João Pessoa, Brazil: 6 Hour Roda

The group Capoeira Angola Berimbau Viola has the pleasure to invite all to the third annual encounter, “6 hour roda de capoeira” that will take place during the Festa das Neves, from 3 – 9 pm, on August 1st, in front of the monastery of São Bento.

Brighton, UK: Vadiação 2009

Capoeira Vadiação 2009
Brighton – UK
3 – 5 July

Invited guests: Mestre Russo, Mestre Guara, Mestre Roberval, Mestre Joãozinho, Mestre Polaco, Cm Pernalonga, Prof. Fubuia, Prof. Cláudio

where: Brighton & Hove High School
Montpelier Road, Brighton
E. Sussex BN1 3AT

Friday, July 3: 6 – 10 pm
Saturday, July 4: 11 am – 6 pm
Sunday, July 5: 11 am – 6 pm

Costs: 3 days, £55
any 2 days, £45
Sat or Sun, £25
Fri only, £15

Concessions available for Amazonas members & non-members
Contacts: capoeiraboneco (at) hotmail (dot) com, tel. 07919586299
website

Thanks to Rilene for the flyer.

Mestre Moraes on Mestre Juvenal

Mestre Moraes, president of the Grupo Capoeira Angola Pelourinho, is one of the most respected capoeira mestres in the world, recognized internationally not only for his game and work to preserve Capoeira Angola, but also for his knowledge of the history and philosophy of capoeira.

We have already posted some of his work and interviews to this blog, but now Mestre Moraes is writing his own blog, which is full of amazing stories, reflections, and information. It is an amazing resource – and yet another reason to sharpen your Portuguese skills. Take advantage of his blog and visit it often.

Here is a translation of a recent post:

Mestre Juvenal was one of many mestres who defended capoeira with the force of someone who defends his own life. He was a student of Mestre Samuel Querido-de-Deus, who compared him to a jaguar because of his great agility. A longshoresman like many of the capoeiristas of his time, he took advantage of his break time after meals on the edge of the docks to practice the noble art with his friends.

When interviewed by the reporter Cháudio Tavares of the magazine “O Cruzeiro” in 1948, he confirmed that capoeira was his “cachaça”, not forgetting to highlight Capoeira Angola, “to distinguish it from the Regional of Mestre Bimba” according to the reporter’s interpretation.

Mestre Juvenal behaved differently than some angoleiros, contemporaries of the memorialist Manuel Querino who considered them“…pretentious, excessively talkative, with particular gestures, troublemakers, those who introduced “capoeiragem” to Bahia." Due to cultural and social dynamics, Juvenal was not like those described by Querino. He cultivated certain characteristics of his time: he was muscular, thin, but also agile and flexible, also talkative and mannered. According to Tavares, he was not a malandro, nor a professional capoeirista of the time that could be contracted to perform little services for the big guys. Like other capoeiristas of his time, Juvenal was a worker, a longshoresman who passed his day and into the night in the “pesado”. Could it be that this situation dedicated the capoeirista even more to capoeira? I don’t know.

Juvenal was proud of the mestre who taught him the secrets of a capoeirista "who, whether free or pinned down, could attack any adversary".

Read more at the blog.

Thanks to Mexicana for the tip.

Montreal, Canada: Event at the end of May

Capoeira Angola: Maintaining the Tradition

Saturday, May 30
12:30 - 4:30 pm
Movement & music workshops with Roque
Marianne Corneau presentation: "Capoeira Angola: réparation de la mémoire afro-brésilienne"
Feijoada after workshops

Sunday, May 31
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Workshops with Roque
Film Screening: "Mandinga in Manhatan" by Lazario Faria
Roda

$50/ for a single day
$15/ feijoada
$95/ entire event

Everyone is welcome!

capoeiraangolaquebec (at) gmail (dot) com
website
418.524.6030, 418.554.7601
-----

Anniversaire
FUNDAÇÃO INTERNACIONAL DE CAPOEIRA ANGOLA
Grupo de estudo Québec

"Déjà un an de tradition vivante!"

Au programme:
Samedi 30 mai, 12h30 à 16h30
Atelier de Capoeira Angola avec Roque (mouvements et musique)
Présentation de Marianne Corneau "Capoeira Angola: réparation de la mémoire afro-brésilienne"
Feijoada en soirée

Dimanche 31 mai, 10h à 15h
Atelier de Capoeira Angola avec Roque
Projection du film "Mandinga in Manhatan"
de Lazario Faria
Roda

50$/ jour
15$/feijoada
95$/événement complet

Ilheus, Brazil: Capoeira, Samba & Beach

Cabello will be hosting an event this August in Ilheus, Bahia:

DANCEBATUKEIRA 2009
August 5th to 9th
Bahia Brasil

You will be living in the south Bahia close to historical city of Ilheus and the very famous Itacare'surf town for 5days and nights taking Capoeira Angola, Maculele, Afro Brazilian Dance and lots of Drumming classes plus instrument making workshops, forest hikes, water falls, white sand beaches, forroï dance party and more.

