LONG BRANCH — Pearl Street Gym and Afro Brazilian Martial Arts and Fitness will co-host the First Annual Capoeirathon on the Jersey Shore Saturday, March 24.

The fundraiser will be held 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. at Pearl Street Gym, located on the second floor at 10 Pearl St.

The event will include workshops in many forms of Afro Brazilian dance, martial arts and music. Special workshops will also be held for children.

According to a press release from organizers, capoeira is an Afro Brazilian martial art tht combines music and dance; it is believed that African slaves originated capoeira in the 1500s in colonial Brazil.

Admission is a $10 donation and there will be a gift auction and 50/50 raffle.

A portion of the event proceeds will be donated to the JAF Foundation, founded in memory of Jessica A. Fox. A Keyport resident and teacher in Middletown schools, Fox succumbed to breast cancer in 2008 at the age of 36.

For more on the JAF Foundation, visit http://www.jessicafoxfoundation.org.