Dance Connections

Are you looking for a community, a tribe, new friends, love, touching, joy, connection, stimulation, dance, exercise, friendly people, joyful noises, drumming sessions, out-of-the body experiences, grounding, rejuvenation, letting go, stress reduction, cleansing and healing?

DANCE! You will be welcomed and gain so much more than what I?ve listed above. Do you remember what it was like to freely move as a young child?  No cares, no judgement, no rules‹just fun, floating and spinning freely, free as a bird. We can be there again through dance? It frees us to be wonderfully human as we celebrate and nourish our body, mind, soul, and spirit. The music is inspiring, and the people are warm and friendly.

There's a DANCE EXPLOSION going on in Southern California! Here's some more dance happenings and resources you may be interested in:

SAN DIEGO COUNTY

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Weekly   
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DanceJam!

Fridays, 9pm-midnight; , $7 (only $5 before 9:30)

San Diego's freeform, barefoot boogie, happening for over 20 years. We dance at the Eveoke Dance Theatre in North Park, just west of 30th & University. 2811 University Avenue; the theatre is next door to KFC. Click here for map and directions.

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Dance Church

Sundays. 11am-1pm 
Encinitas
Cost: before 11:30am $5; after 11:30am $7

Every Sunday we invite you to move to a variety of rhythms.... to sweat your prayers, create a devotional stomp, play with peaceful passion, dance alone ...with others...or with the dance toys, join in the community feeling , kids welcome.... And on the first Sunday of the month we have no toys and no talking, to encourage a more meditative approach. Held at The Performing Arts Workshop, 1105 2nd street, (enter on J St, with its own parking lot), Encinitas 92024

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Encinitas Community Boogie

Tuesday Nights

Movement Class: 8pm to 9pm;
Jam: 9 to 11pm
Cost: Class and Jam $10. Jam only $5

Purpose of the classes is to increase our range of choices in movement and interaction and to cultivate specific kinds of body awareness, technique and group coherence. Each class will focus on different aspects of movement and dance, ranging from contact improv, authentic movement, acroyoga, dance tools and toys, internal energy work etc. Please be on time for the class.

Bring your hoops, chiffon, dance toys and playful self to this north county jam.

Held at The Performing Arts Workshop, 1105 2nd street, (J St, 1 block west of the 101), Encinitas 92024. Get on the Jam mailing list or call 760 942 2907 for info about each class.

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AcroYoga Practice and Playtime

Fridays, 7pm to 8:30pm, Ocean Beach
Cost: $12.
Taught by Mara Harris, certified AcroYoga Teacher
Information: 619.723.0723

Come join the circle, get into the practice! No partner necessary! 

AcroYoga is a dynamic blend of Partner Yoga, Acrobatics, and Thai Massage, offered in the spirit of connection, trust, and playfulness.  Through practicing AcroYoga, we experience a deepening trust in ourselves and others, and realize that by working in partnership, we manifest more than we ever could alone! 

Location: Namaste Yoga Center, 2216 Cable Street, Ocean Beach, San Diego 92107.

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Contact Improv @ Stage 7

Mondays, Class: 7-8pm $10 for class & jam; Jam only: 8-10pm ($5)
Stage 7 School of Dance
With Ron Estes, Justin Morrison, Leslie Seiters & Guests
Information: www.stage7.com

Location: Stage 7 School of Dance, 3980 30th St., North Park 92104

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The Freebox

Tuesday & Friday Mornings, 8:30am - 10am

First Sunday of each month, 7:30 - 9:30pm
Dance North County Junior Ballroom

535 Encinitas Blvd., #100; Encinitas 92024
Cost: weekdays, $10, Sunday nights, $15.

Please join us Tuesday and Friday mornings from 8:30-10:00 a.m., in The FreeBox. You’ll experience a dance/moving meditation that is probably unlike anything you’ve done before, and–quite possibly–the mental, physical, and spiritual workout you’ve been missing. Maybe you know what you’re looking for; we think you’ll be surprised what you find. website  

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Out of Town Connections_________   

If you're travelling out of town, check out these other dance experiences in the southland. Please keep this list handy so you can find out current events. There is a dance explosion going on! Please call or email in advance for current schedules. Information not guaranteed to be accurate!

Compiled by Dorie Zabriskie, (805) 650-7112, THANKS DORIE!

