Help CM Pedro Cruz get Mestre Belt

Contra Mestre Pedro Cruz is to receive his Mestre belt at the November 19-22  Capoeira Sao Bento batizado in Salvador, Brazil from Mestre China.  Please help him get to Brazil (and back)!!

Becoming a Mestre is capoeira's highest achievement. It is an honor bestowed only after a lifetime of dedication to the martial art and its community. CM Pedro Cruz now needs the support of this community in order to be able to attend the Batizado ceremony and receive his Mestre belt.

We have set a goal of $1900 that we must meet for him to go - this will cover the cost of his plane ticket plus  expenses for the days of the event. Please consider donating what you can as soon as you can, so that we can buy his ticket before prices rise!
About Contra Mestre Pedro Cruz:
Growing up in Salvador, Brazil, the birthplace of capoeira, CM Pedro has been around capoeira his whole life. He began training capoeira in the late 80's, started teaching in the mid 90's in Salvador, moved to the United States and started teaching and contributing to the community here since 2001.  He is highly respected both in Brazil and in the United States. He cares deeply about the martial art form, his students, fellow teachers, and he takes his responsiblity of being a good role model in the community seriously.

CM Pedro Cruz remains closely connected to his Brazilian roots and the style of Capoeira he grew up on and has taught for many years.  More details about Pedro on the Capoeira Sao Salvador PDX website http://capoeirasaosalvadorpdx.com/
What is capoeira?
Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that dynamically blends an array of kicks, sweeps, and acrobatics by setting them to traditional Brazilian rhythms and songs. It is simultaneously a martial art, a dance, a game, and a ritual. Having survived since its inception by African slaves who were brought to Brazil hundreds of years ago, Capoeira flourished in Bahia, Brazil during the early 20th century and continues to thrive and evolve today in the 21st century. Students are educated in methods of attack and evasion and also become familiar with the music, customs, philosophy, and language of Capoeira. The result is both a total body workout and immersion in a 100% Brazilian art form.

Our capoeira group and guests at a recent batizado.