African Encounter Postponed

Hope you had not purchased tickets, because the African Encounter has been postponed. Here are the new details:

Dear Mestres and Contra-mestres,
Dear Instructores and teachers,
Dear Comrades, students,
Mr. and Mrs.,

The International Capoeira Angola Foundation Mozambique, the managers of the African Capoeira Angola Conference, held in Mozambique year by year, inform that due to many reasons which the most relevant is our mestre's health situation (mestre Jurandir Nascimento), the event has changed the date of realization, from the first period (1st to 3rd of February) to the period going from the 4th to 6th of July of 2008, with the presence of Mestre Cobra Mansa and Mestre Jurandir Nascimento. The Conference will be held in a paradisiac beach, in Province of Gaza, Bilene Beach, 2hrs driving from Maputo.
Registration begin on April.
Prepare Yourself.

We are asking for opinions to make our conference as good as you wish it was. Help us. you can e-mail: isaac.mandlate@gmail.com or call +258 82 7606820.

We hope to see you all guys, for the African Capoeira development and unity.

We would like to apologise any problem caused by this decision.

Oh well, if you did buy tickets and are heading down, there is still plenty of fun to be had:



Thanks to AnaMC for the update & M Cobra Mansa for the photos.

Summer Event in the Vale do Capão

Sowing 2008
5th International Encounter
Capoeira Angola
July 24 - August 3

Between mountains and rivers, streams, waterfalls, and native vegetation, the Vale do Capão is certainly one of the most exuberant regions of Brazil. During this event, our primary objective is to live among the elements of the essence of nature and the naturalness of the movements and fundamentals of Capoeira Angola, honoring the traditional knowledge, feeling the natural reflections of our bodies and our adaptability to the natural environment. In Salvador, we will visit the most renowned mestres to get to know their schools and teachings. Respecting the differences in the world of Capoeira Angola is our greatest challenge. The event is open to all interested. Mestres and friends will participate so that we can play, exchange information, and increase our understandings. All are invited. It will be a pleasure to welcome you into our house.

Schedule

July 24
7 pm – Opening, Espaço Mandinga, Mestre Jogo de Dentro

July 25
7 pm – Visit to Mestre Curió’s space

July 26
7 pm – Visit to Mestre Moraes’ space

July 27
10 am – Visit to Mestre Lua de Bobó’s space, Arembepe

July 28
9 am – Departure for the Vale do Capão
7 pm – Opening roda, Terras do Poente

July 29
8 am – Hiking
7 pm – Lectura (Dr. Gilda Fucs)
9 pm – Samba de Toda and Forró

July 30
8 am – Hiking
3 pm – Movement class (with an invited mestre)
9 pm - Roda de Capoeira Angola

July 31
8 am – Hiking
3 pm – Rhythm class, bandstand
9 pm – Lecture about music, rhythms, and fundmentals of Capoeira Angola, bandstand

August 1
9 am – Movement class, bandstand (invited mestre)
2 pm - Movement class, bandstand (invited mestre)
7 pm – Capoeira roda and Samba de Roda, bandstand
9 pm – Local presentations, bandstand

August 2
8 am – Rhythm class, Morro da Rapadura
5 pm – Capoeira Angola roda, Terras do Poente
10 pm – Open party, bandstand

August 3
7 am – Breakfast
9 am – Return to Salvador

Payment Plans

Package 1: R$850,00 (Program, Pousada, Breakfast, Transport)
Package 2: R$650,00 (Program, Camping, Transport)
Package 3: R$300,00 (Program)
Single Events: R$40,00 (class, roda, or trips)

Forms of payment: At registration or by bank deposit to Jorge Egídio dos Santos, Banco do Brasil, agência 1515-6, conta corrente 33601-7 (bring the receipt as proof of payment).

Guess what today is...

It’s the blog’s first birthday!

Thank you to everyone who has contributed a post (or posts), linked to our blog from their site, read the blog, or shared it with others.

These days, the blog averages more than 1500 unique visitors a month (meaning that if you check the blog 6 times a month from your computer, you are counted as one “unique visitor”).

The bulk of our visitors come from the United States, Brazil, and Europe, but we also have regular visitors from Angola, Argentina, Australia, Azerbaijan, Canada, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Madagascar, Mexico, Nepal, New Zealand, Peru, Russia, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, and many more!

