Dear friends and family,

Since my first introduction in 1983, capoeira has become my life and my livelihood. My journey has been a wonderful, powerful, sometimes difficult and tumultuous, yet very satisfying adventure turned passionate cause. I love teaching this unending and forever deepening art form. Born through the tragic human history of slavery, and evolving for centuries along with its dynamic Afro-Brazilian culture, capoeira remains a positively transformative influence on the countless, diverse lives it touches.

Being a Mestra, or female Mestre of this historically male-dominated activity, I feel it an honor and privilege to work with the ever-growing number of female capoeiristas that look to capoeira as a means of personal development and expression at all stages of life. Capoeira has much to offer them, as they have much to give back to it. I love and am dedicated to nurturing this exchange.

Mestre Acordeon will be celebrating 60 years of capoeira and 40 years of teaching it here in the U.S. this October, and we will also be marking 20 years of having our own true academia de capoeira here in Berkeley. Having our own space has given us the ability to create the right atmosphere for capoeira to thrive - one where our instruments can hang on the walls; where our classes and events can run as long as the spirit takes them; where our sweat and energy polishes our benches and floor; and where generations of our kids can play safely and freely in a home away from home.

Our space is a truly valuable asset to us and our extended capoeira community, but we are now in danger of losing the lease and our school. I am asking for any support you can give to our most fun and lucrative fundraising campaign where people immerse themselves in capoeira for hours - our Roda-thon!

You can donate a dollar amount per game, or a flat contribution, supporting me or any other participant you would like to sponsor via the GIVE NOW button. Help me reach my fundraising goal of $3,000! A flat donation would be best as I’m most likely not going to play 50+ games that day :)