National Spotlight to Shine on IIT Students
It’s called Gingarte Capoeira. Chances are you probably don’t know what it is, not to mention how to pronounce it!
Gingarte Capoeira (pronounced Gin-gar-chee’ Cap-oh-ate-ah) is an African-Brazilian art form. Brazilian slaves invented it as a form of self-defense, disguising Capoeira as a dance to escape persecution and punishment. Gingarte blends a unique collection of dancers, martial artists, singers, musicians and acrobats to create an amazing visual experience.
Today Capoeira is a growing martial arts style sport or "game," popular enough to support a troupe here in Chicago, featuring three IIT undergrads! Jorge Guerra (Senior, Aerospace Eng.), Jonathan Coranto (Senior, Chem., Molecular Biophysics and Bio Chem.) and Elisa Watanabe (Junior, Architecture).
The Chicago group has generated attention and press coverage locally, including a write-up in the Chicago Tribune. Now, CNN has picked up on the story and the cable news channel will be on campus Friday, Oct. 18, 2002 to videotape the troupe in action. CNN had originally planned to tape the group in action earlier this month, but had to cancel in light of Hurricane Lili coverage. The rescheduled videotaping will take in place in the student lounge at McCormick Student Village from 9 a.m. until approximately 11 a.m.
Founded in 1890, IIT is a Ph.D.-granting technological university awarding degrees in the sciences, mathematics and engineering, as well as architecture, psychology, design, business and law. IIT’s interprofessional, technology-focused curriculum prepares the university’s 6,200 students for leadership roles in an increasingly complex and culturally diverse global workplace.
