It’s been a long time. I know, but that’s how it goes sometimes…

Carnaval is right around the corner, so I know many people have party and celebration on their minds – as well they should. I just wanted to take a second to point out a great project that deserves some celebration as well. It’s called Bahia Street.

Here’s the quick description- It is a school dedicated to uplifting impoverished members of the AfroBrasilian community of Bahia by providing education and basic needs to a group of young girls in Salvador. Bahia Street run for the people of Bahia, by the people of Bahia. I’d love to explain better, but it’s kind of complicated. You would be better served to check out their website site, or better yet, purchase the book Dance Lest We All Fall Down

It’s a great idea and a great cause. Check out their site for ways to help – though, I’m sure donations are ALWAYS helpful.

Just for fun, I found a video that some girls from the school put together on YouTube. Muita bonitinha! Axé!

Here is the latest on our Batizado even coming up. We hope to see you there!

This event is being hosted by Mestre Amen & Contra Mestre Mariano from Capoeira Batuque

Who’s Coming?
We’ve heard that Mestre Urubu, Mestre Curisco, Mestre Roque, Mestre Doutor, & Mestre Paulo Batuta are going to be joining us for the weekend, as well as Contra Mestre Jamaica, Contra Mestre Reco, Contra Mestre Manchinha, Contra Mestre Galego, Contra Mestre Dae, & Contra Mestre Gui. We’ve also heard several great Professors are going to be there, such as Professor Girafa, Professor Muito Tempo, Professor Guatambu, Professor Prea, Professor Berinjela, Professor Versatil, and many more. And there always seems to be a few surprise guests as well

Friday Dec, 4th
1221 State Street
Suite #204
4PM-Midnight
Brazilian Night Fundraiser & Show at SOHO Restaurant and Music Club
This is going to be the party that kicks everything off! We have a lot of great performances scheduled, so come out and help get things started.

Saturday Dec. 5th
UCSB
Rob’s Gym Room #1430
12:00 Noon- 7:00 PM
Beginning Capoeira workshop starts at 12:00 Noon, and from there we have Afro Brazilian Dance, Samba, All Levels Capoeira Workshop every hour until 4:00 PM.
At 4:00 PM we start the Naming Ceremony, Batizado, and Roda as long as the Axé lasts.
After Party Info is TBA

Sunday Dec. 6th
Leadbetter Beach – Santa Barbara
1:00 PM – BBQ!
Come eat up, rest and recover on the beach!

For more info contact Contra Mestre Mariano Silva at (805) 259-7874

chamada in and old school roda

Meetings are every Thursday at the African Diasporic Resource Center in the SRB building. The last meeting of 2009 will be December 3rd.

The club covers Afro-brazilian history, culture, Capoeira, Afro-Brazilian Dance, Music and will host several great dance and capoeira events to support and grow Capoeira Batuque. You’ll also get the most up to date news about classes and events in the Santa Barrbara, Goleta, and Carpenteria area.

We’re in good hands, as Rhythms of Brazil is operating under the guidance and direction of Contra-Mestre Mariano Silva, and in cooperation with Brazilian Cultural Arts Center, Santa Barbara.

Ritmos do Brasil is open to any and all members of the community. You only have to bring an open mind and plenty of Axé.

For more info contact Vika 323-646-2184
You can also find us on Facebook liste as Rhythms of Brazil Cultural Club @ UCSB

Come learn about the beauty of Afro-Brasilian Culture

More exciting events for the upcoming weekend.

Capooera Batuque is hosting a great Event this weekend, honoring Zumbi. It starts Friday, Nov. 20th and continues all weekend. There are going to be plenty of amazing workshops and performances. For the most up to date pricing and information check out the Capoeira Batuque website at CapoeiraBatuque.Org (if you haven’t checked it out lately, the new site looks pretty sweet!)

Some highlights – special guests Mestre Nego Gato & Mestre Suelly, as well as a performance by the Batuque Kids!

You can also check out the event on facebook – Honoring Zumbi with Capoeira Batuque

The EOS LOUNGE will also feature DJ$ along with a very special guest DJ ITAI SHAPIRA, who is coming up from Zanzibar to add some Brazilian, Latin, Funk, Hip Hop, Soul, House, Afro Beat, Dancehall flavor.

Keep an eye out for the Samba performers as well as very good chance of a capoeira roda…

One last note – this is all to help support our upcoming Semi-Annual batizado, so not only is it going to be a great party, but it’s going to help perpetuate art in culture in Santa Barbara. Pretty sweet, right?

For more info check out the event on Facebook

Zumbi Dos Palmares - Liberdade

Capoeira Dance SB

You know what FaceBook is, and you know what it’s all about. So if you want the latest news and updates, including our upcoming show at SoHo on Dec.4th, add us as a friend.

Here is Capoeira Batuque Santa Barbara’s updated class schedule for Fall. This will also be updated on the schedule page.

Monday
8:00 PM Capoeira Class

Tuesday
5:45 PM Afro-Brasilian Dance Class at (UCSB Rob’s Gym)
7:30 PM Capoeira Class at (UCSB Rob’s Gym)

Wednesday
8:00 PM Capoeira Class

Friday
5:15 PM Women’s Capoeira Class
6:15 PM Beginner’s Capoeira Class
7:15 PM Advanced Capoeira Class

Sunday
11:00 AM Afro-Brasilian Dance
12:00 Brasilian Drumming Class

All Classes at Dance Unlimited Studio unless stated otherwise

Dance Unlimited
5370 Hollister Ave. Suite #1
Goleta, CA

for more information check out
www.MarianSilva.com
or call (805) 259-7874

Check Back for Schedules of upcoming events! Axé!

Old School Capoeiristas

SANTA BARBARA:

O Santa Barbara que relampuê, O Santa Barbara que relampuá (lider)

O Santa Barbara que relampuê (coro)

Que relampuê, que relampuá (lider)

O Santa Barbara que relampuê (coro)

Well what does it mean?
Roughly translated it means- ‘Santa Barbara will make lightning’ or ‘Santa Barbara brings lightning’.

Why would people sing that?
If you ask 50 people you will probably get 50 different answers, so take this explanation with a grain of salt, but Santa Barbara was syncretized with the Orixa Iansá from Candomblé tradition, who is closely associated with dance, wind, lightning and change. Also, according to the Soul Capoeira Blog it is said that African people would sing and pray to ask Iansá to send lighting to fertilize the earth.

Obviously this isn’t the most in depth explanation ever, but hopefully it gives a little more background and context for the next time you sing this song.

Iansá

We’ve all likely seen capoeira in martial arts films by now (Only The Strong!), but this movie is intriguing because not only does it include capoeira, but it goes back to explore one of the legendary figures of capoeira. Most capoeiristas have sang a song or two about Besouro Manganga, but how many of us have heard the history of this capoeira legend and his corpo fechado? I’m hopeful that this movie will not only shed light on the life of Besouro Manganga, but some of the struggle that capoeiristas in the past had to go through so we can continue vadiando for fun and sport today. What we take for granted, was life and death to many. Take a look at the trailer below. Like I said… it looks like it’s going to be a good one.

Cruise the Santa Barbara Harbor while listening to live Brazilian Band “Prakantar” (Samba/reggae/funk/batucada)
$35 Ticket includes 1 free drink and BBQ Plate.

This event is sponsored by Live Culture Lounge
Join us there for an after party at 11 W. De La Guerra Paseo Nuevo Mall

For Tickets and Info Call Vika (323) 646-2184
or Jessamyn (928)273-6355

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