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CAPOEIRA

Capoeira is a movement form that was originally developed among Brazilians of African descent as a way to fight injustice and oppression.

Developed by slaves during the 1700’s, the philosophy behind Capoeira stresses freedom and education. Capoeira is a martial art style that also uses elements of dance and gymnastics, beautifully creating a synthesis of all three.

Music and percussion accompany the art form, and movements often include kicks, cartwheels, and even flips. Capoeira is beauty, tradition, and it hold profound importance in the history of Brazil.

Capoeira brings together people from all ages, backgrounds, cultures, and gender to be creative through the arts.

Capoeira effectively teaches people the value of respect, discipline, friendship, and community

UNI CAPOEIRA CLUB HISTORY  August 1999-current

In the fall of 1999, Martin Mitchell (Feiticeiro), a senior from U.N.I.; Francesca Zogaib (Xica Xica), a freshman at that time, who had grown up in Brazil; Dr. Robert Krueger, head of the Portuguese Department; and Dr. Christopher Edginton, the Director of the School of Health, Physical Education and Leisure Services, joined forces to create the official U.N.I. Capoeira Sport Club and to bring Mestre Zé Paulo from the Cordao de Ouro group in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.  Mestre Zé Paulo taught here in Cedar Falls from September to December of 1999, and then returned to Brazil with several students; including Jill Hartleip (Pulguinha) and Holly Sells (Tiririca).

For the next year, Francesca Zogaib (Xica Xica), Paul Stille (Esquilo), and Jeff Morrison (Jacaré) kept the club going.  Eventually, Jacaré had to go, leaving Xica Xica and Esquilo at the helm.  Shortly thereafter, Dr.Edginton, impressed by the capoerista’s dedication, offered the club a chance to bring a Capoeira teacher to expand the club and teach personal wellness classes in exchange for his/her MA in Physical Education.  In December of 2000 Xica Xica’s sister was able to suggest someone who fit the bill.  So it was that our current instructor Pedro Zogaib (Pedrinho-Fala Fino), a student of Mestre Cicero in Campinas, found his way to us.  He has been sharing his knowledge and skill with us since February of 2001.

There is another Capoeirista whom we must thank.  Mauro Pinto (Contra Mestre Chicote) has also greatly influenced our club at U.N.I.  Contra Mestre Chicote came to the United States in August of 2001.  He is also from the Cordao de Ouro family.  He began teaching Capoeira in the community, catering to the Cedar Valley population.  He also helped Pedro at the UNI club and instructed multiple classes.  Chicote’s expertise has always been highly appreciated by Instrutor Pedrinho and the rest of the U.N.I Capoeira club.  Chicote stayed in the Cedar Valley until December of 2002, organized the 1st batizado, and then left to follow his adventures and success around the world. 

Today, Fall 2007, our club has expanded and has organized and enjoyed four successful batizados and two Black History Month events, and is planning our 5th International Capoeira Conference and Educational Workhops to be held October 25-28, 2007.  Many Masters, Contra Masters, and instructors have visited the Cedar Valley and shared extensive Capoeira knowledge with all the students who have passed through our Capoeira group.  Mestre Panão and Instrutor Pai Pequeno lived here and helped lead the club from February 2005 through December 2005. 

May these blessings continue for many more years to come! May Capoeira students never forget the struggle and the fight for capoeira.   www.littlebrazil.org

The UNI Capoeira Club has been involved in several volunteer and paid performances and workshops held on the U.N.I. Campus, around the Cedar Falls-Waterloo area, and out of town.

 Below is list examples of events, venues, and schools we  have performed for or given  workshops to:

Family Fest weekend at U.N.I

Cinco de Mayo at U.N.I.

 American College Dance Festival

      Orchesis Dance Company, U.N.I.

U.N.I. Orchesis Annual Dance Gala

U.N.I. Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center

International Variety Show, U.N.I.

Global Health Corps Mobile Inauguration event, U.N.I

 International Dance Theatre U.N.I.

Voices for Freedom Play, U.N.I.

 R.A. Conference, U.N.I.

Curris Business Building, U.N.I.

National Song and Dance Company from Mozambique

Kinetic Energy Dance Studio, Cedar Falls, IA

Hearst Arts Center, Cedar Falls, IA

Pour Richards Pub, Cedar Falls, IA

Cedar Heights Elementary School, Cedar Falls, IA

Hoover Middle School, Waterloo, IA

Logan  Middle School, Waterloo, IA

Central Middle School, Waterloo, IA

Freeburg School, Waterloo, IA

Jubilee United Methodist Church, Waterloo, IA

East High School, Waterloo, IA

West High School, Waterloo, IA

Shell Rock High School, Waverly, IA

Latino Conference, Iowa City, IA

Iowa Afro Latin Project, Iowa City, IA

My Waterloo Days Parade, Waterloo, IA

**CONTACT A CAPOEIRA CLUB OFFICER IF YOU WOULD LIKE US TO PERFORM AT YOUR EVENT, OR IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CLUB**