Fusion of fight and dance makes striking display

Stacey Doornenbal | Sunday, January 16, 2005 5:30

Tony Wall and Karin Bettley show off their capoeira skills. PHOTO: GEOFF SLOAN.

Showing off some of their capoeira moves are Tony Wall and Karin Bettley, who are teaching the Brazilian dance form as part of the Christchurch Polytechnic's street art programme this month.

Capoeira (pronounced cap ? o ? way ? ra) fuses fight, dance and music into a game that is played in a circle. Originating in Brazil, it was developed by slaves as a way to practice their fighting techniques without being caught.

Wall was introduced to capoeira six years ago while travelling in Brazil, while Bettley picked it up in Brazil while an exchange student.

"I like the aspects of play and sneakiness," said Bettley.

"It's about having fun and I like the emacipatory aspect and that it involves all aspects of dance and movement."

Wall said anyone can do capoeira although the polytechnic course is aimed at 16-25 year olds.

The next 10-day capoeira course at CPIT will start on January 24 and costs $10. For more information phone 940-8448 or check out the website at www.cpit.ac.nz/streetart.