Chanting, kicking and clapping to the beat of atabaque bongo drums, members of the Association Scantista Capoeira Areba Branca performed for staff and students at Kings Court/English College House last night.
"Capoeira is a [dance and martial arts] movement invented by Brazilian runaway slaves about 400 years ago...," ASCAB President and Wharton junior Enrique Glotzer said. "During the last 20 years, it has spread out of Brazil to the rest of the world."
Wearing loose white costumes accented by stripes of bright color and strands of rope, 15 dancers, led by ASCAB Director Adenilson Dos Santos, showed the audience basic Capoeira moves.
"The dancers are really impressive. I've heard about Capoeira before, but I've never seen it done live...," College freshman Tim Ambrose said. "I was walking towards my dorm room when I heard this great beat.... This is the most inventive, funky style I've ever seen."
Along with vocal chanting and drums, the distinctive Capoeira beat is created with pandeiro tambourines and berimbau bows.
"The idea for this event started a couple of years ago when my husband and I went on a sabbatical to Brazil," said Kings Court Associate Faculty Master Marta Rivas-Olmeda. "When we came back we [started to] look for a Capoeira instructor for our son, and got in touch with ASCAB."
Members of ASCAB, both Penn students and residents of the Philadelphia area, each rotate between chanting, playing instruments and dancing during a dojo, or game.
"Capoeira is in so many ways life itself," ASCAB member and Philadelphia resident Dallas Bryant said. "The circle... of dancers and instrumentalists represents the world, with everyone's personalities coming out [as they perform]. If you're an angry person, your aggression will show through, and if you're a gentle person people will be able to tell."
With fluid flips and cartwheels, performers kept students mesmerized. A few even tried out moves with ASCAB members.
"Going out there and performing was lots of fun, and I got to use my kickboxing skills...," Engineering freshman Jamie York said. "I was just scared that I would mess up and kick someone in the face."
As part of a series of events organized by Kings Court for the PennPM Program, ASCAB, which began at Penn last year, will be holding classes in the Class of 1938 lounge every Thursday evening.
