Capoeira Connection Podcast

Dr. Lauren Griffith, assistant professor at Texas Tech University and has been studying Capoeira since 2004. She is also an established researcher and author writing about such topics as non-Brazilians searching for their own legitimacy as tradition bearers of the art, in what she calls an “Apprenticeship Pilgrimage” where Capoeiristas journey to Brazil in order to study, learn and grow with Brazilian Masters of the art. Join us in this special episode where discuss the power of social change through the art of Capoeira.

Mestre Nenel (Mestre Bimba's Son) released a book entitled "Bimba, Um Século Da Capoeira Regional" in 2018 which provides a look into Capoeira Regional, his Father's work, and about his own work in preserving Capoeria Regional as Mestre Bimba taught it.This podcast episode was a great honor and privilege for me to be a part of, and I feel a great responsibility to present the information unedited in it's purest context."I really hope to meet at least part of the interests of the reader! I do make a point to stress that I am not and do not want to be the holder of the truth. I simply come to share a little of what I conceived from the practical and theoretical lessons that I experienced with my father. I am open to any criticism whatsoever, since they are also part of my growth and maturation in this trajectory of rescue, preservation and perpetuation of my father's legacy. One thing I hear a lot is that my father created Regional so that it could be developed, and that's true! But what I barley see is peaple doing it with awareness of the principles that were fundamental to my father. In this book, I want to pinpoint these fundamental issues that should govern every and any proposal based on the philosophy of Capoeira Regional." - Mestre Nenel

In the Capoeira Connection Podcast EP 9, we sit down to talk with Contra Mestre Monkey, Auther of the album Minha Varanda. "In order for people to have a deeper understanding of the lyrics to this song, I have come here to offer a translation of the lyrics myself..." - Contra Mestre Monkey Minha Varanda - Refers to my home, the place I want to conquer, working with Capoeira. Meu Chapeu de Palha - Relates to chilling times after this conquest, I wish to have myself, my home. Minha Massape - Means the mud, hard to cross through, that I shall not forget, the hard times.

In the Capoeira Connection Podcast EP 8, we make our way to San Antonio TX, home of Capoeira Luanda's Instrutor Montanha and Graduada Cegonha. Both of these amazing Capoeiristas have shown much dedication to the art of Capoeira as well as helping make a large social impact on their surrounding community. Join us as we talk everything from Capoeira to doing good in our communities with these two amazing people.

In the Capoeira Connection Podcast EP 7, we sit down to talk with Contra Mestre Versátil of Capoeira Batuque in Las Angeles and Professor Mascado of Capoeira Maculele. We dive into Contra Mestre Versátil's Warrior Class Project, "Through 40 plus years of experience in the martial arts: Chinese, Japanese, and Afro-Brazilian, we have found deep relevance in the lifestyle of the warrior. The Warrior Class is the culmination of decades of training and teaching experience in the martial arts, movement, music, and dance combined with study and clinical experience in counseling psychology, group work, gestalt, imaginal psychology, and somatic work". We also get to talk with Professor Mascado about Capoeira Maculele, Mestre Fran, and Festa de Capoeira 2018 hosted here in Austin, TX by Mestre Pinga Fogo.

In the Capoeira Connection Podcast EP 6, we sit down to talk with Contra Mestre Marrio of Capoeira Kalunga N'Golo based out of Houston, TX; as well as long fellow Angoleiro, Jaime Torres. A Brief History: Kalunga N'Golo is a non-profit 501(c)(3) cultural group available to share Capoeira Angola in classes with children and adults, or in community events. The group has been active for close to a decade, participating in programs with the Houston Area Women's Center, the Houston International Festival, and actively teaching under the 21st Century After School Enrichment Programs throughout HISD. Among the Mucupe in southern Angola, there is a tradition of boys performing a zebra dance, the N'Golo, during the efundula, the celebration of girls becoming ready for marriage and childbearing. The boy who wins the N'Golo is allowed to choose a wife from amongst the new initiates, without having to pay a dowry. The N'Golo is the root of Capoeira. The enslaved Africans from that region that went to Brazil through the port Benguela, took with them the tradition of fighting with their feet. Over time, that which was principally a tribal tradition was transformed into a weapon of attack and defense disguised as a dance. It helped slaves to escape and establish free communities called Quilombos, including Palmares, an African Kingdom in the Western Hemisphere that survived for over a hundred years. Played in a circle (the "roda") the game of Capoeira Angola is infinitely varied, with an unlimited combination of movements of the legs, arms torso and head: feet to the sky, a leg whipping around, a smile, a grin, a gleam in the eye. Humorous and serious, the fun and the struggle are joined in a continuum of movement and flourished pauses, often equated to chess, with its communication and interplay of bodies and movements. Capoeira's history is one of a people taking what they have and using it in new ways to obtain and express freedom. Students of Capoeira are likewise encouraged to take what they have in life and use it to help them to achieve what they want from life. It's the movement and music of liberation.