I bought my Celestron Ultima 2000 used in about 2012. I continued using it with the original fork arms and equatorial mount until a toolbox full of my telescope accessories was stolen in 2022. I lost the hand controller, all my eyepieces and all the nuts and bolts that made this a working telescope. Luckily, insurance did pay out and I was able to replace some of the things that I lost but, considering this is a telescope from 1998, it wasn’t possible to replace everything.
At Rocky Mountain Star Stare in June 2023, I walked around envying the very nice German Equatorial Mounts I was seeing, including some used with C8s. I was still using my old mount, operating it manually and with increasing frustration. The gears were starting to skip and make noise and the finderscope never seemed to be aligned with the main scope. As soon as I got home I started searching to see if there was a way to revamp my telescope and maybe even get it computerized again.
I ordered a Celestron AVX Mount from Mile High Astronomy in Denver. I also needed a dovetail that would make a 1998 Celestron C8 SCT compatible with the mount. The folks at Mile High pointed me toward a Vixen Dovetail from Farpoint Astronomy.
Celestron AVX Telescope Mount, some assembly requiredVixen Dovetail, still in the box
Next I had to de-fork the C8 from the original fork arms. Luckily all this took was an allen wrench.
Original Mount of Celestron Ultima 2000 C8 on solid metal fork arms and computerized base.De-forking required an allen wrench and removal of 2 bolts on each side of the C8 tube.C8 Optical tube separated from original fork arms.
Then I removed the small dovetail and counterweight from the C8 optical tube (needed a phillip’s head screwdriver for that) and replaced them with the Vixen Dovetail for 8″ SCT shown below.
Installing the Vixen dovetail also required just an allen wrench.
I assembled the AVX mount following the instructions that came with it. It was pretty straightforward though it could’ve used a few additional pictures in my opinion. No tools were needed. Pieces needed to be tightened together but everything was threaded correctly and easy to put together.
Assembling the AVX mount was fairly straightforward. I haven’t yet balanced the counterweight in RA and Dec.AVX mount came with a cigarette lighter jack, compatible with my existing Celestron Power Tank. It also comes with NexStar+ hand controller.
I am so excited to have my wonderful C8 SCT begin its new life on this lovely new computerized mount. AVX mounts can handle telescopes up to 30 lbs. De-forked, the C8 comes in at about 12 lbs. That leaves plenty of wiggle room for a finder scope and some nice heavy eyepieces. Maybe in future I’ll even treat myself to an 11″ SCT (at 28 lbs) but I’ll leave that dream for another day.
Aggarwal, Y., Belmonte, J. A., et. al. (2015). Ancient Astronomy: India, Egypt, China, Maya, Inca, Aztec, Greece, Rome, Genesis, Hebrews, Christians, the Neolithic and Paleolithic. Cosmology Science Publishers.
Brashear, R. & Lewis, D. (2001). Star Struck: One Thousand Years of the Art and Science of Astronomy. Huntington Library.
Brooke-Hitching, E. (2020). The Sky Atlas: The Greatest Maps, Myths and Discoveries of the Universe. Chronicle Books.
Krupp, E. (1992). Beyond the Blue Horizon: Myths & Legends of the Sun, Moon, Stars & Planets. Oxford University Press.
Krupp, E. (2003). Echoes of the Ancient Skies: The Astronomy of Lost Civilizations. Dover.
Marchant, J. (2020). The Human Cosmos: Civilization and the Stars. Dutton.
Penprase, B. (2011). The Power of Stars: How Celestial Observations Have Shaped Civilization. Springer.
Heifetz, M. D., & Tirion, W. (2012). A Walk Through the Southern Sky : A Guide to Stars, Constellations and Their Legends: Vol. 3rd ed. Cambridge University Press.
Rogers, J.H. (1998). Origins of the ancient constellations: I. The Mesopotamian traditions. Journal of the British Astronomical Association, 108, 9-28.
Urton, G. (1981). Animals and Astronomy in the Quechua Universe. Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society. 125(2):110-127.
Cosmology
Aveni, A. (2021). Creation Stories: Landscapes and the Human Imagination. Yale University Press.
Needham, J. (1974). Astronomy in Ancient and Medieval China. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series A, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, 276(1257), 67–82.
Ashfaque, S.M. (1977). Astronomy in the Indus Valley Civilization: A Survey of the Problems and Possibilities of the Ancient Indian Astronomy and Cosmology in the Light of Indus Script Decipherment by the Finnish Scholars. Centaurus. 21 (2): 149–193. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0498.1977.tb00351.x https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1600-0498.1977.tb00351.x
Holton, G. E. L. (2004). Heyerdahl’s Kon Tiki Theory and the Denial of the Indigenous Past. Anthropological Forum, 14(2), 163–181. https://doi-org 10.1080/0066467042000238976
Lewis, D. (1974). Voyaging Stars: Aspects of Polynesian and Micronesian Astronomy. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series A, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, 276(1257), 133–148.
