Culture + Exercise + Community
ABADÁ-Capoeira Bronx Arts Inc. works to preserve, share and expand the art of capoeira within diverse communities and families. ACBX uses the practice of Capoeira as a medium to develop youth, build community and inspire people to reach their maximum potential.
ACBX creates multifaceted Capoeira Arts programs that explore the many disciplines the art encompasses from which students can benefit from physically, mentally and emotionally.
Our programs cater to all ages and operate on-site, at our full time Capoeira Cultural Arts Center in the Bronx and off-site, largely throughout NYC schools.
Our History
ACBX humble begins date to 201, when it began its first community class at a local church, under the leadership of its founders Marcelo Fagundes “Professor Coco” and Jennifer Sanchez “Instrutora Franjinha.” A shared passion for the art and its power to build community lead the team to continue to work to grow a following, host free classes and performances in the area. In 2015, ACBX celebrated its 5th anniversary during its annual cultural event bringing guests from 10 different countries to a memorable show at Lehman College. After nearly 7 years at the Church of the Mediator as its home, ACBX opened its full time Capoeira Arts Center – the first and only of its kind – in the Bronx in 2017. The studio offered capoeira, along with other wellness classes and served as a community space for events. The economic impact of the pandemic drove the space to close, and in 2020 the studio ceased operations. Despite of the space closure, a tight-knit ACBX community remained. The work of ACBX has impacted countless lives and granted the level of “Graduado/a” – a high-achieving/teaching level, if desired and approve by the supervising leader – to nine members.
Our Parent School: ABADA-Capoeira
ACBX shares name and philosophy with the international ABADA-Capoeira school, founded by Mestre Camisa, headquartered in Rio de Janeiro. ABADA-Capoeira is one of the largest Capoeira schools and greatest exposure of Afro-Brazilian culture with representation in 60 countries and close to seventy thousand members worldwide.