CAPOEIRISTA ITAPUA BEIRAMAR

About the Artist

Mestre Nestor Capoeira and Mestre Cobra Mansa, capoeiristas
Itapuã Beiramar met Capoeira at the belly of his mother being a son of Mestre Nestor Capoeira. In addition to studying with his father, he has trained with Mestre Gil Velho and other masters of Grupo Senzala. He was a Thai Boxing champion and has performed with Andrea Maciel contemporary dance company in Rio, and Cirque du Soliel. Itapua teaches capoeira to adults and children and developed the "Brincdeira de Capoeira" method for children to play capoeira at Espaco Educacao School in Rio de Janeiro.

Mestre Nestor Capoeira is one of the pioneers in teaching capoeira outside of Brazil. A native of Rio de Janeiro, he was a student of Mestre Leopoldina, he joined the Senzala group under Mestre Preguica and became by the late sixties one of Grupo Senzala's leading members. He has worked in films, theater, and television, is the author of four internationally published books on capoeira, and has recorded an album of capoeira music. He has been teaching capoeira internationally since 1971.

Mestre Cobra Mansa is a native of Brazil, has dedicated the last 26 years of his life to training, teaching, researching and preserving Capoeira Angola. Born in Rio de Janeiro, he was an active member in the Black Movement in Brazil, and worked with street children as part of the well known"Projecto Axe." He was a co-founder of Grupo de Capoeira Angola Pelourinho (GCAP) in Salvador. He moved to Washington, DC in 1994 and where he co-founded and now leads the International Capoeira Angola Foundation.

Past Performances