Enjoy and experience classes and workshops of Caxixi, Pandeiro, Atabaque, Batucada drumming, Samba dance, Orixaï Dance, Capoeira Angola Rodas songs and other percussion ensembles and moreï

No prior experience required!! All levels welcome!!!

Space is limited to only 35 people so please register soon!!

For more information, check out the website.

Thanks to MG for the information.

Capoeira in Paradise (Hawaii, that is)

Hello all. Here's a note from Joe in Hawaii about a recent event with Mestre Jurandir, Contramestre Silvinho, and Treineu Daniel of FICA-Oakland. Sounds like it was a lot of fun!

* we'll add some pictures soon, but for now, I think this will do. gorgeous!

Afro-Brazilian Cultural Arts Festival
Hilo, Hawaii March 2009

Treineu Daniel arrived on Tuesday afternoon at the little Hilo, Hawaii airport. That night and the next day he gave long classes that everyone enjoyed and appreciated. Already the group had been training intensely, not to mention all the fund raisers and preparations necessary for the conference coming up this weekend. But, Daniel's energy renewed us. Jumping and floating, we burst forth, trying to catch his tricky mind boggling maneuvers. Daniel works serious and loves Capoeira Angola.

At 4:30am the next morning we went to visit Pele, Goddess of the earth fire. Beyond
the other worldly black and rolling lava, called pa hoi hoi, was the Goddess spilling forth. Tricklets of steam tickling up out of the earthen cracks here and there. Freshly formed and cooling. Golden red strands of Pele's hair shimmering and shooting skyward as she met Kapo, Goddess of the ocean and mystery. The full moon was setting opposite the sun simultaneously rising, creation and destruction, immaculate, Pele was kind today. The afternoon was spent relaxing on the black sand beach and later we trained hard and talked capoeira well into the evening until we fell asleep.

On the following day Daniel and I went hiking through the jungle to visit the sweet water. We swam beneath the crushing waterfalls heavy from the rain. Afterward, we made our way to the airport to pick up Mestre Jurandir. We went directly to class where Mestre led the group in music and movement. Mestre's class is always physically, emotionally and spiritually challenging. We were all humbled as he patiently reminded us all about the importance of the most basic movement, Ginga.

The next day we went to a naturally heated warm pond, set next to the ocean, where Mestre loves to go. We spent many hours relaxing there before returning home. We picked up Contramestre Silvinho at the airport that night on the way to the opening of the conference.

So now all of our guests were here, and all that the group had worked so hard to achieve was underway. After another incredible movement workshop with Mestre we had a stellar music class. He talked about the importance of making a connection to the ancestors. And we sang as deep and as well as we could.

Contramestre Silvinho taught Saturday morning in the church. He gave a basic movement workshop, foundation, foundation and more foundation. A beautiful class. I had many emotions. Feeling the strength of having my teachers here got the better of me as I often feel alone in the struggle to keep my practice going in their physical
absence. I hoped the class would never end.

Following the workshop Mestre gave a lecture on his work in Mozambique, Africa. It was nice to hear the way Capoeira Angola is putting people together there, man, woman and child. Always challenging social norms and connecting otherwise disparate factions. It is nice to know that we have Capoeira family in Africa.

After the lecture we had local samba percussionist, Jesse Seymore do a workshop with the group. He taught us what he had learned while spending time in Salvador, Bahia. The rest of the afternoon was spent in the Roda playing Capoeira. And then the local samba community did a Rio style glitz and glamour performance led by Lisa Dixon. It was fun to watch. The synergy was bubbling below the surface and that's when Silvinho went to work. He is so much fun. He took a drum and the social barrier was broken and the evening relaxed. And when the energy was right Mestre took a conga and the party was on. He was in full form and everyone danced wildly.

The last day of the conference was here and we had to cancel the morning class due to the late night samba party. We did some more percussion and Lisa Dixon taught a beginner samba class in the Rio style and then the Bahia style.

Afterward, we did a Berimbau workshop with Mestre. There were twenty Berimbaus in a semi-circle, something the Big Island has never seen before. Gorgeous. The conference came to a close with a beautiful Roda, everyone played, sang and had fun. Thanks to Mestre Jurandir, Contramestre Silvinho and Treineu Daniel and to all of FICA Hawaii study group for making this conference happen.

