Capoeira Lineage

Capoeira Arts Dance goal is to teach and promote Afro Brazilian Dance and Capoeira. We strive to create memorable, happy and empowering moments in every class! Through encouragement and hard training at our studio or performances and events, every day at CAD is tailored to be special and uplifting!

Mestre Bobó (1925-1994)

Was a very important Capoeira Mestre (Angola Style) Mestre Bobo was Mestre Jelon’s first Capoeira Master,who show his the first steps in Capoeira

Mestre Ezequiel
(1941-1997)

Was a very important Capoeira Mestre( Regional Style) Mestre Ezequiel was Mestre Jelon’s second Capoeira Master who give his Master Capoeira title.

Mestre Vieira

Mestre Jelon Vieira, founder of Capoeira Luanda, is a world-renowned master and teacher of capoeira. Born in Santo Amaro da Purificação, Bahia, Brazil, in 1953, at age ten he started learning capoeira Angola with Mestre Emerito and later with Mestre Bobô.

Capoeira and Flow movement with Mestre Alegria

For the past several years, Mr. Silva has been developing his own style of dance, where he mixes Capoeira with modern dance and Contemporary Dance. He has also participated as director and choreographer of National Black Arts Festival (Atl-GA), choreographer assistant of So You Think You Can Dance (Canada) and performed in the Houston Brazilian Festival (Hou-TX). Mr. Silva has been an artist in residence for Philadanco Dance Company.

  • Leandro Silva (Mestre Alegria) was born in Bahia, Brazil. He began his Capoeira training at the age of ten years old with Mestre Jelon Vieira and has demonstrated and taught capoeira throughout Brazil, the United States and Europe.
  • An accomplished, professionally trained dancer of various styles (Capoeira, Afro Brazilian, Modern, Ballet, Contemporary), Mr. Silva has toured the world for several years as a member of the highly acclaimed DanceBrazil dance company.

Also Alegria has been part of several other international companies such as Brazarte Dance Company (Miami-FL), Cleo Parker Robinson Dance (Denver-CO), Orquestra Popular da Bahia (Brazil), and Ballethnic Dance Company (Atlanta-GA). He has also performed in important Dance events like, Capezio 125 years, Broadway & Beyond ( 2012-2014).

Janete dance, Janete Da Silva

Janete Silva is a Dancer, choreographer, Performer and educator from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. She has studied dance since childhood and her professional training includes Afro-Brazilian Traditional dances, Ballet, Modern, Capoeira (a Brazilian Martial Art), Silva Technique (Fuzion of Capoeira and Dance) and Silvestre Technique.

Janete has performed with many acclaimed local and international Companies, including Bale Folclórico da Bahia (Brazil), DanceBrazil (New York), Bahia Brazil (Los Angeles), Orquestra Popular da Bahia (Brazil), Freddiek Bratcher and Company (Miami), Brazil Skindo Company (Miami), Viver Brazil Dance Company (L.A), and Ballethnic Dance Company(ATL). Janete has also appeared as a dancer on Ivete Sangalo’s DVDs MTV ao Vivo and Maracana. She participated in the Lowell Folk Festival (Lowell), National Black Arts Festival (Georgia), the Brazilian Independence Day Celebration, Target’s Super Sabado! at El Museo del Barrio, and the Houston Brazilian Festival.

Embark on a Vibrant Journey with Afro-Brazilian Dance
Get ready to immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Afro-Brazilian dance, a captivating blend of African rhythms, ancestral movements, and cultural expression. This dynamic dance form is more than just steps and beats; it's a window into a fascinating history and a pathway to personal empowerment.
Rooted in Tradition
Afro-Brazilian dance draws its lifeblood from the vibrant cultures of Africa, brought to Brazil. Their movements whispered stories of resistance, celebration, and spiritual connection, passed down through generations through the power of tradition. These ancestral rhythms became the heartbeat of Afro-Brazilian dance, woven into the fabric of religious ceremonies and everyday life.
Evolving Expression
Over time, Afro-Brazilian dance has blossomed into a kaleidoscope of styles, each with its own unique flavor. From the frenetic energy of Capoeira to the sensual sway of Maculele, every movement tells a story. The influence of indigenous cultures and the ever-evolving spirit of the Brazilian people have added their own brushstrokes to this magnificent artistic canvas.
A Full-Body Experience
Afro-Brazilian dance is not just about putting one foot in front of the other. It's a full-body experience that engages your muscles, ignites your senses, and stirs your soul. The agility and release of the head, shoulders, arms, torso, and hips create a mesmerizing interplay of energy and control. Bent knees and feet rooted to the ground pulse with the rhythm, connecting you to the earth and the ancestral spirits that guide your steps.
Beyond the Steps
The benefits of Afro-Brazilian dance extend far beyond the physical. It's a journey of self-discovery, building confidence, creativity, and community. As you lose yourself in the rhythm, you tap into a wellspring of joy and liberation, connecting with your inner spirit and celebrating the beauty of cultural heritage.
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Capoeira

Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art characterized by powerful kicks, fluid movements, music, and dodges called esquivas. Capoeira strikes involve the use of the shins, feet, knees, elbows, head butts, open-palms, and various sweeps. In 2014, Unesco designated Capoeira as an “intangible cultural heritage”, and today the art is practiced all over the world.

Capoeira was created somewhere between 1500-1700. The date is unclear because the Portuguese burned almost all records of slavery after slavery was declared illegal in 1888. For this reason, there are very few sources that date back to this time.

What we know is that enslaved africans played a major part in the creation of Capoeira. In the early 1900s, Capoeira schools began to sprout in Salvador, Bahia. During this time, Mestre Bimba was the most popular Capoeira teacher in Brazil, and his students traveled around the country to teach the art. Within 100 years the art spread across the globe and can now be seen in every major city in the world.