Capoeira Mandinga & Capoeira Institute Southwest

Capoeira Mandinga Tucson and nonprofit Capoeira Institute Southwest partner to bring traditional Afro-Brazilian capoeira, music, and dance to diverse Tucson and global communities. Anne Pollack (Mestra Luar do Sertão) is our group’s founder, director, and tireless leader. She has practiced Afro-Brazilian arts for over 37 years, training with Brazilian capoeira masters around the globe and teaching capoeira and Afro-Brazilian music and dance in Tucson for over 27 years. In 1996, she created group Capoeira Mandinga Tucson followed by nonprofit Capoeira Institute Southwest to offer the health and social benefits of Afro-Brazilian arts to diverse Arizona communities. In 2023, she was honored at a capoeira event in Milan, Italy and received the blue/white 3rd degree master level (of 4 levels). She is the highest level master of Capoeira and Afro-Brazilian arts in the state of Arizona.

The experience of Afro-Brazilian arts touches hearts and brings together diverse people. Our 2023 performance group is comprised of students, ages 5 through over 50 years, from a broad spectrum of Tucson area schools and communities, who are joined through our love of Afro-Brazilian capoeira, music, and dance. Through our Afro-Brazilian arts classes, performances, and workshops, we look forward to continuing to build and expand mind/body strength and flexibility, and cross-cultural connections between youth, families, and communities from diverse backgrounds.