Seattle, USA: Register now for the FICA event

  

In just 4 weeks, we’ll be coming together for

FICA’S 16th International
Capoeira Angola Conference!

“Tudo que a boca come”
Nourishing our capoeira family.

Sept. 2 -5, 2010
Labor Day weekend
Seattle WA

The registrations are rolling in and we are getting ready!

Are you?

Vist our website to sign up!

Join Mestre Jurandir, Mestre Valmir, Mestre Cobra Mansa (he’s coming after all!), Mestre Índio, Contra Mestre Silvinho, and Treineu Andrea, plus a slew of students from Chicago, DC, Oakland, NY, Hawaii, and more.

We’ll have 4 days and 3 nights of:
Workshops on CAPOEIRA ANGOLA, plus SAMBA, AFRICAN DANCE, LECTURES, FILM PRESENTATION, and RODAs!

Conference Schedule

Thursday, 9/2
6:00-7:30: registration/opening cerimony
7:30-9:30:opening roda
10:00 :bus leaves for Camp River Ranch

Friday, 9/3
7:00-8:30: breakfast
9:00-11:00: worshop
11:00-2:00: lunch/roda
2:00-3:00: break
3:00-5:00: workshop
5:00-6:00: guestteacher/afro-peruvian percussion workshop
6:00-7:00: lecture/panel discussion
7:00-8:30: dinner
8:30: roda

Saturday, 9/4
7:00-8:30: breakfast
9:00-11:00: worshop
11:00-2:00: lunch/roda
2:00-3:00: break
3:00-5:00: workshop
5:00-6:00: guest teacher/dance workshop
5:00-7:00: lecture/panel discussion
7:00-8:30: dinner
8:30: party with sambatuque

Sunday, 9/5
7:00-8:30: breakfast
9:00-11:00: workshop
11:00-1:00: lunch
1:30-3:00: closing roda
3:00: 1st bus start to leave for Seattle
5:00: last bus leaves for Seattle

About this year’s theme:
Capoeira Angola is everything the mouth eats. Pastinha's words advise the Capoeirista to grow from all that we touch, breath and encounter in this world. In talking with several of you over the past year, we feel a strong solidarity in the vision to raise awareness and consciousness, to build modern quilombos. We are proud that FICA members have a wide wealth of passions pertaining to sustainability, social justice, healing and ancestral guidance. At this year’s conference our intention is to explore how tudo que a boca come can guide us in all aspects of nourishment.

Some topics to ponder are: sustainability, the food revolution/ food justice, organic and urban farming, respectful human resources/labor, Quilombos and Communities, democratic living and sharing for unified success, understanding past and present, connecting with elders, children, and teachers, honoring ancestors, healing, movement and music therapy, nutrition, and traditional medicine.

This is an opportunity to challenge ourselves and each other, to become more aware and to deepen our understanding of all that we are “eating” in our lives.
  

Seattle, USA: XVI International Encounter

 

XVI (that is, 16th) Annual International Conference

International Capoeira Angola Foundation

September 2 – 5, 2010
LABOR DAY WEEKEND
Seattle, WA

Nourishing our Capoeira Family
Capoeira Angola e manha, e malicia, e tudo que a boca come. - Pastinha

presented by:
Contra Mestre Silvinho with FICA Seattle and Portland.

with the presence of:

Mestre Jurandir
Mestre Valmir
Mestre Índio
Treinel Andrea from Oakland
Aloan from FICA BAHIA.

In case you haven’t heard, Mestre Cobra Mansa is going to be in Africa researching the roots of Capoeira Angola, so he will not be able to join us at this year's conference. Congratulations Mestre; we wish you well.

Where:
Camp River Ranch, Carnation, WA (near Seattle)
We are thrilled to host old and new friends in this lush, old growth forest outside of Seattle. The serene summer camp facility is the perfect setting for deepening our connections to nature, ancestors, others and self. We’ll be overlooking a lake, building bonfires at night, enjoying hot showers and breathing fresh mountain air.

