Washington DC Capoeira: Classes at Dance Institute of Washington

Here are some photos taken at the new practice space at Dance Institute of Washington.

It’s a spacious open area with full  full length mirrors, wood dance floors, and barres for stretching.

DIW has changing rooms and is conveniently located a couple blocks north of the Columbia Heights Metro station.

On the left, students practice martelo and rasteira during a Saturday beginner’s capoeira class.

At right, some of the students practicing the berimbau and attabaque, two traditonal instruments used in capoeira.

Classes at DIW are held on Saturdays at 10:30 am and last 90 minutes.

Drop in classes are only $15 (no monthly membership dues required).

DIW is located at 3400 14th St NW, Washington DC – just a few blocks from the Columbia Heights metro station.

Classes are appropriate for all levels – even beginners – just wear some comfortable workout clothes and bring a bottle of water.

 

washington dc capoeira: corda for graduation

The corda from Brazil for the graduation ceremony finally arrived by mail:

We will be dyeing the cord and cutting it for the upcoming graduation ceremony which is scheduled for June. Keep checking this site or our Facebook page for updates.

washington dc capoeira: graduation testing coming soon

Classes have resumed at Bloombars on Saturday and Sunday mornings and at BTI Dance studio on Sunday afternoons. We will be having a graduation within the next month or so, so keep coming to class and practicing. Also, wear your uniforms to class so that we can take pictures for the website. When we have an exact date for the graduation, we will post it on this blog and the Facebook Page.

Washington DC Capoeira, Demonstration, Lesson and Talk at Catholic University

As part of a Brazilian Cultural Event held at Catholic University in DC, Contra Mestre Bomba and a few students from Capoeira Barro Vermelho DC were asked to do a demonstration and give a talk about the origins of Capoeira, it’s traditions and Brazilian culture. Here are a few videos from the event, in case you missed it.

This video shows the traditional way a Berimbau is made by hand using wood, a gourd and some hand tools.

Here is a video showing Contra Mestre Bomba and Pete playing capoeira.

This video shows “malicia” or “mandinga”, an often misunderstood element of capoeira that uses trickery and deception to gain an advantage over an opponent.

In this video we see another example of trickery on an opponent.

Afterwards Contra Mestre Bomba gave a talk on Capoeira, then gave a beginner lesson to several volunteers.

And what Brazilian cultural event would be complete without a little samba?

Washington DC Capoeira Washington City Paper 2011 Best of DC Voted Capoeira as one of the Best Dance Classes

Although Capoeira isn’t nearly as popular as other dance forms such as salsa and hip hop, we are proud that it was a runner up in the Washington City Paper’s Best of DC poll. In the reader-selected poll, Capoeira came in 3rd place as one of the top dance classes in DC.  Classes can be taken at All Souls Church in Columbia Heights or at BTI Dance Studio in the heart of Dupont Circle (formerly the Joy of Motion Dance Studio).   View the Capoeira Class Schedule for more information about our DC Capoeira Classes.

 

What makes this vote so great is that although capoeira  class is a great  way to dance, you’ll also learn a martial art, learn to play music and get the best workout of your life as you ginga, kick and esquiva your way to total fitness.  See you in the Roda!

Best Dance Class 2011

3rd Place

Capoeira