Thanks Joe! Here's to many more events on the island.

Would you like to share your experience at an event with the capoeira community? Send a written piece, photos, or whatever to: ficadcarchives (at) gmail (dot) com.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Pictures from a Roda in Lapa

On the first Saturday of the month, Grupo Capoeira Angola Aluande, under the direction of Contramestre Urubu, hosts a roda during a crafts and antique fair in the Lapa neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro. These photos are from the April roda, that included capoeiristas from Grupo Aluande, FICA-Rio, Grupo Ypiranga, Mestre Marrom's group, FICA-DC and other groups.

It was a gorgeous day and a very fun roda with lots of good energy. If you are in Rio the first Saturday of the month make sure you don't miss the roda.

If you have photos that you would like to share with the international Capoeira Angola community, send them to the blog: ficadcarchives (at) gmail (dot) com.

Oakland, USA: Special Workshops

FICA-Oakland presents workshops with
Contramestre Silvinho (Seattle/Belo Horizonte) & Treinel Baba (DC/Bahia)

Schedule
Friday, April 176:30 pm, music and movements

Saturday, April 18
10:00 am, music and movements
2:00 pm, roda

Sunday, April 19
11, music, movements and roda

Price: USD20 per day
Location: 2513 Magnolia Street, Oakland, Calífonia, USA
Tel: 510-835-2052
email: icafoakland (at) yahoo (dot) com
website

Have fun!

São Paulo: Celebrating 10 Years of "No Fio da Navalha"

We invite all to take part in our 4th Encounter celebrating 10 years of Capoeira Angola with “No Fio da Navalha” in São Paulo.

The event will take place at the Rodoviados Imigrantes, KM 11.5
Beside the Imigrantes Exposition Pavillion
Place: Mamãe Imigrantes (NGO)
May 9, 2009
1:00 pm
Contact: cenoranofiodanavalha (at) hotmail (dot) com
Phone: 011- 9853- 8495

London, UK: 5 Days of Capoeira Vibe

Five days of Capoeira vibe
with Mestre Valmir of FICA-Bahia

When: April 21 - 26, 2009
Where: Dalston, Angel, West Kensington, Chalk Farm
Contact: tel, 07989480594, or email: vcaranha (at) uku (dot) co (dot) uk

Moscow, Russia: M Cobra Mansa & M Valmir

When: May 8 - 10, 2009

Where: School No. 26, Lomonovski Prospekt, Dom. 12 (Metro station: Universitiet)Tel:79265377201

E-mail:moscou (at) capoeira-angola (dot) ru

FICA Moscou is welcoming Mestre COBRA MANSA & Mestre VALMIR from the International Capoeira Angola Foundation (FICA) for an open capoeira angola workshop.

The workshop is open to beginners and experienced capoeiristas and includes physical training, singing and rhythm. Bring your berimbau!

Price: 4000 rubles*/ for the 3-day workshop

*This price includes regular week classes starting May 5th for all angoleiros!

For accommodation, contact Katia at +7 (917) 587-7661. (Bring your sleeping bag!)

For general info, contact Inna at +7 (926) 537-7201 or Imah at +7 (915) 175 1505.

Hope to see you in Moscow!

Stockholm, Sweden: Workshops with M Cobra Mansa

A message about an upcoming workshop in Sweden:

Don't miss this opportunity to meet Mestre Cobra Mansa

May 15-17, 2009
in Stockholm

Capoeira Angola Workshop
Lessons are for beginners as well as advanced capoeristas and will include physical training, singing and rhythm. There will also be Roda de Capoeira Angola, a lecture by the Mestre, a videoshow, an afrosamba dance class with Rita Nobre from Bahia, and much more.

On Saturday night there will be an African dinner and jam session.

FRIDAY 15 may
WORKSHOP
18.30 – 21.00 Sofiaskolan, Skånegatan 117

SATURDAY 16 may
WORKSHOP
10.00 – 18.00 Tenstahallen
Evening
program

SUNDAY 17 may
WORKSHOP
10.00 - 18.00 Tenstahallen

650 skr if payed and registrated in advance
750 skr without
registration

Pay at p.g. 836 07 13 - 5 FICA Capoeira Angola Stockholm and register by e-mail ficasweden (at) yahoo (dot) se
Please, register before April 1.

Places to sleep will be arranged, please bring your sleeping bag and do not forget your berimbau.

For more information contact: ficasweden (at) yahoo (dot) se

website

Have fun!

Not a Woman or Priest Among Them

Long before youtube, great capoeira memories were remembered. In a few rare instances, games were put to paper, and the below is a good example, from the book City of Women by Ruth Landes. The book is a spectacular primary resource about Salvador, Bahia in the 1930s. The language and some of the ideas are dated, but it gives excellent descriptions of Salvador, its people, and the way life was back in the day.

