Afro-Brazilian Night

The Center for International Education (CIE) is pleased to invite you for an evening of Afro-Brazilian music and movement featuring Capoeira Amizade Flagstaff and Sambatuque. This performance is part of NAU's International Week and is free for NAU students and the Flagstaff community.

Capoeira Amizade:
The Afro-Brazilian art form of Capoeira is often described as an Afro-Brazilian cultural art that combines martial arts, dance, acrobatics, music and ritual. Nonetheless, we ultimately regard Capoeira as a highly involved movement based game that is fascinating to watch. Two people exchange defensive and offensive maneuvers while maintaining a dance like movements and acrobatics. The music in Capoeira is like no other. It uses ancient African and Brazilian traditional instruments and involves songs and vocals that are a pleasure to listen to.

Sambatuque:
Founded in the summer of 2008, Sambátuque is a Brazilian-inspired community percussion and dance ensemble based in Flagstaff, Arizona. Their mission is to bring a greater appreciation of the rhythms of the African diaspora. They play a variety of Brazilian styles, including the batucada of Rio, Maracatu from Pernambuco, and the Afro-Brazilian rhythms of Bahia, to name a few, as well as rhythms of Africa and Cuba. They are also honored to be one of the bands playing the original, contemporary music of master drummer Marcus Santos. In America there is a wall between musical players and those who just listen. Part of our goal is to break down that wall – everybody can play music and dance! The members bring a good vibe, big smiles, and lots of energy to every show. Bring your dancing feet – you’ll want them when Sambatuque starts playing…