Senzala Bali Capoeira Festival: Bali

Over the decades I have seen many dance and ritual performances in the archipelago of Indonesia, and even on my travels around the world. Every country has its own unique performances and none more famous than the people of Brazil. The country is famous for its Mardi Gras of course, but so are their energetic dancers. For those visiting Bali in the next couple of weeks, you are in for a feast of brazilian dance with the Capoeira Festival.

Here’s more from the Bali Discovery:

The Brazilian cultural art form of Capoeira (Ka-pu-e-ira) has achieved world-wide popularity over the past decade. Renowned for its dynamic and energetic style, Capoeira has been accepted into popular culture as both a respected art form and a unique fusion of movement, music and martial arts. Today, Capoeira continues to expand over every continent, attracting new students with its fascinating and unusual style aided in no small way by international advertising firms who use Capoeira to promote their client products to the youth market. Capoeira’s acrobatic movements have been described as “the sport of the new millennium.”

Arriving in Indonesia in 1999, Capoeira now has thousands of devotees and, like the rest of the world, its dancers have become a regular fixture in national advertising campaigns.

Group Senzala Bali

Group Senzala Bali is the creation of Rod Penn (UK) and Kenoko Hermiaji (Indonesia), two friends who have dedicated the last eight years to the study and promotion of Capoeira. Both men share a mutual passion for the vast technical intricacies of the art. Capoeira was established in Bali in November 2006 and has rapidly drawn new participants. Bali’s Capoeira dancers are booked solidly by event organizers, hotels, nightclubs and cafés in Bali.

Bali’s Capoeira Festival

Bali will host it first Capoeira Festival December 14-16, 2007. Groups from across Indonesia are expected to attend together with Mestre Gato a living Capoeira legend from Rio de Janeiro accompanied by his Son, Contra Mestre Pedro. Capoeira practitioners from Australia and several Asia countries are also expected to participate.

Here’s the schedule for Bali’s First Capoeira Festival:

• December 14, 15 & 16 2007 – Workshops at the Canggu Country Club led by Mestre Gato and Contra Mestre Pedro.

• December 15, 2007 Mandinga! Afro-Brasil Party at Fabio’s Restaurant featuring DJ Stevie G (USA), live percussion, Samba dancers and a professional Capoeira demonstration.

• December 16, 2007 – Batizado at the Canggu Country Club. A special “graduation” ceremony for student who will receive their belts after performing with Mestre Gato and other instructors.

For More Information

Fore more information contact Rod Penn, Instructor at Senzala Bali at rodpenn@hotmail.com or Kenoko Hermiaji at kennocko@yahoo.com, Telephone ++62-(0)81558559660 of ++62-(0) 8174768709.