Production Details

Spirit of Brazil ’21 presents the artistic elements of Capoeira through a fusion of contemporary and traditional music, dance, and martial arts from Brazil. Born out of a resistance to oppression and now internationally practiced, Capoeira’s history reminds audiences of the power of resistance—an especially relevant message in today's sociopolitical climate. Spirit of Brazil explores Capoeira as means of self-expression and as a path to freedom from oppression. The dynamic acrobatic and athletic movements, history and tradition, and heart-thumping rhythms presented by an international cast will leave audiences inspired!

ABADÁ-Capoeira San Francisco’s (ACSF) mission is to preserve, develop, and share the art of Capoeira with integrity and to use Capoeira to build a healthy, just, and vibrant society in which people feel connected to and responsible for their community. By exploring creative ways to share Capoeira and related arts, ACSF remains a pioneering force in the preservation and development of Brazilian arts. For 30 years, ACSF has provided arts education, cultural festivals and performances, and daily classes in Capoeira martial arts, dance, and music. The organization strives to improve and promote Capoeira, allowing it to reach its full potential as an internationally respected art form while maintaining its dignity, character, history, and traditions.

Artist Biographies

Márcia Treidler (Choreographer and Artistic Director)
Márcia Treidler "Mestra Cigarra,” originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is ACSF’s founder and artistic director. She is one of the top nine capoeiristas out of more than 50,000 international ABADÁ-Capoeira members and the first female student of Mestre Camisa to be awarded the rank “Mestra,” a title shared with some of the world’s top practitioners. Because Capoeira has been a male-dominated art form for more than 300 years, Mestra Cigarra’s achievements have cleared the path for other women to excel.

Jennifer Walsh (Co-Producer and Lead Dancer)
Jennifer Walsh, known in the capoeira community as “Instrutora Sereia”, is the top ranked female foreign capoeirista in ABADÁ-Capoeira worldwide. She started her capoeira training in 1994, with ABADÁ-Capoeira’s legendary top ranked female capoeirista “Mestra Márcia Cigarra” in San Francisco, California. In 1994, she joined forces with Márcia and became the Co-Founder and Executive Director of ABADÁ-Capoeira San Francisco. Today she continues to develop ACSF as the organization’s Executive Director, and enjoys performing as a company artist.