Our three most popular posts have been the 2007 FICA Conference in Bahia review, the FICA-Chicago Mestre Pastinha/Zumbi weekend wrap-up, and T Baba’s visit to Grupo Acupe in Indianapolis.

That being said, the blog is a great place to advertise your event, share pictures of your group, share journal articles about capoeira, and get to know other capoeira groups and capoeiristas.

We welcome all angoleir@s from all over the world and all groups to participate.

Here’s looking forward to another productive and kick ass (thank you, Mr. Norris) 365 days!

2008 Women's Conference Reminder

The deadline for the lowest fee for the 2008 Women's Conference in Washington, DC expires Jan 31st! Don't forget to register before then if you plan on coming.

Also, if you are feeling inspired, you might be able to submit an artisitic work to the Caxixi magazine. Email them at: caxixi (dot) mag (at) gmail (dot) com

We have been updating the blog devoted to the conference, you can get all the registration information, plus more!

Helsinki: Workshops with M Valmir

What: Workshops with Mestre Valmir (FICA-Bahia)
Where: Helsinki, Finland
When: February 8 - 10, 2008
Contact: Tapani Suihkonen, tapani (dot) suihkonen (at) tkk (dot) fi
Price: 60 euros

Dear friends,

Welcome to M. Valmir's workshop, February 8 to 10, 2008. Unfortunately we have to
limit number of participants so it?s better to register in advance.
Please, bring your own instruments if possible and dress up properly
(shoes, trousers and t-shirt). Also let us know if you need accommodation.

Place:
Friday and Sunday: Laajasalon nuorisotalo, Koulutanhua 2, 00840 Helsinki
(busses 84-89 from Herttoniemi subway station)

Saturday: Roihuvuoren nuorisotalo, Prinssintie 1, 00820 Helsinki
(busses 80 and 82 from Herttoniemi subway station)

Schedule:
Friday 8.2. 18:00 - 22:00 (Laajasalon nuorisotalo)
Saturday 9.2. 12:00 - 19:00 (Roihuvuoren nuorisotalo)
Sunday 10.2. 12:00 - 19:00 (Laajasalon nuorisotalo)

Price:
60 euros for the whole workshop
OR
20 euros Friday
30 euros Saturday
30 euros Sunday

Registration and information:
tapani (dot) suihkonen (at) tkk (dot) fi
+358-50-3780292

Welcome!!!

Tapani Suihkonen
Grupo de Capoeira Angola Helsinki

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Hyvät ystävät,

Tervetuloa M. Valmirin workshoppiin 8.-10.2.2008. Valitettavasti
paikkoja on rajoitetusti, joten on parasta ilmoittautua ajoissa. Olkaa
hyvät ja tuokaa omat soittimet mikäli mahdollista ja ottakaa mukaan
asialliset treenivarusteet (kengät, housut ja t-paita). Ilmoittakaa
myös jos tarvitsette majoituksen.

Paikka:
Perjantai ja sunnuntai: Laajasalon nuorisotalo, Koulutanhua 2, 00840 Helsinki
(bussit 84-89 Herttoniemen metroasemalta)

Lauantai: Roihuvuoren nuorisotalo, Prinssintie 1, 00820 Helsinki
(bussit 80 ja 82 Herttoniemen metroasemalta)

Aikataulu:
Perjantai 8.2. 18:00 ? 22:00 (Laajasalon nuorisotalo)
Lauantai 9.2. 12:00 ? 19:00 (Roihuvuoren nuorisotalo)
Sunnuntai 10.2. 12:00 ? 19:00 (Laajasalon nuorisotalo)

Hinta:
60 euroa koko workshop
TAI
20 euroa perjantai
30 euroa lauantai
30 euroa sunnuntai

Ilmoittautuminen ja lisätiedot:
tapani.suihkonen@tkk.fi
+358-50-3780292

Tervetuloa!!!

Tapani Suihkonen
Grupo de Capoeira Angola Helsinki

Have fun!

Living the Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.

On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered one of the most significant and memorable speeches in American history to a crowd of more than 250,000 in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC as part of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. A tireless activist, Martin Luther King, Jr. was a civil rights and labor leader who defied American racists and oppressors, not with their own weak weapons of hatred and fear, but with love and a call for understanding.