Here is a bit about a capoeira roda that Landes saw in the street with her friend and companion, the anthropolgist and intellectual, Edison Carneiro:

We arrived at the spot where the men were forming for capoeira. Watchers were crowded four deep around a wide circle, and there was not a women or priest among them. To one side of the innermost ring stood three tall Negroes, each holding a berimbau with one end resting on the ground. Two more musicians soon came- one with a chocalho, or metal rattle, and the other with a pandeiro or tambourine. Edison and the others helped push me front, and we were glad of the diversion.

Two capoeirists were squatting there, facing the musicians. One was the champion Querido de Deus (Beloved of God), with the Christian name of Samuel. He was tall, black, middle-aged and muscular, a fisherman by trade. His challenger was the Black Leopard, a younger man, shorter and fatter. They were barefooted, wearing striped cotton jersey shirts, one with white trousers, the other with dark, one with a felt hat, the other with a cap which he later changed to a hard straw hat. Squatting in their hats and bare feet, one had his left arm on his left thigh, the other had his right arm on his right thigh, and the stared straight, resting. It was required of them to keep silent, and the requirement carried over to the audience.

The orchestra opened the events by strumming an invocation, and this monotonous accompaniment too was essential to the occasion. It was a sort of whining, nasal-toned framework within which the men executed acrobatic marvels, always to the correct beat, while the musicians chanted mocking verses:

I stood at the foot of the cross
Saying my prayer
When there arrived Catherine
The very image of the Devil.

Eh, eh, Ah-Rhuanda!
Missy, let's go away!
To beyond the sea!

It's a sharp knife,
Missy, it's for piercing
Missy, throw it to this side
Missy, throw it to that side.

Eh, eh, long live my master
And my mistress, who taught me!
Mester, leave me to the vagrant life!
Missy, to the capoeira life!

Missy, may the earth revole!
Master, may the world go on!"

It was song of challenge and hope and resignation, containing fragments of rebellious thoughts. It did not possess a simple theme well worked out, but it summarized a type of life and of protest, And it opened the fight.

Querido de Deus swayed on his haunches while he faced his opponent with a grin and gauged his chances. The fight involved all parts of the body except the hands, a precaution demanded by the police to obviate harm. As the movement followed the musical accompaniment, they flowed into a slow-motion, dream-like sequence that was more a dancing than a wrestling. As the law stipulated that capoeirists must not hurt each other, blows become acrobatic stances whose balancing scored in the final check-up, and were named and classified. Various types of capoeira had evolved, with subtleties in the forms and sequences of the blows and in the styles of playing ther berimbau.

Querido de Deus was prodigiously agile in the difficult formal encounters with his adversary, and he smiled constantly while the ritual songs droned on:

They told me wife
That a capoeira man had conquered me,
The woman swore, and stamped her foot dowm firm
That this could not have been.

And the berimbaus changed again:

There was I. Oh! There was my brother,
There was my brother and I.
My brother rented a house
But neither he paid, nor I!

Impertintently, with slow, calculated, beautiful movements, Querido de Deus butted his adversary with his hated head, catching him lightly in the pit of the stomach, upsetting his so that he fell on his head. Thereupon the orchestra struck up triumphantly:

Zum-zum-zum
Capoeira kills one!

The cutting knife is bad
Prepare your stomach to catch it

The challenging echoes silenced, the round was over, the two men walked and trotted restfully in a counter-clockwise circle, one behind the other, the champion leading with his arms high in the air, the other grasping his wrists from behind while the orchestra played and sang teasingly:

In the days when I had money
My comrade called me kin
After my money was gone
My comrade scorned me as bold.

Gradually, having rested, the one in the front wheeled to face the other one behind, and they parried to the beat of the songs, never still, balancing from one foot to the other, watching for openings.

Comrade, attention!
Capoeira goes at you!

warned the berimbaus. The two faced each other, Querido de Deus swaying, Leopard backing away, always rhythmically. As Querido de Deus advanced, bending from the waist, lowering his head for the telling blow at the other's middle, Leopard curved forward intending to evade him.

Actually he created an opening into which Querido de Deus charged with his right leg, his left one stretched parallel with the ground supporting him. Leopard's arm swung back loosely, and he fell forward over the butting head in a clean arc. Laughing quietly in appreciation, the two rose, loping in circles to relax while the orchestra applauded:

Lo, is a messenger from the king!
He is from Ruanda!
What can one do with capoeira?
He is an African sorcerer
And he knows how to play.