Schedule:
Thursday, 9/2
6pm
Opening Roda
FICA Seattle studio
954 E. Union St. Seattle, Wa 98122

9pm Bus to Camp River Ranch

Friday - Sunday, 9/3- 9/5
All Day Workshops, rodas, meals and more!

Sunday, 9/5
3pm, Closing Roda
6pm, Bus to Seattle, arrive at 7pm.

The SeaTac airport is 60 minutes from Seattle by bus and 30 minutes by car.

Theme:
Nourishing our Capoeira Family
Capoeira Angola é manha, é malicia, é tudo que a boca come.
- Pastinha

Capoeira Angola is everything the mouth eats. Pastinha's words advise the Capoeirista to grow from all that we touch, breath and encounter in this world. In talking with several of you over the past year, we feel a strong solidarity in the vision to raise awareness and consciousness, to build modern quilombos. We are proud that FICA members have a wide wealth of passions pertaining to sustainability, social justice, healing and ancestral guidance. At this year’s conference our intention is to explore how tudo que a boca come can guide us in all aspects of nourishment.

Some topics to ponder are: sustainability, the food revolution/ food justice, organic and urban farming, respectful human resources/labor, Quilombos and Communities, democratic living and sharing for unified success, understanding past and present, connecting with elders, children, and teachers, honoring ancestors, healing, movement and music therapy, nutrition, and traditional medicine.

This is an opportunity to challenge ourselves and each other, to become more awake and to deepen our understanding of what we are “eating”.


Call for Art…
Many of you are talented artists. We invite you to submit an original design, drawing, or other work to represent this year’s conference theme on t-shirts, flyers, and posters.

Deadline: June 30
We encourage EVERYONE to express your inspirations through art.
*Registration will be granted if your work is chosen!

Send submissions to:
silvioaleixo (at) hotmail (dot) com
or by mail to
FICA Seattle PO Box 28547, Seattle WA 98118

Conference Price:
Because the financial success of this conference depends on good organization, we are offering a discount to those who register early.

Before August 1st $ 150
After August 1st $175

The cost of registration covers:
3 Nights Lodging
Bus transportation to and from Camp River Ranch / Seattle -Thursday and Sunday
3 Meals per day, mostly local and organic
All Workshops, Rodas, and Conference Events
Smiles, songs, and scenery…

Click to download the *2010 Encounter Registration Form* pdf.

You can fill it out electronically and email it back to ficapdx (at) gmail (dot) com, or print it and mail it (along with a check) to: FICA Portland Study Group 707 NE Broadway #203, Portland, OR, 97232.

A button to pay on-line via *PayPal* is coming soon.

Visit our website for further details
website

Thanks to Criss for the information.
 

Seattle, Washington: FICA Annual Encounter 2010

       
Big news from Seattle:

Hello amigos,

We are happy to announce that we just found a place to host our international conference 2010. It is Camp River Ranch, located in Carnation, east of Seattle.

The conference date this year will be September 02 to September 05 which by the way is labor day weekend.

Get ready for the pure air and the beautiful environment of pacific north west. FICA Seattle is getting ready to host you. Stand by for the new updates and pictures about the place.

See you all in September

Fica seattle/cm silvinho
       

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.

Reflections on a Mestre from a Young Student

Each of us has our own unique experience and relationship with Capoeira Angola, yet oftentimes our learning trajectories, struggles, successes, and even thoughts about Capoeira Angola mirror those of our fellow Angoleir@s. A student from FICA-Seattle shares with us his thoughts on his growth in capoeira and his relationship with his mestre. Perhaps some of the same thoughts have crossed your mind. Enjoy.

i’ve been encouraged to write a little something about FICA activities in Seattle. My original intention was to write about Mestre Jurandir’s most recent visit to Seattle. However, as it unfolded, it turned out to be more of a personal reflection of my association with Mestre. i have done my best, at least at the moment of this writing, to convey to you sincerely through the limitation of words my thoughts and feelings. It is my hope that it inspires you to think about your connection with your fellow human beings not limited to Mestres, Parents, Gurus, Mentors etc. Enjoy if you so choose.