Walker, M. (2012). Navigating oceans and cultures: Polynesian and European navigation systems in the late eighteenth century. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 42(2), 93–98. https://doi-org 10.1080/03036758.2012.673494
Young, J.S. (2010). MOON TEACHINGS FOR THE MASSES AT THE UMASS SUNWHEEL & AROUND THE WORLD: THE MAJOR LUNAR STANDSTILLS OF 2006 & 2024-25. Department of Astronomy, University of Massachusetts, Amherst. https://www.umass.edu/sunwheel/pages/moonteaching.html
Timekeeping
Higgins, K., Miner, D., Smith, C.N., Sullivan, D.B. (2004). A Walk Through Time. National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD. http://physics.nist.gov/time
The 33rd Batizado and Troca de cordas was held January 24 – 25, 2020 at the studio in Colorado Springs. This was the first event with our new logo and under our new group name “Capoeira Pé da Serra.” The group is lead primarily by Professora Segura em Casa.
The phrase “pé da serra” in Portuguese means “foot of the mountain” and it feels like the perfect name for our group in Colorado Springs, nestled at the foot of Pikes Peak. Rather than being a new name, it’s really more of a name re-boot. Pé da Serra was the original name of the capoeira group started by Mago and Segura em Casa in Utah in the late 1990s – early 2000s. They even released an album under that group name!
Original logo and CD coverSong list
Rounding out the album was a capoeira song titled, you guessed it, “Pé da Serra.” The song was written by Mago back in the day! Here are the original lyrics in Portugese, with an English translation. The bold letters in the Portuguese version represent the emphasized beat (also known as the third clap).
While the song remains just as beautiful now as it was when it was written, the logo was in need of a modern touch-up, courtesy of Segura. The multi-colored version was chosen for the patch on our abadas.
We were delighted to host some amazing guests at Batizado 33, including Mestre Amen Santos (Capoeira Batuque) and Contramestre Graveto (South Texas Capoeira). We also had a great turnout of other Colorado-based capoeiristas including Mestre Betinho (Capoeira Ventre Livre), Contramestra Onda (UCA), Contramestre Beringela (UCA), Contramestre Grilo Preto (UCA), Instrutor Bambu (Capoeira Angola Palmares) and Professora Pinauna (UCA).
Group photo Friday night
Additional out of town guests including many long time friends of our group such as Instrutor Feido (Força Rara), Professor Varal, Professor Martell, Monitor Sucão, Monitor Sombra (Dallas Capoeira), Monitor Espeto (Utah Valley Capoeira), Monitor Guerreiro (MSP Capoeira), Aventura, Relogio, Estilingue, Chuck Norris, Olho de Tigre, Marinheiro, Cega, Pimentinha, and Barrão.
Saturday group photo in our fancy batizado t-shirts
Monitor Quebra Noz (video credit: Pimentinha)
Open Roda (video credit: Relogio)
Notable cords given out included Quebra Noz receiving his Monitor cord and graduados Chorinha, Aventura, Tuiuiu, and Pimentinha receiving their solid blue cords. Also notable, we were one of the few groups lucky enough to get a live batizado in 2020 because our event happened a few weeks before Covid-19 travel restrictions started.
Stay safe my fellow capoeiristas and join us for our next event in August 2020! We will most likely have some options to attend via zoom. Axé!!
Batizado 34: A Covid Batizado
This low-key event was held at the studio on August 25 – 26, 2020. There were no out of town guests and masks and social distancing were in place. I didn’t attend. Capoeira pe da serra t-shirts and face masks were given out as event gifts.
Batizado 35a: Another Covid Batizado
Even lower-key than the previous round, cords were given out in class on March 2, 2021 at the studio.
Batizado 35b: A quasi-normal Batizado
On August 21, 2021 we welcomed guests Mestre Efraim Silva, Professor Sombra, Professor Martel, Relogio, Pimentinha, Arco Iris and Estilingue for our first post-covid event with guest instructors. Aluna Tigresa received her Graduada cord, becoming Graduada Tigresa.
I didn’t attend this one as I was on a well deserved vacation in Winter Park with my family.
Batizado 36: Coming Back Swingin
Rank advancements held February 25 – 26, 2022 at the studio.
group photoGreat design on the event t-shirtBateriaCords awarded
Batizado 37: New Professors
Batizado 37 was held at our studio on August 26 and 27 of 2022. We had workshops from Mestre Graveto of Brownsville, TX, Contramestre Besouro of Tucson, AZ, and Tinta Forte of Chicago, IL.
I leveled up.New Professores: Quebra Noz, Reologio, Besouro, and Coelha
We were happy to level up 2 local instructors – Quebra Noz and Coelha to Professor cord. Our guests from Dallas Capoeira surprised 2 of their own instructors with new cords as well. Parabens to the new professores!
Event AnnouncementGroup photo
Guests included Mestre Graveto, Mestre Betinho, Contramestre Besouro, Contramestre Beringela, Contramestre Grilo Preto, Mestrando Mago, Tinta Forte, Panteira, Negro, Sombra, Martell, Amazona, Azul, Bozinho, Besouro, Relogio, Tartaruga, Guerreiro, Estilingue, Pimentinha, Barrao, Chapa, Risada, Nago, Nevasca, Semente, and a bunch of the UCA crew.
