Dance Classes for Adults
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Dec 2012
The rains are going to cause a quick shut-down of my outdoor exercise routines. I
love dancing. Know of a good dance studio or aerobics studio or classes anywhere in
the East Bay where I can drop in, get a groove on and dance my butt off?
rain rain go away....come again some other day....
Check out BB Borowitz's Dance Your One Wondrous Life on Thursdays from 8-9:30 pm at 7th
Heaven! http://wewilldance.com/
Terry
Hi there, I run and teach Zumba classes at the El Cerrito Community Center. It
is a really good time, you dance and sweat and hardly notice when the hour is
up. It's mostly latin rhythms, we turn up the music and have a lot of fun.
Drop-in fee is only $7, and there is a monthly option as well. Check us out!
http://sramos.zumba.com
If you have any questions please email me at stephanie4zumba@gmail.com
Stephanie
Try Jazzercise! I love it and have been doing it for 10 years. Good music and
choreography, fun atmosphere, total body workout.
http://jazzercise.com/
Jazzercise fan
The Berkeley Y has a ton of dance work-outs, and the Albany Y has a few. There
is also a really fun Bhangra workout (Indian dance, like in Bollywood movies) at
Ashkenaz on Saturday morning and at a studio on Telegraph on Thursday evenings
http://dholrhythms.ning.com/page/berkeley-2
like to dance, too
May 2011
I'm looking for dance classes (anything but ballet), ideally
Berkeley or Albany or El Cerrito, suitable for a rapidly aging
female, for fun and to give me a reason to get moving before I wake
up and find I can't move any more. All suggestions welcome!
Try Jazzercise! It is fun, affordable, and a great work out
(cardio, strength, and stretch).
Jazzercise Fan
Check out Berkeley Adult School. They offer a few adult dance classes.
I used to take a tap there once per week and the class had women of
many ages (20s to 60s+) and a few men. It was a fun way to get moving.
Jessica
What about belly dance? I have done American Tribal Style (ATS)for 10
years (I'm in my mid 40s) and am often in classes with women in their
50s and 60s.
I take classes with Wendy Allen at Rhythmix Cultural Works in Alameda
(http://www.rhythmix.org/). Wendy is a member of the Fat Chance Belly
Dance troupe (www.fcbd.org), which teaches ATS, a group improvisational
style. The costuming is more ethnic than caberet (you can see pictures
on the FCBD website), and while it is traditionally midriff-baring it
somehow never feels immodest. FCBD's ATS style is less flirtatious and
more assertive than other belly dance styles, incorporating some
flamenco elements and posture. The Rhythmix class is Wednesday at 7 pm.
There are other belly dance classes in the East Bay, although I am not
as familiar with their style. Suhaila Salimpour is well known has a
studio in El Cerrito.
Carrie
For dance classes in the East Bay, I'd recommend checking out
Shawl-Anderson in Berkeley near College Ave and Alcatraz Ave. They
offer a variety of classes at different levels for all ages in a
welcoming atmosphere www.shawl-anderson.org. You could also take a
look at the Albany Community Center, they offer dance and movement
classes, too. This is the link to their Summer Guide:
http://www.albanyca.org/index.aspx?page=537
Happy dancing!
Helena
***
Kinetic Swedish Massage
www.lebodyelectric.tumblr.com
helen
I believe the El Cerrito Senior Center behind the library has ''tea
dances.'' I used to take ballroom lessons at the Emeryville dance
studio right off I-80. It has a wide age range but plenty of ''mature''
dancers. Check other Adult Classes in Albany and Berkeley. We used to
take Ballroom in Albany through Adult Education. There are also many
classes at Ashkenaz on San Pablo. I recently had a great time at an
Israeli Dance class. Other suggestions: yoga, qi gong or tai chi for
balance and flexibility. Keep moving! It is great for your heart and
makes you feel happy!
cocosar
You can always try the Albany YMCA on Kains near Solano. They have a
small selection of dance (and workout) classes on a dropin basis, which
are definitely attended by older women. Very supportive place!
