Berkeley Parents Network: Going Dancing

Berkeley Parents Network

Going Dancing

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Places to Go > Going Dancing

Dancing in the Bay Area for the ''Older Set''
Dance Clubs?
Barn Dance
Kid-friendly dance places
Places for a Middle School Dance
Dance Lessons

Dancing in the Bay Area for the ''Older Set''

Feb 2007

My husband and I have always enjoyed dancing together, but have rare opportunities these days to ''go out dancing'' like we once did. We have the date set for a babysitter, but now the question is WHERE??? We'd prefer something where we wouldn't be ''the old folks'' (we're 38 and 43) and where we'd actually know some of the music. We are willing to go to SF. Please include details, eg. what time to get there, etc. Thank you!

We are so lucky to be living in the Bay Area where there are lots of great places for us 'older folks' to get our groove on. Ashkenaz on San Pablo & Gilman has different kinds of dance music 6 nights a week and welcomes all ages: www.ashkenaz.com. La Pe C 1a on Shattuck near Ashby tends to present Latin and World music. San Francisco's Metronome Ballroom offers Friday Night Parties as well as classes: www.metronomedancecenter.com. Since you didn't specify your musical preferences, it's hard to be more specific, but feel free to contact me for more ideas. Dancing is my passion/therapy, and I really encourage other parents to keep doing it -- for life! sandina

You are not THAT old!! I also like to dance and don't go out enough to know ALL the spots, but here are a few. Not knowing what kind of music you like... East Bay: La Pena has latin bands on occassion check their calendar Ashkenaz has dance bands and ALL ages are welcome and it's usually not that young. Montero's has salsa on Saturday night-also all ages The Caribe is being revived on Webster and 14th (I think) in Oakland. There is salsa, and hopefully carribbean music on some nights. I haven't been there lately, but if it is a latin and carribbean crowd all ages are also welcome. I hope that helps! Still dancing at 44

Ashkenaz is fun for ethnic variety. I'm hoping others will suggest some places for 70's/80's style ''popular'' dancing, too. wanna dance!

Dance Clubs?

March 2005

I've been thinking recently about what to do for upcoming birthday and it came to me in a flash when I was dancing around the living room with the vacuum cleaner...this body needs to dance! But I have no idea what kind of clubs are out there. Are there any that play music other than hip hop? And also are there places that you don't have to buy tons of drinks?

Ashkenaz. See website at http://www.ashkenaz.com/. Letitia

My wife and I started a circle dance group in Berkeley 20 years ago, and it's still going strong. Simple folk dances from Israel, Scotland, Greece, Russia, the US (Hopi, Zydeco, Shaker, etc.), many other places, done in a circle. Each dance is taught just before doing it. We put out an inconspicuous donation basket and appreciate a few dollars, entirely optional. Details at http://www.circledancing.com. Typically 15 to 20 people each Friday evening. Not many children, due to late hour (8 to 10), but they come to special events such as our Maypole dance in the park, and the wonderful San Francisco Free Folk Festival (June 18-19 this year). John Bear

Ashkenaz on San Pablo ave off of Gilman street in Berkeley (across from REI) has dancing every night. A different theme. Swing, Salsa, Cajun, World Beat, etc. They have a 1/2 hour lesson before the ''real dancing'' starts. Very low key Berkeley type of place. Safe, you don't have to buy drinks....in fact, I'm not sure that they serve alcohol. You can park in the REI parking lot. You can probably find their schedule on line, or stop by and pick one up. Great place to go dancing, with people or alone. anon

For ballroom dancing and maybe a lesson beforehand, try: Alegro Ballroom in Emeryville Metronome Ballroom near Potrero Hill in SF Different days of the week they have different types of music If Caesar's Latin Palace is still open (at Mission and Caesar Chavez in SF), it's a hoot. Great Salsa with a class in the early evening to get one started. enjoy! JM

Ashkenaz! (San Pablo at Gilman) Check out the Nigerian Brothers when they are playing. .Great fun , great dancing and the drinks are optional (there is also water after you work up a sweat) The crowd is really ecclectic and the band has quite a fan club so it gets crowded. Love to dance

Berkeley Folk Dancers meet five nights a week at Live Oak Park. The beginners night is Thursday. Officially, the new beginners classes start in the fall, but they teach a few new dances, and review some, each week so don't be worried about starting now. For more information, you can try their web site http://host18.hrwebservices.net/~myjackp/bdindex.html or send me a note. Deborah

Barn Dance

June 2004

I am looking for a barn or barn-like structure to hold a party (small wedding actually). We plan to cater it, and have music/dancing, so the barn would have to be animal free and empty. Any suggestions would be helpful, I am not having much luck with this. Thanks! Kirsten

You might want to check out ''The Barn'' in Livermore. maybe a little far? but I grew up in Livermore and recall many a country and/or polka dance night there with my folks as a fun evening out. It's a city-owned huge sheet metal barn with cement floor and great huge wooden beams near the (old) main Library.. I think it's on Pacific Ave - if a quick search doesn't yield anything, call the reference desk at the Livermore Public Library and the reference librarian should be able to point you to the right resource! wanted to be country girl

Try contacting Smith Family Farm in Brentwood. www.smithfamilyfarm.com --Liz

Although a little different, there is the Camel Barn in Benecia. Best wishes, Karen

Kid-friendly dance places

October 2002

Hello. My two kids, ages three and seven, both love to dance at weddings and parties with other kids and adults. Does anyone know a good place to dance with kids that is not dependent on others' parties? I would love to get some dance into my own life - folk dancing, circle dancing, contra dancing, cajun dancing, whatever is joyous and fun - but would like to find a place that is very kid friendly. We have experianced this in other contries/cultures but haven't yet found it in east bay. Thanks. LT

Recommended:

Ashkenaz (2 reviews)

Other advice:

There are weekly cajun/zydeco dances in Alameda on Friday nights at the Eagle's Hall. There is a free lesson from 8-9 pm and a live band starting at 9 pm.

There are also occasional Sunday afternoon dances there.

It is a very family-friendly place, although one can also get a drink there if one wants. The kids will especially like the free cookies! The Eagles are apparently similar to the Knights of Columbus.

The man who runs the dances and teaches the free dance lessons is very nice and very knowledgeable. His website, with all of the information about the dances at Eagle's Hall and other upcoming cajun/zydeco events, is http://ddesimone.home.mindspring.com Katy

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