Capoeira LuandaCalifornia

About UsFrom the roots and traditions of Mestre Jelon Vieira, we are CapoeiraLuanda. Bringing to life and celebrating the Angolan roots that helpedshape the cultural art we now know as Capoeira. Capoeira Luandacelebrates and honors those capoeiristas that came before us, ourmentors in the present and welcomes those who have yet to discoverCapoeira.

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In 2006, Danilo Portugal, knownas Professor Macarrão, moved toOakland and brought CapoeiraLuanda with him. In its shorthistory the group has grown andevolved under the guidance anddirection of one of the world'smost respected and celebratedCapoeira masters- Mestre JelonVieira.

Professor Macarrão has trained the martial art of Capoeira for over 20years, and trains under Mestre Jelon of the group Capoeira Luandafrom Salvador Bahia, Brazil. Professor Macarrão has taught Capoeirafor over ten years, and is trained in contemporary, classical andtraditional Brazilian dance techniques. Danilo Portugal, known in the Capoeira community as ProfessorMacarrão, was born and raised in Salvador- Bahia, Brazil and hasrecently relocated to the Bay Area to share the gifts of Brazilianculture and dance. Before coming here, Professor Macarrão taught atthe Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre in New York City, traveled the world for8 years with the performance company DanceBrazil, in which MestreJelon Vieira directs, and taught both youth and adults in variouscommunities in the United States and abroad. He was the 2007 San Francisco King of Carnival. Since relocating tothe Bay Area he has worked with various local artists including:Mestre Acordeon, Mestre Marcelo Caveirinha, Conçeicão Damaceno,Isaura Oliveira, and more. Danilo "Macarrão" provides a positive,cultural communal space where Capoeira, Brazilian dance, music andart inspire self-expression and creativity.

The sport of Capoeira embraces the concept of maintaining a healthyand active lifestyle. Capoeira helps establish active ways of life thatresult in mental alertness, improved self-esteem, improved quality oflife and community development. The uniqueness of Capoeira stemsin large from its history of African, Native Brazilian and Portuguesecultural influences. Capoeira embodies music, song, dance, martialarts, acrobatics and community.

Mestre Jelon Vieira

Jelon Vieira is the Founder and ArtisticDirector of the Capoeira Foundation andDanceBrazil. He has earned much acclaimas a broadly talented choreographer, anda world renowned master and teacher ofCapoeria. Born in Bahia, Brazil, JelonVieira studied Capoeira with the famousMestre Bimba, Eziquiel, and Bobo.

Since his arrival in the US in 1975, JelonVieira has catalyzed the growing interestin and understanding of Brazilian culturewhile simultaneously developing his ownchoreographic style that blends

traditional Afro-Brazilian dance and North American modern dance. In1976 he formed the Capoeiras of Bahia with Loremil Machado. Then,in 1977, he founded DanceBrazil, and for the last 20 years has guidedthe company through breathtaking performances of Capoeira andAfro-Brazilian dance.

Mestre Jelon Vieira is a Brazilian choreographer and teacher who, in2000 achieved recognition by New York City's Brazilian CulturalCenter, as a pioneer in presenting to American audiences the Afro-Brazilian art and dance form, Capoeira.

For over a quarter century, as the founder and artistic director of TheCapoeira Foundation, Jelon Vieira has guided the dance company,DanceBrazil through critically-acclaimed engagements across theUnited States, including performances at Spoleto Festival USA, theKennedy Center and Lincoln Center. The company has also toured inEurope, Asia and Brazil and has been featured on the PBSdocumentary series EGG, the Arts Show and Alive from Off-Center.

Additionally, he has worked with numerous major culturalinstitutions, including New York City's Caribbean Cultural Center andSan Antonio's Carver Community Cultural Center. In 1999, City Lore,a New York City community organizer, inducted him into its Hall ofFame for lifetime contribution. In addition to his solo performancesand works for DanceBrazil, his choreographic credits include thefilms Brenda Starr, Rooftops, and Boomerang.

For Times Square 2000, the globally televised, multinational 24-hourdance marathon in New York City, Vieira was chosen to create theonly Brazilian performance. He has been a guest master teacher atYale University Oberlin College, Columbia University, PrincetonUniversity, Stanford University and other institutions. In 2000, he wasthe Bacardi Distinguished Visiting Eminent Scholar at the Universityof Florida in Gainesville. He has taught Capoeira to legendaryfootballer Pelé and American movie stars Wesley Snipes and EddieMurphy. Snipes, himself a top martial arts practitioner, has describedVieira as one of “the masters of the martial arts of the 20th century”.Upon returning to Brazil, in his home community of Boca do Rio, abairro of the nation’s third-largest city, Salvador, Vieira continues toteach children and young adults the art of Capoeira to build self-esteem, instill self-discipline and raise social consciousness while at

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the same time becoming a vital part of their own community. In 2007,after having devoted many years to Grupo Capoeira Brasil, hefounded his own Capoeira Grupo, Capoeira Luanda. Currently,Capoeira Luanda provides classes at our academies throughout theUnited States and abroad. Capoeira Luanda hosts festivals,workshops, international conventions, and performs throughout theUnited States.