In the same year that he made this speech, Martin Luther King, Jr. was honored as Time magazine's Man of the Year, and the next year, he would be the youngest man to receive a Nobel Peace Prize.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in April of 1968, but as with those singular few true leaders in history, his legacy lives on in his actions, words, and the millions of people he inspired (and continues to inspire).

While progress has been made in race relations in the United States, there is still much work to be done here and around the world, and the gravity of Martin Luther King, Jr's words continues to apply today.

"...We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.

It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. And those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. And there will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges

...

There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" ... No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until "justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream."

...

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

...

And this will be the day -- this will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning:

My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.

Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride,

From every mountainside, let freedom ring!

And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true

...

And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.

Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.

Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of
Pennsylvania.

Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.

Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.

But not only that:

Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.

Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.

Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.

From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:

Free at last! Free at last!

Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

Are you satisfied?

Be inspired: read the whole speech and watch it on video here.

Today in Salvador: A Lavagem do Bonfim

Today is the Lavagem do Bomfim, one of the most important and largest festivals in Salvador da Bahia.

On this day, hundreds of women dressed in typical baiana garb and carrying vases of scented water and flowers parade through the Cidade Baixa (Lower City) to the Igreja do Nosso Senhor do Bonfim to wash the stairs of the church, a ritual that has gone back almost 250 years and reflects the powerful blend of Catholicism and candomblé that distinguishes the Northeast of Brazil. Nosso Senhor do Bonfim is synchronized with the orixá Oxalá, the father of all orixás.

Follwing an early morning mass at the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição da Praia, located in the Comercio neighborhood, on the road that connects the Cidade Alto (Upper City) to the Cidade Baixa, the baianas set out for the approximately 10 kilometer walk to the Igreja do Nosso Senhor do Bonfim.

In their wake follows a happy jumble of hundreds of thousands of locals, tourists, politicians, musical acts, street merchants, capoeiristas, reporters, tv cameras, and assorted others having a good time under the hot summer sun. The streets of the pathway are lined with barracas selling traditional Bahian food and drinks. And if you are a fan of fitas, the colorful ribbon bracelets associated with Nosso Senhor do Bonfim, you’re in luck because there is no dearth of them today in the streets of Salvador.

Once the baianas arrive at the Igreja do Bomfim, they sing songs praising Nosso Senhor do Bonfim and Oxalá and set to washing the stairs of the church with their scented water and brooms. When the religious ceremony is complete, the party continues in the Largo do Bonfim outside of the church. Everyone is in a good mood because they know that when the Lavagem do Bonfim hits, Carnival is around the corner!

If you are in Salvador today, have a blast! If not, there is always next year…

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!

Weekend Workshops in Montpellier, France

FICA-Montpellier will be hosting a weekend event in May:

When: May 1 - 4, 2008
Where: Montpellier, France
Invited Mestres: M Cobra Mansa, M Braga
Waiting for confirmation from: M Valmir, M Boca do Rio, and CM Dirceu
Contact: ficamontpellier (at) yahoo (dot) fr
Price: TBA

In case you need a visual, Everson sent these pictures from last year's event:



Thanks to Everson Leão for the information & photos.

M Cobra Mansa in Stockholm

Grupo Capoeira Angola Stockholm invites you to:

CAPOEIRA WORKSHOP WITH
MESTRE COBRA MANSA
STOCKHOLM
February 29 - March 2, 2008

The workshop is open to everybody; beginners and advanced, all ages and skills. The lessons will include movement, music, singing and the ritual Roda de Capoeira Angola.

The master will also talk about the philosphy, history and tradition behind the art.

Request the program from: osa_vadiacao (at) yahoo (dot) se

Investment & registration for the lessons
650 skr with registration
750 skr without registration

Pay at postgiro 836 07 13 – 5 Grupo Capoeira Angola in Stockholm
and register by e-mail osa_vadiacao (at) yahoo (dot) se

Pleace, register before February 26

Places to sleep will be arranged. Please bring your sleeping bag and berimbau.

Thanks to Asa Gustavii for the information.

M Janja in Marburg, Germany

A note from Grupo Nzinga in Marburg:

Hello everybody,

Happy 2008 for all.

