We saw Timbalada, Jorge Ben Jor, Maria Rita, Gilberto Gil, even a tribe of Amazon Indians paid us a visit. Famous Brazilian musicians, artists, politicians, sports men and women all made their way across the seas to share the Brazilian culture in the International Year of Exchange, 100 Years of Immigration Brazil-Japan.
But the biggest stars of all waited until the end of October to touch down on Japanese soil. Instrutor Lula, Instrutor Grão, Graduado Rafael, Graduado Claudinho, and Mestre Pintor stayed for a total of 2 weeks of workshops, street rodas, and our 2nd Batizado!
One instructor decided to stay over for a little bit longer, and Grupo Bantus Capoeira Japão had three months of intense capoeria classes with Instrutor Lula.
The 2008 highlights included:
Instrutor Canguru in Tokyo
Founder of Grupo Bantus Capoeira Australia (1997), Canguru hopped over to Japan to share some of his capoeira and musical knowledge with members of GBCJ in a couple of workshops and rodas in Tokyo.
Summer of Capoeira!
As soon as the weather heated up, so did the capoeira! We took to the streets of Kichijoji, we took to the parks (Showa Kinen Koen & Inokashira Koen), and we took to the beaches (Tsujido & Zushi). Spreading the word that capoeira is for everybody, GBCJ wasn’t afraid to let everyone know that we love capoeira!
Our 2nd Batizado!
The biggest event this year had to be the 2nd Bantus Capoeira Japan Festival and Batizado. Two weeks full of workshops, street rodas, and cultural exchange right here in Tokyo. Brazil landed in Kichijoji and Mitaka bringing with her 5 humans that eat, sleep, breath, and dream capoeira. No other capoeira festival in Japan brought over such a wealth of knowledge and experience, such a dynamic team of capoeira experts, a family of capoeira professionals! The 2nd Grupo Bantus Capoeira Japan Batizado brought together the pounding percussion of Japanese Taiko drums, the soulful improvisations of Mestre Pintor on berimbau, the amazing acrobatics of Bantus Capoeira, a team of Sambanistas and sexy samba dancers, and guests from all over Japan. Cafuné gained her Verde/Amarela (Green/Yellow cord), and Caçapa moved up to the ranks of Instrutor receiving his Amarela (Yellow cord) from Mestre Pintor himself.
4th World Meet Bantus 2008 in Malaysia
Caçapa and Sorriso represented Japan on their trip down to Malaysia and Singapore. It was a fantastic experience catching up with old and new Bantus Capoeira friends from Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.
Check out the list of over 50 highlights from 2008, read more and leave comments below.
Alvorada Lanchonete & Bar, the Brazilian restaurant in Kichijoji, has invited GBCJ to hold their first ever “Capoeira Rhythm” workshop. We’ll be exploring the basics of the berimbau, atabaque, and pandeiro.
Grupo Bantus Capoeira had a rough year, but no use crying over spilt milk. It’s time to grab the bull by the horns, but let’s not put the ox in front of the cart. Remember to keep moo-ving in the right direction and mind the bullshit. That’s enough bad cow-poeira puns for one year.
We’re looking forward to the 5th WORLD MEET BANTUS in Brazil this August, and 365 days full of capoeira, berimbau, and lots of street rodas in Kichijoji.
On behalf of Cafune and Caçapa, to all the members of Grupo Bantus Capoeira around the world, and especially in Japan, we wish you a happy new year and may all your dreams come true in 2009!
Feliz Ano Novo!
あけましておめでとうございます、今年もろよしくお願いします！
Happy New Year!
Stay tuned for the 2008 Wrap-Up report and video highlights from our 2nd Batizado.
For a message from Mestre Pintor, and more cow goodness, continue reading.
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