Group photo – left sideEvent t-shirt, artwork by MartellPowerful women: Segura, Coelha, Pimentinha, and AmazonaBeringela, Coelha, and Amazona
Sadly, our good friend Monitora Amazona (Kelly) of Capuraginga in San Antonio passed away suddenly on September 25, 2022. We’ll miss you Amazona! Thank you for always bringing amazing energy to our rodas and events. They won’t be the same without you.
Batizado 38: Canta Sabia
Event announcementEvent t-shirtGroup photo from Saturday morningAnother Group PhotoBateria getting readyRoda time
Congratulations to Monitora Vampira, Monitor Estilingue and Monitora Arco-Iris who advanced to the dark blue monitor cord! And Parabens to all the students who earned new cords at this event, including our friends with Capoeira Pe da Serra in Denver and Ronin Capoeira in Parker!
Workshops were held Friday & Saturday and lead by Professora Tiririca, Professor Guerreiro, Monitora Azul and Monitor Bonzinho.
Guests at the rank advancement on Saturday included Mestre Betinho, Mestre Graveto, Contramestre Mago, and Professors Martell, Pinauna, Varal, Relogio, Segura em casa, Negro, Chuva, Tiririca, and Guerriro, Monitors/Instrutors Lua, Barrao, Azul and Bonzinho. Muito axe!
Brazilian Capoeira in Colorado Springs was founded by Mago and Segura em Casa in 2003. From 2003 – 2018 the group was affiliated with Capuraginga, under the direction of Mestre Loka. In 2018 the group left Capuraginga and became the stand alone group Brazilian Capoeira. Leadership of the group includes Mestrando Mago, Professora Segura em Casa, and Monitor Varal.
Batizado 28
On July 29, 2017 Colorado Springs hosted the 28th Brazilian Capoeira batizado and troca de cordoes at the home studio on Centennial Blvd. Guest included Mestrando Furacao, Mestrando Advogado, Contra Mestre Betinho, Professor Martell, Monitor Espeto, and Graduados Besouro, Guerreiro, Sucao, and Vampira. Guests received a bright red t-shirt featuring a mountain landscape and the word “capoeira.”
Smiles all around at Batizado 28
I earned my graduada 2 cord (solid light blue) at this event. This rank is now defunct and Brazilian Capoeira has only one graduado cord. Morto Vivo earned graduado 1 (dark blue yellow). The old cord system is currently grandfathered in. Going forward, all graduados will earn the solid light blue cord. The next rand after that is monitor, a solid dark blue cord.
Professora Segura em Casa, Graduada Coelha, and Mestrando Mago
Batizado 29
Colorado winters aren’t intimidating enough to stop our guests. Batizado 29 took place at the studio on January 27, 2018. Guests included Mestrando Advogado, Contra Mestre Betinho, Mestrando Furacao, Monitors Ventania, Sombra, Soneca, Palito, O Rei and Espeto, and Graduados Besouro, Princesa, Relogio, Aventura, and Guerreiro. Many students also attended, including guests from California, Utah, and Minnesota. Guests received a “sou capoeira” popsocket.
Batizado 30
July 28, 2018 was the 30th batizado event held by Brazilian Capoeira since the group’s first way back in 2003. The event t-shirt featured a figure doing amazonas in the colors of the Colorado state flag. Guests included Mestrando Advogado (Capuraginga), Contra Mestre Betinho (Ventre Livre Capoeira), Contra Mestra Onda Mansa (UCA), Instrutor Bambu (Capoeira Angola Palmares), Instrutor Vampiro (Capoeira Luanda), Monitor Espeto (Utah Valley Capoeira), Monitor Sabia, and Graduados Guerreiro, Aventura, and Barrao (Capoeira Luanda).
Quebra Noz, Trovao, Chorinha, and Pimentinha earned their graduado cords (dark blue yellow).
Video credit: PimentinhaHappy Family at Batizado 30Parabens Graduados Quebra Noz, Chorinha, Trovao and Pimentinha.
Batizado 31
January 26, 2019. Guests included Mestre Ombrinho of Capoeira Angola Quintal, Professora Borboleta of Fort Worth Capoeira, Contramestre Betinho of Capoeira Ventre Livre, Monitor Espeto of Utah Valley Capoeira, Monitor Sombra of Dallas Capoeira, Graduado Relogio of Dallas Capoeira, Graduada Aventura of East Sierra Capoeira, Graduada Amazona of Capuraginga, and Graduada Vampira of Idaho.
Batizado 31
Batizado 32
Our 32nd ever batizado took place the weekend of July 27, 2019. Artwork on the batizado t-shirt was designed by local student Cebola. Special guests included Mestre Efraim (Raça em Movimento), Professora Tiririca (CDO), Instrutor Negro (Capoeira Evolução), and Professora Borboleta (Filhos de Bimba)
Local students and many guests enjoying themselves at Batizado 32. Guest instructors included Mestre Efraim, Professora Tiririca and Instrutor Negro
In addition to the special guest instructors, we were joined by long time friends Monitor Sombra (Dallas), Mestre Betinho (Ventre Livre), Monitora Azul, Monitor Bonzinho, Monitor Sucão, Contra Mestre Beringela (UCA), Contra Mestre Grilo Preto (UCA), Instrutor Vampiro (Luanda), Contra Mestra Onda (UCA), Professor Bambu (Angola Palmares), Vampira, Aventura, Relogio, Olho de Tigre, Marinheiro, Arco-iris, Estilingue, Tartaruga and Feira.
