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

      

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.

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