About a month before the international conference in Chicago, C.M. Silvinho informed us that Mestre Jurandir would be coming to town after the conference for a week or so. (As an aside, many thanks to Trenel Beto, Queen Mamma Huu and FICA-Chicago for their efforts in organizing a sacred space for many of us to share, play and dance.) So, when C.M. Silvinho mentioned that Mestre was coming to town i did not know what to think. i always enjoy his presence and yet i was somewhat apprehensive. i can’t truly say why, but the following play of words convey a semblance of my feelings, however limited words may be.

i am a young student of Capoeira and easily fall into the abyss of intimidation created from a mind full of social ‘baggage’, which encourages excessive self-indulgence. A clear example of such is getting mentally wrapped up in insecurities around authority while simultaneously dealing with cross-cultural differences. So, allow me to give you a little history of my relationship to M. Jurandir. i first met M. Jurandir in 2004, after which i had only taken a couple of classes at a FICA-Seattle Roda/celebration, of which i do not recall the occasion.(It must have been something pretty important. They were all in white!) M Jurandir, CM Silvinho and CM Urubu among other students were in attendance at the old space in Capital Hill. i enjoyed the games that were played, particularly those between CM Silvinho and CM Urubu. When I saw Mestre play, i must admit a sense of fear and awe. It was so relaxed and yet powerful! i also recall a telling moment, for me at least, at the end of the Roda when Mestre wept as he embraced Silvinho in appreciation for his efforts in sharing Capoeira with his son and maintaining affairs in Belo Horizonte. i was moved by the incident and recognized a sensitivity along with the power expressed in play.

That day was one of those inspiring and defining moments early in my path of Capoeira. It encouraged me to look beyond my ego and fear and continue to train with this group. Little did i know at the time, FICA-Seattle was in a time of, let’s say, transition. Many students had departed for one reason or the other. Mestre Jurandir had returned to Brasil and CM Silvinho began to lead the group. CM Silvinho introduced me to Capoeira and has shared much wisdom with me. For that, i am thankful beyond words.(By the way, CM Silvinho continues to guide me on this journey of life play.) Along with transition there was much talk, of course, and i will not go into whether those words were positive or negative. i will say this though, many words were emotionally charged, contradictory and for me outright confusing. Nonetheless, i listened with an opened heart not only to the message of the word but also to the message inherent in the deliverer. i listened with scrutiny, took heed to admonishments, made mental notes and for the most part asked very few questions. From there, i naturally began to shape an idea of Mestre Jurandir, neither good or bad, for i know all too well how easy it is to project assumptions on to that which you do not know. So, I truly knew of him nothing at all.

Mestre Jurandir became a figure of mystery to me and i must admit in the early days i avoided interaction with him as best i could. Not out of like or dislike, but out of avoiding my own internal struggles with authority figures. As i began to interact with him more during class, i kept quiet and did all i could to be a cooperative student of Capoeira. i just wanted to observe and keep listening and wait to formulate an opinion based on my own experiences. When Mestre came to teach, i was mesmerized by his stern looks and frustrations in class as well as his portugo-english words of wisdom about Capoeira and life.

As i grow in Capoeira, i realize that Mestre is not just a figure isolated in this beautiful art form, but a mentor in life. A mentor, who in his position as my teacher and guide, shares his thoughts and feelings about the life of Capoeira. i’ve come to my own ideas about this mysterious person. i have come to love and appreciate him through experience and not by way of hearsay. So, with Mestre coming to town i knew my ego would be challenged. How much, i wondered, would i fall prey to excessive inner dialogue and lose sight of presence that is so essential in Capoeira.