Last Updated May 25, 2007

LOS ANGELES AREA

LAGUNA CONTACT IMPROV JAM Morning class:10am to 1pm, $15; break for lunch; Afternoon jam: 2pm to 5pm, $5. The Laguna Beach Class and Jam takes usually takes place on the first Saturday of every month at the Neighborhood Congregational Church in Laguna Beach, CA. It's an all-day affair that provides a solid day of dancing as well as an occasion for the Los Angeles and San Diego contact improvisation communities to interact and intermix. Watch this space for confirmation on upcoming dates and class details. The church is located at Cleo St. and Glenneyre St. in Laguna Beach. website

LOS ANGELES - SANTA MONICA JAM takes place every Sunday evening from 6:30 pm to 9 pm at Dance Home in Santa Monica. Dance Home is located on the south side of the street at 522 Santa Monica Blvd. between 5th and 6th Streets in Santa Monica, upstairs from Radio Shack. Cost: $7 or what you can pay, and your second time is free (we like to encourage people to keep coming). You can place your money in the basket by the door or pay whoever is running/facilitating the jam that night. We usually start with an opening circle where we do names and introductions, and end the jam with a closing circle where we do names and announcements. Both circles are usually run by the person collecting money that evening. website

FUMBLING TOWARDS ECSTASY Located on Granville, just cattycorner to Bed Bath & Beyond (11755 Exposition Boulevard) (off West Olympic between Barrington & Bundy). Gabrielle Roth’s 5Rhythms and more! NEW TIMES Every Sunday at 9 – 11 am and 11:15 –2pm  ($15 per class). Leader Jo Cobbett website; 310-821-1144

VENTURA AREA

DANCEJAM VENTURA second and selected fourth Saturdays, 7:30 to 10:30 pm, email: , Makoto Dojo, 3026 Telegraph, Ventura, $6 adults, $1 children 16 and under. Dancing barefoot on firm mats. Dorie Zabriskie, (805) 650-7112. website

DANCES OF UNIVERSAL PEACE Dances using chants from various spiritual traditions to open the heart and form a sense of community. Various dates. Phone (805) 649-1455, . Contact Amira Susan Webster

SANTA BARBARA AREA

DANCE AWAY Every Friday night 7:30 to 10:30 pm, Parish Hall, Unitarian Church, 1535 Santa Barbara Street, website, $5, (805) 967-5241.

SANTA BARBARA DANCE ALLIANCE PO Box 22256, Santa Barbara, CA 93121, 924 Anacapa St., Suite 1S, SB 93101, website 805-966-6950 Memberships $25 per year includes newsletter, Dance Flash emails, listing in calendar of events, etc.

DANCING WITH FORREST AND LIVE MUSICIANS SUNDAYS IN SANTA BARBARA 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Selected Dates. Call Forrest 884-9616. The original Deep Dance in Santa Barbara. The Aikido Studio, 826 E. Cota Street (near Milpas). Facilitated by Forrest in a safe and welcoming place. Come early for warm up at 6:30, dancing starts at 6:45. Sliding scale $5-15, donations go to the musicians. Non-dancers and dancers welcome! Forrest also teaches Contact Improv.

DEEP DANCE Join Us Every Sunday 3:30-4:30pm. Huggy Jim's Fantastic Musical Selection! No dance experience needed. A Safe And Welcoming Space. Energizing, Releasing, Connected, Fun, Meditative, And Great Exercise! Drummers Welcome . Please Be Prompt. Donations. Golden Tree Yoga 608  Anacapa Between Ortega and Cota, Santa Barbara For Information Call: Jim 259-9399

FREE-FORM AFTERNOON DANCE Great Music, Great Dancing Space –Every Tuesday at 6 pm – 7 pm, $5, The Santa Barbara Dance Studio, 13 W. Ortega St. (across from Macy's) call Dale: 563-4908 or email

SAN LUIS OBISPO AREA

DäNcE cHüRcH! Sundays 7 to 9 pm @ The Yoga Centre, 1880 Santa Barbara Street, Suite A 4 (in the Railroad Square—Brick Building) Candle lit space…free form, ecstatic, trance dance - live and recorded music varies weekly ranging from Funk to Ambient to World Groove Fusion - "Move As If No One Is Watching...." - no experience required. (805)748-3815

ESALEN, BIG SUR

Ellen Watson, Moving Ventures School & Productions website, 831-667-0445,

SF BAY AREA

BERKELEY DANCE JAM Come Join Us Every Friday 8:30 pm At Western Sky Studio 2525 8th Street. Entry Fee: $8.00 before 9PM, $9.00 after 9pm. Come early for warm-up in "Hot Room" (8:30 - 9:15). "Warm Room" (Down-tempo Space) is usually open by 9:30 (See DJ Schedule for more details) You may leave a phone message for us at: 510-594-4021. website

SOUL SANCTUARY DANCE Sundays, 11am-1pm; Adults: $5 First Timers, $10 drop-in, $40 for five-dance pass. Children: 12 and under FREE. Location: Ashkenaz Music and Dance Community Center, 1317 San Pablo Ave. (at Gilman) , Berkeley, CA 94702. Our DJs spin an irresistible blend of old soul, R&B, funk, reggae, positive hip hop, house and dance classics to get you dancing and free your mind, body and soul. Children and teens are always appreciated on the dance floor. Free organic fruit after the dance. Wheelchair accessible. Please no scents. See you on the dance floor - shoes optional! email: