Brazilian Arts Foundation

All my life I’ve always wanted to be apart of something real and amazing on this earth. I’m so grateful that god answered such a constant prayer by blessing me to be apart of the Brazilian Arts Foundation. This is such a great family and I wouldn’t trade any of them for the world. This art of Capoeira has changed my life in tremendous ways that can’t even remotely be uttered. But I can say this; if it’s changed my life, it definitely can do the same for you.

This place is an eyeopening experience that I highly recommend to anyone wishing to learn about another culture and become part of an amazing organization. It is an incredible organization.

Love it, being training there since 2017 and I enjoy overtime. There are so much culture and diversity that speaks very much with the Houston community.

Thanks Brazilian Arts Foundation. :)

The Brazilian Arts Foundation is a truly unique organization. I've been training with them and participating in their events for close to seven years. Since then I have learned a tremendous amount about Brazilian culture, engaged both my mind and body, and met amazing people from all walks of life. They do an incredible job promoting diversity, cultural awareness, and health with their public events, school programs and classes. Every time I leave an event or class I feel positive about the impact the group has made and difference I have made in my own life.

Since I joined the Brazilian Arts Foundation two years ago now entering into my third year. I've had such an amazing experience with the community. I've learn alot about Capoeria and the Brazilian culture as well as learning a little portuguese along the way. I enjoy the diversity
of the organization. It don't matter if you are a beginner or advance, a CEO or Janitor, ethnicity, religionists beliefs, etc. All is appreciated and respected at the Brazilian Arts Foundation.

~Saúde

I love this place and these people. Such a rich group of talented artists, musicians, athletes, and humans. Their work brings great art and culture to the community. Many families love the Capoeira classes, and Mauricio makes extra effort to help kids with special needs.

The Brazilian Arts Foundation is a wonderful place to experience Brazilian culture. They provide Portuguese language lessons, as well as Capoeira and dance classes. My 10 year old daughter and I have been taking Capoeira classes here for 4 or 5 years, and we love the inclusive and welcoming spirit of the place.

Compassionate people serving the community by promoting good health, and culture to everyone who comes to the foundation, to senior centers and at various school programs across Houston. Genuinely good people actually doing good. I have volunteered to help teach classes at after school programs at different elementary schools around town, I have performed at various festivals around the city and I have also continued to be a student myself of language and movement at the studio for the past ten years.

I’ve been taking capoeira classes at the Brazilian Arts Foundation for a while now! The instruction I have received has been phenomenal. Also, the communal vibe feels like my family I’ve moved from. I highly recommend trying you first class!

Having worked for the Brazilian Arts Foundation for over 5 years has allowed me to see how much progress it has made over time to improve every program offered as well as the facility, and the expertise of its leaders.
It is a place that believes in providing education in a rich and diverse environment that welcomes everyone and where people with all sorts of backgrounds, cultures and limitations come together not only to learn but to become a supportive community and valuable friendships that feel like family for many of the members.

Follow their work.Great job.Would love to see them reach great endeavours:)))

I started taking capoeira a little more than a year ago and despite having two left feet, I keep coming back. The classes are amazing; Gringo's patience, energy, and sense of humor throughout the class makes it a great way to end the day. My fellow classmates are friendly, helpful and welcoming. Brazilian Arts Foundation is definitely an asset to the Houston community. So glad I found this place!!!

Great place for Brazilian culture and a vibrant, welcoming community of people from all over. Love the capoeira and dance classes!

Excellent group! I have participated in capoeira classes, samba classes, portuguese classes, as well as attended many of the free public events such as movie nights and open house music nights. The programs and people at the BAF have created a sense of community where I've felt comfortable trying things that I never would have imagined doing. The friends I've made and the things I've learned at the BAF have become a central part of my life. What separates the BAF for me from other organizations is the warm sense of community they provide. I came wanting to learn capoeira - and got that and much more - language, music, culture, and friendships.

This wonderful institution is filled with amazing people who give everything they can to help others be happy.

The Brazilian Arts Foundation is the only link we have with our country here in Houston.

I moved away less than 2 years ago and I still think of and remember the BAF fondly. They were, they are and they always will be a family to me. It does not matter how long I am gone, I always feel welcomed. I have learned so much from capoeira and from Gringo. I will always remember when Gringo said, "you will get as much out of it as you put in". And so it has been true for capoeira and in life. I have learned amazing lessons that I always carry with me. I would recommend the Foundation in a heart beat for all subjects. The instructors are all professionals.

I learned so much more about capoeira in my first few months at BAF than I did in the previous year at another school. The emphasis placed on the culture and history make the experience so much more stimulating and fulfilling, and the instructors are extremely talented, helpful and passionate about what they do.

