New Jersey Capoeira Arts Center
GRUPO LIBERDADE DE CAPOEIRA

CAPOEIRA
PERFORMANCES

Capoeira, and its accompanying dance, Maculele, are frequently performed at schools, universities, and other venues. Performances can be adapted to a variety of formats, from cultural festivals to corporate events. Special presentations, that include a teaching component, can be arranged for schools and universities.

Shows are high-energy events, displaying the acrobatic skill and speed of the players. They include demonstrations of the traditional Capoeira styles, music, instruments, and gymnastics.

Presentations can include explanations of the game of Capoeira, demonstrations of the different defense and attack movements, and an explanation of the music and instruments that accompany each game.

Shows and presentations include a demonstration of the beautiful and athletic Maculele stick dance, in which each player shows his or her ability to improvise dance steps while keeping time by hitting sticks held by other dancers. Maculele is accompanied by special drumming and chants.

Contact our office to see a video demonstration of a performance or to arrange scheduling.

Format of show

Explanation of the history of Maculêlê
Presentation of Maculêlê
An audience participation segment
An explanation of the Bateria, the Capoeira orchestra
An explanation of instruments with solo of each instrument
Explanation of the game of Capoeira and its history and traditions
Synopsis of Capoeira today and what it represents
Songs (benedictions, narratives, and call and response songs)
Explanation of the significance of movements of attacks, defenses, flourishes, flights
Solo performances of Capoeira movements
Assembling a Roda
Games, acrobatic and beautiful, not violent or aggressive

Performances 2001

African Heritage Celebration, Jersey City Univ.
Roots of Brazil, Kean Univ.
Brazil Night, Drew Univ.
Anniversary and Annual Meeting, YMCA of Newark
Multicultural Employee Day, US Dept. of the Army
Black History Month, NJ City Univ.
Cultural Explosion, Seton Hall Univ.
Neighborhood Summer Concerts, City of Newark
Eliminating Racial Disparities in Health, Dept of Health
The Multi-Cultural Center, Rider Univ.
Outdoor Urban Theatre, Newark
Hispanic Heritage Celebration, Rutgers Univ. Newark
Open House, Rutgers Univ. Newark
Latino Heritage Month, Princeton Univ.
Latino Heritage Month Celebration, William Patterson Univ.
International Night, Saint Peters College

Artistic Director - Mestre Cigano

Objective: To offer classes, performances, residencies and workshops in the Brazilian cultural arts of Capoeira and Maculêlê.

Capoeira Education:

1988 Grupo Liberdade de Capoeira Batizado in the Centro Intergrado de Educacao Publica, CIEP of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (The Integrated Center for Public Education CIEP) Joao XXIII, St. Cruz.
1983 Awarded Mestre (Master) certification by Mestre Sardi of Grupo Inachancue, Itaguai, Rio de Janeiro, recognized by the Brazilian Capoeira Confederation, the governing body in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
1982 Awarded Contra-Mestre (Assistant-Mestre) certification by Mestre Sardi.
1980 Attained Formado (graduated student) status: Awarded Professor (Teacher) certification, sanctioned to teach classes.
1977-1979 Regular performer in Felha das Cabras tourist presentations, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
1972-1980 Trained at the School Armando Fajardo, Cordovil, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
1972 Began formal Capoeira training under Mestre Pedrinho.

Teaching Experience:

Criancas de Rua - Homeless children, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Criancas de Escola Publica - Public schools, K-12 grade, Rio de Janeiro
Chief Instructor, Rutgers Capoeira Club, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
Guest Instructor, Newark Public High Schools Series, Newark, NJ
Director and Chief Instructor, Grupo Liberdade de Capoeira, Newark, New Jersey
Guest Instructor and Performer, Grupo Quintal dos Palmares Capoeira Academy, New York, NY
Guest Instructor and Resident Performer, Ginga Braziliera Capoeira Academy, Bridgeport, CT

Seminars:

Capoeira National Encounter 1995 and 1997, Berkeley, CA
Midwest Capoeira Conference 1994, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Capoeira Camara 6^th Batizado/Afoxe 1994, Boston, MA
Capoeira National Encounter 1992, Los Angeles, CA

Guest and participant at the Batizados of Mestres Camisa (Brazil), Nô (Brazil), Efraim (CT), Ombrinho (NYC), Edna (NYC), Lincoln (NYC), João Grande (NYC), Caveirinha (CA), Bom-Jesus (NYC), Deraldo (MA/Canada), and Acordeon (CA), Prof. Caxias (NYC). Performer with the groups of Mestres Nego-Gato, Efraim and Ombrinho.

Past Performances:

2/99 New Jersey City University, Federation of Latin American Students, Jersey City, NJ
2/99 Rutgers University, Newark, NJ
12/98 First Night New Year’s Performance, Newark, NJ
10/98 Rutgers Spanish Club, New Brunswick, NJ
10/98 Walt Whitman Arts Center, Camden, NJ
8/98 East Ward Festival, Newark, NJ
6/98 St. James Church, NJ
5/98 Harrison Parade/Festival, Harrison, NJ
4/98 Walt Whitman Arts Center, Camden, NJ
3/98 Rutgers Hispanic Civilizations and Language Program, Newark, NJ
12/97 First Night New Year’s Performance, Newark, NJ
11/97 Drew University, Multicultural Awareness Day
7/97 School of Christian Mission, North NJ Conference, Florham Park, NJ
4/97 Rutgers Dance Department, New Brunswick, NJ
4/97 Rutgers Hispanic Civilizations and Language Program/Portuguese Club, Newark, NJ
2/97 Central and South American Alliance, New Brunswick, NJ
10/96 Union County Folk Arts Festival, Cranford, NJ
7/96 Latino Youth Conference, New Brunswick, NJ
4/96 Rutgers West Indies Club, Caribbean Festival, New Brunswick, NJ
4/96 RCPC Human Interest, New Brunswick, NJ
5/95 Second Philadelphia Martial Arts Expo ’95, Philadelphia, PA
6/94 Blue Knights’ Ironbound Experience, Newark, NJ
4/94 Rutgers Portuguese-Brazilian Club, Cultural Festival, New Brunswick, NJ

CAPOEIRA PERFORMANCES

CAPOEIRA
PERFORMANCES