Some good news as the new year begins is the visit of our dear Mestra Janja to Marburg, Germany. On this occasion, we will be offering a Capoeira Angola workshop.

Grupo Nzinga Marburg invites all capoeiristas and friends as well as those who know our work or would like to know to participate in the workshop that will be held from February 1 – 3, 2008, following our schedule:

Friday, Feb 1
5 – 6 pm, Music
6 – 7:30 pm, Lecture with Mestra Janja “The Internationalization of Capoeira Angola”
8:00 pm, Cocktail

Saturday, Feb 2
11 – 1, Training
1 – 2, Lunch
2:30 – 3:30, Music Class
4 – 6, Roda
9, Brazilian party with DJ-Mastrix

Sunday, Feb 3
11 – 12, Music
12 – 2, Training
2 – 3:30, Lunch
4 – 6, Roda

Closing 2007 & Opening 2008 in Rio de Janeiro

T Carrapicho (Daniel) of FICA-Oakland sent in these pictures and report about the end of the year and New Year’s Capoeira Angola events in Rio de Janeiro.

The end of the year in Rio de Janeiro was full of Capoeira Angola, from the now traditional roda in honor of Mestre Pastinha led by Mestre Neco to another nice roda on Zumbi day upon the arrival of Mestre Carlão, as well as closing rodas of different groups at the end of December.

In the center of the city, in the Ile of Angola, there was a closing roda that included the presence of Mestres Lumumba, Brinco, Chaime%, and Contramestres Geraldo, Fred, Urubu, Pedrinho, Magal, and others. The roda started in the morning, and afterwards we had a nice churrasco. On this same day, Mestre Jurandir was in Rio for the inauguration of the new FICA-Rio space in Lapa, leading the classes and roda.

At Ypiranga de Pastinha, Mestre Manoel, who had just arrived from a trip to France with some of the members of the group, did a roda on Thursday, with a presentation of their new cd and dvd, and a little party for all present. The dvd included the intense participation of Mestre Cobra Mansa.

Mestre Mano and GRupo Flor da Gente held two closed events in their beautiful space in Catete; a workshop with Mestre Rogerio from Angola Dobrada, and a roda, party, and Secret Santa gift exchange at the end of the next week.

And to truly close the rodas of the year, Mestre Russo and Mestre Peixe received everyone in the bakery for a nice roda, with the presence of Mestre Rogério, Contramestre Negão, Treinel Ir% from Angola Dobrada, Mestre Manoel, Baba, Marrom, King, irmão Moura, and Contramestres Kiki, Renato, Cristina, among others. As always, there was a high level of capoeiragem to see and much respect among the capoeiristas, leaving everyone wanting 2008 to come quickly for more rodas at this level.

And opening the year, Mestre Carlão organized a roda on the first Saturday of the year in the Largo das Neves. Unfortunately, during the roda it started to rain, but the roda continued for about another hour of slippery ground and much danger. Mestre Angolinha and Mestre Manoel arrived late and did not want to play in the rain. Afterwards, everyone went to the birthday party of Tereza.

On Sunday, there was the roda in Caxias, and Mestre Manoel left for Rio, heading to Bahia to participate in the event of Mestre Lua de Bobo.

Next time you are heading to Brazil, put Rio de Janeiro on your itinerary because there is a lot of great capoeira and great people.

This report will also be published in the 2008 edition of Caxixi, which will be coming out as part of the Women’s Conference. This magazine project is open for all to participate!!! If you would like to submit a poem, story, ladainha, drawing, photo, etc, the deadline for submissions is January 18 (Friday)!! If you have questions, or need a little bit more time, please e-mail:

caxixi (dot) mag (at) gmail (dot) com

You can also submit your artistic works to this address.

Many thanks to T Carrapicho for this great report, and to T Gege & Ama (FICA-Baltimore and one of the Caxixi editorial team members).

Event in Arembepe, Bahia

Capoeira Angola Encounter
Arembepe – Camaçari
Bahia, Brasil
January 25 – 29, 2008
Contact: (71) 91184396 or 32448235

Have fun!

M Rosalvo in Italy

associazione capoeira angola pernambuco
workshop capoeira angola
with Mestre Rosalvo (Berlin)
Italy, Padova
25-26-27 april 2008
www.capoeira-angola-pd.it
information: capoeirapadova (at) gmail (dot) com

thanks to Mestre Cobra Mansa and Prof. Zequinha for the information.

