My favourite capoeira group in London

I belong to Unicar. Its name is an acronym form União Internacional de Capoeira Regional. This International means that we have academies in Salvador da Bahia (in Brazil of course), Berlin, Munich, Potsdam, Braunschweig (Germany) and Poznań (Poland) and a lots of groups in those countries and Ukraine.

Since there is no Unicar’s classes in London, I attended another group’s. For two months I train with other beginners in East Longon. Simon Atkinson called Fantasma founded it and has been still teaching. However, at time when I join them, first class was leading by Alex, great Brazilian who went to Australia. I really enjoy his style, teaching and company.

There are some differences between East London and Unicar Katowice. Most obvious is first train angola and second - regional. I learn few useful things on Alex and Fantasma’s classes that I doubt I would learn on Sem Memoria’s so fast. For instance the fact that songs have not only melody but also accents. East London put much more stress on eye contact. They make more exercises to practice it and more remark about it. Third example you can see on picture below.


There is also many things I learnt on Sem Memoria’s classes which I doubt I would learn on Fantasma’s so fast. The main is regional style. At time when I started to longing after it I went to watch 3rd Friday open roda at Corbet Place, Ely's Yard, London E1 6QR. Fantasma organizes it every month and it’s free. I met there a boy who obviously trains in my style. I asked him about his group and he told me about London Capoeira Ceara. I attend their class once. It was at Parkwood Leisure Centre, Antony Street, Hamlets, E1, where in front of group is a mirror wall so everybody can see what exactly they do.

They have much in common with Unicar. From my rough observation I might say that all except one thing: way they greet. At the beginning of class Cearas’ members stand in rows, kick straight forward and shout “Ceara” for coach call “capoeira”. I found it silly and embarrassing. Unicar Katowice starts in one line. Coach calls “salve Unicar!” and participants answer the same aloud. Rising right hand is the accompanying gesture. One should remember that palm must be vertical to the floor. If you do it right it is plenty of force and meaning and does not resemble Nazi salute.

I’ve made up my mind to accept London’s groups disadvantages and the fact that Unicar doesn’t have a branch in the city. Suddenly two days ago I got know my groups’ members who emigrates are going to organize themselves. There will be Unicar in 17th voivodeship! “Londyn” starts on 26th January, in two days. You can get information about it from Mr Jerzy Coroa Obreski 075 062 389 31 or Mr Przemek Topogigio Niewiadomski (pl only) 075 233 748 32. The group train at POSK, Polish Social & Cultural Association Ltd, 238-246 King Street, Hammersmith W6. Fee is about £3 or £4.

Reference
Ceara group: http://www.capoeira-ceara.co.uk/
East London group (open rodas): http://www.capoeira-angola.co.uk/
Unicar (pl+en): http://unicar.org.uk/