Dear Community,
We’re feeling energized by what this new year is already offering. New beginnings don’t always arrive with fanfare—often, they reveal themselves through steady practice, shared movement, and a renewed commitment to what matters most.
February marks Black History Month in the U.S., a time to honor Black resistance, creativity, and leadership—and to remember that these stories extend far beyond national borders. Capoeira was born from the struggle for freedom in Brazil, shaped by Africans who fought to preserve their culture and humanity. As we celebrate Black history in the United States, we also honor Black liberation in Brazil.
Capoeira reminds us that our histories are deeply interconnected, just as the freedom of any one group is tied to the freedom of all who have faced oppression. This month, and always, we encourage our community to deepen their understanding of the African roots of capoeira. There are many ways to do this, and we’re proud to offer a new Afro-Brazilian dance class as one part of that commitment (details below).
Our school-year kids’ classes are also in full swing this month, led by the incredible Professor Soldadinho and Instrutora Toninha. These classes are a weekly highlight, and families are welcome to enroll their children at any time.
Last month, we had the joy of bringing capoeira directly to students through a performance at Head-Royce School in Oakland. Looking ahead, we’re excited to share that we have a strong lineup of school-based residencies and performances planned for 2026. Bringing capoeira into schools is deeply meaningful to us—it’s where curiosity is sparked and futures begin to open.
We’re also incredibly proud of our students, Professoras Sucuri and Estrela Vésper and Instrutora Tatú for launching ABADÁ-Capoeira Oakland and (big news!) for Mestrando Jabuti for kicking-off ABADÁ-Capoeira SF in Oakland with capoeira pop-up classes starting Feb. 3rd! We encourage you to support these classes.
Here’s to a year of movement, learning, and staying connected—to history, to one another, and to what’s possible.
Warmly,
Mestra Márcia Cigarra & Professora Sereia