Arbor Station Dances Across Continents And Time

Press release from the CAC:

March 6, 2023

Principal Felton of Arbor Station requested another ARTSventure performance from the Cultural Arts Council Douglasville/ Douglas County (CAC). After months of anticipation, their celebratory assembly came together on the morning of Friday, February 17th to enjoy the Capoeira Afro-Brazilian Dancing performances with the Brazilian Art Center.

In honor of Black History Month, the ARTSventure depicted how African culture has influenced many other cultures, and even continues to influence us all every day. Music, dance, and language are only a few of the forms of expression where African culture has made an impact. The performance was a chance to energize grades K-5 with movement and improvisation, encouraging physical and musical abilities. Three Capoeira (“Kaa-puh-weh-ruh”) experts guided the student body through a martial-arts inspired routine, perfecting their moves from head to toe and pronouncing Portuguese words. Capoeira was derived from traditions brought across the Atlantic Ocean by slaves who, in an effort to increase their chances of freedom, concealed their combative intentions through music, song, and dance. After the abolition of slavery in Brazil in 1888, Capoeira was illegal until decades later it was brought back to life with new celebratory intentions.

The CAC is proud to have the honor of bringing the ARTSventure program to the students, with sponsorship from Georgia Council for the Arts and Greystone Power Foundation. What is even better is when schools want to take advantage of these cultural arts presentations which encourage their school body to create outside the lines in their curriculum. From geography to culture, science to expression, ARTSventures will continue to debut in Douglas County Schools. Check out Artsdouglas.org for recent news and opportunities, and don’t forget to follow the CAC on Facebook and Instagram.

This press release was produced by the CAC. The views expressed here are the author's own.