The Bay Area Country Dance Society Website

South Bay

Let us read and let us dance - two amusements that will never do any harm to the world. -- Voltaire

When someone blunders, we say that he makes a misstep. Is it then not clear that All the ills of mankind, all the tragic misfortunes that fill our history books, all the political blunders, all the failures of the great leaders have arisen merely from a lack of skill in dancing. --Moliere, 1622

While I dance I cannot judge, I cannot hate, I cannot separate myself from life. I can only be joyful and whole. That is why I dance. - -Hans Bos

Dance News Feed

Brazilian Dance Classes Everything from the hip-shaking of Rio de Janeiro’s world famous samba to the earthy, traditional moves of Bahia. Classes offer an aerobic workout set to the inspired music of Brazil’s finest musicians. Sambao.org Silicon Valley's first samba school is a non-profit organization dedicated to community participation. Classes in Mountain View, Palo Alto and other locations. Capoeira of San Jose At Capoeira of San Jose, we believe in positive energy and attitude and integration. Classes are held together for adults, children and senior citizens, which provides perfect social balance and harmony. DANCE CENTERS & MUSIC STORES BY REGION: San Jose/Santa Clara/Campbell/Milpitas Dance Spectrum Campbell - group classes, private lessons, and more. South Bay Dance Center 5899 Santa Teresa Blvd, Suite 117  San Jose, CA 95123 Phone: (408) 972-5679 San Jose Ballroom DanceSport Center 1824 Hillsdale Ave • San Jose, CA • 95124 • Phone (408) 264-9393 • Fax (408) 264-9391 Fred Astaire Dance Studios Over 110 studios spread throughout the United States are teaching the "Fred Astaire way." Our studios offer all kinds of dance instruction - from ballroom to country western to salsa to nightclub dancing - for all ages and abilities through private, group, and practice lessons.     Palo Alto/San Mateo Mid-Peninsula YWCA 4161 Alma St. near San Antonio Road, Palo Alto (650) 494-0972 Stanford University Roble Gym, Santa Teresa (650) 856-0768 Lucie Stern Center Ballroom 1305 Middlefield Road. (650) 329-2366 or 329-2261 Fair Oaks Community Center 2600 Middlefield Road Redwood City Boys and Girls Club  1109 Hilton Street  Redwood City, CA 94063 (650) 364-0176 Samba Aerobics and Afro-Brazilian Benny Duarte of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil teaches Rio style samba and Afro-Brazilian in a high energy aerobics format. Peninsula classes in Burlingame, Palo Alto and Los Altos. Palo Alto and Los Altos classes call Reach Fitness (415) 949-3730. Burlingame call Prime Time Studios (415) 697-7311 Cubberly Ballroom Enjoy an evening of dancing (or just learn how) at the Cubberly Pavilion, the single largest (12,000 sq. ft. all wood) dance floor in the US. 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, 94043 (between San Antonio Road and Charleston) Los Altos/Mountain View/Sunnyvale Starlight Dance Club Sunnyvale - Sala, Swing, Tango, Hustle & Ballroom. Steppin Out Productions 830 Stewart Drive; Sunnyvale, CA 94085 1-408-245-5678  It can be a little tricky to find the first time. Santa Cruz County & Monterey Bay DANCE COMPANIES & CENTERS The 418 Project A non-profit community center and performance venue. A center for multiple communities to engage in artistic and personal development through expressive and healing arts. 831 466-9770 Motion Pacific  A SANTA CRUZ DANCE JUNCTION 408 Front Street Santa Cruz, CA 95060 voice 831- 457-1616 Palomar Ballroom  Offering instruction in both American and International Ballroom and Latin dances for recreation or competition  1344 Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz. It is on the Mezzanine (2nd floor-- the level of the Palomar Inn Hotel) above El Palomar Restaurant. 831-426-1221 Traditional Dancers of Santa Cruz TDSC organizes contra dances in Santa Cruz and Felton, as well as English country dances in Santa Cruz. TDSC organizes the annual President's Day Weekend Dawn Dance in Santa Cruz. Raizes do Brasil The Roots of Brazil Capoeira Cultural Center offers classes at 418 Project (418 Front Street) and Motion Pacific (408 Front Street). 831-423-7536 Rhythm Well Founded by Don Davidson, Rhythm Well facilitates drum circles, seminars and classes. 831-426-1110 INSTRUCTORS Silvia Martins Critically acclaimed dancer teaches workshops in Santa Cruz. Isaura Oliveira Dancer, choreographer and cultural educator. Ms. Oliveira offers a number of workshops and performances. Marsea Marquis: Dance of Brazil Ms. Marquis teaches ongoing classes at Louden Nelson Community Center (Cedar & Laurel) and 418 Project (418 Front Street). 831.206.0542 also see tropalismo.net Sahar Sahar teaches Belly Dance at Motion Pacific. STORES Drumskull Drums This small percussion shop is a culmination of nearly twenty years of West African and Congolese drum and dance education in Santa Cruz County and the entire San Francisco Bay area. 105 Pioneer Street Suite C, Santa Cruz, 95060 831.429.5766 Groups/Resources EthnicArts.org "Our purpose is to CONNECT you with information about ethnic art & artists, alternative & international cultures, and how to build a new global community." Find a schedule for drum classes here. PAT EODICE'S CENTRAL COAST SWING What, Where, When and Who on the Central Coast. Lesson info, where to dance info, cruise info, many great links to West Coast Swing dancing as well as Ballroom and Country. http://www.santacruzswingclub.com/ the local West Coast Swing scene in the greater Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay areas www.dosado.com A sizable list of western square dance clubs in northern California. A subset of the western square dance resources available at. Bay Area (Square) Dance Calendar A calendar of western square dance clubs and events in northern California. Queer Swing San Francisco A portal for SwingOUT! and Queer Jitterbugs, two swing dance clubs serving the local Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgendered communities. Northern California Bluegrass Society Formerly the Santa Cruz Bluegrass Society, the Northern California Bluegrass Society promotes the performance, appreciation, and enjoyment of bluegrass and related acoustic music in the San Francisco and Monterey Bay areas. Dancer's Group Offers resources for dancers and a calendar of events in the Bay Area. Baydance.com Companies, classes, concerts and more. California Lawyers for the Arts A non-profit service dedicated to helping arts organizations of all disciplines. The Northern California Lindy Society Dedicated to the grandaddy of swing dances. WeCarnival Santa Cruz Carnival in early June. Arts Council of Silicon Valley "We envision a vibrant Silicon Valley, where the arts inspire our innovative spirit, celebrate our rich cultural diversity, and encourage our individual and community involvement." Santa Cruz Ethnic Arts Network Resource for Africa dance and drum classes, as well as tribal artwork. México Tenochtitlan Dance group dedicated to maintaining Mexican culture. Margaret Wingrove Dance Company Innovative dance since 1981.