Bay Area National Dance Week
Thursday, May 1

Thursday, May 1

previous day | next day All events are free and open to the public!

Bay Area Country Dance Society

Morris dancing is a living English Folk tradition whose origins include rituals to celebrate the coming of spring. Experience the magic as Bay Area teams with their sticks, ribbons, bells and hankies perform our annual open-air May Day celebrations.

5:30am-7:00am May Day -- Dance the Sun Up
performance  participation  wheelchair access  all ages welcome   (key)

Twin Peaks

Twin Peaks Parking Lot (Twin Peaks Blvd), San Francisco (map)
, www.bacds.org/events/
510 653 7507

Deborah Slater Dance Theater/Studio 210

Men Think They are Better Than Grass, a work-in-progress rehearsal using the beauty of land, water, animals and WS Merwin�s poetry to explore the reciprocal relationship between our lives and the environment.

1:00pm-3:00pm Deborah Slater Dance Theater
rehearsal  participation  wheelchair access  all ages welcome   (key)

Studio 210

3435 Cesar Chavez (Army) (Valencia), San Francisco (map)
, www.artofthematter.org
415 308 1612

Duniya Dance Company

Join this energetic Bhangra dance class! Bhangra is a vivacious folk dance from Punjab, India. After class, head next door to the Bollyhood Cafe for a performance by Duniya Dance Company, food, drinks and more dancing!

7:30pm-11:30pm Bhangra Dance Class and Performance!
class  observation  participation  wheelchair access   (key)

Duniya Dance Studio

3380 19th St. (Mission Street), San Francisco (map)
, duniyadance.com
510 213 1537

Hooliehoop

Get into your body with Hooliehoop. Discover dynamic movement, stress release, energizing fitness, and fun through hoopdance! ZERO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. Hoops provided.

12:15pm-12:45pm Beginning Hoopdance
class  observation  no wheelchair access   (key)

The Center for Transformation

735 Montgomery St. (Jackson St.), San Francisco (map)
, www.hooliehoop.com
415 829 7799

HoopGirl.com

A teaser of the HoopGirl Workout, this class will introduce you to Off-Body and sultry Floor Dance moves. Connect with your dance muse while whirling with hula hoop dance. All ages and abilities welcome! Hoops provided for class use.

7:00pm-8:00pm Unleash Your Inner Goddess with Hoopdance!
class  observation  no wheelchair access   (key)

Dance Ground Keriac

1805 Divisadero (Bush), San Francisco (map)
, www.HoopGirl.com
415 282 HOOP

ODC/Rhythm and Motion

Selection of Free Classes Offering a selection of free adult classes for every day of National Dance Week! With almost 100 weekly classes representing movement forms from all over the world, including Afro-Brazilian, Ancient Hula, Ballet, Contact Improvisation, Contemporary Modern, Feldenkreis, Hip Hop, Release, Rhythm Tap, Tribal Bellydance, Salsa, Yoga, and the groundbreaking Rhythm & Motion Dance Workout program, the spectrum of classes at the Dance Commons reflects the wonderful diversity found in the Bay Area. NDW special - New Students: any 3 classes for free; current students: check website for free daily class - www.rhythmandmotion.com or www.odcschool.org

8:30am-10:00pm Dance at The ODC Commons!
class  observation  participation  wheelchair access   (key)

ODC Dance Commons

351 Shotwell (17th & 18th Street), San Francisco (map)
, www.odcschool.org OR www.rhythmandmotion.com
415 863 9830

onetaste

This fun workshop, facilitated by Elizabeth Samet & George Lawton, opens with a presentation of contact improv, perfect for beginners as well as for more experienced dancers, followed by a demonstration of Acroyoga, with participants being guided through poses with spotting offered by the facilitators; the last half hour everyone has the opportunity to Contact Jam!

3:00pm-4:30pm Acro-yoga /Contact improv. Dance Jam
workshop  observation  no wheelchair access  all ages welcome   (key)

One Taste

1074 Folsom St (6th & 7th, Moss & Russ), S.F. (map)
, http//www.onetaste.us/
415 503 1100

This event features a live broadcast to personal life media of folks volunteering to read, and sometimes sing, their original compositions of erotic expressions, with special guest of a Blues Band that will encourage everyone to get up and DANCE!