Nia Dance, Hip Hop, etc
You mentioned ''all suggestions welcome''...so, i recommend
DanceCo. on Hayward/CV border.
I took adult tap with Ms. Feder for several years before i
got tied down to the house with a new baby recently. I look
forward to the time when i can return to the enjoyment of
dancing again.
kelly
Here is info. direct from the website (danceco.biz)
Dance Co. is a school for dance and fitness. We offer all
popular forms of dance at convenient times to best suit our
students. We offer Cardio Kickboxing and Personal Training
to assist in attaining and maintaining your fitness goals.
We offer both group and private classes!
Dances for Weddings/Quinces/Super Sweet 16 too!!
I took classes at the Berkeley YWCA, located on Bancroft,
right across from campus. I took Salsa several times which
was great and all ages were there.
Here is the website, wow they offer a lot more than they
used to!!
http://www.ywca-berkeley.org/dance-classes/
Have fun
June 2008
I'm looking for recommendations on East Bay dance studios
offering beginning adult classes in salsa, swing, jazz, etc. -
just about anything fun really. My roots are in dance and I'd
like to get back into it. Mostly for fun but also for weight
loss. The gym route just isn't working for me.
Thanks!
Jacki
I love my Jazzercise classes! The typical class consists of a warm up,
about 40 minutes of aerobics, and then 20 minutes of strength training
using hand weights, mat work, tubes, etc. The routines are
professionally choreographed to current tunes. They throw in everything
from hip-hop to country to rock. Very easy to modify for various
fitness levels. My classes range from super-in-shape college students
to heavy first-time exercisers. There is even one inspiring 80-year-old
woman who has been doing Jazzercise for years and years. Check out
www.jazzercise.com.
Jazzercise Fan
For more than 20 years, people have been coming to our weekly circle
dance group in Berkeley. Simple folk dance in a circle. We teach each
dance before we do it, so no experience needed, and we dance in a
circle so no partners needed. Every Friday. Details at
www.circledancing.com No fixed cost, $4 or $5 donation appreciated.
John Bear
For something a little different, try the Mahea Uchiyama Center for
International Dance at the bottom of Heinz. They offer Polynesian
Dance, Middle Eastern Dance and Balinese. They also provide class space
to one of the premier Kathak dance schools in the world. You can try
drumming and traditional Hawaiian oli (chant) also. Lots of supportive
folks, lots of fun, and group events. http://www.mahea.com
A dancer at heart.
I do Irish ceili (pronounced kay-lee) dancing on Monday nights in
Alameda. It's a lot of fun, so I can forget that I'm getting a good
workout! There are beginning and intermediate/advanced classes (I
sometimes teach the beginning class). There is also a group that dances
at the Starry Plough, but they have a cement floor which is hard on the
body. This group is at the Alameda Ballet Academy (1402 Park St near
Central) which has a wooden floor, which is much better for dancing. It
costs $5 per session, and bring shoes that won't scratch or mark up the
floor. Class from 8-9 pm, dancing, including dances for beginners, from
9-11 pm.
Talia
Jan 2008
Can anyone give me a recommendation for dance classes? I am specifically
interested in classess that don't need a partner. I just want to dance for
fun and a way to get exercise. Recommendations in San Francisco downtown area
or Berkeley/Elcerrito would be great.
dancing girl
Try MUCID (the Mahea Uchiama Center for International Dance,
www.mahea.com) in Berkeley (Heinz St below 7th). Rhythmix Cultural
Works (www.rhythmix.org) in Alameda has belly dancing, as does Fat
Chance Belly Dance (www.fcbd.com) in San Francisco's Mission District
(near BART). Also in San Francisco in the Mission is ODC Dance Commons
(www.odcschool.org).
Carrie
For dance classes for adults in downtown San Francisco, I recommend
both the Sports Club LA in the 700 block of Market Street and the Lines
Dance Center at 7th and Market.
The Sports Club requires a monthly membership of $150 per month, and
classes range from ballet to Zumba. Lines Dance Center offers
everything from ballet to modern dance to hip-hop and the cost is $15
per class.
