PITT TO DEMONSTRATE CAPOEIRA AT BARNES & NOBLE

PITTSBURGH, Feb. 5 -- The University of Pittsburgh's Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) and the Nego Gato Capoeira-Angola Foundation will present a Capoeira-Angola demonstration from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 18, at the Barnes & Noble book store, downtown.

Capoeira-Angola, considered now by many to be the national sport of Brazil or a Brazilian martial art form, is actually a rich artistic expression that is part of the Afro-Brazilian cultural heritage suppressed for a long time along with other expressions of black and popular culture of the country. The form of capoeira found at the beginning of this century known as Capoeira-Angola combines elements of dance, martial art, music, ritual and mimicry. Intermingling these elements results in an original art form.

"Traditional Capoeira, or Capoeira-Angola, can be considered a 'magical theater' or a school of life, which by metaphorically reproducing the situations found in real life, prepares stylists to overcome them," said Rosalind Eannarino, coordinator of educational public services for CLAS. "The stylist traverses through it humbly, with respect for his opponents, knowing that any step might be fraught with danger and treachery, but even then does not lose his humor and, above all, walks with beauty and style."

This presentation is the next in a monthly series offered at Barnes & Noble by Pitt's University Center for International Studies (of which CLAS is a part), Africana Studies and the African Drum & Dance Ensemble.

The event is free and open to the public. Barnes & Noble is located at 339 Sixth Avenue, entrance on Smithfield Street.

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