Mestre Almiro is a master of Capoeira Regional. In 1983, he received his Mestre certification at the Academia do Bimba- the first recognized Capoeira school in Brazil and the heart of Capoeira Regional- in his hometown of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. He headed the school until 1986 when he was invited to come to the United States to teach Capoeira and related music courses at Portland State University (PSU) in Portland, Oregon. Portland welcomed Almiro and the exciting new art he brought with him. He fell in love with the city, as well, and decided to emigrate, becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1994.

Shortly after his arrival in the summer of 1986, he presented three master classes at local high schools and performed on 15 separate occasions at local community events. Mestre Almiro has also been a participant in the Portland Public Schools Neighborhood Arts Program, sponsored by the Regional Arts and Cultural Commission (RACC) who provide education and cultural enhancement programs to secondary school audiences.

Over the past two decades Mestre Almiro has given or participated in many Capoeira workshops in Portland, Seattle, Tacoma, Eugene, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Vancouver BC. He has also organized cultural exchange trips to Brazil for his students and others interested in observing or taking Capoeira classes in his native city of Salvador, Bahia and learning about Bahian culture and history.

In 2004, the Cultural Awareness Foundation, a non-profit organization, was established as a means to share Brazilian culture with the citizens of Portland through movement, music and art. As the executive director, Almiro provides leadership and hands-on management of cultural exchange programs designed to bring Brazilian culture and art from the country of his birth to the U.S.

Mestre Almiro currently teaches Brazilian arts classes related to Capoeira Regional at the Bahia Brazil Art Center. These ongoing classes are open to the general public and include training in martial arts, musical instruments, dance and song. Eventually the school will encompass classes in soccer, Samba dancing, and the Portuguese language.

Train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu FREE!

All students of Capoeira Regional enrolled as monthly members are welcome to train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Wednesdays 5:30-6:30pm and Saturdays 10-11am at the BBAC. Also, students of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu enrolled as montlhy members are welcome to join us for Beginning Capoeira Regional on Tuesdays and Thursdays 7-8pm.

Coming soon...

Conditioning Class including running in nearby Powell Park