Special cords awarded included Varal receiving his Professor cord and Quebra Noz receiving his graduado cord. I earned the rank of Monitora, becoming Monitora Coelha.
Varal
Quebra Noz
CoelhaI earn the title Monitora Coelha after 13 years of training capoeira!
Batizado 21 was held January 25, 2014 at West Side Community Center in Old Colorado City. The t-shirt was white with a black and gold pattern. I earned my light blue/yellow cord at this event, becoming Graduanda Coelha. Out of town guests included Professor Advogado, Graduado O Rei, Graduado Sombra, Professor Lobinho (Cordão de Ouro), Graduado Vampiro (Capoeira Luanda), Timão (Capoeira Luanda), Instrutora Tiririca (CDO), Contra Mestre Cabeção (CDO), and Mestre Loka.
Opening roda.
I (Coelha) earn light blue/yellow, along with Tuiuiu, Gazela, Bandeira and Relâmpago.
Waiting to play for light blue/yellow: Coelha, Tuiuiu, Gazela, Bandeira, and RelâmpagoMestre Loka congratulates me on my new cord.
Graduado Varal earns graduado 2 (solid light blue cord).
Batizado 21 event t-shirt
Summer 2014
Event 22 was held at West Side Community Center on July 26, 2014. The event t-shirt was light blue with “capoeira” on the front in white. Out of town guests included Professor Advogado, Professor Furacão, Graduado Sombra, Graduado O Rei, Graduado Palito and Mestre Ombrinho.
Opening roda.
Batizado 22 group photo
New Studio on Centennial Blvd
In January 2015, CapuraGinga Colorado Springs moved to a new space on Centennial Blvd. We hosted Batizado 23 there on January 31. Instead of a t-shirt, the event swag was a black beanie hat with “Brazilian Capoeira” printed on it. Out of town guests included Azul, Espeto, Graduado Vampiro (Capoeira Luanda), Timão (Capoeira Luanda), Professor Furacão, Professor Advogado, Professora Borboleta (Filhos de Bimba), Instrutor Chuva (Força rara capoeira), Instrutora Lua (Força rara capoeira), Instrutora Morena (Força rara capoeira), Sabiá, Graduado Sombra, Contra Mestre Lobinho (CDO) and Contra Mestre Ninja (Força rara capoeira).
Opening roda.
Shenanigans at Batizado 23
CapuraGinga Brasil Trip 2015
In July 2015 (just before batizado 24) a large group of CapuraGinga capoeiristas took a trip down to Brazil. We spent about a week in Salvador, Bahia, taking in the sites like good tourists, and spending many hours at the beach. This group included Segura em Casa, Mago, Tuiuiu, myself (Coelha), Macaquinho and his family, Chorinha, and Aventura from Colorado Springs. We were joined by Chapa, Pimentinha, Perdido and Risada from CapuraGinga Denver/Boulder. During our stay we visited the Pelourinho, ate at the Mercado Modelo, and saw some of the earliest (legal) capoeira studios.
After the lazy days on the beach, it was time for some training. We flew, drove, and took buses to Conceição da Barra, Espírito Santo, where we were joined by Amazona, Professor Advogado, and Mestre Loka. We trained hard, did back flips on the beach, and drove into the jungle for fresh biriba. We were treated to a full-day berimbau making workshop from Mestre Militão. We also enjoyed several rodas with the group Capura Raça from nearby São Mateus.
CapuraGinga and Capura RacaIn between Bahia and Espirito SantoMacaquinho plays in the roda in the PelourinhoNo trip to Conceição da Barra is complete without a trip to the Vamp!Bananeiras in BrasilNow a boxing gym, this site in Conceição da Barra has a long history with Mestre Loka and CapuraGinga. You can catch glimpses of it in the documentary film Capoeira: Dance of Freedom, just look for the distinctly shaped windows.
Graduados, Monitors, Professors and Mestrandos!
I earned my graduada cord at Batizado/Troca de Cordões 24, held August 15, 2015 at Coronado High School in Colorado Springs. Mine was one of many advanced cords given out at this ceremony. The event t-shirt was light green with an atabaque printed on the front. Out of town guests included Graduado Vampiro (Capoeira Luanda), Instrutor Heman (Força rara capoeira), Professora Borboleta (Filhos de Bimba), Bambu (Capoeira Angola Palmares), Azul, Espeto, Mestrando Furacão, Professor Advogado, Graduado Sabiá, Graduado Sombra, Graduado Palito, Graduado Ventania, Monitora Lua Branca and Mestre Loka.
