Show Macaya: Celebrating Brazilian Culture and Syncretism

Posted on December 12, 2012 by 4CapoeiraThoughts

Macaya means ‘celebration, party’ in Iorubá. Relying exclusively on voluntary work, the troupe was entirely cast of capoeiras, mostly of beginners without any previous experience in theatre or dance. Profa. Josi Rocha, besides directing and choreographing the troupe, was one of the main people behind this really-low-cost production. The clip above and the interviews below will be of great help and inspiration for those keen to jump into cultural productions/performances with their Capoeira schools. Continue reading →

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Povo de Cor Festival and the Social Capoeira Movement in Sete Lagoas

Posted on December 6, 2012 by 4CapoeiraThoughts

After a whole year of voluntary teaching a group of friends in Sete Lagoas, MG, in partnership with the local Lions Club was granted enough funds to run another season of regular classes and a series of events celebrating the Month of the Black Consciousness in Brazil. Whereas their regular classes were tailored to cater for underprivileged children and youth in the area, the events workshops, talks and Rodas also welcomed disable youngsters from the local APAE (Parents and Friends of the Disabled’s Association); where two of the teachers involved in the project hold classes. Continue reading →

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Communicating New forms of Belonging in the Transnational Space of Capoeira

Posted on August 17, 2012 by 4CapoeiraThoughts

Last year I co-authored an article on Capoeira and Social-Media with Cristina Wulfhorst, a friend from Sydney. One of the main arguments is that the way non-Brazilian capoeiristas make use of social media (e.g. Urban Ritual in London, SCS Sommartrana in Stockholm, CapoeiraKalenteri in Finland, Volta ao Mundo and Bidna Capoeira) affects notions of belonging and identity bringing the international Capoeira community closer to Capoeira’s early emancipatory and intercultural principles. (Article available for download below) Continue reading →

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