2009 Wrap-up

2009 was a year of reflection. We started off with a bang, with several exciting workshops and performances in January and the pace hardly slowed down after that. However, things weren’t all great. Membership dropped off a little in April, we became a smaller, let’s say ’streamlined’ group. We were not ready to have our 3rd batizado in 2009, or visit our Bantus brothers and sisters in Brazil for the World Meet. Maybe it was a side effect of the Lehman Shock, maybe it was a sign to head in another direction.

Whatever it was, it was time to reflect. It didn’t effect our dedication to capoeira though, just focused our attention more on creating better relationships within the capoeira community in Japan, and creating a better future for GBCJ in 2010.

The 2009 highlights included:

Visiting Guests

Thanks to Instrutor Sabão, Capivara, Chá Mate from GBC Australia, Instrutor Coelho from GBC Malaysia and Mico Estrela for stopping by on your visists to Japan. Thanks to all the visiting capoeira instructors and students from all over the world that also shared their axé at Bantus Capoeira Japan classes and rodas.

Capoeira Kids

From teaching a workshop to 90 excited International Elementary School kids to starting our very own Bantus Capoeira Kids Class, 2009 saw GBCJ planting the seeds for a big, strong capoeira tree.

Capoeira Performances

In 2009 we started regular musical performances at Antaru Cafe 8, giving us another opportunity to share the Bantus Capoeira Axé amongst the community. We also performed on stage in front of appreciative audiences at the Amnesty International Film Festival, MISHOP International Festival in Inokashira Park, Mitaka Sports Festival, and a hugely successful Antaru Festival in Yoyogi Park.

Workshops and Batizado Visits

Although we weren’t able to host our own batizado in 2009, we were invited to many batizados all over Japan and were able to meet many great visiting mestres. Bantus Capoeira Japan’s own Instrutor Caçapa was also invited down to Osaka to teach 2 days of workshops for Força Da Arte at their internal batizado in April.

Bantus Japan 5th Anniversary

2009 also marked the 5th Anniversary of the Grupo Bantus Capoeira in Japan. Looking back at 5 years of capoeira in Tokyo, Japan.

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