ABADA DC 2024 BATIZADO

From April 25 to 28, Abada-Capoeira DC (ACDC) will host a series of workshops with MESTRANDA GIGI, the 2nd edition of our CAPITAL GAMES and our annual BATIZADO and Graduation Promotion.
We hope you will join us!

(open to Abada-Capoeria members only)

PROGRAM

Apr 25

WORKSHOPS WITH MESTRANDA GIGI

6:30 – 8:00 PM
teens/adults
up to yellow-orange

8:00 – 9:30 PM
teens/adults
orange above

Twinbrook ES
5911 Ridgway Ave, Rockville MD

Apr 26

WORKSHOPS WITH MESTRANDA GIGI

6:00 – 7:30 PM
teens/adults
up to yellow-orange

7:30 – 9:00 PM
teens/adults
orange above

Floris ES
2708 Centreville RD, Herndon VA

Apr 27

WORKSHOPS WITH MESTRANDA GIGI

9:00 – 10:00 AM
Kids

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
teens/adults

Shady Grove MS
8100 Midcounty Hwy, Gaithersburg MD

Apr 27

ACDC CAPITAL GAMES

2:00 – 6:00 PM
(orange cord and above)

Shady Grove MS
8100 Midcounty Hwy, Gaithersburg MD

Apr 27

CANTABADA
CANTOS & CONTOS

8:00 PM

45580 Shepard Dr, Sterling VA

Apr 28

ACDC BATIZADO

12:00 PM

Nova Elite Dance Alliance
4200 Lafayette Center Dr, Chantilly, VA

Apr 28

CELEBRATION DINNER

5:00 PM

Lazy Dog Chantilly
14333 Newbrook Dr, Chantilly, VA

ATTENTION!!!!

Registrations for the ACDC CAPITAL GAMES is closed!!!
Registration for the workshops still open.
(Abada-Capoeira members only)

Click here to register for the workshops

link for Abada-capoeira participants from out of town only
ACDC students, please use the link sent to you by email

Mestranda Gigi

Mestranda Gigi (Gisela Folly Pereira Leite) began Capoeira at age twelve in 1982 with Mestre Camisa and has been training under his direction ever since. She started teaching in 1987 as a co-instructor with Mestra Márcia Cigarra working within various city projects, some of which included teaching Capoeira to youth living on the streets. Since then, Mestranda Gigi’s teaching career has evolved to include classes at the Universidade Gama Filho.
Mestranda Gigi is one of only a very small number of women who began Capoeira in the 1980s who has consistently remained active and influential in the development of ABADÁ-Capoeira. She has traveled around the world performing and teaching Capoeira and is well known for her talent as a vocalist.

TESTIMOMIALS
” I trained capoeira briefly in college, where I found the challenging form of exercise, coupled with music, a good fit for me in terms of fitness goals and uniqueness. After college I went almost 8 years without training because it simply wasn’t anywhere to be found until 2008, when I discovered ABADA DC. From then on, capoeira took on a whole new meaning for me. The techniques trained by ABADA are backed by a logical and standard methodology that is evident when you train with other ABADA groups around the globe. Everyone is on the same page, technique-wise, and the flow and energy when playing in the circle is incomparable. More profoundly, the strength of the ABADA organization is fueled by the capoeira spirit and traditions that burn at its core. At ABADA DC, I’ve been fortunate to train under Yara Cordeiro because she challenges everyone to embrace not just the strong foundational techniques of the ABADA school, but also the spirit of capoeira. Since embracing that spirit, I’ve had the fortuity of learning various styles of capoeira, developing my singing and instrumental skills, and training with ABADA capoeiristas from all over the world. Even during a 7-year break from ABADA DC to have children, the spirit was very much alive within me. When I returned to ABADA DC, I jumped in head-first by training for the first time at the World Games in Brazil and the rest is history.
At ABADA DC, l emerged a martial artist, singer, musician and linguist of Portuguese, all while gaining a family and all the spoils of Brazilian culture. Capoeira changed my life, but ABADA DC changed my soul.” (Joaninha – Liane Agulto)

” In September 2016, on a last-minute trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico, while reading the trail map at El Yunque Rainforest I met Professora Yara. This random meeting led me to capoeira. I had been looking for an exercise program that suited me, had never heard of capoeira, but gave it a try. Turns out Capoeira was exactly what I was looking for. In ABADA Capoeira I found my strength, flexibility and most important my tribe. I found people who encourage me, people who never judge, and people who inspire me.
I was fortunate enough to be able to use my “chaos coordinator” skills, honed during my years of tv & film production, stage managing ABADA-Capoeira DC’s 10^th Anniversary music & dance showcase production in Spring 2018 and again at the Kennedy Center in fall 2018. I look forward to fulfilling my ABADA-Capoeira board position in Community Involvement by planning and executing food, clothing & blood drives as well as fun activities for our students and their families to bond and make lasting friendships..” (Cigana – Nycole Klein)

"I cannot say enough great things about Abada Capoeira DC! The instructor, Professora Yara Cordeiro, is one of the most dedicated and compassionate people I have ever met. She truly cares about her students and they become a second family to her. Her love and passion for Capoeira are reflected in her teachings. She has over 30 years of experience in Capoeira and she comes up with innovative, fun ways to help students learn and train the techniques. Her advanced students and student instructors are also very knowledgeable, helpful and supportive.
My oldest son started training Capoeira when he was 5, back in 2016. I thought it was “just a martial arts class,” but I soon found out that Capoeira is SO MUCH MORE! Capoeira is a combination of martial arts, dance, and acrobatics, but there’s also singing, history lessons, learning and playing instruments, and learning the Portuguese language involved as well. It’s a complete mind and body workout.
My younger son joined his brother in January 2020 and was able to do a handful of classes before the pandemic hit. Professora Yara successfully adapted the classes so they could be taken online via Zoom, and we were able to continue with training.
During the pandemic, I started helping my younger son with his kicks, since I have some martial arts training from when I was younger, and I fell in love with the art of Capoeira. I joined Abada Capoeira DC after a few months and progressed from training with my kids to training with the other adults in the school. Through Abada Capoeira DC my sons have learned about perseverance, developed new friendships, found mentors in the advanced students, learned a new language, learned about another culture, and they’ve learned the importance of being physically healthy. As for myself, training Capoeira with Abada Capoeira DC gave me self-confidence, new friendships, and a new, fun way to keep myself healthy for my family.” (Raiz – Thu Do)