Today we’d like to introduce you to Francisco Da Silva. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Francisco Antônio Rodrigues da Silva, better known as Mestre Fran was born on November 7, 1964 in the city of Fortaleza, Ceará, Brasil. He started practicing Capoeira at the age of 10, in São Paulo, Brasil with Ronaldo Luis de Lima, better known as Mestre Bradesco of Grupo de Capoeira Conceição da Praia. Mestre Bradesco was responsible for creating a capoeirista strong in every aspect of the fundamentals. In November of 1982, at the age of 18, he arrived in Londrina, Brasil with the dream to disseminate the art of Capoeira to the southern regions of Brasil. In 1987 Mestre Fran and Mestra Sara founded the Capoeira Maculelê Cultural Association.
Mestre Fran’s plans were formulating very well in Londrina but his dreams of spreading Capoeira could not rest. With an invitation from former Athletic Director for Georgia State University and Emory University Mestre Fran and his family moved to Atlanta and founded Capoeira Maculele Atlanta.
Our school is currently located in City of Decatur and we work to preserve, develop, and share the martial art of capoeira with integrity, and to use capoeira to ignite positive change individuals and in the community. Here in Atlanta, Francisco and Capoeira Maculele Atlanta provide free arts education programs, performances in local festivals, community organizations, schools and year-round classes in martial arts, dance, Portuguese and music.
Francisco’s outstanding achievements make him an inspirational leader, an important role model, and he continues to provide a safe environment for adults, youth and families in Atlanta to learn and grow.
Today, anyone would agree that Mestre Fran has succeeded in these endeavors. He has taken his passion and shared it with hundreds, maybe thousands, of people all over the world and, unintentionally, Mestre Fran has created a reputation as one of the greatest Capoeira Mestres and maintains international recognition for his accomplishments in the field and teaches regularly throughout Brazil, North America, Europe, Asia, and Colombia.
Francisco Da Silva recent Awards:
2010: Mestre Fran received Honorary Citizenship from the Mayor of Londrina, Parana Brazil 2014: City of Decatur Mayor presented October 25th as Mestre Fran’s Day
2018: City of Decatur Mayor Presented September 18 as Mestra Sara Day
2018: City of Pembroke Park’s Mayor dedicated a community garden for Mestre Fran & Maculele Capoeira
2019: Best Martial Art School in Decatur, GA
2019: Welcoming Business Award in Decatur, GA
2020: Georgia’s Best Martial Art School Award
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Francisco says that there were numerous difficulties. “I had to plant a seed everywhere I went” because when I arrived in Atlanta in 2002 a lot of people didn’t know what capoeira was. There were also the language barrier since English isn’t my first language. But, I was always confident that one day capoeira would become popular here.. always listening to the voice of my heart that everything would be all right.
Capoeira is a complete art form, an art that enchants people through its history, dance, acrobatics, music, game, and culture. Deep down in my heart, my family and I always believed it would work because capoeira is different, it creates communities where it goes. Capoeira brings joy to people’s lives!
Capoeira is a fight of resistance. All practitioners learn to be resilient and face difficulties with a smile on their faces!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Capoeira Maculele Decatur is the #1 place to learn capoeira and the only award-winning Capoeira academy. We are located at Core Studios in Downtown Decatur. We offer beginner friendly and advanced Capoeira classes for ages 3-5, 6-13 and 14 +. Our classes consist of Martial Arts, Acrobatics, Music, Dance, Fitness and more. We are also provide entertainment for Corporate Events, Weddings, Birthday parties, Television Shows and festivals. We offer unique and high-energy lifting performances that are sure to leave audiences on the edge of their seats. As Atlanta’s first and largest Capoeira academy, we are the forefront of Capoeira and the Afro-Brazilian Culture in the city for the past 18 years. Capoeira is martial arts, movement, fitness, acrobatics, dance, music and much more!
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
We welcome new beginners to train capoeira in Downtown Decatur every day! When you walk thru our doors, you can feel our commitment to Arts Education, Diversity, Community, History, Movement, Health, Fitness & Customer Service.
I also wanted to invite our community to learn more about our local Georgia non-profit ‘World Capoeira Maculele Arts Foundation’ where we offer free capoeira, dance, and arts programs in Atlanta for over 18 years. Our nonprofit create safe learning environments, art and culture workshops, health education, reliable role models, and nutritious snacks. As they learn capoeira, its music, history and philosophy, they develop physical and emotional strength to solve problems, make friends, and develop their self-esteem. You can learn more about our local Georgia nonprofit here: Maculele.org. All donations to our programs, in any amount are greatly appreciated.
Contact Info:
- Email: decaturcapoeira@gmail.com
- Website: http://trycapoeira.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/capoeiradecatur/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapoeiraDecatur/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/capoeiradecatur
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/MaculeleCapoeiraDecatur
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/capoeira-maculele-decatur-2
