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Capoeira demonstrated

Library hosts program on Brazilian martial art

Leg sweeps and kicks filled Main Street Library on July 20, as about 73 people learned about capoeira, a Brazilian form of martial arts. The program was part of the Newport News Public Library System’s Summer Reading Program.

Destiny Burrell, age 4, learns some fundamental capoeira movements on July 20 at the Capoeira: Martial Arts of Brazil program at Main Street Library. Photo by Dana Watford/Newport News Public Library System.

Photos and article by Dana Watford/Newport News Public Library System

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Leg sweeps and kicks filled Main Street Library on July 20, as about 73 people learned about capoeira, a Brazilian form of martial arts. The program was part of the Newport News Public Library System’s Summer Reading Program.

Shariff Rudolph aka Mestre Pele and two of his students from Capoeira Resistencia of Virginia Beach taught the audience about the origin of capoeira, its history and music.

The 75-minute program included a demonstration of a capoeira match and the chance for audience members to learn some of the fundamental moves.

“It’s a great experience for the kids, the older they get the more they will understand,” said Amendoim aka Jonathan Brown, a student of capoeira for three months.

To demonstrate the importance of the music in capoeira, Mestre Pele played a few capoeira angola rhythms using a wooden instrument called a berimbaus. Players move in time to the rhythm. He also played a pandeiro, similar to a tambourine, and a tall drum known as an atabaque.

The Newport News Public Library System’s Summer Reading Program is free and open to children, teens and adults. It includes reading incentives and activities and continues through July 31. It is generously supported by the Friends of the Newport News Public Library System, Capt. D’s, Fazoli’s, McDonald’s, Golden Corral, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Shoney’s, and the Library of Virginia.

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