROM INTERSTATE 94: In either direction, exit the Chesterton/Valparaiso exit on U.S. Hwy. 49 south. After passing the exit for the In. Toll Road, approximately one mile, exit the Westville exit of US Hwy. 6, turn left at stoplight. At the next light, (Calumet Ave) turn right. The road will crest a bridge (over Hwy. 49) approximately two miles later. At the bottom of the hill, County Road 700 North is on the right. Turn right at that street. Camp is approximately two miles on the left.

What To Bring
In addition to the basics (clothing, capoeira stuff, etc) you'll want to bring bedding (sleeping bag or sheets), swim suit, towel. More details to follow. Send an email if you have specific questions.

Selling Merchandise
If you are interested in selling merchandise at the conference please let us know in advance. Individuals without advance permission from FICA Chicago will not be allowed to sell merchandise (t-shirts, CDs, etc.).

Any further questions can be directed to the group at: info (at) quilombocenter (dot) org

Here is there address to mail payments, registration:
Quilombo Cultural Center
1757 N Kimball Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647

Chicago Rodathon: April 5th

If you plan on hanging out in the middle of the U.S.A. next weekend:

ICAF Chicago invites you to join us for our annual fundraiser, and all-day roda where ICAF Chicago will play capoeira for 8 hours, NON-STOP!

Proceeds from this year's Roda-Thon will support the 14th Annual International Capoeira Angola Encounter taking place in Chicago on September 4-7, 2008. You can help support us by sponsoring a member of ICAF Chicago on a per-hour basis our by making a flat contribution. ICAF Chicago is a non-profit 501c(3) organization and all contributions are tax-deductible.

The Roda-Thon is free for all that would like to watch and support ICAF Chicago. For those who would like to participate in the roda there is a $10 suggested donation.

This Weekend: M Poloca in Chicago

Workshops with M Poloca!
When: February 8 - 10 (this weekend)
Where: FICA-Chicago (Quilombo Cultural Center,1757 N Kimball Ave,Chicago, IL 60647)
Contact: (773) 227-8879, info (at) quilombocenter (dot) org
Price: ??

FICA-Chicago invites all to attend workshops with M Poloca this weekend in Chicago. Please contact the group for more info.

Thanks to T Beto.

Sept 4 - 7, 2008: Annual FICA Conference

Just imagine how much fun we are going to have! (yes, the pictures are a bit doctored to get your imaginations going...)

A note from FICA-Chicago about the 2008 International FICA Encounter:

We are pleased to announce that we have found a home for our conference this summer! The name of the place is “Camp Lawrence” in Valparaiso, Indiana. I know, the “Chicago” conference is in Indiana. So what? The DC one was in Virginia.

The place is great and has everything we need plus a nice lake that you can swim in and fish. What else can you ask for?

The confernce dates are: SEPTEMBER 04-07, 2008

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD.

more info to follow.

t. beto
fica chicago



Thanks for the note and pictures.

Hope to see everyone there!

Chicago: Zumbi / Pastinha Weekend Wrap-Up

Dang!

Last weekend marked yet another successful Zumbi / Pastinha weekend event hosted by FICA-Chicago. (Above photo by Nora McMahon.)

Friday morning all those who had already arrived and were willing to wake up early took part in an early morning training with the Mestres. That evening, there was a white roda to open the event and honor the memories of Mestre Pastinha and Zumbi.

The next day was packed: two 3-hour classes, a lecture, lunch, and a party. There was barely time to breathe. We split up into two groups. Those with two years and less, and those with more than two years. Mestre Cobra Mansa gave the lunchtime lecture on the history of the berimbau. Later that night we came back to the space for the party. There was a rocking little roda. Following the roda, there was a jam session on the drum

One of the highlights of the weekend was meeting all the capoeiristas from across the USA. There were folks from New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Atlanta, Seattle, Indiana, Madison, Ohio, Washington, DC, and, of course, Chicago. I guess that's the advantage of having an event in the middle of the country.

