Capoeira in Brooklyn

This past Sunday, I had the honor of watching my talented friend, Rene Collins, exhibit his Capoeira skills with a worldwide troupe.

Capoeira Angola: (pronounced Capo-air-a Ang-o-la): One of many cultural weapons used to break the chains of enslavement in Brazil. Music was played during Capoeira sessions to teach the rhythmic heart of the art and to mask its power. In front of the enslavers it looked like playfulness, acrobatic dancing, and joking around. Eventually the enslavers realized its power and outlawed Capoeira Angola. Death was the penalty paid if you were caught during the slavery years. For almost 400 years Capoeira Angola was taught and practiced in secret. Only in the 1930's did this African martial art become legal to teach and practice. (Thank you http://www.panix.com/~tishotto/capoeira/ for the description.)

Rene's also a fabulous mucisian. See his site for downloadable, original songs. http://www.renecollins.com/lyrics.html