Long Island, New York native, Shari Syrkett ("Xari Coco", she, her) came upon capoeira while in search of African diasporan history & cultural traditions as a student in college and was wholly captivated by its beauty and power. For 32 years and counting, she has studied at the Capoeira Angola Center of Mestre João Grande in New York City (CACMJG). She has traveled extensively with MJG, assisting in workshops, and managed the CAC for over a decade. A carpenter by trade and a maker at heart, Shari is also a gardener, budding herbalist, and adept in the textile arts of knitting, quilting, sewing and natural dyeing.

Mestre Kamau Blakney, one of the founding members of FICA Philadelphia, has dedicated nearly 30 years to Capoeira Angola. As the instructor and president of the Philadelphia Chapter, he leads weekly classes in movement, music, philosophy, and Brazilian Portuguese. In 2019, he received the title of Mestre at an international Capoeira conference in Brazil. Mestre Kamau, one of the few U.S.-born Mestres recognized in Brazil, has taught and performed Capoeira Angola throughout Philadelphia, including programs at local schools and universities. He regularly hosts workshops and has participated in the Odunde African Street Festival since 1996, aiming to provide communities with authentic access to Capoeira Angola.

The group Hijos de Agueybana directed by Otoqui Reyes consists of eight artists, all committed to preserving their Afro-Caribbean roots. The group has over ten years experience both of performing and offering workshops and courses on the historical and cultural significance of the genre of bomba. They have presented their dance and music to both national and international audiences across the Americas. In the Caribbean the African drum is central to cultural identity creating harmony, solidarity and leadership in both the music itself and the musicians who perform it, helping maintain social structure in communities and villages all over the Island.

Adri Tapia-Gomez, a Mexico City native based in Seattle, is an artist, producer, and dancer. She began her dance journey at 6 with the Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida, performing in productions like The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty during 15 years of classical training. After earning a BA in political science and French from George Washington University, she transitioned to afro dance, jazz, funk, and hip hop in 2021, focusing on amapiano. Cumbia, her most cherished dance style, has been a lifelong influence. Adri works as operations manager for Afro Dance Seattle and event producer for various arts organizations, with recent credits including the PNW Afro Dance Camp and Full Circle at the Seattle Asian Art Museum.

Panama Folklore Seattle is a nonprofit organization with a dedicated mission to promote and preserve Panamanian customs and traditions in the Pacific Northwest. Through cultural events, educational programs, and community gatherings, we celebrate the rich heritage of Panama, sharing its vibrant folklore, music, dance, and history with diverse audiences. Our goal is to keep these traditions alive for future generations while fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of Panamanian culture in the PNW community.

The Seattle Fandango Project is a collective of students and practitioners of Fandango, an Afro-Indigenous musical and dance tradition originating from Veracruz, Mexico. This vibrant ancestral culture blends music, poetry, and percussive dance to create a joyful atmosphere of collective harmony. SFP holds free bi-monthly workshops open to the community, where in addition to engaging in collective music making, they reflect on and develop ways of relating that center  collective care and accountability.

Thank you to our sponsor, the Seattle Office of Arts and Culture, for supporting our mission to advance racial equity and social justice. With your partnership, we’re able to use the arts to drive positive change, align with the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative, and work toward a more inclusive community.