8:00pm-9:30pm Open Mike: the Dance of Sex, Love & Intimacy
performance  observation  wheelchair access   (key)

One Taste

1074 Folsom St (6th & 7th, Moss & Russ), San Francisco (map)
, http//www.onetaste.us/
415 503 1100

PoiGeek

PoiGeek is pleased to present poi lessons downloadable to your computer, iPod, or other mp3 player. Now you can enjoy a free poi lesson you can take with you anywhere you go available at PoiGeek.com with coupon code: NDW2008B

12:00am-11:45pm Mobile Poi Class
class  observation  participation  wheelchair access  all ages welcome   (key)

PoiGeek

Everywhere (Any town), Earth (map)
, www.poigeek.com
414 424 8581

ShoeBox Studio

Fusion Bellydance Drills & Basics explores the rhythm, isolations, and nuances of Tribal Fusion bellydance. Every class starts with a warm-up session of stretching and conditioning, followed by drills and breakdowns of moves and transitions. While the focus will be technical, there will be dancing at the end of every class for musicality and rhythm training--and for fun, of course!

8:00pm-9:30pm Fusion Bellydance Drills & Basics w/ Gibson Pearl
class  observation  participation  wheelchair access   (key)

ShoeBox Studio

855 Folsom St. #112 (5th), San Francisco (map)
, www.shoeboxsf.com
415 861 5976

The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society San Francisco Branch

Join the fun of a Scottish dance party: round the room dances, lively jigs and reels, smooth strathspeys, all to the beat of a live band. All dances will be taught; NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! Please wear comfortable low shoes.

8:00pm-10:00pm Scottish Ceilidh - Music & Dance Party
observation  participation  no wheelchair access  all ages welcome   (key)

Noe Valley Ministry

1021 Sanchez (23rd Street), San Francisco (map)
, www.sf-scottishdancers.org/
415 647 5871

Vima Dance Studio

Introduction to six dances: waltz, tango, foxtrot, rumba, cha cha and swing! This is a fun class designed for all levels. Singles and Couples are welcome.

8:00pm-9:00pm Ballroom Sampler
class  observation  wheelchair access   (key)

Vima Dance Studio

560 Third Street (Brannan), San Francisco (map)
, www.vimadance.com
415 977 0203

Bay Area Country Dance Society

Morris dancing is a living English Folk tradition whose origins include rituals to celebrate the coming of spring. Experience the magic as Bay Area teams with their sticks, ribbons, bells and hankies perform our annual open-air May Day celebrations.

5:30am-7:00am May Day -- Dance the Sun Up
performance  observation  participation  wheelchair access  all ages welcome   (key)

Baylands Nature Preserve

Embarcadero (East of 101), Palo Alto (map)
, rgoldman.org/morris/mayday
408 730 9622

Morris Dance is an ancient English Folk tradition. Dancers wear ribbons and bells and caper to welcome the spring.

5:30am-7:00am May Day -- Dance the Sun Up
performance  participation  wheelchair access  all ages welcome   (key)

Santa Cruz Lighthouse

WestCliff Dr, Santa Cruz (map)
www.geocities.com/seabrightmorris/
510 886 6549

Morris dancing is a living English Folk tradition whose origins include rituals to celebrate the coming of spring. Experience the magic as Bay Area teams with their sticks, ribbons, bells and hankies perform our annual open-air May Day celebrations.

5:30am-7:00am May Day -- Dance the Sun Up
performance  participation  wheelchair access  all ages welcome   (key)

Inspiration Point, Tilden Park

Wildcat Canyon Rd, Berkeley (map)
, www.berkeley-morris.org/
510 886 6549

Berkeley Folk Dancers

Enjoy an evening learning simple dances from around the world. No partner necessary.

