EXPERIENCE CAPOEIRA ANGOLA IN SOUTH LONDON.

Our group is a welcoming, down earth group led by experienced teachers with many years of experience of Capoeira Angola in Brazil. Both Beginners and those who have done capoeira before are welcome.Join our blossoming group learning to play Capoeira. While learning to keep your wits about you you will learn movement, music, rhythm and new ways of looking at the world. Capoeira is one of the defining arts of African Brazil expressing the essence of resistance to oppression, dedication to beauty and skill and collective play. Enslaved African's provided the base on which Capoeira Angola developed into a mature art form with complex music, lyrical, ritual and physical self-expression. Classes currently on Wednesdays at 7.30



Showing posts with label Capoeira Angola. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Capoeira Angola. Show all posts

Sunday, 16 December 2012

Memorias das Gingibirra - Roda on Wednesay 19th at 7.30 in the YMCA Stockwell

The last 'Memorias da Gingibirra' roda of the year will be on Wednesday the 19th at 7.30pm in Stockwell.

Memorias da Gingibirra is a humble homage to the roots and traditions of Capoeira Angola. Mestre Pastinha talks of how his life changed when he was asked to look after a traditional Sunday Roda that took place at the 'Gingibirra' by an older Capoeirista called Amorzinho.  He was invited to the roda by the also famous Mestre Aberré. 


The roda at Gingibirra no longer exists and there are different versions of its exact location. Names of streets and even whole neibourhoods have changed. Mestre Pastinha in a famous interview with Roberto Freire in the 60s describes the place as at the end of the Barrio da Liberdade.

Our roda roda was first organised as a means to bring Capoeira groups together and exchange experiences and knowledge. The roda is organised by Grupo de Estudos da FICA London and Capoeira Angola South London. 


Perhaps our objective for the roda is best expressed by something Pastinha also says in his interview with Roberto Freire taking abut his students and how they learn:

Capoeira de Angola só pode ser ensinada sem forçar a naturalidade da pessoa, o negócio é aproveitar os gestos livres e próprios de cada qual. Ninguém luta do meu jeito, mas no deles há toda a sabedoria que aprendi. Cada um é cada um.

Capoeira Angola can only be taught without forcing against the nature of the individual. The trick is to take advantage of the free and personal expressions  of each of us. Nobody fights like I do, but in all of them is all the wisdom that I learnt. Each one is different. 

Everybody is welcome.  



Tuesday, 27 November 2012

Mestre Valmir's visit to London - nearing the end - Final 'Memorias da Gingibirra - RODA on Wednesday at FICA London.

Mestre Valmir has now been in london for a week.

It all started with a great roda at the YMCA to celebrate the 20th of November. Mestre Joaozinho came to visit as did many other capoeiristas.

Wednesday saw the first class in FICA london which also went well - Mestre Valmir gave us all individual feedback. Not always easy to take but very important! This was quickly followed by a music class. Valmir's focus on music is well known as is his ability to improvise. He pased on lots of tips and suggestions on how to improve our singing and music. Music being perhaps the hardest part of Capoeira to teach and learn outside Brasil. On Friday, as ever,  we had a great roda a Joazinho. On Saturday in the thanet class went well.

On Sunday Mattias Assuncao gave a lecutre about Palmares and Zumbi. This was a great opportunity to hear some of the facts and different interpretations of Palmares and Zumbi communicated to us in a simple, clear and effective way. Its great how Mattias manages to link historical facts and narratives with modern myths and politicals perspectives. All in all a great oppotunity.

In the end the instrument making class took place at home! A berimbau and a number of Caxixi's were made. All very beautiful.

As usual yesterday saw the last class with Valmir in the YMCA - which was great. We will make sure to carry on some of the movements in classes next week and beyond.

On wednesday is the final roda of Valmir's visit. Its the Monthly Roda 'Memorias da Gengibirra' that FICA and South London Capoeira do together. It will take place at FICA london. 

Monday, 28 May 2012

Mestre Valmir's visit

On the 7th of May we had the good fortune of having Mestre Valmir from FICA Salvador, Bahia with us for the week. Valmir did classes in the YMCA and also FICA London Valmir is an old friend of ours and it was great to see him and train for a week – even if it was hard to do a class every day for 7 days!  For those of you who don’t know Valmir he was Mestre Moraes student for many years before setting up FICA Bahia. Here’s is an old film of him playing in Rio in 1991 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHg8Aby7RKo). He is just about to celebrate 30years of Capoeira.


Valmir, as always,  did some great classes – lots of basics with a focus on self-expression and making sure that we stay relaxed, flexible and happy! Valmir also made us think hard about what the objective of our capoeira was – and making sure we kept that in mind at all times.

Valmir also brought with him lots of positive energy and experiences to share. Together we made food for everybody on the Saturday (arrumadinho de Bacalhao – http://tudogostoso.uol.com.br/receita/5842-arrumadinho-de-bacalhau.html)

He gave a caxixi making lesson. We all learnt how hard it is to make a good caxixi! The lesson covered both preparing a raw materials to putting everything together  - Valmir made sure he brought everything we needed from Brazil even the seeds..
Valmir was special guest at Joaozinhos roda which went very well (www.marazul.com). A good roda was had by all – including Mestre Joazinho who took the opportunity to play as much as possible!.

Thanks to all who took part and help make the visit a success. Stand by for the next visit!

Tuesday, 22 May 2012

Class Schedule

Classes will be held at the Stockwell YMCA on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7.15-9.00pm.

40-46 Stockwell Road, London, Greater London SW9 9ES