I wanted to get Winter involved immediately. I knew she’d love it. Of course, she was disgusted when I announced that she would be attending the next class at World Arts Center in Portland. “Whaaat?” she griped, “I have to go? You didn’t ask me if I wanted to go!” I swear she acts like I torture her with fun.
On the way to class she must’ve asked a dozen times if she could only watch. “Let’s just see how you feel when you get there.” While waiting for Pam, the instructor, to show, Winter saw me taking notes which furthered her disgust.
“Is this for work?” she demanded. She’s on to me. I had to fess up, although I wasn’t sure why I felt guilty. She was just mad that she had to try something new. I’m sure lots of kids don’t want to try capoeira, but end up loving it.
The class assembled with three boys and Pam wearing matching white shirts, pants and rope belts. Pam asked the boys to explain the origins of capoeira to Winter and afterwards demonstrate the techniques they had learned over the past six months.
Before the boys performed a series of roundhouse kicks, sweeps and cartwheels, they showed Winter the instruments. If the acrobatics didn’t wow her, the mere thought of striking a bongo or shaking a tambourine would. I saw a the beginnings of a smile, which abruptly ended when she realized I’d recognized her willingness to participate.
The demonstration started with a handshake and followed with Ginga (a movement involving backward steps from left to right) and other movements I can’t pronounce or spell. While two boys demo-ed, the other called out the movements in Portuguese. Not only do the kids learn a physical art, they learn another language! They also sing in Portuguese. How cute!
During the last ten minutes of class Winter learned a few words in Portuguese to sing in the call-and-response songs. They sang as they took turns playing bongo, tambourine, bells and some other percussion I don’t know the name of. At this point she was smiling and enjoying herself freely. I could relax now that my torturing her had ended.
“Did you like it?” I asked before she could get her shoes back on.
“Yeah,” she answered unemotionally. This was her way of being intentionally unaffected, which I believe is the default emotion of this generation. I know better, you see. She loved it!
Amy and her 9 year-old daughter, Winter, explore activities that are fun for both mom and kid.