7:30pm-9:30pm International dance
class  observation  participation  wheelchair access   (key)

Live Oak Park social hall

1301 Shattuck Avenue (Berryman), Berkeley (map)
, www.berkeleyfolkdancers.org
510 549 0337

Berkeley Moving Arts

Join us for a beginning level modern dance class. Vangie King offers an enjoyable class in Erick Hawkins' technique, a unique approach from the "inside out" that encourages efficient use of the body's natural structure. Please call to reserve a space.

6:00pm-7:30pm Beginning Modern Dance, a Body -Mind approach
class  observation  wheelchair access   (key)

Western Sky

2525 Eighth Street (Dwight Way), Berkeley CA (map)
www.berkeleymovingarts.com
510 848 4878

Imagery, body alignment, awareness and technique lead us to the expressive, ancient dance form of belly dancing. All levels welcome. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a blanket or mat. Taught by the Sabah ensemble. Please call to reserve a place.

7:45pm-9:45pm Belly Dance from The Inside Out
class  observation  wheelchair access   (key)

Western Sky

2525 Eighth Street (Dwight Way), Berkeley CA (map)
www.berkeleymovingarts.com
510 848 4878

Danspace

Grounded in the organic principles of movement it is anatomically sound, devoid of affectation, with great emphasis on musicality.

6:00pm-7:45pm Intermediate Ballet w/Beth Hoge
class  observation  wheelchair access   (key)

Danspace

473 Hudson Street (Miles), Oakland (map)
, www.danspace.com
510 420 0920

Joe Goode Performance Group

Free intermediate/advanced modern dance class taught by company member Jessica Swanson. Jessica's class includes a yoga based warm up, moving into explorations of momentum based movement, inversions and fluid athleticism. The class will build up to dynamic high velocity phrases.

7:00pm-8:30pm Joe Goode Performance Group Class with Jessica Swanson
class  observation  no wheelchair access   (key)

JGPG Studio

1353 59th St. (Hollis), Emeryville (map)
, www.joegoode.org
415 561 6565

Poetic Dance Theater Company

Dancing poetry techniques to translate poetry into dance. Become a dancing poem! Presented by Natica Angilly, founder of the annual Dancing Poetry Festival. Please Register in Advance at 415-681-0618/510-235-0361, [email protected].

5:00pm-6:30pm Natica Angilly's Dancing Poetry
class  observation  wheelchair access  all ages welcome   (key)

San Pablo Sports Hall

5220 Glen Ave., San Pablo (map)
, www.dancingpoetry.com
510 235 0361

Middle Eastern dance sampler open class includes: American, Moroccan and Egyptian styles of Belly Dance, all levels. Class at 6:30pm, performance at 8:30pm. Directed by Shukriya, creator of Rakkasah, the largest Middle Eastern dance and music festival in the United States, and Dancers of the Pharaohs.

6:30pm-8:30pm RAKKASAH (TM) Festivals/ Bellydance Sampler
class  observation  participation  wheelchair access  all ages welcome   (key)

San Pablo Sports Hall

5220 Glen Ave., San Pablo (map)
, www.rakkasah.com
510 724 0214

Rudramandir

Facilitated by Liz Boubion, Tamalpa Institute graduate. An in-depth introduction to the Halprin Life/Art Process weaving the physical, emotional and mental levels of awareness in movement improvisation, drawing and poetic dialogue. May 1st workshop is a preview for an 8-week series which starts early June. This class is part of the Embodied Arts Program at Rudramandir. Register for Liz's entire series at rudramandir.com.

7:30pm-10:00pm Body-Part Mapping for Dancers
class  observation  wheelchair access   (key)

Rudramandir

830 Bancroft Way (6th Street), Berkeley (map)
, rudramandir.com
510 486 8700

the Breema Center

Many and varied, Self-Breema exercises include gentle stretches, rhythmic movements, and new postures. Each provides an ideal, supportive opportunity to apply and experience Breema�s Nine Principles of Harmony. Practicing Self-Breema is both nurturing and energizing, and supports physical and physiological flexibility and vitality, mental clarity, and emotional balance.

8:00am-8:45am You Only Need This Moment
class  observation  no wheelchair access   (key)

the Breema Center

6076 Claremont Ave (College), Oakland (map)
, www.breema.com
510 428 0937