Hello Capoeiristas, Friends, and Community,
Spring is a time for planting new seeds and witnessing the growth of those planted in previous seasons. As I embrace this seasonal change and look forward to our plans for the year (more details below), I am reminded of our biggest performance from last year: CIGARRA & Guerreiras Nessa Arte. This multidimensional show highlighted the stories of women in Afro-Brazilian traditions, including Márcia’s legendary contributions to Capoeira.
Her legacy continues to shape the lives of people across the globe who have connected with her. Together with the global ABADÁ-Capoeira organization and our school, ABADÁ-Capoeira San Francisco, we have many accomplishments to be proud of, particularly those that celebrate our commitment to inclusivity.
This past month, our global organization held its 26th Jogos Europeus in Lisbon, Portugal, where Mestra Cigarra was a guest of honor. Men and women from 20 countries came together to practice Capoeira—a testament not only to the widespread reach of our art but also to its inclusive nature, welcoming everyone who wishes to participate. Just last week, ABADÁ-Capoeira held its 16th annual Encontro Feminino in São Paulo, Brazil, also attended by Mestra. This event featured lectures, workshops, and, of course, Capoeira competitions for women.
Since CIGARRA, we have successfully achieved our ambitious goal of bringing two elite teaching artists from Brazil to our staff. Professor Jabuti and Professora Iguana have infused our practice with new energy, and we are truly grateful to have them on board.
In March, Mestra Cigarra and I launched our first-ever advanced teacher training program supporting a cohort of 15 skilled artists.
We are filled with positivity in our community! Let’s carry that spirit into every aspect of our lives, planting seeds of change and growth as we work towards a more just and vibrant future. Lastly, we wish all the mothers and mother figures in our community a happy Mother’s Day weekend!
Jennifer Walsh
Executive Director