The rhythmic beats of capoeira are set to reverberate through the streets of New Orleans as NOLA Capoeira and the Capoeira and Brazilian Cultural Arts Center (CBCAC) announce their annual Spring Batizado and Tournament. Scheduled from Thursday, April 4 to Saturday, April 6, 2024, this three-day extravaganza promises an immersive experience into the vibrant world of Afro-Brazilian martial arts and culture. The event will be held at the NOLA Capoeira academy located on 1016 North Broad Street.

A highlight of the event will be the capoeira workshops conducted by Mestre Cocada (Rogerio da Silva), a distinguished capoeira master hailing from Goioerê, Paraná, Brazil. Mestre Cocada’s expertise and guidance will be instrumental in the capoeira workshops and in honoring students during three separate batizado and troca de corda ceremonies.

The batizado ceremonies, symbolic of a student’s first belt achievement in capoeira, will be conducted in three sessions. The first ceremony, dedicated to kids aged 5-8 years old, is scheduled for Thursday, April 4 at 5 pm. Following this, the second ceremony for kids aged 9-12 years old and teenagers will take place on Friday, April 5 at 5 pm. The third and final batizado ceremony, honoring adult participants, will be held on the same day at 8 pm.

The grand culmination of the event will be the highly anticipated annual tournament on Saturday, April 6 at 10 am. Students from various skill levels will showcase their capoeira prowess, competing against each other with techniques they have honed over the past year.

NOLA Capoeira and the CBCAC extend a warm invitation to the community to witness these ceremonies and the thrilling tournament firsthand. Located at 1016 N. Broad Street, the NOLA Capoeira academy welcomes all to immerse themselves in the rich heritage of Afro-Brazilian martial arts while showing support for the dedicated participants. Doors open 30 minutes before each event activity, and admission is free for all members of the public.

For those seeking to explore the captivating world of capoeira and Brazilian cultural arts, the Spring Batizado and Tournament by NOLA Capoeira promises an unforgettable experience of community, celebration, and martial arts mastery.