Opening roda
1st Graduado cords (dark blue/yellow) given to Gazela, Relâmpago, myself (Coelha), Tuiuiu, and Sabiá.
2nd Graduado cords (solid light blue) were awarded to Taturana, Sucão, and Bonzinho. Monitor cord (solid dark blue) was awarded to Varal. Professor cord was awarded to Segura em Casa. Mago and Furacão both earned their Mestrando cords.
Mestrando Mago, Mestre Loka, and Mestrando FuracãoMestre Loka and Professora Segura em Casa
25
Batizado 25 took place at the Brazilian Capoeira studio on Centennial Blvd on January 30, 2016. The event gift was a black and red gym bag with “Brazilian Capoeira” printed on it. Out of town guest included Graduado Vampiro (Capoeira Luanda), Monitora Azul, Mestrando Furacão, Contra Mestre Cabeção (CDO), and Monitor Espeto.
Bandeira and Coy earned their graduado cords (dark blue/yellow).
Batizado 25 event gym bag
Summer 2016
Brazilian Capoeira hosted Batizado 26 on July 30, 2016. The event t-shirt was white with a version of the Colorado state flag on the back (designed by Graduanda Chorinha). Out of town guests included Graduado Timão (Capoeira Luanda), Contra Mestre Ninja (Força rara capoeira), Monitor Espeto, Graduado Palito, Mestrando Advogado, Contra Mestre Molejo (Capoeira Molejo), Graduado Gueirreiro, and Monitora Azul.
Aventura and Vampira earned their graduada cords at this event. Here they join a large family of CapuraGinga Graduados and above.Front of Batizado 26 event t-shirtBack of Batizado 26 event t-shirt
Winter 2017
The most recent CapuraGinga event in Colorado Springs was Batizado 27, held January 28, 2017 at the Brazilian Capoeira studio. The event gift was a red journal with the CapuraGinga logo on the front. Out of town guests included Graduado Gueirreiro, Monitor Espeto, Graduado O Rei, Graduado Sombra, Graduada Princesa, Mestrando Advogado, Monitora Azul, Mestrando Furacão, Professora Borboleta (Filhos de Bimba), Contra Mestre Betinho (Capoeira Ventre Livre) and Contra Mestre Ninja (Força Rara).
I could not find any YouTube videos of the event. There were some posted on Facebook by Graduado Bandeira. I took some screen shots from those and figured that’s better than nothing. During the weekend, we had great workshops from Furacão, Advogado, Azul, and Borboleta.
Myself (Graduada Coelha) playing Contra Mestre BetinhoMyself (Graduada Coelha) playing Graduada PrincesaMestrando Furacão playing Graduado SombraProfessora Borboleta’s workshopBatizado 27 event journal
In Winter 2010 (late January or early February), CapuraGinga in Colorado Springs hosted our 13th Batizado/Troca de cordões event. This event was held at the Brazilian Capoeira studio on Garden of the Gods Rd. It was the last time that a rank advancement was held at that studio. We as a group continued to train there through January 2015 but we started holding the rank advancements at other locations. The event t-shirt was white with a purple pattern on the front. Special guests included Monitor Falcão, Instrutor Gavião (Capoeira Luanda), Professor Muito Tempo, and Angoleiro Larry (from Boulder).
Capoeira Mulheres
In April 2010, Andorinha organized a capoeira women’s weekend at the Brazilian Capoeira studio, with special guest Gata Brava. We were treated to great workshops, fun rodas, and honest discussion of what it is to be a woman in capoeira.
A Hora é Essa
With Batizado 14, we enter an era of better quality YouTube videos and Batizados held at larger venues all over Colorado Springs. This event was held in July 2010 at Bancroft Park in Old Colorado City. The event t-shirt was white with the lyrics to “A hora é essa” printed on the front in gray. Out of town guests included Sabiá, Monitor Advogado and Monitor Furacão. I (Coelha) received my 2nd cord (light green/yellow), as documented in this video that is not at all embarrassing to watch. At this point, I had been training capoeira off and on for four years.
Batizado 14 also saw advanced student Palhaço receive his graduado cord (dark blue/yellow).
And many adult green cords were awarded to newer students.
Capoeira at the Mall
Batizado/Troca de Cordões 15 was held January 30, 2011 at Chapel Hills Mall in Colorado Springs. The event t-shirt was white with a jumping capoeirista on the front. Out of town guests included Tinta Forte of Gingarte Capoeira, O Rei, Super Mulher, Monitor Advogado, Professor Furacão, Contra Mestre Mariano, Mestre Ombrinho, and Mestre Loka.
Voador (Solos):
I (Coelha) play twice in this video, as I earn a surprise – advancement to my light blue/green cord, skipping over dark green/yellow.
Advanced students Varal and Andorinha received their first graduado cords (dark blue/yellow).
Summer 2011
Event number 16 was held at Bancroft Park in Summer 2011 and featured a red event t-shirt with white berimbaus on the front. Out of town guests included Super Mulher, Palito, Chuva (Força Rara), Monitor Advogado, Professor Furacão, Morena (Força Rara), Guerreiro, Contra Mestre Ninja (Força Rara), and Mestre Fran. In what is an ongoing tradition, at least one student visitor from Texas had to go to the emergency room because of altitude sickness.
