A new University club is teaching a traditional style that blurs the line between dance and martial arts.Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian art form combining martial arts, music and dance. Its origins are unclear, but some historians believe it’s directly descended from African slaves using their hands and feet to defend against African and Brazilian slave traders. It was called “Capoeira de Angola” after the brush woods where the runaway slaves hid themselves and is believed to have come with the first group of slaves to arrive in Brazil from Angola.  Other historians believe Capoeira is a Brazilian dance form created from African and Brazilian influences.Andrew Davis, theatre senior and president of the University Capoeira Club, turned a passion into a reality this semester.”Since Capoeira has such a large international population as well as LSU, I figured, ‘Why not?'” Davis said. “Being a student here, it seemed like a great idea.”Capoeira is rapidly becoming a popular art form, Davis said. The art teaches discipline and technique, promotes diversity as well as tradition, ensures fitness and teaches cultural history, he said.Monitor Donovon Miller, a student of the art since 2000, leads the club. Miller recently received his monitor certification in 2009 from his predecessor Master Gulliver of Del Sol, Brazil. In addition to teaching at LSU, Miller is part of a local Baton Rouge Capoeira group known as Capoeira Angola Palmares.The club teaches the basics of Capoeira and is open to everyone. The only requirements are participants come with an open mind and are willing to give their best, Davis said.”This class is great for those who are interested in Capoeira because it teaches you how to play the game, about the instruments and songs,” Miller said. “It’s like a game of human chess with the addition of acrobatics, kicks, takedowns, trickery and misdirection.”The most active competition takes place with sparring, easily recognized by a ring of spectators. Each contestant enters moving in a counter-clockwise direction known as Kouwi Lawon. Contestants use handstands, flips and acrobatic kicks during sparring.Capoeira is different from the gym because you are always learning something new, Davis said. “What I love the most is Capoeira’s uniqueness,” Davis said. “Boredom is never a factor in Capoeira simply because it has so much depth — it’s different, with almost a spiritual connection.”Davis is still promoting the currently 10-member club. He said he hopes to have at least 25 members by the end of spring 2010.”I hope the club continues for years after I graduate,” Davis said.The LSU Capoeira Club meets Sundays at 6 p.m. in the Dramatic Arts Building.—–Contact The Daily Reveille’s news staff at [email protected]