Celebrate Mestre João Grande's Birthday

**HEY FOLKS: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED. IT WILL NOW BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 10.**

If you are in NYC that weekend, you can always hit up the FICA-NYC roda...

You're invited to celebrate Mestre João Grande's birthday with us!

When: January 20, 2008 2:00 - 8:30 pm
Where: Capoeira Angola Center, 104 W 14th Street, 3rd Floor NYC
Contact: 212-989-6975
Price: $15

Please bring fruit, juices, or snacks.

Thanks to T Gege for the information.

Mestre Cobra Mansa in Atlanta

Here are some pictures of a recent visit by M Cobra Mansa to FICA-Atlanta. Enjoy!

Thank you to M Cobra Mansa for the pictures.

FICA-NYC 2008 Schedule

A note from the FICA group in New York:

for those of you who are interested, just thought i'd keep you updated . . . .

starting january, this is what our schedule is looking like:

tuesdays 6:30 to 8:30 pm beginners, 7:30 to 9:30 pm advanced
thursdays same
fridays 7 to 9 pm mixed class
*third sunday roda 12pm

cost: $15 drop-in

the address:
six harmonies martial arts academy
232 7th av, 2nd fl
(between 23rd & 24th)

subway:
1 to 23rd
F/V to 23rd

feel free to pass this along if you like. this info should all, soon be updated on our website as well.
peace,
-njoli-

Happy New Year Calendar Round-up

The blog wishes everyone out there a happy new year. We look forward to seeing you in a roda somewhere, sometime this year.

Here are some of the events we already have lined up.

January
4 - 6, FICA-DC Workshops with M Paulinha & M Poloca, Washington, DC
5, FICA-Bahia first roda of the year (white clothes), Salvador
5, Roda at Largo das Neves with Kabula Rio, Rio de Janeiro
6, FICA-DC first roda of the year (white clothes), Washington, Dc
15 - 21, 1st Permangola Meeting, Valenca, Bahia
18, Deadline for submissions to the Caxixi magazine

February
1 - 3, 4th African Capoeira Angola Encounter, Maputo, Mozambique
3, Rodathon (all day marathon roda), Washington, DC
23 - 24, Brazilian Party & Roda, Baltimore

March
6 - 9, 10th Annual Women's Conference, Washington, DC

April
23- 27, Event with M Joao Grande, New York City

Summer (July-August)
Annual FICA Capoeira Anrola Encounter, Chicago

November
Mestre Pastinha/ Zumbi Weekend, Seattle

If your school's event is missing, please send the details to: ficadcarchives (at) gmail (dot) com

Grupo Ypiranga de Pastinha: Year-End Roda

Hey folks:

This Thursday, December 20, at 7:00 pm, Grupo Ypiranga de Pastinha will be having our year-end roda at our space, which is located at Morro do Timbau, Complexo da Maré.

Just go down the walkway of Avenida Brasil. If you come from Baixada to Centro, cross the walkway. Otherwise, after getting off the bus, just go back and take the second street on the left. Go down this hill and you will come out in front of the building. It’s a squat, inside the old Quartzolit plant.

The Timbau community is calm and the space is very close to Avenida Brasil, you can come without worry. Looking forward to seeing everyone there!

Beijos,

Cris

Living Legends: a Cobra Mansa & o Gavião

Eu tenho dois irmãos
Todos dois, chama João
Um joga pelo ar
Outro joga pelo chão
Se um é cobra mansa
Sei que o outro é gavião, camaradinho

Mestre Pastinha sang this ladainha in honor of his two students, João Oliveira dos Santos e João Pereira dos Santos, also known as João Grande and João Pequeno.

The above photos are a sampling of the FICA-DC photo archives. These were taken by T Gege in Washington, DC at one of the first FICA Annual Conferences. T Gege coordinates the photo archives at FICA-DC and has a few exhibits hanging around the school, including this nice one.

All are welcome to come to FICA-DC and enjoy the photo exhibits. If you have pictures you would like to contribute to the photo archives, you can email them to the blog, or send them snail mail to the school. Our address is:

FICA
733 Euclid Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
USA

** M João Pequeno's birthday is around the corner. If you have something (pictures, a nice memory) you would like to contribute to the blog's on-line celebration, please send it to us!

