Singing Our Songs: Oral History Panel & Capoeira Demo

In this kickoff to our 5-day festival, Axé Fest: Celebrating 20 Years!, CapoeiraDC founders and guest Capoeira masters share their stories learning and preserving the art form of Capoeira as an oral history.

Learn about the inspiring origins of Capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art, that was developed by African warriors enslaved in Brazil and used to fight for their freedom and preserve their lives and culture. Hear the journeys of Capoeira masters from student to teacher to master, their approaches to cultivating Capoeira as form of resistance that advances freedom fighting across the globe, and their visions for the future of Capoeira.

Facilitated by DC humanities scholar, poet, educator, and capoeirista Carlos Parada-Ayarte, we will hear from:

• Mestre Lobão, world-renowned grand master Capoeira, who comes from the school Cordão de Ouro, which originated in São Paulo, Brazil and now has schools across the world
• Mestre Gaivota, founder of Afro Brazilian Cultural Center of New Jersey
• Contra Mestre Morcego and Professora Borboleta, founders of CapoeiraDC

Enjoy a live Capoeira demo following the panel discussion!