I have been taking classes (capoeira and samba) here for over 6 years and can’t say enough about the positive impact it has made on my life. The instructors are passionate about their craft and passing on their knowledge, history, and love for capoeira to the students. In all the years I’ve been taking lessons there I’ve never had a class end early, but often go past the end time. The atmosphere is one of family, with everyone helping each other to improve. If you are interested in improving your overall health, core strength, and flexibility in a great atmosphere, this is the place to go.

I took Portuguese classes there for a number of years. While languages arent really my thing as i am a numbers guy, the classes were very good. The teachers were passionate and committed. I can pretty much read and understand the written language at this point. Speaking it not so good but really my fault.

Mr Campos does a good job overall for a small non profit.

Been to the festival for a number of years and volunteer each year at the admission booth. Always a good experience.

have also been to music and movie nights and are entertaining.

If anyone is interested in Brazil this is a good place to go. However do not expect it to be a Brazilian Community Center for Houston. Thats not what it is and probably not expected to be.

This foundation are not what they advertise they are. I am extremely disappointed with the quality of services provided when they are provided , because out of nowhere lessons will be canceled without notice and you drive all the way there to find the doors all locked and nobody there.
The studio floor is filthy dirty and classes ; capoeira and dance always start late and finish earlier .....
The Portuguese language class is a complete waste of time . You won't learn anything and the material presented is of very poor quality. If you have been to a real language school before you will soon realize that even Rosetta Stone has a better teaching method than this place.
These Portuguese classes will definitely not prepare you to go to Brazil or even speak the most basic Portuguese. They are also not honest about payment, sometimes you pay and they will say that you didn't.
Everything they teach there is taught just half way because they don't have qualified staff member . The place is poorly administrated and the owner was rude to me when I requested my money back.

I will never comeback there and do not recommend this non profit organization. Save yourself some money and stress GO SOMEWHERE ELSE!

There's enough going on at the BAF to keep a person busy for years. I have taken capoeira here for over a year now. Capoeira is excellent physical exercise, but the warm, welcoming, supportive people involved with the BAF are what keeps me coming back.

Love capoeira And portugués ¡....highly recommend. ,!!!

I have been a student at the Brazilian Arts Foundation for almost 5 years and have found a second family of people who are very supportive and caring of their students and programs. The growth in quality of the programs, service and facility is notorious as well as the different educational and entertainment events provided to the community. At the BAF people get to experience culture and education from many different angles from language, plastic arts and sports discipline in a family friendly environment. I am very thankful that I ran into the foundation for capoeira training because that has led me to learn a new language, to meet great people, to belong to the community and to give back to them. I also love seeing all my peers make progress and see great friendships thrive from everyone's efforts.

Awesome programs and events for the whole family. Got to met and make some lifetime friends.

This is an excellent place for the whole family, love the programs the provide.
They always care about the people and neighborhood.

I recommend this place to everyone...won't be disappointed !!!...excellent!!

I absolutely love the Brazilian Arts Foundation and all the work they do. .This is a great organization to be a part of first because of their dedication to maintaining the Brazilian culture alive in Houston and second because of all the work they do with the kids, the school program and the senior program. I support this organization and I am thankful for them being here is Houston and connecting the Brazilians in the area. It's really hard for us Brazilians to be away from home but it is comforting to have such a cultural center that hosts us and opens the door for us!

The Brazilian Arts Foundation is a school, gym, family, and recreation center all mixed together. I say it is like a school because at the BAF I have learned enough Portuguese to converse casually with native speakers. Also, as I am a linguist and ESL teacher, this skill has increased my marketability and expertise in my field. On top of that the BAF is a place that fosters physical health. I take capoeira classes there two days a week. On top of learning the skills needed to defend myself, I get 2 weekly doses of plyometric and aerobic exercise. On the other hand, the foundation also serves as a family. I have met the vast majority of my friends either directly or indirectly through the BAF. Not only have I met friends at the foundation itself, but I have also travelled to other capoeira events with my friends from the BAF and subsequently made friends all over the world. Finally, the BAF is like a recreation center. In most major cities, it is an unfortunate trend that the only activities marketed towards adults are related to unhealthy habits like drinking. However, events such as Samba Night and Brazilian Movie night at the BAF offer other options for those of us that are tired of the meat market that the night scene in the US has become. All in all, I would like to recommend the Brazilian Arts Foundation because it is the most influential non-profit organization I have ever been lucky enough to be a part of.

A couple of years ago, a friend was taking classes here - samba, Portugese and capoiera (sp?). She was so taken with the teachers and talked about them with such fondness that I decided (after seeing a Brazilian film and falling in love with the language) to take a class. I have to agree whole-heartedly. It has felt like becoming part of a family. The Portugese teacher, Terese, has to be the most patient woman in the universe. Not only is she a gifted teacher but is also a lovely human being. The director, Mauricio, is energetic, always up-beat, kind and generous. I will finish by saying that if I win the lottery, they would be the first recipient of a donation. Since that is probably not going to happen, I will continue as a student there indefinitely!

