Welcome to the official site of the Associação de Capoeira Angola Corpo e Movimento. We strive to maintain a site which is both educational and informative. - Director

Capoeira Angola

Capoeira Angola is an African-Brazilian art form that involves dance, martial arts, and music. It emerged in Brazil during the years of slavery. The government viewed Capoeira as a public threat, hence the Penal Codes of 1890, which banned the art in public spaces of the cities of Salvador, Recife, and Rio de Janeiro. In the 1930s, the president of Brazil, Getúlio Vargas, reversed the laws banning the practice of Capoeira. Today, Capoeira Angola is an art celebrated worldwide. The art of Capoeira Angola offers substantial benefits to physical and mental health, strength, flexibility, endurance, self-esteem, and discipline. Everyone has the ability to learn Capoeira Angola however; each person expresses the knowledge of it in a unique manner.

The game of Capoeira Angola is performed in a roda (circle) to instruments in the percussion orchestra. One player begins playing the musical bow known as the berimbau. A deep sound resonates from the cabaça (gourd), which is attached to it. It is then accompanied by two more berimbau, two pandeiros (tambourines), a reco-reco (piece of bamboo with grooves), an agogô (double bell), and atabaque (drum). Each instrument playing adds a layer of complexity to the polyrhythm. Iêêêêêê … bellows the lead berimbau player. The call reverberates throughout the space. The music intensifies and provides spiritual energy as the roda begins.

Out of respect for each other, the players shake hands before entering the roda. The game is technical and playful at the same time. The players use their body to trap and avoid being trapped by their opponents. As the game proceeds, the players may perform a kick, an aú (cartwheel), and other moves that bring the players low to the ground.

The game of Capoeira Angola is pure theater. The players try to trick their opponents into doing things that leave them vulnerable. The antic is successful! The onlookers break into smiles and cackles. One player kicks, but is swept. The tricked player learns however, to embrace the ideals of humility and respect. The player picks himself up and smiles, knowing that the best course of action is reflection. Capoeira Angola prepares one to deal with the realities of life in a creative and healthy manner.

Associação de Capoeira Corpo e Movimento (A.C.C.M.)

The Associação de Capoeira Corpo e Movimento (Body and Movement Capoeira Association) was founded by Mestre Angola (Antônio Albino Soares). Mestre Angola learned how to play Capoeira Angola from his teacher Mestre Vermelho (Mauricio Lemos de Carvalho) - a student of the late Mestre Pastinha. Mestre Vermelho invited Mestre Angola to perform Capoeira in cultural presentations in various countries throughout the world.

Mestre Angola founded his own group in 1980. Ten years later, he had a handful of seasoned graduate students who began teaching Capoeira Angola in same way. The Associação de Capoeira Corpo e Movimento continues to grow and expand. Today, there are two students who have received the title of Master, and various Contra-Mestres, Professors, Trenels, and Monitors. One student who continues to teach and promote the art of Capoeira Angola is Contra-Mestre Jim.

Contra-Mestre Jim, James Sera, is a graduate student of Mestre Angola who lives in Southern California. He founded Capoeira Angola centers in Pasadena (California) and Milwaukee (Wisconsin). In 2005, he became the director of the non-profit organization known as the Brazilian Cultural Foundation (www.brazilianculturalfoundation.org), dedicated to Capoeira Angola and the promotion of Brazilian cultural traditions.

Trenel Preá, or Steven Antonson, is a student of Contra-Mestre Jim, supervises the association’s school in Milwaukee and Kenosha. He gives classes in various community centers and public institutions throughout Milwaukee. Steve and his students have received invitations to perform at a number of venues in the city. In 2002, Milwaukee Magazine nominated the Associação de Capoeira Corpo e Movimento of Milwaukee as one of the best things to do in the city.

Left to right: Mestre Pastinha, Mestre Vermelho, Mestre Angola, Contra-Mestre Jim and Trenel Preá