About Mestres most recent visit to Seattle…

On September 15, 2008 this figure walked into the FICA-Seattle training ground about 1 hour late! (Well, he’s off the hook, he was spending some quality time with his two daughters.) Mestre gave an amazing class with lots of intense energy, emotion and, of course, the fine details. It was good to see him do the movements even though he was not physically 100% due to his health concerns. However, Mestre’s mind is sharp and he sees everything and doesn’t have any qualms about letting you know that he sees. Seeing as such are characteristics of one who is experienced in, and knowledgeable of, the art of Capoeira. At the end of class, he gave little glimps of his endeavors, such as his work in Mozambique. After class we went to CM Silvinho and family’s home to share further over moqueca.

On Tuesday, the following day, we had a meeting focusing mainly on the upcoming celebration of Mestre Pasthina and African and Brasilian culture. We also spoke of the recent successful kids camp we organized at the community center where we train. A class for kids grew out of the endeavor, which we talked about continuing. The meeting was great and reminded me of how we have grown as a family and cooperative whole here at FICA-Seattle. Mestre sat back and interjected with suggestions and words of encouragement. For us, it is indeed encouraging to have the confidence and support of our Mestre.

The class on Wednesday was just out right ‘deep’. i will not even attempt to give the details of the class. I’ll just say, when you think you know something, you realize you know so little, and that is so humbling. Our respect and openness of heart as students facilitated a powerful space for learning. With that open space the amount of learning, even in basic movements, are profound as this person with almost 40 years of experience shares his love of the art of Capoeira in his own interesting way.

Thursday we had ‘da bomb’ music class and of course many words of wisdom.

Having our Mestre here in Seattle and showing him our best efforts was immensely gratifying. i won’t speculate too much on how he felt, but i will say that it feels like he is proud of our efforts.

To close, cause this done got kinda long, Mestre Jurandir has taught me much more than the eloquent utterances of words and demonstration of movements. Through him and his associations, i have learned the importance of presence, importance of the egoless mind and community. i am proud to be his student. As i learn more of and from him, i learn of myself. i am beginning to appreciate the inexplicable relationship between teacher and student.

As the dance proceeds and the illusion of self and other subside, the mysterious lesson of Mandinga unfolds. In how one relates and observes one’s relations, there lies his or her Mandinga. Life is but a dance and each encounter that we have is a moment of self-realization. Capoeira is a powerful tradition to engage in and practice the dance of life. As i dance with my Mestre, i dance with myself. Thank you Mestre Jurandir for being who you are: a mystery, a master of Mandinga. I look forward to opening my heart even more to you and revealing not only to you, but also to myself, who i truly am.

A Student of Mestre Jurandir

Very nice. Thank you, anonymous student.

Do you have something you would like to share with the international capoeira community? Send it along and we will post it (we can handle the translations English <-> Portuguese): ficadcarchives (at) gmail (dot) com.

Zumbi-Pastinha Weekend 2008 in Washington State

Angoleiros came from all over - Chicago, Madison, Hawaii, NY, Oakland.... but it was Mestre Jurandir who brought the sun to Seattle for a Pastinha weekend full of energy!

FICA Seattle and the Evergreen State College in Olympia combined our annual Afro Brazilian Festival with Pastinha weekend. The drumming, dancing, singing, playing, sweating and eating all combined to provide an exceptional type of communion.

Treinel Daniel set the pace Friday night when he packed a one hour class full of movements and concepts, especially impressive considering that he was asked to teach 5 minutes before the class began. The opening roda that followed grew steadily and kept momentum for hours, the event was off to a promising start.


Of course, a few grueling workshops were tossed into the mix. Treinel Baba Jan and Contra Mestre Chorão teamed up on Saturday morning for a class that pushed us all to our limits. Some of the topics covered in the class were eye contact and focus, repetition to the point of exhaustion, and various types of sapinho.


Then, our friend Awal Alhassen taught the traditional "Sala" dance from his native Ghana. Through these movements, translated as "human", he reminded us that our ancestries are interconnected. Like capoeira, the conversation between drummers is a key component of West African dance.