Rodathon 2008: Details & Pledge Form

On February 3rd, FICA-DC along with FICA-Baltimore & FICA-Philadelphia will be hosting its annual Rodathon Fundraiser.

The Rodathon is a 7 hour roda in which participants are sponsored by friends, family, co-workers, random do-gooders, and others to complete as much of the roda as they can. Usually, participants are sponsored by the hour or given a lump sum. All funds go to support the Women's Conference that will take place in March.

The fun starts at 9 am and goes til 4. All are welcome, sponsored as well as non-sponsored capoeiristas. We'll have a little party afterwards.

If you would like to be a sponsored participant, you can download the pledge sheet here.

If you would like to sponsor someone (hmmm...perhaps the administrator of this blog??), send an email to ficadcarchives (at) gmail (dot) com and we'll work something out.

Hope to see you there.

Thanks to KatieS for the flyer.

2008 Women's Conference Info & Reg Form

I CAME HERE TO PLAY!

enter the roda
angoleira I am
corta capim
walk on my hands
giva a rasteira
cabeça no chão
volta do mundo
giro na mão
armada then chapa
teeth on display
you look surprised
but I came here to play
rabo de arria
every which way
I shake you hand
then go ‘bout my way

FICA-DC, along with the FICA-Baltimore and FICA-Philadelphia, is proud to present the theme and design for the 2008 FICA Women's Conference in the USA. The drawing and poem were done by our recently-featured poet, Charisse Williams.

I CAME HERE TO PLAY!
2008 FICA Women's Conference

where: Washington, DC, USA
when: March 6 - 9, 2008
invited guests: M Paulinha, M Cobra Mansa & others (to be announced)
costs:
By Jan 15th (includes t-shirt): USD$85.00
By Feb 15th (includes t-shirt): USD$100.00
After Feb 15th (t-shirt not included): USD$125.00

MEN & WOMEN ARE WELCOME TO HELP & PARTICIPATE IN THE CONFERENCE.

The Registration Form, with payment information, is available here.

We hope everyone can come, but if you are unable to get to Washington, DC that weekend there are a few other ways you can participate:

1. You can submit a piece for the literary/arts magazine that will be published in conjunction with the conference. We'll take submissions in all languages, but if your submission is not in English or Portuguese, please have it edited before you send it. More details here.

2. You can create an exhibit celebrating the women in your group that will be put up at the conference and displayed electronically here. For more information on this, please email the archives at: ficadcarchives (at) gmail (dot) com.

3. You can support the conference by pledging funds for our Rodathon (8 hour roda. whew!) that will take place on February 3-- which is open for all to attend. More details coming soon!

4. Support a woman from your group by raising money to send her to the conference.

FICA-DC: Bringing in the New Year Right

FICA-DC presents a special training weekend with Mestre Poloca & Mestre Paulinha

When: January 4 – 6, 2008
Where: FICA-DC, 733 Euclid Street, NW, Washington, DC
(between Georgia & Sherman Avenues, on the Green Line)
Contact: ficadc (at) hotmail (dot) com
Price: USD$40 for the weekend, USD$15 per class

Schedule

Friday, January 4
6 – 7 pm – Music Class
7 – 9:30 pm – Movement Class

Saturday, January 5
10 am –noon – Movement Class
3 – 4 pm – Music Class
4 – 6 pm – Movement Class

Sunday, January 6
10 am –noon – Movement Class
Noon – 2 pm – Lunch Fundraiser (for the women’s conference)
2 – 5 pm – Roda!!

News from FICA-Rio

Some news from FICA-Rio:

FICA-Rio has a new space located at Rua da Lapa, 181.

Classes are in the evening, Monday through Friday.

Rodas are every third Thursday of the month at the space and every third Saturday of the month in Largo do Machado.

On December 14-15, Mestre Jurandir will give an workshop at the inauguration of the new space and the end of the year activities.

Classes will resume on January 7.

Thanks to Vivian (FICA-Rio) & M Cobra Mansa for the information.

