14 October 2008
Lambeth children bring capoeira to Lord Mayor’s Show
UINCAP International Union of Capoeira has received a grant of
£15,000 from the Lord Mayor of the City of London to take part in
this year’s prestigious Lord Mayor’s Show on 8 November. 30
children from Lambeth state schools will dance and drum alongside a
colourful float depicting the history of capoeira.
Capoeira is a form of martial arts and dance which was developed
by African slaves in Brazil. UINCAP works in schools, after-school
clubs and holiday play-schemes across Lambeth to give young people
the chance to practice capoeira. UINCAP focuses particularly on
areas with few activities for children and young people.
Having trained at special workshops, the children will perform
their routine in front of an audience of 300,000 spectators on the
streets of the City of London. As well as dancing and performing
some amazing acrobatic movements, they will play a range of
percussion instruments. Their float will reflect the
evolution of capoeira and its significance in London life
today.
Mestre Guimba of UINCAP said:
“It’s great to be a part of such a big event. I hope that by
taking part in the Lord Mayor’s Show, we’ll encourage more people
to try capoeira. The children are so excited about the preparations
– we can’t wait for Show day now!”
The Lord Mayor’s community float scheme extends links between
the Square Mile and neighbouring City fringe boroughs. Sponsorship
in terms of finance and through expert workshops allows group
participants to develop their talents – which are demonstrated on
the day to the Show’s audience across the world.
Ends
Further information about the Show
on: http://www.lordmayorshow.org/
Download a high-res version of the image
(above) (1.5mb)
Picture caption: UINCAP children practice their drumming for the
Lord Mayor's Show on 8 November; back row left to right: Jamal
Graffi Smith, Harvey Cowan; front row left to right: Claire Wilby,
Moni Serneubat Ungar, Meagan Symes
Notes for editors
About the Lord Mayor's Show
- First Lord Mayor was elected in 1215; the Show is now in its
793rd year.
- It welcomes in the 681st Lord Mayor of the City of London.
- The Show takes place annually on the second Saturday in
November.
- At 5.00pm, the Lord Mayor will light the touch paper to the
Lord Mayor’s Fireworks display on the River Thames between
Blackfriars and Waterloo Bridge. A team of eight
pyrotechnicians takes two days to set more than half a tonne of
giant fireworks, some of which shoot more than 600ft into the air.
It is the largest annual firework display in London.
- The word “float”, used to describe components of a parade or
procession, is derived from the Lord Mayor’s Show when originally
the exhibits would do just that - “float” along the Thames in
barges.
- The Pageantmaster, Dominic Reid, is responsible for organising
the logistics of the Show – this includes arranging for the lifting
and checking of 3,500 manhole covers, installation of 4,000
grandstand seats and 6,300 galvanised crowd barriers and laying of
43 tonnes of sand.
- This year he will also be in charge of the 6,100 participants,
71 floats, 200 horses and 220 vehicles – which include a WW2 tank,
a fleet of Morris Minors, several vintage buses and horse-drawn
sleigh with Santa Claus!
- To enjoy the celebrations, get to the City for the morning of
Saturday 8th November and nab a place on the well-marked route. The
procession will weave its way from Guildhall in the heart of the
City, through the historic streets of the Square Mile, passing the
Mansion House and St. Paul’s Cathedral before continuing to the
Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand.
- For more details on the Lord Mayor’s Show, including route,
timings and road closures, go to
www.lordmayorshow.org
About the role of the Lord Mayor
The Lord Mayor of the City of London acts as an international
ambassador for the UK business and financial services industry. He
spends around 80 days a year, travelling to around 20 countries to
promote this industry and the Square Mile as a place of excellence
in which to do business. As head of the City of London the Lord
Mayor is involved with local government and London-wide issues,
from the City of London's work in the regeneration of neighbouring
boroughs to transport and environmental issues which affect the
City. On behalf of the Sovereign and the Government, he also acts
as host when the City of London provides hospitality for visiting
heads of state and foreign dignitaries.
About UINCAP
UINCAP is a not-for-profit organistaion that seeks to promote
physical fitness and well-being through the provision of
capoeira. Through it’s capoeira federation, UINCAP also seeks
to promote and facilitate union amongst capoeira practitioners and
to help ensure high standards of capoeira teaching and
practice.
This is achieved through the provision of:
- Courses of capoeira, after-school clubs and holiday
schemes.
- Specialised workshops and seminars with international capoeira
masters and teachers.
- Regular magazines and newsletters for its members to share news
and to run articles on related health and fitness
issues.