1st MN Batizado- July 25, 2011

Thank you to all participants in Minnesota's first ever Batizado and Troca de Corda event and workshops!  The workshops and event were a huge success, with over fifty participants from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Canada, and Sweden.     

Day one began with an energetic roda, where students from neighboring groups had the opportunity to meet each other and play.  Day two was filled with intensive capoeira workshops taught by Mestre Preguica, where students gained experience in expressive movement and on staying connected to each other while playing.  Day three continued on with intense conditioning and more complex combinations, and we were joined by Professor Indio who led us in new stretching and strengthening methods to aid with our floreio.  Day three concluded with a nicknaming ceremony- with 16 new students receiving their new apelidos.

The event peaked on day four with our first ever batizado and troca de corda event.  Sixteen new students were baptized into Omulu Capoeira Guanabara!  Many Minnesota students also received new belts- ranging from white-yellow to full orange.  The highlight of the event came with Coruja's promotion to blue belt!  The event came to an end after a great workshop and roda on day five.

I wish a warm congratulations to everyone who was baptized and/or received a much-earned new belt.  Thank you to those who took on some extra work and responsibility to ensure that the workshops ran smoothly.  Thank you also to everyone who made an extra trip to attend our event; playing with capoeiristas from other groups makes the experience so much more enriching for everyone. I would also like to send special congratulations and a major thank you towards Monitor Coruja, whose hard work, dedication, and love for capoeira and his students earned him his new belt as well as resulted in a highly successful event!

-Vespa