They sparred again, and again Querido de Deus was the one to attack, half squatting as in a Russian dance, swaying, arms curved forward for balance. Instead of following through with his head as before, he worked to one side and suddenly raised up his body. Leopard bent to charge, but Querido de Deus swung his weight to his right leg and cleared his opponent's head with his left, causing him once more to fall sprawling!

Now another insisted upon entering the ring. He had attempted to do so earlier but he had been ignored. Impatiently he pushed Leopard aside, pointing indignantly to the corner where scorekeepers were chalking the points on the ground, points Leopard failed to make. And sulkily Leopard yielded his place.

The hero Querido de Deus wiped his streaming face and back, and bared his head to cool it. Through everything the onlookers remained silent, only shuffling to ease their positions and inner excitement. Soon the bows whined in invocation for the new round:

Who taught thee this good magic?
It was the mistress' boy.
The the boy costs good money.
Good money needs to be earned.

Fall, fall Catarina,
Rise from the sea, come see Dalina.

Tomorrow is a holy day,
Day of Corpus Christi.
He who has clothes goes to mass.
He who has none does- as I do!

Fall, fall
Catarina…

To me this was a performance incongruous and wonderful; to the others it was wonderful and completely absorbing. To then it was right. But the phrases startled me into conjectures about slavery, rebellion and mockery, and I was astounded most at the manner of the performance, which robbed capoeira of its original sting. The police had removed the sting, and the blacks had converted the remains into a weird, poignant dance. Did the songs carry meaning to the people now? Did they recall the struggles that inspired them, or did they merely dramatize black men, as candomblé dramatized black women? The rows of watchers were still, their faces were impassive.

Again, the challenger and the champion began to trot with knees bent, arms swinging loose, Querido de Deus amusing himself with intricate little movements of his feet. Suddenly a boy jumped into the center of the ring flourishing a pot of money. He had just made the rounds with his hat requesting contributions for the fighters; and the orchestra, which rules the occasion, has deiced that instead of apportioning the money, it should be left to a new pair to try for with their mouths, each fending off the other à la capoeira. The boy announced this decision and placed the pot on the ground while the berimbaus teased:

Would you play with a capoeira?
He is a tricky devil…

And Querido de Deus won! But with the heart of a champion he returned the pot to open the struggle again:

Now you can play!

This time the newcomer won. The crowd broke up, painfully uncomfortable under the blistering two o'clock sun…

Learn more about Ruth Landes here.

Have you come across something that you would like to share with the capoeira community? Send it to us: ficadcarchives (at) gmail (dot) com.

Ladainhas of M Pastinha

In anticipation of the anniversary of Mestre Pastinha's birthday 120 years ago this Sunday, here are two of his many ladainhas as remembered by Mestre Bola Sete in his book A Capoeira Angola na Bahia.

Menino preste atenção
No que eu vou dizer
O que eu faço brincando
Você não faz nem zangado
Não seja vaidoso e despeitado
Na roda da capoeira
Pastinha já está classificado!

Eu nasci pra capoeira
Capoeirista eu hei de ser
Só deixarei a capoeira
Quando eu morrer!

Enjoy!

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.

Salvador, Bahia: Roda and Chat with M João Pequeno

The Academy of Mestre João Pequeno de Pastinha
Centro Esportivo Capoeira Angola

Invites all to the commemoration of the birthday of Mestre Pastinha
April 5, 2009

Caxixi construction workshop
1:30 – 3 pm

Pastinha and his successors
3 – 5:30 pm
1st, Pastinha and his genealogical tree
2nd, The teachings of Pastinha
3rd, Pastinha introduces black and yellow
4th, Why the Joãos do not use black and yellow
5th, Pastinha and the balão
6th, To whom Pastinha passed the pulo de gato
6o: Para quem Pastinha deu o pulo de gato

Capoeira Roda of the Tree of Pastinha and invited guests
5:30 – 7:30 pm
Under the direction of Mestre João Pequeno de Pastinha

location: Forte Santo Antonio, Largo do Santo Antonio Além do Carmo
email: ajppastinha (at) hotmail (dot) com
33230708 / 88331469

Salvador, Bahia: Mulher na Capoeira Tem Dendê na Roda

Instituto Nzinga de Capoeira Angola presents:

Mulher na capoeira tem dendê na roda
March 27 & 28, 2009

Schedule of Events
03/27
7 pm, Seminar - Mulher na Capoeira Tem Dendê na Roda
Location: CDCN – Rua do Paço, 42 – Santo Antônio – Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
Valdecir Nascimento – Superintendant of Women’s Politics/ SEPROMI
Adriana Albert Dias – historian and researcher
Christine Zonzom – sociologist
Rosângela “Janja” Araújo – Faced/UFBA e Instituto Nzinga
Mediator : Ligia Vilas Boas/ INCAB

03.28
4 pm, Capoeira Roda
Location: Memorial das Baianas de Acarajé – Cruz Caida, Praça da Sé

The objective of the seminar “Mulher na Capoeira: Tem Dendê na Roda” is to discuss the forms of violence that women face within the context of capoeira, including the challenges and paths through which women enter capoeira in a respectful way. In this way, the seminar will examine the dynamics of the strategies of empowerment of women capoeiristas, stimulating their political participation in women’s organizations.

