Capoeira Evolução, Austin

Capoeira is part martial art, part dance, and part music lesson—also making it a great workout. During classes, the highly accomplished Mestre Rodrigo Zerlotti gathers his students into a circle where they sing and play musical instruments to help set the speed of the showdown happening in the middle. There, two capoeiristas show off their moves, often demonstrating scything kicks or unexpected takedowns. They also incorporate tumbling and acrobatics into their combative dancing, which they use to dodge their opponent's attacks or deflect invitations to start a conga line.

Mestre Rodrigo started his capoeira practice at age 13 in Brazil. A devoted practitioner throughout his life, he moved to Texas in 1990 and began putting down the roots for Capoeira Evolução before achieving the mestre (master) level in 1996. Today he continues to train contramestres (apprentices) of the art and teaches his beloved capoeira to the local community.