Capoeira Brasil, Team  Potiguara had their 2nd batizado at the beginning of October – ”  Vem Jogar Mais Eu”   For some of us, the event was our first batizado and a recognition of our progress since we began learning capoeira with Professora Potiguara. For the more senior members, this was an acknowledgement of their leadership and service to the team and signified their readiness to undertake greater responsibilities within the group. The week started with a series of workshops, the first led by Instructor Mercurio from Group Capeora Brasil New Zealandand, then subsequent ones led by Mestre Boneco. We learnt some sequences created by M. Boneco  specially designed to build the foundations for offensive and evasive manoeuvres. We learnt how to apply feigned offensive movements to control a game and manipulate the opponent. These workshops were quite intense and tested our fitness to the limit (I would be the first to admit that I did not complete the 100 sit-ups and 100 push-ups at the end of the workshop day 2!); they were however very rewarding in developing confidence and fluidity in our games. The most inspiring aspects of these workshops I found were the philosophies on capoeira, especially how the lessons learnt in training can be applied to real life. I was particularly inspired by Instructor Mercurio’s story of how capoeira gave him a future away from a life of crime in the disadvantaged areas of Brazil. To me, his story is perhaps a reminder of what capoeira stands for, that it provides hope of freedom from oppression, be it an oppressor from the outside (colonial occupation) or of our own demons.

The week concluded with the batizado itself under the supervision of Mestre Boneco and attended by many prominent guest capoeristas in the Australian capoeira community. To see these guests play and have Mestre Boneco instill his infectious energy into the roda was exhilarating and amazing to watch. We played well in the roda with the mestres and other guests, showcasing the strength of our group. We are indebted to our Professora Potiguara for organising this week-long event and inviting all the guest capoeristas. For a first-timer attendee like myself, the batizado is a most valuable learning experience. It was humbling to discover the depth, richness and complexity of the capoeira culture. At the same time, the event also inspired me to improve myself both in and outside of the roda. We are very fortunate to also have two recreational workshops (Brazilian drumming and samba) and a forro after-party organised for us to enjoy the festive side of Brazilian culture. I must say that all the girls shown exceptional talent in samba and are performance-ready with one day of workshop; I wish the same can be said for the guys (myself included)!

It remains to thank our Professora Potiguara not only for organising the batizado, but also for her leadership and teachings. We would also like to extend our gratitude to all the guests that attended our event and UTS sports union for their support.

A huge thankyou to Potiguara for all your hard work, Suado, who put in above and beyond expectations in the organisation of the event, all the members of the club who were simply fantastic, and of course the groups Master, Mestre Boneco. Obrigado Mestre!

The grading day was a great event, everyone had fun and we all learnt a lot. Congratulations to all the capoeiristas that graduated and everyone else that else graded and participated. The mood from the end of the event was that the club is now again more motivated to make next years event even bigger, to train harder and continue to grow the group.

The capoeira club would like to thank the UTS Union for their continued support. The event would not have happened with this success without you.

Photos and videos will be coming soon.

cientista

After the successful and enjoyable event last year, we’d love for you to join us and share the excitement of this amazing week of Capoeira for our group. The event will run over the course of 5 days, from the 4th – 8th October at different locations around Sydney.

EVENT DETAILS

WORKSHOPS AND RODAS

Dates: Tuesday 4th – Friday 7th Oct

Tues, 4th @ UTS Multi Purpose Hall , 733 Harris St, Ultimo

6pm – Batucada/ Brazilian Drums – Claudio ( places are limited, booking is essential! )

7:30pm – Capoeira all levels + Roda – Instructor Mercúrio

Wed, 5th @ Alexandria Town Hall , 73 Garden Street

6pm – raw, raw & yellow and yellow cords (First and second level of Capoeira ) – Mestre Boneco

7:15pm – row/orange, orange cords and above ( third level and above) – Mestre Boneco

8:30pm – Roda ( for the workshop participants only)

Thus , 6th – St. Stephen Church Hall , 168, church St. Newtown

6pm – raw, raw & yellow and yellow cords (Beginners, first and second level of Capoeira ) – Mestre Boneco

7:15pm – row/orange cords and above ( third level and above) – Mestre Boneco

8:30pm – Roda ( for the workshop participants only )

Friday, 7th – St. Stephen Church hall, 168, Church St. Newtown

6pm – Samba Class

7pm – all levels – Mestre Boneco

8pm – Open Roda

Cost:

$200 including all workshops, rodas, t shirt, grading day and cord* (* for Capoeira Brasil Grading students only ).

1 Day Workshop: $50

2 Days Workshop:$90

3 Days Workshop:$140

Event T shirt: $25 if participate on 2 or more workshops

If you are coming from another state please contact Mariana if you would like us to organize acomodation for you.

Open for all of the Capoeira Community to participate!

BATIZADO DAY!

Date: Saturday 8th October

Details: Batizado and Troca de Corda @ 1pm

Location: UTS Multi purpose Hall (733, Harris St., Ultimo)

FREE event featuring performances of Capoeira, Samba, African Dance& Drums and raggaeton.

You wouldn’t want to miss out on this fantastic Culture Event !

There will be an open roda for all the students and guests – students must wear their abada and white t-shirt to sit or play in the roda. The event t-shirt will also be available to buy on the day.

What we expect of you: it would be fantastic if you bring along your brightest smile and positive energy to share with us and everyone else!

SPECIAL GUEST: Our mestre – Mestre Boneco!

