Capoeira Mandinga Detroit
What is Capoeira?
A centuries-old martial art for modern-day health, fitness and living
Originally created by African slaves in Portguese-controlled Brazil, capoeira
(pronounced capo-AYE-rah) is a ritualistic, multi-disciplined art form marked by
graceful kicks, sweeps, dodges, handstands, cartwheels, flips and other acrobatic
movements. Outlawed in the late 19th century because of its association with
radicals and criminal gangs, today capoeira is practiced freely all over the
world. Much like the Eastern martial arts, capoeira isn't merely a physical skill,
but also a mental exercise and a cultural and spiritual discipline. During the roda (HOA-da)—when students form a circle, sing,
clap their hands and ''play'' capoeira with one another—music is
integral, with the rhythm of the berimbau (an ancient stringed instrument),
drums, tambourine and other percussion pieces accompanying practice.
Come join us to experience capoeira and see what draws
students back time and time again.
—Capoeira Mandinga Detroit
About Professor Trovoada (Gary Williams)
Trovoada with his master, Marcelo "Caverinha" Pereira
(Mestre Marcelo is best known outside of the world of capoiera for being
motion-captured for the character Eddy Gordo in the popular video game Tekken 3)
Born and raised in Detroit, Gary "Trovoada" Williams studied various Asian martial arts in his teens. He started his capoeira training in 1996 under Barrett “Camarada” Leverette and began teaching capoeira in 1999 at YMCA and Bally’s Total Fitness locations throughout Metro Detroit. He has attended capoeira retreats, workshops and other events in California, Arizona, Illinois, Ohio, Toronto, Buffalo and Rochester, N.Y.; he has also led demonstrations at Wayne State University, the University of Detroit, Grand Valley State University, the African World Festival, the Ann Arbor Art Fair, the Latin American Festival and the Renaissance Festival. Trovoada delves deeply into capoeira teachings, exploring the history, culture, traditions, folk heritage and language that has contributed to the art's development. His training philosophy hinges on the belief in adopting a personalized approach that takes into account each student's individual strengths, physical limitations, body type and personal goals. He holds a bachelor's degree in English and a master's degree in education from Wayne State University.
"A good capoeirista likes everything about capoeira: the beats, the berimbau, the game; all else is secondary."
—Mestre Suasunna, Grupo de Capoeira Cordão de Ouro
Our handbook
contains everything prospective students should know about the art of capoeira.