History of the Academy of João Pequeno de Pastinha

This short history of Mestre João Pequeno's school in the Forte do Santo Antônio Alem do Carmo was published in June of this year in the Diário de São Jorge, based in the state of Goiás. You can read the whole thing (in Portuguese) here.

Inaugurated in 1982, following the death of Mestre Pastinha, the Academia de João Pequeno de Pastinha had a great influence on the renovation of the Historic Center of Salvador (Pelourinho)…

In the early 1980s, Capoeira Angola was practiced in only two or three academies in the city of Salvador. They were groups of resistance that committed themselves to the diffusion of a lifestyle philosophy and not simply the formation of “folkloric groups”… Few resisted the influence of the “sportization” and folklorization of Capoeira Angola. In this context, the Academia de João Pequeno de Pastinha was born.

Created to combat this tendency, the academy became an important element in the revitalization of Capoeira Angola, preserving the line of Pastinha. Mestre Pastinha himself legitimized João Pequeno to drive this process. “They [referring to João Pequeno and João Grande, his two contramestres at that time] will be the great capoeiristas of the future, and for this I worked and struggled with them and for them. They will be mestres, not professors of improvisation like some around here that only serve to destroy our beautiful tradition. I taught everything I know to these two guys, even the pulo de gato. Because of this, I have great hope for the future.” (Diário de Notícias 10/3/1970)

Please send us any memories, articles, interviews, or pictures of Mestre João Pequeno that you would like to share with the Capoeira Angola community upon Mestre's 90th birthday.

Audiovisual Cultural Events in Salvador

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

FICA NO PONTO
Free entrance

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Call for Works: Literary Magazine

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaahhhhhh!

Another addition of Caxixi, the literary magazine produced by capoeiristas + their friends, families, and anyone else who wants to participate, is in the works. The magazine will be published in conjuction with the 2008 FICA Women's Conference in USA. This is a really nice opportunity to get your work published and to participate in the events surrounding the conference, even if you are far away-- in Europe, Brazil, Japan, Thailand, Colombia, Mexico... or wherever you may be.

Here are the details:

Hey Angoleiras and Angoleiros, Guys and Girls, Moms and Dads, and yes, Children of the World,

It's time to break out your pens, pencils, paper, and cameras. We are calling for submissions to be included in the conference magazine. Poetry, art, essays, interviews, photos, and the like are needed. We are hoping to receive a few submissions from every group. The deadline for submissions is, Friday, January 18, 2008.

Release your inner poet, birth your artistic love child, download those pictures off your digital camera, draw a stick figure --- and send it in. All submissions should include your name and group affiliation. Please send them as an attachment in word doc formatting for written media and high resolution jpeg and eps for artwork/ photos.


Thanks,
The Editing Team

All submissions should be sent to caxixi.mag (at) gmail (dot) com

You can also send any questions to the e-mail above. Submit works in any languauge!

London: Christmas Roda & Party

Celebrating the holidays in the UK:

Urban Ritual Christmas Roda & Party
Friday 21st December 6pm - 11pm
@ Corbet Place
The Old Truman Brewery
15 Hanbury Street
London
E1

More info at: www.capoeira-angola.co.uk

Free entry

Thanks to Fantasma for the information

"I Learned with Mestre Pastinha"

This is a nice ladainha by Mestre João Pequeno. I believe it is on his CD.

Menino, quem foi seu mestre ?
Quem te ensinou a brincar
O teu mestre foi Besouro
Aprendeu com Manganga

Eu aprendi com Pastinha
Quero contigo brincar
A capoeira de Angola
A africano quem mandou

Na capital de Salvador
Foi Pastinha que me ensinou
Na roda de capoeira
Reconheço esse valor

Per usual, we'll leave the music translation up to you all.

Celebrating 90 Years All Month Long!

This month in Salvador, Mestre João Pequeno will celebrate his 90th birthday. There are a bunch of events lined up that will take place in his academy (see below), including a birthday celebration. Since not all of us have the luck to be Salvador, we'll also be celebrating his birthday here on the blog, dedicating the month of December to various posts about this important and influential capoeira mestre.

We'll start with a little history. This biography comes from João Pequeno's book, "Mestre João Pequeno, Uma vida de Capoeira", and was sent as part of the invitation to the December events at his academy. Enjoy.

