Project summary:
To begin, Antoinette and I designed a schedule where every student spent a portion of each day in intensive training of Capoeira and/or Afro-Brazillian Dance. This took place in the gymnasium, usually 3 divisions per session, and was led by myself with Max’s assistance. This schedule repeated for a total of 14 days straight, excluding weekends.
In advance to, and during, this time I purchased materials, designed and assigned various auxiliary art projects to the students. I brought in Chika and Amanda to assist with this. Divisions 12-17 (Ks and 1s) created trees and jungle backdrop. Divisions 10 and 11 (Grade 2/3) received blank white t-shirts, a wide range of stencils and paints, as well as instructions on how to create individual T-shirts for themselves. Divisions 7,8,9 (grade 3/4) received materials and instructions to create custom cloth headband of fur, feathers, jewels and shells. For divisions 4,5,6 (Grade 5/6) I purchased and cut ‘Maculele’ warrior sticks of oak dowels and one woodworking burn gun for each class. They then burnt in designs of their choice to personalize their sticks. Divisions 1,2,3 (grade 6/7) we’re given canvasses and paints, a lesson on symbolism in the logos of international Capoeira groups, the history of Capoeira, and a lesson in paint mixing and symmetric design. Then in groups they designed and painted logos of fictitious Capoeira groups.
At the end of the 14 days we then performed Capoeira and Afro-Brazillian dance, while wearing or displaying the auxiliary art pieces. To give every student a chance to perform, and to accommodate all parents and students who wanted to watch, we required a total of 4 performances. This took place over 2 days, 2 performances per child (one afternoon and one evening).