Open Classes for adults:
Tuesdays 7 pm - 9 pm
Wednesdays 7pm - 9pm
Saturdays 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Open Kids Classes:
Tuesdays 6pm - 7pm
Thursdays 6pm - 7pm
Saturdays 10am - 11am
Livaldi “BabaJan” da Cruz was born and raised in Massarunduba, in the Lower City of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. He has been training Capoeira Angola for 30 years and involved in music for 20 years.
Baba began to practice Capoeira at the age of 10 with GCAP through the Project “Ginga Moleque” with Mestre Valmir and Mestre Poloca sponsored by Uniao E Conscience Negra. He trained with Mestre Moraes and Mestre Cobra Mansa. In 2000 Baba entered FICA Bahia as a senior student of Mestre Valmir.
In 2003 Baba was invited to come from Brazil to Washington DC to be the director of a residency program at Kamit Institute for Magnificent Achievers (KIMA) public charter school. There, using Capoeira and Afro-Brazilian music, he developed a unique program of physical education and music studies for high school and middle school students. At this time Baba also became one of the leaders of FICA DC and founded the Samba Reggae group Samba Trovão.
In 2013 Baba started his own chapter of FICA in Prince George’s County, Maryland. In 2015 Baba jan received the title of Contra Mestre in Brasil Salvador, Bahia at the 20th conference of the International Capoeira Angola Foundation (ICAF)
In 2017 Baba opened up his own Brazilian Cultural Center in Hyattsville, MD, Espaço Cultural Samba Trovão. Here he teaches Capoeira Angola for kids and adults, samba music and opens his venue to others spreading the knowledge and energy of Brazilian Culture.
