$45 

Capoeira (pronounced ka-poo-eyh-da) is an African-Brazilian martial art that incorporates acrobatics, dance, music, and songs in a rhythmic dialogue of body, mind, and spirit. It is a communal game in which two opponents play each other inside the roda (a circle), formed by the other players who create rhythm for the game by clapping, singing, and playing the berimbaus (African-Brazilian traditional instruments, considered the soul of Capoeira) and other key instruments. The two opponents compete with each other using capoeira movements, camouflaging the self-defense kicks and moves with playful acrobatics and dance-like moves spontaneously creating strategy to fool their partner and catch them off guard. Originally created by enslaved Africans brought to Brazil, Capoeria began as a means of practicing techniques self-defense and to fight for their freedom. During its early years, Capoeira was disguised as a dance in order to be practiced openly. Today, it is widely known and practiced in different forms around the world. Come to the workshop for an introduction to this beautiful and unique art form.

About the instructor:
Leandro da Silva (Mestre Alegria) was born in Bahia, Brazil. He began his Capoeira training at the age of nine years old with Mestre Jelon Vieira and has demonstrated and taught capoeira throughout Brazil, the United States, and Europe. An accomplished, professionally trained dancer of various styles (Capoeira, Afro-Brazilian, modern, ballet, contemporary), Mr. Silva has toured the world for several years as a member of the highly acclaimed DanceBrazil dance company.