Ninety years is no joke, its history

On December 27, 1917, João Pereira dos Santos was born in the city of Araci, in the interior of Bahia, son of Maria Clemença, a ceramicist and descendant of native Indians, and Maximiliano Pereira dos Santos, a cowboy on Fazenda Vargem do Canto in the Queimadas region. When he was fifteen (in 1933), João fled on foot from the drought, going all the way to Alagoinhas. Later he went to Mata de São Jorge where he stayed for ten years, working on the sugar cane plantation as a cowboy. He met Juvêncio, a metalworker and capoeirista, on the Fazenda São Pedro, and it was then that João learned about capoeira.

When he turned 25, João moved to Salvador, where he worked as a tram conductor and as an apprentice bricklayer in civil construction. He continued in construction, eventually becoming a master bricklayer. It was during his time that he met Cândido, who introduced him to Mestre Barbosa who worked as a porter in the Largo Dois do Julho. Barbosa led trainings, gathered a group of friends, and went to Cobrinha Verde’s rodas in Chame-chame on the weekends.

João became a part of the Centro Esportivo de Capoeira Angola, which was a group of capoeiristas coordinated by Mestre Pastinha.

From then on, João stayed with Mestre Pastinha, who soon offered him the position of treinel. This was around 1945. Some time later, João Pereira became known as João Pequeno.

At the close of the 1960s, when Mestre Pastinha could no longer teach, he passed the responsibility to João Pequeno, saying, “João, you take care of this, because I will die, but only my body will die, my spirit lives. As long as there is capoeira, my name will not disappear.”

At the academy of Mestre Pastinha, João Pequeno taught capoeira to all the other great capoeiristas who came from that academy, and later became great mestres, among them, Moraes, Curió, and João Grande - who became his great capoeira partner.

Mestre Pastinha advised João to work less and dedicate himself to capoeira. Even though he thought that he would not live longer than 50 years, he thought that he would live much better til this age.

Having to deal with the difficulty of a big city, João Pequeno worked as a market stall merchant and as a coalworker. He became known as João do Carvão. He lived in Garcia, a neighborhood close to the Dique do Tororó.

His first wife passed away, but a while later he met Dona Mãezinha in Pelourinho, during the Golden Age of Mestre Pastinha’s academy. He had a family, and with much effort, built a house in Fazenda Coutos, far from the city center, where they went to live and receive visits from capoeiritas from all over the world.

For João Pequeno, a capoeirista must be well-educated; “a good tree to produce good fruit”. Capoeira is good not only to maintain a flexible and fit body, but also to develop the mind. It can even be therapeutic. It can be worked like the earth from which we take sustenance.

João Pequeno sees capoeira as a process of individual development, a struggle created for the weak to confront the strong, but also as a dance in which one should not hurt their partner, demonstrating that the good capoeirista knows how to stop their foot as to not hurt their opponent.

In 1982, a year after the death of Mestre Pastinha, Mestre João Pequeno re-opened the Centro Esportivo de Capoeira Angola in the Forte Santo Antônio Alem do Carmo, where he created a new base for resistance, where Capoeira Angola emerged for the world. Even though he faced many difficulties maintaining the academy, he was able to graduate mestres and a large number of students.

In the 1990s, the Bahian state government made various attempts to evict the residents from the Forte Santo Antônio in order to reform it. Paradoxically, at the same time, João Pequeno was honored as “Citizen of the City of Salvador” by the town council, awarded an honorable doctorate degree from the University of Uberlândia (Minas Gerais), and honored as “Protector of Culture of the Republic”, by President of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Everyone who has had the opportunity to meet Mestre João Pequeno agrees that "he is a sweet person", whose simplicity, spontaneity, and charisma seduce all those who go to the Forte Santo Antônio to participate in his rodas. He’s a joker, but he also does not anyone forget the fundamentals of the play and the dance.

His birthday is truly a spontaneous capoeira event, where there is big roda with the participation of many mestres and members of the capoeira community.

Beyond impressing all those who have the opportunity to see him play his excellent capoeira and mandinga, João Pequeno has distinguished himself as a capoeira educator, a major authority on capoeira, a reference in the struggle and life in defense of this noble Afro-Brazilian art.

More to come!

If you have something you would like to contribute regarding M João Pequeno, please e-mail it to us at ficadcarchives (at) gmail (dot) com.