There were performances before the rank advancement ceremony, including a women’s piece choreographed by Coração. I was pretty far outside of my comfort zone participating in the dance, which combined samba movements and movements from African dance. My favorite part was definitely helping to sew the costumes, which included brightly colored pants in shiny metallic fabric.
Celebrating new cords and a fun new batizado t-shirt
Segura em Casa received her 2nd graduada cord (solid light blue) at this event.
Winter 2012
The 17th rank advancement ceremony was held in late January/early February 2012 at the West Side Community Center in Old Colorado City. The event t-shirt was light blue. Out of town guests included Timão (Capoeira Luanda), Vampiro (Capoeira Luanda), Chuva (Força Rara), Super Mulher, Advogado, Professor Furacão, O Rei, Animado, Grilo Preto (UCA), Professor Bocão, Contra Mestre Ninja (Força Rara) and Mestre Loka.
There’s lots of footage of the Friday night roda, via hand-held camera (maybe take some dramamine before watching).
Kids rank advancement
Voador
July 2012
Batizado 18 took place on July 28, 2012 at Bancroft Park in Old Colorado City. We ended up in a pavilion because it started to rain. The event t-shirt was gray with lyrics “água de beber” on the front. Out of town guests included Monitor Advogado, Professor Furacão, Sabiá, Joaninha, Sombra, Vampiro (Capoeira Luanda), Timão (Capoeira Luanda), Super Mulher, Grilo Preto (UCA), Mestre Lucas and Mestre Ombrinho.
The event featured a great opening roda and several choreographed dances performed by Colorado Springs youth and adult capoeiristas.
I (Coelha) earned my dark green/blue cord. I had been training off and on for six years.
Advanced students Arara, Taturana, Bonzinho, Fome and Sucão earned their first graduado cords (dark blue/yellow).
CapuraGinga logo from Batizado 18 t-shirtBatizado 18 event t-shirtA rare gem: Batizado 18 group shot
Winter 2013
On January 26, 2013 Batizado 19 was held at Palmer High School in Colorado Springs. The event t-shirt featured a version of the Brazilian flag on the front. Out of town guests included O Rei, Sombra, Vampiro (Capoeira Luanda), Princesa, Tinta Forte (Gingarte Capoeira), Professor Furacão, and Mestre Loka. I (Coelha) earned my yellow cord (corda amarela) at this event, but could not find any video of that part of the rank advancement ceremony.
Opening roda.
Segura em Casa earned her Monitora cord (solid dark blue).
Batizado 19 event t-shirt
20
The 20th Batizado in Colorado Springs occurred in Summer 2013 at the West Side Community Center in Old Colorado City. The summer event was set at this indoor location after several years in a row of being rained on at Bancroft Park. The event t-shirt was green with a black pattern on the front. Out of town guests included Professor Furacão, Graduado Sombra, Palito, Tinta Forte (Gingarte Capoeira), Bambu (Capoeira Angola Palmares), Contra Mestra Onda Mansa, Graduada Super Mulher, and Monitor Advogado.
CapuraGinga Graduados and above pose with new yellow cords Calado, Morto Vivo, and Coy.
Brazilian Capoeira in Colorado Springs is lead by Mestrando Mago, Professora Segura em Casa, and Monitor Varal. Brazilian Capoeira was formerly affiliated with Capuraginga, but left that group in 2018. For historical reasons, and due to laziness on my part, the information below about Capuraginga is being left as is. I may get around to updating it someday. Mago and Segura em Casa have known Mestre Loka of Capuraginga for over twenty years. They left that group to move in a new direction and bear no ill will toward their friends in Capuraginga.
The capoeira group CapuraGinga was founded by Mestre Loka (Manoel Leite) in 1983 in Mato Grosso, Brasil. My focus here is on the group’s history in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where classes started in 2003 and were taught by Mago and Segura em Casa. As with so many things capoeira, the history is patchy and incomplete. I didn’t start training with CapuraGinga until July 2008. I’ve attempted to back-fill some of the information from 2003 – 2008, but it’s tricky when we focus so much on training that we rarely write anything down and we have such a good time socializing at batizados that we forget to do something as simple as take a group picture.
What follows here is a list of Batizado/Troca de Cordões rank advancement ceremonies held in Colorado Springs. When known, things like “who were the guest instructors?” and “what was on the event t-shirt?” are included. The term Batizado (baptism) technically only applies to new students receiving their very first cord at a rank advancement ceremony. Thereafter, the same rank advancement ceremony is a Troca de Cordões (exchanging of the strands) as a student receives all subsequent cords.
Brazilian Capoeira, Batizado 31, January 2019Brazilian Capoeira, Halloween roda, October 2018
Rank System in CapuraGinga (2003 – 2017)
The ranks in CapuraGinga are based on the colors of the Brazilian flag: green, yellow, blue, and white. Brazilian Capoeira in Colorado Springs continues to use these colors even though, as of 2018, they are no longer affiliated with CapuraGinga.
