Ithaca Capoeira

07/03/2024

From the first batizado with Mestre Nô all those years ago in Ithaca NY to when he graduated Mestre Graveto to Mestre. What an honor, thank you Mestre Nô. You are a guiding light, an inspiration and truly our Mestre.

02/04/2023

01/14/2023

OUR RITUAL AND TRADITION
Capoeira Angola is a tradition and a ritual that at times is a game, a dance, a fight or a combination of all three. Deeply rooted in the Bantu warrior traditions and ways of seeing the universe (that some call spiritual magic) Angoleiros train to play a game which leads them to a greater knowledge of how to navigate the obstacles and perils all around us, not only in the roda (circle of playing) but in our lives as well.
Capoeira Angola is a musical tradition emphasizing ancient understandings in to strategy, tactics, attack, defense, creativity, imagination and self awareness. There is dance, grace, beauty, risk reward and danger. In Capoeira Angola there are no rules only respect and consequences. Capoeira Angola is the traditional form of capoeira that emphasizes wisdom over force, strategy over speed. It is said that capoeiristas are like chameleons, blending and adapting to their environment. The best capoeiristas appear calm when they play. Their game flows without resistance and defies gravity -- and at the right moment, they strike.
We can't wait to share and experience with you this wonderful world of Capoeira Angola Negaça!

01/10/2023

New year, new beginnings!

06/05/2020

Almost 50 years since this was played on the airways and its still relevant today.

Teddy Swims - What's Going On (Marvin Gaye Cover)

Love all who have love for all. Here we are almost 50 years after the release of this album and it still speaks volumes! A revolution has many channels. Ther...

06/04/2020

To the community at large:
Capoeira Angola Negaca will always stand with the people who fight for justice, resist against oppression and stand for the building up of our communities and the tearing down of dehumanizing policies and acts of dominance and ignorance. The recent tragedies that have finally come to the public light should not divide us but unite us as a nation and as a people, ignite us to act and to seek to understand the lives of people who may have a world view that has been tempered through fear, subtle violence and oppression. Capoeria Angola is an art and philosophy born through the resistance of oppression, of violence and systemic abuse hurled onto someone merely for the color of their skin and then the economic power of their finances. Oppression takes many forms and has many avenues to propagate itself, resistance must take just as many and more. Capoeira came from a people bowed under by physical violence, literal chains and even the removal of your family and community to keep them under control. They fought back in any way they could find. We all must act in a way to counter oppression when we find it. But it need not be the exact way someone might think. When they were forced in their chains they took one avenue that many people have not recognized as a form of resistance in the world at large but lives on in our capoeira communities. They took to music, to song, to dance and to telling the stories that inspired us for literally hundreds of years.
Capoeira Angola Negaca wants to honor that form of resistance this weekend and invites anyone who wishes to learn, participate and act in resistance, to carry on our tradition of not bowing down. Mestre No , our Mestre, has recently given private classes with Contra Mestre Graveto over the last several weeks in berimbau and music and he would like to offer what has been shared in building our community and offering resistance in a way they can’t combat and stop. This Saturday at 1pm he will be holding free classes and music roda for anyone who wishes to attend, regardless of group or affiliation, skill or knowledge in Cass Park under the pavilions near the children’s garden. Bring your instruments, share what you have, sing, play and share in the tradition of resistance through music and dance with us.
If oppression takes many forms our resistance must take just as many. Join us in standing and singing in solidarity of those who resist in other ways.

05/30/2020

I apologize for the profanity to the sensitive viewers out there but this comedian, Andrew Schulz, is a pure genius. Watch, laugh and listen. Outrage is needed and this puts an amazing light on everything going on right now around the country.

What up people. Tragic week in America as we are reminded that racism is still alive and well. Amy Cooper needs all the smoke for her despicable actions in C...