Brazilian dance captivates at the Moody Center

From the roots and traditions of famed Brazilian choreographer Jelon Viera, Houston’s Brazilian Arts Foundation presented “Capoeira Luanda” at Rice’s Moody Center for the Arts July 20. Capoeira is considered a national treasure of Brazil. A unique Afro-Brazilian martial art, capoeira is played in a “roda,” or circle, between two players. “Bringing to life and celebrating the Angolan roots that helped shape the exploding cultural art we now know as capoeira, Luanda celebrates and honors those capoeristas that came before us, our mentors in the present and welcomes those who have yet to discover capoeira,” the foundation said.

The event was part of the Moody’s program series inspired by and interacting with this summer’s site-specific sculpture “Repeater” by Brooklyn-based artist David Scanavino.

(Photos by Jeff Fitlow)