Ballerina
Katie's Dance Studio has adult classes--tap, jazz, hip hop, and
Jazzercise, I think. It's a well-run studio with great teachers. It's
across from the Guitar Center on San Pablo in El Cerrito.
heidi
This class is not in the area that you specified, but there are some
great classes at the Piedmont Adult School. I know about the Scottish
Highland Dance class which does not require a partner. It is one of
the better dance class deals in the Bay Area.
http://www.piedmontadultschool.org/c_health.html
Another class that may be fun is at the Starry Plough in Berkeley.
They have Irish Figure Dancing, and no partner is required, but you
dance with partners. Most people come alone. Both classes are on
Mondays at 7.
Christy
I highly recommend Roger's Jazz class at The Beat in Berkeley. Great
exercise and lots of fun. His routines are great and he chooses
fabulous and varied music to dance to. It takes several classes to get
the routines down (many students have been going a long time and know
the routines - but no pretention - everyone's great & they'll all tell
you it took some time to learn the routines), but he repeats
songs/dances often in his classes & eventually you'll get it and get a
great workout. There are also lots of other classes offered through The
Beat - it's worth checking out. But Roger's classes are really the
best! It's a testament to him that he has so many students that have
been with him a long time. Good luck!
Love to Dance
I like Shawl-Anderson (http://www.shawl-anderson.org/) and Berkeley
Ballet Theater (www.berkeleyballet.org) for ballet classes. I've also
taken one ballet and one modern class through Lines
(http://www.linesballet.org/sfdc/classes/) in SF off of Market St. I
liked both, but don't go regularly because I live in Albany.
--Albany Ballet
Hey Dancingirl-
Are you interested in Ballet, Jazz or Modern Dance classes? If so, I'd
recommend Shawl-Anderson on Alcatraz at College on the Berkeley/Oakland
Border. It's family friendly and great for adults at all levels.
Enjoy!
Former Dancer
If you might enjoy folk dancing, there are at least two possibilities
in the Albany/Berkeley area. Friday nights at the Albany Y, and one
Wednesday evening per month at Ashkenaz. Both provide teaching early
in the evening, followed by request dancing (you can learn a lot by
watching, trying, and asking others to help). It's lots of fun and
great exercise! Check out their web sites for details.
folk dance enthusiast
I am taking a great Adult Ballet dance class at Berkeley
City Ballet taught by the BCB Artistic Director. Before
starting, I had not taken a ballet class in 30 or so years
and it is fun to be doing it again. I have built up a lot of
strength and flexibility since starting and it is also good
mentally to have to concentrate and remember those
combinations! The class is a good balance between serious
ballet technique instruction and a relaxed atmosphere for
those of us that haven't danced in years. There is a range
of dancers in the current class from those that studied
ballet seriously as a teen and haven't danced in many years
to those that took up ballet as an adult or studied ballet
just a bit as a child.
The class meets Thursdays, 10:00-11:30 am for the Adult
level advanced beginner/intermediate. A very beginning Adult
ballet class is also being formed for Thursday,
11:30-1:00am. Either class may also meet Tuesday morning,
depending on interest. For more information, call Berkeley City Ballet at
510-841-8913 or berkeleycityballet@sbcglobal.net
www.berkeleycityballet.org
BCB is located at 1800 Dwight (at the corner of Grant)
Berkeley
November 2006
Hello. I am looking for dance classes for adults. I am not interested in couples
dancing, as much as a fun dance class that would also be a good workout. Jazz,
tap, hip hop, african, carribean, or whatever. Ideally not too far from
temescal/North Oakland where I live. thank you
anon
The jazz classes at Shawl Anderson Dance Studio (on Alcatraz near College) are
wonderful, especially the classes with Zafra Miriam. I have been taking classes there
for about a year and am loving them. They are a great workout, but are fairly
advanced, even the beginning classes. Don't let this scare you, though - Zafra
differentiates to all dance levels. The Beginning I classes are Tuesdays and Thursdays
from 6-7:30pm. They cost $12 for single classes, but you can also buy passes. Good
luck!
