“[Elizeu “Capoeira” Zaleski dos Santos] got his start in the sport of capoeira, an art known for its rhythmic, flowing movement and acrobatic kicks.”

“A lot of people get scared because you’re doing all these moves, but they don’t understand we go through a big process to gain confidence in yourself. This class was people with one day Capoeira and people with 10 years of Capoeira and we’re all doing the same thing but little by little, we are all gaining confidence in what our own bodies can do.”

“Capoeira is for everybody, but everybody is not for Capoeira. Capoeira pulls you into it. All I do is make a comfortable environment where people could come sing and have a good time and enjoy themselves and, like a snake, Capoeira will grab you.”

Capoeira photo of M. Cebolinha at Mercado Modelo featured prominently in Lita Cerqueira’s Labour of Freedom (ILAS at the University of London)