On June 23, Forestdale and the Capoeira Center of New York showcased what Forestdale’s teens have learned, and also the beauty of the martial art in its advanced form. The event marked the culmination of a 16-week collaboration between the two organizations that enriched the lives of both instructors and students.
Along with Michelle Rae Pinzon, who serves as Executive Director of the Capoeira Center (CCNY) and goes by the Capoeira name “Trinidade”, and Angelo Ribiero, aka “Gafanhoto”, who led the weekly hour-long classes, a cadre of capoeiristas came in support for the show. They included Leandro Santos Silva, aka Profesor Alegria, who led the event, Marnie Ponce (“Venenosa”), who serves on the CCNY and as its Treasurer, Steve Alizio (“Cegonha”), Karine Righenti (“Kakau”), Vanessa Diamond (“Nativa”), John Bernardo (“Minhoca”) and Justice Pinzon-Vieira (“Louva Deus”), Ms. Pinzon’s son.
The proceedings started with the typical stretching and warm-up exercises to which the youth were all accustomed after two months of training. Once everyone was ready to go, Profesor Alegria took the group through the basic steps that serve as the basis for Capoeira’s lithe, flowing movements.
Capoeiristas show off their talent in the roda.
A crowd of friends, family and Forestdale staff looked on with pride at the teens’ mastery of the artform and wonder at their flexibility and athleticism. The group then formed a roda, or the traditional circle in which Capoeira is performed to traditional singing and music. Forestdale teens and the CCNY members alike took turns in the roda to show off their skills in friendly competition.
At the end of the performance, Profesor Alegria spoke to the audience about the virtues that Capoeira instills and reinforces in its participants. Discipline and self-belief, he said, are among the chief character traits that make one a successful and dediated capoeirista. Gafanhoto added, “Capoeira is something that helps you to grow as a person.” Though keeping strict attention for the full hour was sometimes a challenge, he said, he witnessed growth in the teens over the course of the last two months. “These are wonderful kids, and I’m very proud to have worked with them here,” Gafanhoto concluded.
Forestdale is likewise proud to have forged such a meaningful partnership with the Capoeira Center of New York, and looks forward to continuing its affiliation with more programming for teens in the future.
