The Farms: Afro-Brazilian Traditions – Capoeira Angola & Samba de Roda

Skill Level: Beginner

Learn about the richness of Afro-Brazilian movement, music, language and culture at Afro-Brazilian Traditions — Capoeira Angola & Samba de Roda from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 in the Mansion Library.

This course — designed for all ages and physical abilities — will feature a welcoming environment and joyful space where community members can learn hands-on from instructor Mark Becker, who has 19 years of experience in the field.

Capoeira Angola is a martial art that combines fluid, low-impact movements with music to encourage self-expression and self-control. Samba de Roda is a musical tradition that combines several percussion and stringed instruments in a call-and-response setting that also welcomes dancing from participants. All these traditions have their roots in the Congo region of Africa but were developed and shared with the world in Brazil.

$100/person for the entire series or $25/session. Register for the entire session here or one week before each subsequent class. All sales are final.

Can’t make the entire series? Then sign up for an individual session or two. Here are the links:

— Feb. 1
— Feb. 8
— Feb. 15
— Feb. 22
— Feb. 29

If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.

About the instructor

Mark Becker, a student of Capoeira Angola in the tradition of Mestre João Grande, has studied under Contramestre Denis Chiaramonte for eight years, with 19 years of experience in the art of Capoeira. He is also a student of traditional Samba Chula, an art form from the Recôncavo region of Bahia, Brazil while also serving as the Director of the Bloco Gavião, a community drum ensemble focused on Afro-Brazilian drumming traditions such as samba-reggae, maracatu and afoxé.

Originally from Jundiaí, São Paulo, Brazil, Contramestre Denis Chiaramonte has more than 35 years of experience in the art of capoeira. Since his arrival in the United States, he has led workshops and assisted Mestre João Grande across the country and around the world in France, Israel, Serbia, Italy, Spain, Finland, Germany, England, Japan, and Mexico. Contramestre Denis has been a visiting lecturer and capoeira instructor at the University of Illinois at Urbana’s Dance Department from 2004-2012.

During this time, he has also served as the RSO faculty advisor for the UIUC Capoeira Club, which has hosted several International Capoeira Conferences at the University of Illinois at Urbana, bringing teachers and students together from around the globe. Contramestre Denis is an expert not only in capoeira but also in various other dances and arts associated with capoeira, such as Afro-Brazilian dances, maculelé, puxada de rede, and samba.

Mark has a master’s degree in education from the University of Illinois and enjoys designing learning experiences for all ages to feel belonging in the exploration of Brazilian culture.

About The Farms

The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, health & wellness, history, nature & outdoor education, or science. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.

See the complete winter class schedule here.