experiments

Capoeira has introduced me to so many ideas... i had a wonderful session with master weaver Roberto Bottaini, from Pescia, Italy, as we attempted to make caxixis from materials that are indigenous to the specific region of Tuscany where i'm from.

They may not be optimal for the roda, but i learned a lot!

The struggle isn't over

On Tuesday November 24th, WWU cancelled classes because of racist threats made against students of color on social media. Meanwhile, five black lives matters activists were shot and wounded in minneapolis while attending a vigil protesting the Nov. 15 shooting of Jamar Clark, 24, by Minneapolis police officers. It's easy to say: solidarity! from behind a computer - just like it's easy to be an asshole and make threats from behind a computer screen. The real work can only be to redouble our efforts in real life. Look up the Bellingham Racial Justice Coalition. For more trivial things: our practices at WWU have ended for Fall Quarter. We will resume on Monday, January 11th, at 6pm in the Multipurpose room. For training information over break, email us at ficabellingham@gmail.com

Fall quarter 2015

We will begin training in The Multipurpose Room of the Viking Union at WWU on Mondays from 6pm to 8pm.

Everyone is welcome - no experience necessary! Wear comfortable pants, shoes you can move in, and a t-shirt that can be tucked in.

Other times and locations will be announced, but for now we are trying to arrange for thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30, location TBD.

Parabens!

It is a thrill to find out that the International Capoeira Angola Foundation officially recognized its first female MestrA - Gege Poggi! It's a proud day to be an angoleir@!!!

Summer is no time to be idle...

it's time that can be used to prepare cabacas and arame for berimbaus!

Summer 2015

Carver Gym is closing its doors for the summer. Back to Boulevard Park!

Monday June 8th: 6:30pm to...
Thursday June 11th: 8:00pm till sunset
Monday June 15th: 6:30pm to...
Thursday June 18th: 7:30pm to...

What will happen after that is still up to negotiation at least until mid-August.

...se todos juntarem as maos!

Words cannot adequately express the gratitude that we feel for the opportunity to have such a great weekend of capoeira.

Lindsey and Leika playing at the Bellingham Farmers' Market, with our very special guest Treinel Eva on Gunga

a women's bateria at the end of the roda on saturday evening

Mestre Silvinho and ContraMestre Kamau look on as they orient us us on the roda on Sunday Morning

I was reminded - yet again, about the ways in which the small roda of capoeira simulates life, the great roda.
Without the support and the energy of all the members of the community, each one contributing what they can (their voice, their energy in the game, their skill at playing the instruments...), there could be no roda, and no capoeira.
Similarly, without strong community support, this event would not have been possible. Our deepest gratitude to the bellingham storytellers' guild, the community food co-op, the WWU Dance and Anthopology departments, and of course the AS Activities Council for their support with the funding of the trip, especially the travel costs for CM Kamau and Treinel Eva; JiaJia Chang for the beautiful poster; everyone who offered up their home so that our guests could have a place to stay; Ivana for a delicious and unexpected pot of fried rice on Sunday; all of the teachers (and their teachers) who shared their gifts with us: Kamau and Eva, Keith Doran (doni doni drums), Antonio Diaz (Rumba Northwest), Dora Oliveira, Manimou Camara, and Mestre Silvinho.

Thank you also to all of the people who joined us to share the energy, from Vancouver BC, Corvallis (OR), and Seattle!