Hot-Hop

Brazil is hot right now, especially with the World Cup coming “home” to the country that considers itself the ambassador of the “beautiful game.” Plenty of beauty hails from Brazil, much coming from rough beginnings. Compagnie Käfig is a merging of capoeira (a Brazilian martial art that emphasizes elongated, rhythmic...

By Glenn BurnSilver

January 9, 2014

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Brazil is hot right now, especially with the World Cup coming “home” to the country that considers itself the ambassador of the “beautiful game.” Plenty of beauty hails from Brazil, much coming from rough beginnings. Compagnie Käfig is a merging of capoeira (a Brazilian martial art that emphasizes elongated, rhythmic movements), samba, and hip-hop that was born in the favelas, or shantytowns, of Rio de Janeiro, and brought to prominence by French choreographer Mourad Merzouki.

Energetic and fresh with stunning visual elements, Merzouki’s work with favela street dancers focuses on gravity defying flips, twirls, slides, and flights of fancy from these seemingly boneless men capable of creating and sustaining unnaturally amazing dance steps. In a word: Breathtakingly beautiful.

Okay, that’s two. But witness Compagnie Käfig at 8 p.m. Friday, January 10, at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 East Second Street. Tickets are $29, $39, and $59. Visit www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org or call 480-499-8587.

Fri., Jan. 10, 8 p.m.; Sat., Jan. 11, 8 p.m., 2014

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