Ireland & Germany: Angola Dobrada Events

Here are some upcoming events in Ireland and Germany with Mestre Rogério of Grupo Capoeira Angola Dobrada and special guests:

Capoeira Angola Workshop in Ireland
with Mestre Rogério Soares and Contramestre Alexandre
when: 11.04 - 13.04 Easter 2009
where: Thomastown Co. Kilkenny - Ireland
contact: ramoci (at) gmail (dot) com

and as posted previously...

Pfingstworkshop Capoeira Angola Dobrada
with: Mestre Rogério, Mestre Índio, Mestre Pedrinho de Caxias, Contra-mestre Alexandre
when: 29.05.09 - 01.06.09
where: Freiburg, Germany
contact: maxedaxe (at) web (dot) de

Thanks to Ramoci for the information.

If you have an event you would like posted to our calendar, send along the event information or flyer to: ficadcarchives (at) gmail (dot) com - we'll handle the translation Portuguese <-> English.

Padova, Italy: Event with M Marcelo Angola

We have already posted this, but just a reminder that there will be an event in Italy next month that looks really good. Take advantage if you are in the area:

you are welcome to be a part of...
stage capoeria -festa capoeira-
10-13 april 2009
Padova, Italy

capoeira: Mestre Marcelo Angola (Bahia)
african dance and percussion music: Mestre Nzonzi (Congo)
4 days 70.00€ capoeira and african dance
1 day 30.00€ capoeira and african dance

bring a sleeping bag
bring your berimbau and your pandeiro, if you have one

schedule
friday 10 april
from 19:30 to 21:30 start stage with capoeira

saturday 11 april
9.00-12.00 capoeira training & music
14-16:30 capoeira training
17:00- 18:30 african dance
19:00-20:00 roda de capoeira

sunday 12 april
9-12 capoeira training & music
14-16:00 capoeira training
16:30- 18:30 african dance
19:00-20:00 roda de capoeira

monday 13 april
9-12 capoeira training & music
14-16:00 african dance and percussion workshop
16:30- 18:30 capoeira training
19:00-20:00 roda de capoeira

info: www.capoeira-angola-pd.it
capoeriapadova@gmail.com

axè
staff associazione capoeira angola pernambuco

-----

aprile-maggio-giugno 2009
corsi di capoeira a rossano veneto, al venerdì sera dalle ore 20:00alle 21.30, palestra comunale
costo: 3 mesi di capoeira 40 euro ( 3 months capoeira 40 €) progetto in collaborazione con associazione culture amiche onlus di rossano veneto, assessorato dello sport e politiche sociali di rossano veneto, centro servizio volontariato di vicenza

inoltre: italian and english languages

siete benvenuti alla festa, stage, di capoeira
dal 10 al 13 aprile 2009
PADOVA, ITALY

capoeira: Mestre Marcelo Angola (Bahia)
danza africana e percussioni: Mestre Nzonzi (Congo)

4 giorni 70.00€ capoeira e danza africana
1 giorno 30.00€ capoeira e danza africana

per dormire portare il sacco a pelo, per la musica portare berimbau, e se avete qualsiasi altro strumento

venerdì 10 aprile
dalle ore 19:30 alle 21:30 apertura stage con capoeira

sabato 11 aprile
9.00-12.00 allenamento capoeira e musica
14-16:30 allenamento capoeira
17:00- 18:30 danza africana
19:00-20:00 roda de capoeira

domenica 12 aprile
9-12 allenamento capoeira e musica
14-16:00 allenamento capoeira
16:30- 18:30 danza africana
19:00-20:00 roda de capoeira

lunedì 13 aprile
9-12 allenamento capoeira e musica
14-16:00 danza africana e percussioni
16:30- 18:30 allenamento capoeira
19:00-20:00 roda de capoeira

website
capoeirapadova (at) gmail (dot) com

Have fun.

Introducing the Music of Dana Maman...

Dana Maman is a hugely talented capoeirista and musician who has just released a CD of capoeira music, available to download free of charge from her website.

Here's what her bio says (but I can tell you that beyond being a great all-around capoeirista, she is also a thoughtful, funny and genuine person. Play her in the roda if you get the chance. You'll have a blast.)

