Experience Level: Beginner

Get an introduction to Afro-Brazilian movement at Capoeira Angola and Samba Percussion Ensemble on Tuesdays, April 15 through May 13 in the Music Barn.

Instructor Mark Becker will introduce students to the richness of Afro-Brazilian movement, music, language and culture through the traditions of Capoeira Angola — a martial art that combines fluid and low-impact movements with music to encourage self-expression, mastery and community.

This course is designed for all ages, skill levels and physical abilities.

$120/person or $35/class. Register here by April 8 for the series or one week prior to each class. All sales are final.

Individual class links:

— April 15

— April 22

— April 29

— May 6

— May 13

Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia Bunting at owarren@illinois.edu.

By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the instructor

Mark Becker, a student of Capoeira Angola in the tradition of Mestre João Grande, has studied under Contramestre Denis Chiaramonte for 8 years, with 19 years of experience in the art of Capoeira. He is also a student of traditional Samba Chula, an art form from the Recôncavo region of Bahia, Brazil while also serving as the Director of the Bloco Gavião, a community drum ensemble focused on Afro-Brazilian drumming traditions such as samba-reggae, maracatu and afoxé.

Mark has a master’s degree in education from the University of Illinois and enjoys designing learning experiences for all ages to feel belonging in the exploration of Brazilian culture.

About The Farms

The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, health & wellness, history, nature & outdoor education, or science. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.

See the complete Spring Session schedule here. 

Experience Level: Beginner

Expand your musical horizons at Afro-Brazilian Traditions: Samba-Reggae on Tuesdays, May 20 through June 17 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Music Barn.

Instructor Mark Becker will introduce students to the fundamentals of Samba-Reggae, a vibrant musical genre that blends traditional samba rhythms with reggae, creating an energetic and distinct sound. Students will get hands-on exposure to the diversity of percussion instruments that give this tradition its swing and beauty.

Samba-Reggae originated in Salvador, Bahia, in the 1980s, from the work of Mestre Neguinho do Samba and the musical groups Ilê Aiyê and Olodum.

$120 for the entire season or $35 per class. Register by June 13 or one week prior to subsequent classes*. All sales are final.

*Students should wear pants and a shirt that allows for comfortable movement as well as exercise shoes.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.

About the instructor

Lead instructor Mark Becker, a student of Capoeira Angola in the tradition of Mestre João Grande who has studied under Contramestre Denis Chiaramonte for 8 years, with 19 years of experience in the art of Capoeira. He is also a student of traditional Samba Chula, an art form from the Recôncavo region of Bahia, Brazil while also serving as the Director of the Bloco Gavião, a community drum ensemble focused on Afro-Brazilian drumming traditions such as samba-reggae, maracatu and afoxé. Mark has a master’s degree in education from the University of Illinois and enjoys designing learning experiences for all ages to feel belonging in the exploration of Brazilian culture.

Experience Level: Beginner

Expand your musical horizons at Afro-Brazilian Traditions: Samba-Reggae on Tuesdays, May 20 through June 17 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Music Barn.

Instructor Mark Becker will introduce students to the fundamentals of Samba-Reggae, a vibrant musical genre that blends traditional samba rhythms with reggae, creating an energetic and distinct sound. Students will get hands-on exposure to the diversity of percussion instruments that give this tradition its swing and beauty.

Samba-Reggae originated in Salvador, Bahia, in the 1980s, from the work of Mestre Neguinho do Samba and the musical groups Ilê Aiyê and Olodum.

$120 for the entire season or $35 per class. Register by June 13 or one week prior to subsequent classes*. All sales are final.

*Students should wear pants and a shirt that allows for comfortable movement as well as exercise shoes.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.

About the instructor

Lead instructor Mark Becker, a student of Capoeira Angola in the tradition of Mestre João Grande who has studied under Contramestre Denis Chiaramonte for 8 years, with 19 years of experience in the art of Capoeira. He is also a student of traditional Samba Chula, an art form from the Recôncavo region of Bahia, Brazil while also serving as the Director of the Bloco Gavião, a community drum ensemble focused on Afro-Brazilian drumming traditions such as samba-reggae, maracatu and afoxé. Mark has a master’s degree in education from the University of Illinois and enjoys designing learning experiences for all ages to feel belonging in the exploration of Brazilian culture.

Experience Level: Beginner

Expand your musical horizons at Afro-Brazilian Traditions: Samba-Reggae on Tuesdays, May 20 through June 17 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Music Barn.

Instructor Mark Becker will introduce students to the fundamentals of Samba-Reggae, a vibrant musical genre that blends traditional samba rhythms with reggae, creating an energetic and distinct sound. Students will get hands-on exposure to the diversity of percussion instruments that give this tradition its swing and beauty.

Samba-Reggae originated in Salvador, Bahia, in the 1980s, from the work of Mestre Neguinho do Samba and the musical groups Ilê Aiyê and Olodum.

$120 for the entire season or $35 per class. Register by June 13 or one week prior to subsequent classes*. All sales are final.

