Santa Cruz County Stories, Papiba Godinho: Afro-Brazillian dance instructor, bandleader unites the Americas

By LAURA COPELAND

Posted: 02/08/2010 01:30:42 AM PST

As a young man with aspirations to work on the New York Stock Exchange and brush up his English, Papiba Godinho boarded a plane for America in 1991, never imagining he'd be a dance instructor in Santa Cruz just one year later.

"I didn't identify with the culture, the capitalism of the stock traders," says Godinho, who studied economics in Brazil's capital city, where he learned the Afro-Brazillian dance capoeira in the streets. "I thought, I don't want to hang out with these people.' "

Instead, he found camaraderie with New York musicians, including a Spanish-speaking saxophonist who invited Godinho to share the stage as a drummer and backup guitarist at shows throughout the Big Apple. It was his introduction to career that now spans nearly two decades -- and shows no signs of stopping.

Godinho made his transcontinental move after a friend invited him to teach capoeira classes out of a Santa Cruz studio. Although he'd intended to take a break from the dance while in America, he says he couldn't turn down the offers -- capoeira is in his blood.

"Capoeira goes parallel with music," says the bandleader and capoeira "mestre," who sparked in his students an interest in music and eventually recruited them to form a new band. "My music foundation, the roots of my music came from capoeira -- singing, drum, leading songs to get people to do things."

Godinho teaches his classes in the morning, affording him time in the afternoon to bike along West

Cliff then help his two boys with homework after school. If there's time, the family goes skateboarding or plays basketball.

"I really love to be a father," says Godinho, who named his second son after Brazillian composer and guitarist Caetano Veloso.

Brazillian culture is rooted in sharing and promoting, something Godinho practiced during a trip abroad when he was 19. Armed with a pandeiro, he and his friends formed drum circles and danced -- playing the game of capoeria -- and delighted when onlookers joined them.

"Capoeira schools try to create a sense of family," says Fahad Siadat, 27, who's been in Godinho's capoeria class in Santa Cruz for four months, "And Papiba makes you want to come to his. We always say we can't miss class because Papiba would be sad."

SambaDá, the Afro-Brazillian surf-rock band Godinho created in 1997, made its debut at the now-defunct Costa Brava. Four of the original members still play in the percussion-driven ensemble, a regular act at Moe's Alley. The band's second album is due out next month.

Between teaching cap classes and performing with his band, Godinho has sparked an interest in Brazil many of his students and fans.

"That's one thing that makes me feel really good about my job," he says.

The musician makes annual visits to his home country to see his mother and his old capoeira instructor, but he isn't sure he'll ever move back.

"Even when I go back home, I miss Santa Cruz," Godinho says. "I've made it my hometown."