Capoeira is a unique martial art disguised as dance, incorporating live musical instruments and actively forming strong and positive community. Formed by slaves of colonial Brazil seeking to take their freedom back from their captors, Capoeira was developed under the noses of the Portuguese, disguised as a “game”, giving confidence and strength to “Capoeiristas”. It eventually was outlawed and later brought back into the mainstream culture by a Mestre named Binba, who understood the true nature and importance of Capoeira. After Binba planted this seed of Capoeira, the movement spread around the world, and its’ roots will forever lie in the spirit of freedom.

In this workshop, we will learn simple, beautiful call-and-response-style songs, will be exposed to traditional Capoeira instruments such as the berimbau, and will learn the fundamental movements: the “ginga”, the “skiva”, and a few fun acrobatic movements for the final “roda”, or circle, which Capoeira originated within. This inspiring martial art encourages each participant to learn simple but important facts about their bodies through calisthenics, to make new friends, to build self confidence, and to learn to play beautifully – “joga bonito”.