Capoeira Fundo da Mata was formed in 2005 by contra-mestre Avestruz. Avestruz began training capoeira in 1981 in Palo Alto, California, after seeing a ten-minute perfomance by mestre Acordeon and several of his first students. He has been doing capoeira ever since. He began his first group, “Capoeira Girasol” in Santa Fe, New Mexico (1984-1994). Students from that group have gone on to teach in Albuquerque, Denver, and Miami. He has also led small groups in Las Cruces, NM and Athens, GA. Here is an interview with contra-mestre Avestruz in Knoxville’s Metro Pulse.

Mestre Acordeon trained for many years under the renown mestre Bimba from Bahia, Brazil. Mestre Acordeon became a pioneer in bringing Capoeira to the USA. He moved to the Bay area in the late 1970’s, where he originally taught in at least five cities. Since that time Mestre Acordeon has worked tirelessly to advance capoeira in the USA, publishing, recording, speaking, researching, and visiting schools of his students and others across the country. He also regularly travels to Brazil where his influence on capoeira is strongly felt. Mestre Acordeon currently teaches in Berkeley, CA with mestra Suelly and mestre Ra.

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Capoeira Fundo da Mata’s previous appearances:

November 18, 2009 -  Global Citizenship Organization at Maryville College. Performance for the college’s celebration of “International Education Week.”

May 2, 2009 - Jive for Justice benefit workshop and performance at the Catalyst.

April 25, 2009 - Rossini Fest performance and demonstration on Market Square Stage Knoxville, TN.

April 1, 2009 - International House at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Demonstration for  Brazilian Culture Night.

October 2008 - Clarence Brown Theatre at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Demonstration and workshop for Portuguese Language Department.

June 2008 - Bijou Theatre. Opening performance for “Insight,” a production of Circle Modern Dance.