Guests:

Mestre Peixe – Capoeira Brasil, SYD

Mestre Nei – Grupo Energia da Bahia , SYD

Mestre Forminguinha – Grupo Topázio, SYD

Contra Mestre Rodriguinho – Centro Cultural Senzala de Capoeira , Canberra, ACT

Professor Caracol – Grupo Xangô, Brisbane,QLD

Professor Chula – Grupo Aberrê Capoeira, SYD

Professor Vira Lata – Grupo Ginga Mundo, Melbourne, VIC

Instrutor Mercúrio – Capoeira Brasil, NZ

THE AFTER PARTY!
Sponsored by Real Transfer

Dinner @ Favela Churrascaria – all-you-can-eat Brazilian BBQ from 6pm. If you’d like to join us for the dinner, please let us know beforehand as we need to book tables and seats. If you’d like to know more about costs please contact me. Favela is located at 1 Kellet Way, Potts Point.

After this authentic Brazilian dinner the real party will begin!

We’re heading to Tatlers in Kings Cross (169 Darlinghurst Rd – a 5 min walk from Favela) where we will dance through the night to the sound of the best Forro band in Sydney – Banda Faiscada (Forro is a typical rhythm from Brazil; “It’s quite delightful!” as quoted from the band). As well as the Forro band, we’re also having a DJ play some classic Brazilian samba for us!

QUESTIONS?

If you’d like to ask any questions about this information, or want to know more about the event please leave your coment on the event page or contact Professora Mariana “Potiguara” marianacapoeira@gmail.com / 0411 206 802

SPECIAL NOTE

Your presence is very important for the success of our event and also for us to be able to create and share a great moment of exchange and pay a tribute to the Art of Capoeira!

We look forward to seeing you all there!

Muito Obrigada!

Professora Mariana ‘Potiguara’ Braga and her Team

Grupo Capoeira Brasil – Mestre Boneco

Some of the clubs members have been missed recently with holidays and injuries (black eyes and blood noses), but the club is looking forward to having them all back very soon. The Capoeira club will be producing its second annual newsletter at the end of next month, so be on the lookout for that. This issue will pay respects to the late Mestre Roxinho, who passed recently, a loss for the Capoeira world, a great and inspirational player and master.
The clubs monthly roda’s will continue. These events include a Gincana, as a welcome to the new raw chords. If you miss this one, further events will be announced on the events page of the website. We would like to congratulate the new raw chords to the club. We hope this is just the beginning of their Capoeira journey. The June Roda of the month was a great success, fantastic games and heaps of energy. The Capoeira club is offering free trial classes to UTS students on Saturdays and  Tuesdays throughout  June and July at 6:30pm  followed by a beginners course. For more information, please use the contact us form on the website.

Obrigado,

Cientista

Being relatively new to Capoeira, we learned a lot about the different aspects of the game by observing the higher belts play in the roda. The ritualistic movements that were performed by Mestre Boneco and Mestre Zumbi in the Angola games were very interesting. It was exciting to see our master Mestre Boneco getting in to the Roda with his fast paced games as some of us had never seen him play in real life prior to this moment. He has a very powerful stature. It was also fantastic to see our Professora Potiguara playing against the Mestres and Professores. It was an ideal opportunity for us to play with and learn from other capoeristas at this event.

“It was great to see the strength and depth of the Brazilian Culture presented on the day. Capoeira is more than kicking and esquivas, it is the music, the people, the maculelê, the samba, the ritmo… just like the Mestres we should embrace all aspects and will get more out of it for doing so! (Just don’t forget to esquiva!)” – Energia

We had a lot of fun at the Batizado and this has been a great showcase for Brasilian culture here in Sydney.

Written by Acai and Energia

Training has continued  with the injection of some new students and a jam packed beginner course. We welcome the new students and have already participated in some events from visiting experts Including a workshop from one of Capoeira Brasil Instructors from Rio De Janeiro who spent 3 months traveling and teaching workshops in Australia.

The next monthly roda will be on Saturday the 2nd of April at 1:30pm. This event will include a Gincana, as a welcome to the new raw chords. Or if you miss this one, further events will be announced on the events page.

The UTS club will be releasing our first newsletter for the year soon, watch this space for the new and improved newsletter

The Capoeira club is offering free trial classes to UTS students followed by a beginners course next month.

The dates for the free trial classes are:

• Thursday 14th at 6:30pm – Newtown
• Saturday 16th at 12pm – UTS Fitness Centre
• Tuesday 19th at 7:30pm – UTS Fitness Centre

For more information, please use the contact us form.

Until the next update…muito axe,

- Cientista

To contribute towards this celebration, our capoeira group had a stand for the second year in a row.  The combination of the music and capoeira demonstrated by a group of us attracted a large and enthusiastic crowd. The performance at the second stage consisted of maculele and capoeira and under the heat of the intense sun, this proved challenging however we all gave it our best shot.

Later in the afternoon Professor Potiguara gave a fun kids class where they sampled a taste of capoeira and had the chance to play the
instruments, sing some capoeira songs and learn some basic movements. The looks on the kids face when Professor Potiguara did a banaeria was priceless! After numerous cans of Guarana and hours of capoeira in the glorious weather was a great day well spent!

“Thanks to Formando Curaman for giving a great capoeira class on Saturday which consisted of second phase kicks and take-downs which are always fun to practice. This followed by the first roda of the month where a few people from other groups came to contribute to the good axe and great roda. After that a few of us spent the rest of the afternoon down at Coogee enjoying the gorgeous weather. Thanks Formando Curaman and Professora Portiguara!!

Pocahontas x”

The Capoeira club is offering free trial classes to UTS students which will be held on the 12th March at the UTS Fitness centre and begginers course starting the week after that (19th March).

Axe – Cientista