Mestre Jurandir led the afternoon workshop, teaching a number of movement combinations that none of us had ever seen before, many of them centered around his particular knack with rastiera.

Throughout the weekend, everyone’s energy was sustained by nourishing food planned and prepared by our own nutritionist, Dona Leika (CM Silvinho's wife).

On Sunday morning Mestre Jurandir led a berimbau workshop in familiar fashion, teaching variations and listening to each person play individually around the circle. A question and answer session around song lyrics followed.

Next, to relax a bit, our friend Dora Oliveira engaged us in shaking it down, Samba style.


The closing roda was opened by the youngest Angoleira around, at two years, reminding us all that the essence of capoeira is natural and instinctive.

Our Northwest trio - Seattle, Olympia, and Portland were pleased and honored to host such an amazing event.

Thanks to all who came, especially those who persevered breakdowns and delays, and brought so much axe!!!!!


And many thanks to Criss from FICA-Seattle for the pictures and the great report.

Have an event re-cap or pictures that you would like to share with the worldwide capoeira community? Send it to: ficadcarchives (at) gmail (dot) com

Seattle, Washington: Zumbi/Pastinha Weekend Details

A message from FICA-Seattle about the Zumbi/Pastinha weekend to be hold in November:

Hi,

Our yearly Pastinha Weekend will be in Seattle this year as you have already probably heard. Welcoming everybody, we are now only a little over a week away.

Please share this with your groups.

Here is the info (you can also find this info on our website www.ficaseattle.org:

International Capoeira Angola Foundation Seattle

and

The Evergreen State College

Present

Afro-Brazilian Arts Festival
Homanagem a Mestre Pastinha
Exploring Culture through African and Brazilian Art Forms

November 14 - 16 2008

Rainier Beach Community Center, Seattle
8825 Rainier Ave. S, 98118

and

the Evergreen State College , Olympia
2700 Evergreen Parkway, 98505

Schedule:

Friday - Rainier Beach Community Center - 8825 Rainier Ave S. Seattle, WA 98118

7pm -8pm Capoeira Angola Workshop
8pm - Opening Roda, then::::::::::::: Snacks / Light Dinner

Saturday - Evergreen State College - 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW, Olympia, WA 98505, SEM 2 Building, room C4107

7am - 8am Breakfast
8am - 10am Carpool to Olympia
10:30am - 12pm Capoeira Angola Workshop
12pm - 1pm Lunch break
1pm - 2pm Discussion and Film with Mestre Jurandir
2pm - 3:30pm Traditional West African dance
4pm - 5:30pm Capoeira Angola Workshop
6:00pm - Roda
Dinner

Sunday - Evergreen State College - 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW, Olympia, WA 98505, SEM 2 Building, room C4107

7am - 8am Breakfast
8am - 10am Capoeira Angola Workshop
10am - 12pm Samba Music Workshop
10:30 - 12pm Samba Dance Workshop (concurrent)
12:30pm - closing roda
12:30pm - Snacks / Lunch

Workshop Instructors

Mestre Jurandir
Contramestre Chorão
Trenel Baba
Dora Oliviera
Awal Alhassan

Early Registration: before November 1 - $75, After November 1 - $90

send check or money order to: ICAF Seattle
PO Box 28547
Seattle WA 98118

*The registration fee includes all meals listed on the schedule, lodging Saturday night, transportation to and from the space, and a t-shirt!
If you need a place to stay Friday night, we can accommodate you in our homes, so please let us know.

Please send an email with the following information to pastinhaseattle@yahoo.com
*Name and Group affiliation
*Are you a vegetarian?
*Do you need lodging both Friday and Saturday night?