Dana Maman was born in Tel Aviv, Israel, to immigrant parents of Moroccan and Persian decent. She started her involvement with music at the age of six with the violin, studying classical music and musicianship in the Catherin Luis Music Conservatory in Tel Aviv. Maman studied the violin for 13 years, traveling to England, Germany, and the Netherlands and participating in various youth orchestras and musical groups. At the same time as her formal violin training, Maman played percussion as well. During her late high-school years she began to learn more about Afro Brazilian beats due to her involvement with capoeira.

In 2001 she moved to Los Angeles and became part of Capoeira Batuque, furthering her studies of capoeira and percussion. Three years later, she became a part of Amen Santo’s Dance group Bale Folclorico do Brazil, with which she has toured and performed across California. In the past three years Maman has been playing West-African drumming and performing in this genre with various groups as well. She is still a member of the Bale Folclorico Do Brazil participating in school shows and introducing Brazilian culture in various locations around California. She teaches a capoeira music class and is part of the children's program in the Brazil Brazil Cultural Center.

Recently, Maman completed research in Salvador-Bahia regarding women in the music of Candomblé. The research explored women’s issues in the religion and music while getting an understanding of the affects of this topic to women in capoeira.

Currently Maman is releasing her first capoeira music CD.

Enjoy folks! And contribute to her paypal if you are able. We need to support each other in all endeavors.

Congratulations, Dana!

São Paulo, Brazil: Capoeira and Samba

Mestre Ananias
on the North Coast of São Paulo

03/20 São Sebastião
Mestre Dominguinhos
Place: Secretária Municipal de Cultura

03/21 Ubatuba
Mestre Jequiê
PLace: Fundarte

Capoeira e samba de roda at 8 pm

New York City: Celebrate M Pastinha with M João Grande

This looks like an amazing event! Take advantage of this unique opportunity to learn about the recent history of capoeira in Brazil with someone who lived it, as well as someone who pioneered the teaching of Capoeira Angola in the US. Hopefully there will be a lot of good questions (start thinking now, my friends...)

Workshop "120 Years of Mestre Pastinha!"

Date: April 4th - 5th, 2009
Time: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Where: Capoeira Angola Center of Mestre João
Grande - 104 W 14th St. - 3rd Flr - New York, NY
Cost: $25 for the workshop
- $20 for the Roda.

Please join us to celebrate "120 Years of Mestre Pastinha!", the workshop taught by the legendary Mestre João Grande at his academy in NYC!

Mestre João Grande will be honoring his Mestre, Vicente Ferreira Pastinha! Mestre Pastinha was born on the 5th of April, 1889. He would be 120 Years old if he were alive. We will be celebrating the spirit of Mestre Pastinha, which lives on in each of us!

Mestre João Grande will be teaching the music and movements of Capoeira Angola, and sequences of movements of the old Mestres. He will also talk about Mestre Pastinha and his importance for Capoeira Angola, and show old pictures from his collection. To finalize the Saturday's Workshop, Mestre João Grande will answer your questions as well.

On Sunday, April 5th, Mestre João Grande will have a big Roda of Capoeira Angola to celebrate "120 Years of Mestre Pastinha!"

Program:
10::00 - 12 Noon:
Mestre João Grande will be teaching movements and sequences of movements of the Old Mestres
12:00 - 1:00 PM:
Lunch break
1:00 - 3:00 PM: Music Workshop (Mestre João Grande will be teaching Toques do Berimbau, Ladainhas & Corridos)
3:00 - 5:00 PM:
Questions & Answers (Mestre João Grande will be answering your Capoeira Angola questions, as well as talking about his experiences and History of Capoeira Angola)

Come to participate with Mestre João Grande to support Capoeira Angola Center of Mestre João Grande.

Please bring your instruments, axé, and desire to learn directly from a legend!

Feel free to bring flowers, fruits, and juices to share with our Capoeira Angola family.

All Capoeira styles and levels welcome!

Thanks for your support!

Health, Energy, Peace & Blessings,
and Axé to whom is from Axé!

Mestre João Grande

website

Thanks to T Fabio for the information.

Freiburg, Germany: Angola Dobrada Event in May

A note about the annual Angola Dobrada event to be held in May:

Querid@s Angoleir@s!

We are happy to invite you to our encounter in Freiburg in May/June! It would be our pleasure to welcome you here and take part in capoeira with you.

