March 25th, 2006 | The lowdown by Gordon Candelin

Capoeira in Cambodia

If you haven't heard of Capoeira, you may have seen it, and if you haven't seen it, here's your chance. There actually is a regular group of capoeira enthusists in Phnom Penh, both foreign and local, who will be hosting a workshop on the 26th and 27th of March in the captial of a country much better known for an extremely trying past, rather than a brazilian martial art that is as much a dance as it is a style of fighting.

The workshop is open to everyone and will feature Mestre Torpedo direct from Brazil, along with Instructor Jensen from the Associacao Grupo Bahia de Capoeira, with schools in Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, and now, as a testament to Capoeira's uniqueness and accessibility, Cambodia.

The two day event will focus on the movements, music, and philosophy of Capoeira. It may not be why you came to South East Asia, but imagine telling your friends that after visiting Angkor Wat and the more depressing usual suspects on the tourist trail, you got to flip around with an eclectic international group in 90 degree heat and 99% humidity?

If that doesn't take your fancy, come sunday afternoon and watch everyone else sweat in the Roda (where the game is played) while you down a cold beer and check out the Cambodian Conan whose photos adorn the walls of the studio - he's the owner and a former body guard to the Prime Minister Hun Sen.

The workshop will be held at the Police Friends Club, on the corner of Street 211 and 134. It's a bit hard to find, so call in advance for directions.

012 965 739