Daily Rates (does NOT include transportation/lodging/food/t-shirt):
1 day - $20, 2 day - $30

Register by
phone/email
360-918-1306
olycapoeira@riseup.net

OBRIGADO, CONTAMOS COM A PRESENCA DE VOCES, AXE PARA TODOS,
FICA - SEATTLE

Seattle, USA: Pastinha/Zumbi Weekend Event Details

Details about the upcoming event in Seattle:

Contra Mestre Silvinho and FICA Seattle

in collaboration with the Capoeira Angola student group at Evergreen State College
are pleased to host:

Afro-Brazilian Cultural Festival
Homenagem a Mestre Pastinha

November 14-16, 2008

Capoeira Workshops will be taught by:
Mestre Jurandir
Contra Mestre Chorao
Treinel Baba

Also, we are lucky enough to offer workshops in Samba, Brazilian Percussion, and Traditional West African Dance!

Conference Schedule:

Friday
Rainier Beach Community Center - 8825 Rainier Ave S. Seattle, WA 98118
7pm -8pm Capoeira Workshop
8pm - Opening Roda
Snacks / Light Dinner

Saturday
Evergreen State College - 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW, Olympia, Washington 98505
7am - 8am - Breakfast
8am - 10am - Carpool to Olympia
12pm - Capoiera Workshop
12pm - 1pm - Lunch break
1pm - 2pm - Discussion and Film with Mestre Jurandir
2pm - 4pm - Samba Workshop (with Dora Oliveria)
Brazilian Percussion (with Treinel Baba)
4pm - 5:30pm - Capoiera Workshop
6:00pm - Roda
Dinner

Sunday
Evergreen State College
7am - 8am - Breakfast
8am -10am - Capoiera Workshop
10am -11:30am - Traditional West African dance
12:30pm - closing roda
Snacks / Lunch

Registration

Early Registration: before November 1 - $75

After November 1 - $90

send a check or money order to:
FICA Seattle
PO Box 28547
Seattle WA 98118

*The registration fee includes all meals listed on the schedule, lodging Saturday night, transportation to and from the space, and a t-shirt!
-If you need a place to stay Friday night, we can accommodate you in our homes, so please let us know.

Please send an email with the following information to pastinhaseattle (at) yahoo (dot) com

*Name and Group affiliation
*Are you a vegetarian?
*Do you need lodging both Friday and Saturday night?

*Any questions you have

OBRIGADO, CONTAMOS COM A PRESENCA DE VOCES, AXE PARA TODOS, FICA - SEATTLE.

Thanks to Criss for the information.

Women's Event in Seattle

FICA Seattle and the Capoeira Angola Club @ The Evergreen State College will be hosting:

"Women's Empowerment in Capoeira Angola"

Workshops, Panel Discussion, and Rodas led by Mestre Jurandir, Contramestre Silvinho, Treneu Andrea, and Cassandra Lopez

When: March 14th, 15th, and 16th
Cost: $5/ day
Contact: olycapoeira (at) riseup (dot) net, treneucaxambu (at) yahoo (dot) com, or call (206) 937-5849

Friday, 3/14 7 PM @ the Rainier Beach Community Center in Seattle
Saturday 3/15 & 3/16 9:30 AM- 6:30 PM @ The Evergreen State College in Olympia

Schedule is as follows:

Fri. March 14th: Rainier Beach Community Center, Seattle
6 PM Welcome and Free Kid's Capoeira Angola Workshop
7 PM Adults Capoeira Angola Workshop
8 PM Open Capoeira Angola Roda

Sat. March 15th: the Evergreen State College, Olympia: Sem II Building C1107
9:30-10 AM Welcome
10 AM-Noon Capoeira Angola Workshop
12-1PM Samba Dance Workshop w/ Janelle Keane Campoverde
1-2 PM Lunch
2-3 PM Panel Discussion
3-6 PM Capoeira Angola Roda

Sun. March 16th: The Evergreen State College, Olympia in The Longhouse
10 AM-Noon Capoeira Angola Workshop
12-1 PM West African Dance Workshop w/ Manamou Camara
1-2 PM Lunch
2-3 PM Capoeira Angola Workshop
3-6 PM Capoeira Angola Roda

Thanks to Anna for the information.