The Batizado, or “baptism,” will be held on Saturday, November 6th from 4-7pm. The batizado is a traditional capoeira ceremony in which new students are initiated into the world of capoeira. The new student receives a capoeira nickname, and plays with a Master or instructor, symbolically welcoming them into the capoeira community. For continuing students the batizado is a time of celebration and recognition of their growth in capoeira. Some new and continuing students will receive a cord that represents their level and growth in capoeira. The batizado is a wonderful opportunity to witness the historical and traditional aspects of capoeira and to join ABADA-Capoeira San Francisco's strong Mission District-based community in celebration of its growth and accomplishments.
Tickets: Adults $10 in advance, $12 @ door, Youth (5-17 years) & Seniors $5. For ticket info, please call 415-206-0650.
Location: ABADA-Capoeira San Francisco's Brazilian Arts Center, 3221 22nd Street (@ Mission St.) San Francisco, CA 94110.
Capoeira (pronounced ka-poo-e-da) is a dynamic Afro-Brazilian art form unique to Brazil, which developed during the slavery era through shared cultural customs, rituals, and fighting techniques. Capoeira was born as an expression of resistance and resilience. Slaves used capoeira to fight to escape and resist capture, but concealed its combative purpose through music, song, and dance. After the abolition of slavery in Brazil in 1888, capoeira was illegal and its practitioners were socially ostracized for over forty years.The legendary Capoeira “Mestre,” or Master, Mestre Bimba rescued the art form and proved its legitimacy, opening capoeira’s first official school in Bahia, Brazil in 1932. Capoeira has developed into a means of empowerment and a forum for social and cultural exchange. It is now an internationally respected art of grace and strength that combines ritual, self-defense, acrobatics, and music in a rhythmic dialogue of the body, mind, and spirit.
