Axé Fest!

Axé Fest!

Move your body, feel the rhythm, and celebrate at Axé Fest! Come join us for a day filled with music, dance, and good vibes at the Afro Brazilian Cultural Center of NJ - 127 Whittlesey Ave in West Orange! Immerse yourself in Afro-Brazilian martial arts, culture, music, and dance with our community day of FREE classes. Featuring the Afro-Brazilian martial art of Capoeira, Afro-Brazilian Drumming, Maculêlê & Samba. Also, Karate, Gymnastics & Yoga. These free classes are open to both kids and adults. Join us and experience the vibrant energy of Axé Fest!

Info: Namaxé is a fusion of traditional Yoga and the game of Capoeira. Both traditions incorporate physical and spiritual components that are very much aligned. Yoga, by dentition, means union. In yoga, we work to bring together the body and mind, as well as our self with our” higher self,” or divine power. Created in ancient times, the asanas (poses) were developed to prepare the body to meditate. Ultimately, it is believed that it is through meditation and study that our “higher self” will be able to surface.

Info: An art class/ group meet-up. After a long week it’s important to slow things down and allow yourself to relaxing while making art.

Info: Capoeira is a unique blend of movement, song and music. At first glance one sees a circle of clapping onlookers, singing choruses in Brazilian Portuguese to traditional call and response songs. In the center of the circle two Capoeiristas move in what resembles a competitive dance. There is an acrobatic and beautiful avoidance of physical contact. The players’ movements display ritual, trickery and grace. As one continues to look, one sees that the contributions of the encircling players and musicians play a large part in the game. Songs rich with oral traditions are sung to reference what is occurring at that very moment in the game. This gathering of musicians and artists is the Art of Capoeira.

Info: This is an art demonstration of work donated to commune and contemplate moments of elation, where a soul have been moved.

Info: Samba is a traditional Afro-Brazilian dance that has been associated with Capoeira for many years. Samba is a secular dance found throughout Brazil today, the Samba is a playful, sensual and flirtatious dance. Samba is known as Brazil’s ‘national rhythm,’ it is Brazil’s prime symbol of cultural nationalism. Samba, since its rise to fame almost a century ago, has remained the most popular musical style in Brazil. It has remained in this position because of its deep roots in Brazilian culture and tradition.

Info: Maculêlê is a fast, free form dance that is both a contest and a game, as each player “shows their stuff”. The dancers each use a pair of sticks called grimas (traditionally cut from sugar-cane), which are sometimes replaced by machetes. The dance is performed to the beat of drums called Ingoma or Atabaque (hourglass-shaped wooden barrels) played in a four beat pattern.

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