The Brazilian Arts Foundation has been around for a long time always serving and helping the Brazilian community in Houston feel a little bit closer to home.

As a Brazilian artist in Houston, the foundation has always been eager to help me promote my art and invite me to be a part of their events geared toward the Brazilian expat community in Houston.

I was introduced to the Brazilian Arts Foundation in August of 2009 through a co-worker at the Consulate General of Brazil in Houston. My first encounter with the Foundation was at the White Linen Night in the Heights, while they were performing a free samba show to a big audience. During the break Mauricio Campos, the director, introduced himself to me, and I immediately felt his positive energy and passion for what he does.

A week later, I joined the Capoeira beginner class, and have been involved with the Foundation ever since. When you walk into the cultural center you can feel the happiness in the air, and the great attitude everyone has, from the Portuguese class teacher to the Samba students.

The Foundation is involved in their commitment and involvement with the Community but their commitment and involvement with the Community wouldn't be possible if it wasn't for the generosity of grants and donations that they receive.

The Foundation gained a spot at the very prestigious Houston Arts Alliance Incubator Program, which only 10 organizations are part of, and is recognized and supported by the Consulate General of Brazil and the Ministry of External Relations of Brazil.

I started as a student, became a volunteer, and I am now a Board Member of the Foundation. I can honestly say that the passion that Mauricio has has been transferred not only to me, but also to all members of the Board, instructors, teacher, students and volunteers.

The Brazilian Arts Foundation has expanded its programs over the last years to reach out different groups of people. From kids class to senior citizen's programs, from movie nights to annual festivals, the foudnation offers different opprtunities for everyone to get involved. Come take or watch a class, watch a movie or dance during one of the Samba Nights! You will feel welcome and will want to come back! Cheers,

When I first arrived at the Brazilian Arts Foundation, I was standing around with several other Capoeira initiates when class begun with a "warm up" that would generally have been my entire workout. The rest of class was spent twisting one way, legs the other way, and I am quite certain at some point I was standing on my head (or trying to). The whole time trying to follow the energy of the funny little man at the front of the room. It was a great workout

Two years later I still feel the same way about classes, but the Foundation itself has impressed me greatly. Constantly bringing together people in various walks of life, the foundation has a wide variety of programs that cater to many different people; that said, it is always a joy to watch the lines of those programs blur as students pick up the "Axé" and strive to learn and be more involved. This energy transfers beyond the walls of the foundation in the community programs it has for the elderly as well as school programs for children.

I hope and expect many more people will find the Brazilian Arts Foundation as physically, mentally, and emotionally rewarding as I have.

The capoeira classes at the Brazilian Arts Foundation sounded very interesting. I asked my son and daughter if they'd like to be involved in something like what they were offering and my son was a little hesitant at first. Our first class he was blown away at what the kids in capoeira were doing. He loved it. My daughter was so excited as well. We attended a bautizado the foundation held several weeks after we had joined....and it was amazing! We were so happy we got involved with this foundation. Mauricio Campos is so caring and enthusiastic about what he does. The instructors are really enthusiastic, fun, and great with the kids. You always have a great feeling when we are at capoeira and the Brazilian Arts Foundation. Keep up the great work all!

My drama class was recently studying about Brazil. Our director said while in Brazil he saw Capoeira. He then announced that in a couple weeks we would take a field trip to go see it. We ended up going to watch at the Brazilian Arts Foundation! It was one of the coolest things I've seen! Everyone was so involved from what looked like maybe 3 to 4 year olds to grown adults all learning the same art. My friends and I were in awe at the stuff they were doing. Everyone was always smiling and very friendly! It really was a good experience to watch them preform. We even are putting a piece of Capoeira in our living news paper that we're performing! :) The Brazilian Arts Foundation truely has a family enviorment willing to help!

I came to the Brazilian Arts Foundation to learn Capoeira, a Brazilian martial art. Much to my surprise and pleasure, I have learned much more than just a martial art, I have learned about a way of life. After only a year, I know a lot more about the Brazilian culture, historically, and actively -- the folks at BAF have brought the Brazilian culture to Houston, live and breathe it every day, and encourage everyone to join them! It's wonderful. I've also learned some of the Portuguese langage, Brazilian music, and even some dancing. This is an all-encompassing organization that leads with their heart and presents themselves with open arms!

The primary reason that I became active with the Brazilian Arts Foundation was because the organization shows such a passion for MAKING THE ARTS ACCESSIBLE to everyone in the community. I've witnessed the BAF host more community-oriented activities and events -- many of which are free -- in an average month than many organizations do in a year. The BAF embraces a well-rounded and egalitarian approach to the arts, from teaching capoeira in the Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP) to screening Brazilian cinema at the monthly Movie Night. The BAF takes pride in putting every donated dollar right back into the Houston community.