An International gathering of Capoeira’s co-sponsored by the Brazilian government, Tekura Jegnas Inc., World Beat Center, Casa Del Rey Moro Museum, Os Malandros de Mestre Touro, House of Discipline and Personal Luxury Transportation was held in the Fourth District and in Balboa Park at the “World Beat Center”. It consisted of a series of Master Classes of the African Brazilian arts of “Samba Bateria” (Samba Orchestra) instruction, “Samba de Roda” (African Brazilian dance in a circle by men and woman), “Jongo” (African Brazilian couple dance), “Maculele” (African Brazilian Dance / Fight of the Sticks), “Capoeira” (African Brazilian unarmed Dance / Fight, Self Defense), “Batisado and Graduation Ceremony” (Initiation into the art of Capoeira and a giving of higher rank in the Art of Capoeira), and culminated in a “Roda” (Circle in which Capoeira, Maculele and Samba are exhibited) at “Hoffman’s Plaza” which is infamously known in our community as the “Four Corners of Death”! This was instead culturally transformed into “Kongo Square” by this public event held in the open for the public’s viewing.
The events were presided over by the Capoeira Grand Master “Mestre Touro” of Rio de Janeiro and his USA representative Mestre Preto Velho (aka Master Dennis Newsome). Master “Biquinho” gave a Master class in Samba Bateria, Master Ephraim gave Master classes in Maculele and Samba de Roda while “Capoeirista” Albatroz conducted a workshop in Jongo. Master Ze, Master Preto Velho and Master Touro presided over the “Examination for Rank” in Capoeira of the Students from Atlanta, Georgia, Dallas, Texas, Los Angeles, and San Diego, California.
The “Batisado” was held Saturday March 28, 2015 at the World Beat Center in beautiful Balboa Park. Students from very young to old participated in the ceremony to the delight of this well attended community event. Members from the Capoeira group “Quilombos de San Diego” participated in this event with “Contra-Mestre Montanha” under the auspices of their Master “Mestre Elias”. Mothers and Fathers tied the “Cordels” (similar in function to Belts in Karate) around the waist of their loved ones after the completion of their sparring with the Masters and Capoeira’s. The Graduated students who assisted in the Batisado Ceremony were Contra-Mestre “Montanha”, “Bode Cantador” of Dallas, Texas, “Jahsun” of Los Angeles, “Jorginho” of Rio de Janeiro, and Albatroz of Rio de Janeiro.
Master Dennis Newsome is the first Capoeira instructor in San Diego and located in the Fourth District going back over three decades. He is also the first African born outside of Brazil to become a Master of Capoeira in its 500 year history in Brazil. His Academy is located at 6429 Imperial Avenue, San Diego, CA 92114.
