CAPOEIRA CHOREOGRAPHY

Creating a Capoeira show is only limited by your imagination. Regardless your limitations, there is always a way of being able to do something that will make an impact.

So many people worry about getting the best tricks, or focusing on showing ‘something that has never been done before’. From my experience, it is not what you can do, it is in how you present it.

THINK OUTSIDE THE SQUARE
Do some research. Don’t necessarily look soley at Capoeira performances, try and watch dance performances and study the formations. Look at the ways they use their bodies to create a certain effect.

THE DETAILS
It is really all in the details. Don’t settle for near enough is good enough. Fix something that is not working straight away. Every arm movement, every facial expression, every position will make a difference on the overall impression of the show.

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER
What kind of lighting is there at the performance place? Does the music sync completely with the performance? If you are doing live music, will you use mics? Can you create breaks and changes in the music to give a better flow to the performance?
Are you sure you are meeting your clients exact wishes? Are you keeping integrity in the art? Where did you place the highlights and ‘wow’ factors in the show? Will the audience be able to understand what you are expressing?

Many Capoeira Performances are just rodas. There is nothing wrong with that, but, there are always things that you can do to spruce up the roda to make it more audience friendly. Think about involving the audience in the story you are creating. Try and think about the best things you get out of capoeira and find ways of being able to express this to the audience.

Good luck with your creations! If anyone needs help with a performance or is interested in hiring us for a performance don’t hesitate in contacting me.
chan@soulcapoeira.org

MESTRE BIMBA’S ADVANCED SEQUENCES

This is a clip of my mestre, mestre bamba and Instrutor Toinho doing the cintura desprezada.
There are a few variations you will see around the place, but these are the standard ones that are taught in the academy.
Cintura desprezada traditionally, was only taught to the formados or higher. It was traditionally used to help the capoeirista to understand how to get out of someone trying to throw you.
(it was NOT used to teach people how to get them into holds).

The capoeira itself is free flowing, but it has set sequences that occur within the game. This is like the advanced sequence of mestre bimba. It was used to help the students learn how to fall well, as well as overcome fear in complex situations.

It is to the tune of Iuna. With only one berimbau and two pandeiros.