*Students should wear pants and a shirt that allows for comfortable movement as well as exercise shoes.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.

About the instructor

Lead instructor Mark Becker, a student of Capoeira Angola in the tradition of Mestre João Grande who has studied under Contramestre Denis Chiaramonte for 8 years, with 19 years of experience in the art of Capoeira. He is also a student of traditional Samba Chula, an art form from the Recôncavo region of Bahia, Brazil while also serving as the Director of the Bloco Gavião, a community drum ensemble focused on Afro-Brazilian drumming traditions such as samba-reggae, maracatu and afoxé. Mark has a master’s degree in education from the University of Illinois and enjoys designing learning experiences for all ages to feel belonging in the exploration of Brazilian culture.

Experience Level: Beginner

Expand your musical horizons at Afro-Brazilian Traditions: Samba-Reggae on Tuesdays, May 20 through June 17 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Music Barn.

Instructor Mark Becker will introduce students to the fundamentals of Samba-Reggae, a vibrant musical genre that blends traditional samba rhythms with reggae, creating an energetic and distinct sound. Students will get hands-on exposure to the diversity of percussion instruments that give this tradition its swing and beauty.

Samba-Reggae originated in Salvador, Bahia, in the 1980s, from the work of Mestre Neguinho do Samba and the musical groups Ilê Aiyê and Olodum.

$120 for the entire season or $35 per class. Register by June 13 or one week prior to subsequent classes*. All sales are final.

*Students should wear pants and a shirt that allows for comfortable movement as well as exercise shoes.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.

About the instructor

Lead instructor Mark Becker, a student of Capoeira Angola in the tradition of Mestre João Grande who has studied under Contramestre Denis Chiaramonte for 8 years, with 19 years of experience in the art of Capoeira. He is also a student of traditional Samba Chula, an art form from the Recôncavo region of Bahia, Brazil while also serving as the Director of the Bloco Gavião, a community drum ensemble focused on Afro-Brazilian drumming traditions such as samba-reggae, maracatu and afoxé. Mark has a master’s degree in education from the University of Illinois and enjoys designing learning experiences for all ages to feel belonging in the exploration of Brazilian culture.

Experience Level: Beginner

Expand your musical horizons at Afro-Brazilian Traditions: Samba-Reggae on Tuesdays, May 20 through June 17 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Music Barn.

Instructor Mark Becker will introduce students to the fundamentals of Samba-Reggae, a vibrant musical genre that blends traditional samba rhythms with reggae, creating an energetic and distinct sound. Students will get hands-on exposure to the diversity of percussion instruments that give this tradition its swing and beauty.

Samba-Reggae originated in Salvador, Bahia, in the 1980s, from the work of Mestre Neguinho do Samba and the musical groups Ilê Aiyê and Olodum.

$120 for the entire season or $35 per class. Register by June 13 or one week prior to subsequent classes*. All sales are final.

*Students should wear pants and a shirt that allows for comfortable movement as well as exercise shoes.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.

About the instructor

Lead instructor Mark Becker, a student of Capoeira Angola in the tradition of Mestre João Grande who has studied under Contramestre Denis Chiaramonte for 8 years, with 19 years of experience in the art of Capoeira. He is also a student of traditional Samba Chula, an art form from the Recôncavo region of Bahia, Brazil while also serving as the Director of the Bloco Gavião, a community drum ensemble focused on Afro-Brazilian drumming traditions such as samba-reggae, maracatu and afoxé. Mark has a master’s degree in education from the University of Illinois and enjoys designing learning experiences for all ages to feel belonging in the exploration of Brazilian culture.

Experience Level: Beginner

Expand your musical horizons at Afro-Brazilian Traditions: Samba-Reggae on Tuesdays, May 20 through June 17 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Music Barn.

Instructor Mark Becker will introduce students to the fundamentals of Samba-Reggae, a vibrant musical genre that blends traditional samba rhythms with reggae, creating an energetic and distinct sound. Students will get hands-on exposure to the diversity of percussion instruments that give this tradition its swing and beauty.

Samba-Reggae originated in Salvador, Bahia, in the 1980s, from the work of Mestre Neguinho do Samba and the musical groups Ilê Aiyê and Olodum.

$120 for the entire season or $35 per class. Register by June 13 or one week prior to subsequent classes*. All sales are final.

*Students should wear pants and a shirt that allows for comfortable movement as well as exercise shoes.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.

About the instructor

Lead instructor Mark Becker, a student of Capoeira Angola in the tradition of Mestre João Grande who has studied under Contramestre Denis Chiaramonte for 8 years, with 19 years of experience in the art of Capoeira. He is also a student of traditional Samba Chula, an art form from the Recôncavo region of Bahia, Brazil while also serving as the Director of the Bloco Gavião, a community drum ensemble focused on Afro-Brazilian drumming traditions such as samba-reggae, maracatu and afoxé. Mark has a master’s degree in education from the University of Illinois and enjoys designing learning experiences for all ages to feel belonging in the exploration of Brazilian culture.