Youth cords (up to age 12):
First set of Adult Cords (ages 12 and up):
Raw cord (undyed, beginning students)
Solid dark green (1+ month of training)
Light green/yellow (6+ months of training)
Dark green/yellow (1+ year)
Light green/light blue (2+ years) aka “Easter cord”
The 6th cord is solid yellow or “corda amarela” and in CapuraGinga it carries the rank of capoeirista. The 7th cord has the rank of graduando/graduanda and is given to advanced students as they prepare to transition from the student “aluno” cords to graduated student “graduado” and higher cords.
Cord Testing
Before the mixture of stress and fun that is a formal batizado/troca de cordões ceremony, capoeira students get to practice being put on the spot during an informal cord evaluation. The cord evaluations usually take place in class during the week of the batizado. Though informal, they can be pretty stressful for students, as they train movements in the roda with a partner while one or more instructors sits at a table at the foot of the roda, watching and judging.
Students who attend class regularly are well prepared for cord testing, even if they feel otherwise during the test itself. Cord evaluations are useful for measuring a student’s progress in capoeira. They let both students and instructors first ensure that a solid foundation is developed, consisting of fundamental movements and music. After that, they provide a pathway for students to continue to grow and challenge themselves within capoeira.
This dark green/blue cord evaluation is from 2013 and earlier.An example of a yellow cord test from 2013 and earlier. More recent Capuraginga students have a manual that includes movements, music, and other goals.
Final Set of Adult Cords (ages 12 and up):
All advanced cords are received by invitation only. The 5th advanced cord in CapuraGinga is referred to as “Mestrando.” It is equivalent to “Contra Mestre” in many other capoeira groups.
Dark blue/yellow – Graduado/Graduada
Solid light blue – 2nd Graduado/Graduada
Solid dark blue – Monitor/Monitora
Blue and yellow ends with green center – Professor/Professora
Blue, yellow, green, white – Mestrando/Mestranda
Dark green/white – Mestre 1
Yellow/white – Mestre 2
Dark blue/white – Mestre 3
Solid white – Grão Mestre
O Que Faz Um Bom Capoeirista?
To continue to progress through the cord system, graduated students really need to go above and beyond in their capoeira. They have to continue to excel at movements and music, but with more self direction and less oversight from an instructor. They also need to participate in the larger capoeira community, traveling often to events outside of their own local school. Many also teach classes at their home school and teach workshops at batizados and other events.
In class and at events, graduados and above serve as role models for newer students, leading by example. Mago and Segura em Casa teach their students this principle with the simple phrase “o que faz um bom capoeirista?” This can mean both “what makes a good capoeirista?” and “what does a good capoeirista do?” It is about not just being a good capoeirista, but about being a good person. If you’re doing it right, you help to make CapuraGinga a welcoming family for other capoeiristas. You create a community that is fun to be a part of but that also challenges you to be the best capoeirista that you can be. And before you know it, ten or more years have gone by and capoeira has become such a source of joy in your life that you cannot live without it.
Many CapuraGinga Graduados and above with Mestre Loka and Grão Mestre Dunga, San Antonio TX, March 2016
Primeiro Batizado
The first CapuraGinga batizado in Colorado Springs was held in November 2003 at the Brazilian Capoeira studio on N. Nevada Ave. The t-shirt was red and said simply “Primeiro Batizado” and did not include the CapuraGinga logo. At this time the group was also having trouble getting the traditional white capoeira pants (abadas), which was frustrating for everyone. Our uniforms are important to us, especially as we advance in capoeira and travel more. They let us represent our group with pride. We also just get used to seeing each other in white polyester pants. Mago once ran into a long time student in a grocery store and said, “I didn’t recognize you with your [normal] clothes on.” Being Mago, he forgot to include the word normal.
One of the earliest students of Mago and Segura em Casa was Terrence “Brasa” Webster, a young man just recently out of high school. He earned his first cord (solid green) at this ceremony. Other early students who earned the solid green cord at the Primeiro Batizado included Andorinha, Clint and Varal. Most of them earned the cord by playing against high ranked capoeiristas, the traditional capoeira batizado induction. Varal sat on the bench on his fourth consecutive day with terrible food poisoning. He was given a cord anyway, but got only half-hearted applause from the audience and disappointed head shakes from the Mestres. Out of town guests included Mestre Loka.
Mestre Loka shows us how it’s done at Colorado Springs’ first batizado.
Segundo Batizado and First Capoeira Camp
The second batizado was held August 14, 2004 and included guests Mestre Doutor, Mestre King, Mestre Rony and Mestre Loka. The event t-shirt was dark blue with the CapuraGinga logo. This event included the first capoeira camp, a series of intense workshops held in the mountains just west of Colorado Springs. Segura em Casa received an advanced cord at this event (either solid yellow or graduada) after an hour of rigorous testing supervised by Mestre Loka. Brasa volunteered to partner with Segura during the testing, not knowing that he’d be subjected to 60 minutes of Segura’s best kicks, take-downs and headlocks.
