Carver Youth Matinee: Capoeira with Ile Bahia

Ile Bahia de San Antonio returns to the Carver Community Cultural Center on Friday, January 8, 2027, for their annual celebration of capoeira. It's a matinee, so it's a late-morning thing rather than an evening out—the session runs from 11 AM to 12 PM, with doors opening at 10 AM.

If you've never seen capoeira, it's a centuries-old Afro-Brazilian art form that blends martial arts, dance, music, and extreme athleticism. It was developed by enslaved Africans in Brazil, and over time it became a powerful expression of cultural preservation, resistance, and resilience. That history is part of what makes it more than just a performance; it's a living tradition.

The session is structured to give you a good look at how it all works. It starts with introductions to get everyone on the same page, followed by a Q&A where you can ask questions, and then a demo that puts the movement on display. It's an all-ages matinee, so it's a good one to bring the kids along to.

There's more to do than just the performance, too. Both the lobby and the Jo Long Theatre house an art exhibition you can tour while you're there. The whole thing is organized by the Carver Community Cultural Center, located at 226 North Hackberry Street in San Antonio, and parking is free. Doors open at 10 AM, and the session runs from 11 AM to 12 PM.