Dendê Do Recife is a capoeira group that was founded in 2005 by Contra-Mestre Azeitona, Contra-Mestre Fabio Cuencas, and Monitora Paula. Their goal was to further develop capoeira here in Canada and to emphasize the style and culture of their home city: Recife in the province of Pernambuco in Brazil's Northeast. Contra-Mestre Azeitona leads the group here in Halifax as he has done since he first arrived here in 2003. Along with Monitora Paula they have created a vibrant community around their skills as capoeira teachers, dancers and musicians. Dendê Do Recife is actively running a dance studio in Halifax where there are weekly classes for children, beginners, and advanced students.