Jazz Dancin in Berkeley
The Malonga Casquelord Center for the arts is one of the best
places to find great African-based dance classes, good
instructors, drop-in policy, and mostly live music.
Look here: http://www.malongacenter.org/
Lauren
I would highly recommend ''The Beat'' dance studio in Berkeley, on Ninth St. between
Parker and Dwight. I have been taking tap dance there for years, but they also offer
all sorts of other types of dance such as jazz, hip-hop, samba, belly dance and more.
The studio is almost entirely geared to adult classes and it has a fun, community
environment. Here is the website: www.the-beat.org
Marie
I have been taking Lynn Brilhante's Friday night jazz class at
The Beat for almost two years now, and it is wonderful.
http://users.lmi.net/thebeat/lynn.htm
It is listed as ''Jazz 1'', but it is not ''Intro to Jazz''--in other
words, you should be comfortable with very basic ballet and jazz
technique (know first position from fifth position, etc.) But if
you have had an introductory class before, Lynn's class is a
great workout. She also has a large following in the dance
community, and professional dancers who take her advanced classes
in SF will occasionally attend the Friday night Jazz 1 in
Berkeley just for the workout and extra technique practice.
However, don't let this intimidate you!! Even if you are not
flexible at all, or are a near-beginner, Lynn makes everyone feel
welcome and encourages students to adjust the steps to their own
ability (ex. some may be practicing multiple turns, others just
singles). In any case, Lynn's class is my favorite workout of
the week and I try not to miss it!
Wendy
April 2006
My sister-in-law is looking for private dance instruction for
her and her fiance in the East Bay (Oakland, Orinda, Berkeley
etc.). He is not very psyched about the idea. An ideal
instructor would have a good sense of humor and experience
putting together and teaching a simple dance routinue. Thanks!
Maya
A great resource is ''Dance Instruction for Shy People and
Klutzes'' in Oakland near the Grand Lake Theater by Laurie Ann
Lepoff 444-4621. She's great. She knows how to lead and follow so
that she can teach each part to each person. She'll make your
routine as simple or dressy as you want it to be. I've been
totally happy with her as an instructor.
JM
Feb 2005
I've seen the dance lessons recommended on the archives, but they are for ballet or
ballroom or other specialized types of dance lessons. I am nowhere nearly that
ambitious. I have two left feet and am getting married this fall. Remember the
beginning of the Steve Martin movie (I think the Jerk) where he's the only one in the
family that has no rhythm? Well, that's me! I need to take some crash courses in
just basic social dancing, otherwise, I fear that I will be a horrible embarassment on
the dance floor at my wedding. Can anyone recommend either classes or preferably
private lessons for someone that might be able to teach me to at least ''fake it''? I
don't need to know anything fancy - just learning how to move with the music
would put me way ahead of where I am now! Help me!
I highly recommend Laurie Ann Lepoff (Social dance for shy people
and klutzes). My husband and I took private lessons from her
before our wedding, and we ended up wowing the crowd. My husband
was (is) pretty phobic about dancing in public, so it was quite
an accomplishment. Ms. Lepoff is (or was) located just E of Lake
Merritt in Oakland. She has a website, http://www.stepsontoes.com/.
Carrie
Ashkenaz in Berkeley has dance lessons in the evening before the
music starts, usually for an hour. You could also probably find
a private teacher there.
We took a ballroom dance variety class through Richmond Adult
School last year. The teacher then was Amy Ewing (may be spelled
wrong). You could probably find her through Richmond Adult
School or the phone book. It was a great class. There was a 7-
8, and 8-9 PM session once a week for 6 weeks. We went over
basics of Latin and Swing dances, the waltz, fox trot...you
could stay with the same partner or switch partners. There were
all levels. For those who were more advanced she'd work with you
separately and show you cool stuff.
Amy also taught through El CErrito Community Center.
Good luck. Have a blast. Dancing is so much fun.
anon
I don't know if it's still there, but there used to be a place
called Allegro Ballroom in Emeryville, which has dance classes
followed by dance nights to practice your skills. It seemed to
me like a really safe, fun, easy place to go.
jan
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