Capoeira Angola grandmaster Joao Grande will host a free weekend workshop on the Afro-Brazilian folk art March 1-3 at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Capoeira Angola is an art form that combines martial arts with dance, music and ritual. Grande will lead a series of classes followed by a March 3 performance in Old Main Chapel from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Classes will be held in Carlson Gymnasium room 1B12. On March 1 a class will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on March 2 classes will be from 10 a.m. to noon and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The classes and performance, sponsored by the Cultural Events Board and the Capoeira Angola Club of CU-Boulder, are free and open to the public.
Capoeira Angola is an art form that combines martial arts with dance, music and ritual. Originally a challenge dance, its roots can be traced to the central African country of Angola.
Capoeira Angola came to Brazil via slaves who adapted it into a form of self-defense and a means of cultural preservation. Today Capoeira Angola is a type of playful sparring performed inside a circle of people who sing and play musical instruments.
Grande, of New York City, is one of only two living grandmasters of this ancient art form and is a highly sought after figure in Capoeira circles. He began playing Capoeira Angola 50 years ago.
Grande has toured Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the United States with various Capoeira troupes. He recently was honored by the National Endowment for the Arts with the National Heritage Fellowship for his contributions to the cultural resources of the United States.
For information on the workshop call (303) 402-1923.