2005 – 2006
As best as can be recalled by the combined forces of Mago, Advogado, Furacão, Varal and Segura em Casa, the third batizado was probably held in February 2005, the fourth sometime in the fall of 2005, the fifth in February 2006, and the sixth in late summer or early fall 2006. After that, the posting of low quality videos to YouTube makes it a lot easier to keep track of things.
Special guests at the third batizado included Jamaika and Furacão. Mestre Demetrius was a guest at the fifth batizado where he delivered a sharp headbutt to a fellow capoeirista who spent the rest of the weekend training in sunglasses to cover up two black eyes.
At some point during these first few years of CapuraGinga in Colorado Springs, Terrence “Brasa” Webster skipped a cord, advancing ahead of fellow students Andorinha, Clint and Varal. This was a well deserved honor for Brasa who worked consistently at training movements and music and also traveled frequently to capoeira events outside of Colorado. He even visited Brazil on a trip with Mago, several years ahead of any of his fellow classmates.
7
The 7th batizado was held at the N. Nevada Ave Brazilian Capoeira studio in February 2007. The event t-shirt was red with “7” on the front and a cartoon on the back featuring a character saying “Que Rasteira.”
The video quality is not great but I can pick out Mestre Loka in the bateria and Segura and Varal in the crowd. In the voador (solos), I recognize Sabiá, Furacão, and Azul (a nice representation of our friends from Utah). All those t-shirts on the wall just might be previous batizado event t-shirts but it’s really hard to tell.
Graduado Terrence “Brasa” Webster
At the 8th CapuraGinga batizado/troca de cordões event, Terrence Webster received his graduado cord, becoming Graduado Brasa. This was the first CapuraGinga event held at the Brazilian Capoeira studio on Garden of the Gods Rd, in Summer 2007. The event t-shirt was a very distinct rust brown color. Out of town guests included Mestre Loka, Monitor Furacão, Contra Mestre Ninja, and Graduado Advogado. At that time, the graduado cord was a blue/yellow cord that immediately followed the solid yellow cord.
In Memory of Terrence Webster
I need to make some assumptions here. I believe this video (below) is from an open roda during the weekend of Batizado 9. This was held in February 2008 at the Brazilian Capoeira studio on Garden of the Gods Rd. Sadly, Terrence “Brasa” Webster passed away in a car accident on February 4, just a few weeks before the event. The event t-shirt was gray and featured a sketch of Terrence’s tattoo on the back, and song lyrics on the front. Guests included Graduado Advogado.
X
Shortly before Batizado 10, Mago took a group of students down to Brazil to train. They trained and traveled around São Paulo in late July and early August 2008. Part of their time was spent training with Contra Mestre Ninja in his hometown. This group included Arara, Bandeira, Manhosa, Palhaço, Sucão, Vampira and Varal. They returned with fond memories of the many types of fruit juice that exist in Brazil but not in the United States. Mago recalls that late in their stay, a local paulista in a neighboring apartment asked what brought them (obvious tourists) to Brazil. The man was very disappointed to learn that they were there for capoeira, when his country had so many, much nicer, things to offer.
The 10th CapuraGinga batizado in Colorado Springs occurred August 23, 2008. The event t-shirt was white with a green “X” and a profile of a capoeirista doing amazonas. Guests included Contra Mestre Ninja from the group Força Rara capoeira, Contra Mestre Parafina, and Professor Gavião of Capoeira Luanda. A memorable moment occurred when Segura took a harsh kick from a high ranked individual who did not know that she had given birth only a month earlier. She took it like a champ, of course, and came out the winner in that situation.
This event was my batizado, and the first capoeira rank advancement ceremony I (Coelha) ever attended. I earned my solid dark green cord and officially entered the CapuraGinga family. I had started training capoeira in 2006 and trained off and on with an ASCAB group in San Diego from 2006 – 2008, as I worked on my Master’s degree. I moved to Colorado Springs in July 2008 and started training with CapuraGinga at that time. I fondly remember this batizado being absolutely terrifying. It would take a few years before I would come to enjoy the insanity that is a batizado weekend.
Eu Capoeira
On February 14, 2009 the Brazilian Capoeira studio hosted its 11th batizado. Guests included Monitor Furacão, Graduado Advogado, Instrutor Tinta Forte of Gingarte Capoeira, Instrutor Barauna, Professor Gavião of Capoeira Luanda, Contra Mestre Ninja of Força Rara capoeira, Mestre Galo (UCA) and the legendary Mestre Acordeon of UCA (United Capoeira Association). The t-shirt was Valentine’s Day themed and featured “Eu Capoeira” on the front.
Summer 2009
Special guests at the 12th batizado in Summer 2009 included Monitor Advogado, Morena (Força Rara), Contra Mestre Ninja of Força Rara, Mestre Loka, and the amazing Mestre Amen Santo of Capoeira Batuque. The event t-shirt was white with green mountains on the front. This event included another round of Capoeira Camp, for anyone who felt that training at 6000 ft above sea level wasn’t enough and really wanted to have lots of workshops at 9000 ft instead.
Capoeira Camp
Guests and advanced students play before the rank advancement ceremony
Astronomers Anonymous 