Young students from Grupo Acupe in Indianapolis.

Another highlight of the conference was seeing a good number of kids play well. The kids from Grupo Acupe de Brotas, Marvin from FICA-Chicago, and Adrian and Ella from New York all wowed us in the roda.

There were also announcements about upcoming FICA events:

2007 Roda de Malungos, FICA Bahia, 7:00 pm, 12/14 - 12:00 noon, 12/15
2007 Final Roda of the Year, FICA-Bahia, 12/22
2008 FICA Women’s Conference will be held March 7 – 9 in Washington, DC
2008 International Capoeira Angola Encounter will be held in Chicago, Summer
2008 Mestre Pastinha/ Zumbi weekend will be held in Seattle, WA in November

M Jurandir leads the morning class with the help of CM Silvinho.


M Valmir rocks the agogô.


Alonso (FICA-Atl) and Cobra in the roda. photo by Nora McMahon.


Gunga, M Valmir; medio, T Beto; viola, M Jurandir, with M Cobra Mansa and Michelle, FICA-Chicago. photo by Nora McMahon.


Huu, FICA-Chicago, with CM Chorão, Grupo Acupe de Brotas. photo by Nora McMahon.


Everyone!

Here's a little slideshow:



I don't know why it turned out so little :(

See all Nora's pictures here.

And as always, more pictures on the Portuguese side of the blog.

Thanks again to T Beto, Huu, Michelle, Phu, Anne, Seth, Robert, Justin, Deanna, Kristen, Jenny, Ryan, Brian, Andy, Chelsea, Alycia, Geovannia, Mackel, Marvin, Marlon, Thea, and Ichi the Killer. We're looking forward to the big FICA conference this summer!

If you have any pictures to add, send them to us and we will put up the link.

Also, if you have photos from an event at your school, or an event that you attended, send them along and we will post them.

Mestre Pastinha Weekend in Chicago!

FICA-Chicago has set the dates for its Annual Mestre Pastinha/ Zumbi Weekend Event:

November 8 - 11
Chicago, Illinois

Start packing up your yellow shirts, buy your plane/bus tickets, and you'll be all set to go in November! More information to come.

Thanks T Beto.

Pics from Chicago Rodathon & Madison Group

T Baba visited FICA-Chicago and the Capoeira Angola in Madison, Wisconsin. Besides doing Capoeira Angola workshops, T Baba also gave samba drumming classes. On Sunday, April 15th, he traveled to Chicago with some of the people from the Madison Capoeira Angola group to support FICA-Chicago's rodathon. T Baba has these pictures to share of his trip:

In Madison:

The Capoeira Angola group in Madison, Wisconsin.

In Madison, classes are held at the Center for Creative & Cultural Arts. They are led by Jack.

T Baba leading the drum class.

At the FICA-Chicago Rodathon:

T Beto with child. (Also, Hu with child in the background).

Jack, from the capoeira group in Madison, adding to the spread.

A lovely chamada.

T Beto, Seth, & T Baba on the bateria.

Thank you to T Baba for sharing his photos. There are more photos from his trip on the Portuguese side of the blog.

Here's the class schedule for the Madison group, in case you are in the area.

FICA-Chicago Party this Sunday!

Carnival has ended in Brazil, but the parties keep rolling here in the US. FICA-Chicago will host a fundraising party this Sunday. Here are the details:

When: Sunday, February 25th, 8pm-Midnight
Where: Bar ñ, 2977 N Elston Ave.

Join ICAF Chicago and Bossa Tres at Bar for a night of Capoeira Angola and Brazilian rhythms.


Capoeira Angola roda @ 9pm.







Bossa Tres @ 10pm







Kitchen and Bar will be open.
Suggested Donation is $10.

For more information or for class inquiries, contact the Quilombo Cultural Center at 773-227-8879.