Hiermit möchte ich Euch herzlich zu unserem Treffen in Freiburg einladen! Es wäre uns eine große Freude, wenn Ihr kommen würdet, um mit uns Capoeira zu leben und zu lernen!

axé
Magdalena de
Freiburg
--------------

Pfingstworkshop Capoeira Angola Dobrada
29.05.09- 01.06.09

With/Mit Mestre Rogério, Mestre Índio, Mestre Pedrinho Contra-Mestre Alexandre + Special Guests

Price/Preis:
• Complete workshop/gesamter Workshop (4 days/Tage): 110€
(registration open until 04/30/09/für Frühanmelder bis zum 30.04.09: 95€)
• Weekend only/nur Wochenende (Sa & So): 80€
(registration open until 04/30/09/für Frühanmelder bis zum 30.04.09: 70€)

*breakfast and housing included/Frühstück und Übernachtung inbegriffen

registration via e-mail/Anmeldung per Mail und gleichzeitige Bezahlung an:
capoeira-freiburg (at) yahoogroups (dot) de

Associacao de Capoeira Angola Freiburg
Kreissparkasse Freiburg, BLZ: 68050101
Konto-Nr.: 2117874

Thanks, Lars!

Fortaleza, Brazil: April for Angola event

Abril pra Angola

April 16 - 19 – Fortaleza, Ceará

Mestre Cobrinha Mansa, Bahia
Mestre Pernalonga, São Paulo
Mestre Sabia, Paraiba
Mestre Naldinho, Paraiba

Associação Cultural Capoeira Badauê

* CD drop “Quando o tempo se destina” by M Pernalonga, SP and Contramestre Pernalonga , Germany

Place: Sede do Água de Beber
Av. Pessoa Anta, 218 – Praia de Iracema, Fortaleaza – CE

contact: (5585) 3254-7817 / 8737 – 7864
Website

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.

T Beto on East Coast Tour

T Beto, who leads the FICA-Chicago group and who helped organize an amazing conference last summer, is going to be on the East Coast of the USA. If you are in the area, take advantage!!

March 26 - 28, Washington, DC
March 29, New York City workshop from 11 am - 2 pm

If you want more information about the NYC workshop, contact Puck at: fica_ny (at) yahoo (dot) com

enjoy, folks!

Berlin, Germany: 2009 Filhos de Angola Encounter

The date and most current program of the 2009 Filhos de Angola Encounter in Berlin, Germany:

July 16 – 19

Mestre Laércio (GCFA, Berlin)
Mestre Roberval (GCFA, Salvador Bahia)
Mestre Augusto
Mestre Marcelo Angola (Angoleiros do Mar)
Mestre Rosalvo (Vadiação, Berlin)

Contra Mestre Pezao (GCFA, Barcelona)
Contra Mestre Gato Preto (GCFA, Salvador Bahia)
Contra Mestre Arroz (GCFA, Valência)

Afro- Brazilian dance, jongo & percussion

Special guests: Contra Mestre Renny e Professor Fubuia

Coordination: Mestre Laércio

More information will become available through the group’s website as the event approaches.

Enjoy! Looks like a great event.

Thanks to Kalle for the information.

Salvador, Brazil: Capoeira Angola classes in Rio Vermelho

Sapoti leads the street roda on Sunday nights in Rio Vermelho, which is a great way to close your weekend in Salvador. If you are in town, don't miss it!

Bando Tupinambá

Capoeira Angola trainings with Sapoti
Mondays & Wednesdays,
8 – 10 pm

place: Espaço Corpo Mente, Travessa Prudente de Moraes, no. 1, Rio Vermelho
contact: 71 3335 3787, 71 8235 2900

Rodas every Sunday night at 7 pm in the Largo de Santana, Rio Vermelho (where the acarajé da Dinha is located)

enjoy!

Thanks to Elza for the flyer.

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: Women's Event at Acanne

ACANNE
Associação de Capoeira Angola Navio Negreiro

Este gunga também é meu

Protected by the separation of genders, through the civil rights of the comtemporary woman, the stundents of ACANNE invote men and women to participate in “Estre gunga também é meu” concerning the presence of women in capoeira yesterday and today. We will hold a discussion reflecting on this subject as well as a samba de roda and a mesa de frutas at our quilombo from March 9 to 13, 2009 at 7 pm.

Once again, you are invited to join us!

O3/09
Capoeira class with Treinel Cris and a discussion regarding gender

03/11
capoeira class with Ludmila Bitencourt and a discussion with Tia, a student of ACANNE

03/13
roda de capoeira angola

continuing through the month of March…

03/23, 25 & 27
Mestre Paulo dos Anjos: absent or present?

03/28 & 29
Encounter with Mestre Rene Bitencourt on the Ilha de Maré in the quilombo Okê Arô

All events are FREE.

address: Rua do Sodré, no.48, Dois de Julho
telephone: (71) 3321-7496 ou (71) 9146-5999

Thanks to Elina for the flyer.