Dance Jam has been closed since Covid…read more It was great when I was going, so the single star is about the Dance Jam Yelp page still existing, and even offering $9 ticket deals. The Dance Jam entry owner Mark messaged me that barefootboogie dot net is where to find the current Friday scene.

Here's the thing. I've never - not once - regretted going to this. Come. See if it's your thing. If…read moreit is, well, I find it life-changing to have a reliably joyful high point available every week. Can't believe I haven't reviewed this long ago. I've been dancing here, maybe 10 years. (How old is yelp?) It's where I first started dancing again regularly instead of once in a blue moon at a club. For a few years the same dance (that is same, time and place) was branded Ecstatic Dance. Mark relaunched it, bringing back the old name, and a vinyl-only theme, and it's been great; music and dance are his world. Since I first started dancing again regularly by coming here, I've found other similar weekly dances that I enjoy, and I keep coming back here. The men and women who make Dance Jam happen (and many regulars volunteer to) know -and show care for each other and everyone, from each first-timer to each dance addict. That includes ensuring everyone gets a quick lesson in how to respect themselves and others, and understands and follows it. I come to dance alone, eyes closed, and dive into the joy of moving and the feeling of expressing myself and the music as my thoughts about it fade into the background and I just let go. And I dance slowly or energetically, improvising, but mostly without thinking about it, with the music's main rhythm or by picking up on another that matches where I am or want to go, acts of lovingkindness for myself. And I come to dance with the whole room, eyes softly picking up others' movements and maybe energy and maybe adding a piece to my improvisation, and reaching out in my imagination to feel my place on Earth, in our solar system, in the Milky Way, reaching out to feel it myself and the beauty within the whole Universe. It's a uniquely wonderful feeling .... To be continued but I think you get the drift

We came on a Friday evening expecting a fun dance club to dance the night away, as the marketing…read morefor this place promised dancing at 10pm. Instead, there was a super lame comedy show with various incredibly lame misogynistic comedian-wannabes, including one who would not shut about about "B*tches in Los Angeles." Dude, why are you calling women b*tches? And we're in Oakland, we're not gonna care about Los Angeles and the culture there. Most people were just sitting around on their phones. We felt misled and scammed. We decided to bounce after about 20 minutes there, and will seek a refund. They take Venmo as payment, so gonna have to dispute through Venmo. It's kind of shady that they request Venmo payment, and not, ya know, credit card payment like any other vendor.

I was heading to BART when I heard some pretty funky music so I stopped in LUX Oakland. The band…read morewas great with a unique but very easy sound that started with a story and moved into an irresistible groove. Bar service was polite and beer selection was minimal but cold.

I come for a weekly Bhangra class which I love. It's a get your body moving and the more you put…read morein the better your workout will be. The instructors, especially Andrea, is consistently welcoming. I also find her easier to follow because her pants are not override and it easier to see the leg movement. Viki, the lead instructor, is nice on email but when I try to talk to her in person, I find the interaction awkward. Maybe it's me but I see her interacting with others. Come! Great music, energy, joy and movement. A great way to spend an hour.

Attended the Mortified comedy show on a Saturday evening. Found free street parking a block away…read more Fast ticket check at entry and plenty of seating available inside, including small tables and even a couch in the back corner. Basic stage setup, a good sound system, and large screen to the right (that's also where the restrooms are located). No actual bar, but food and drinks were sold in the back, including canned and bottled beverages and tasty bites like empanadas and pizza. It was quite warm in there, with weak or non-existent AC, just ceiling fans spinning above. Luckily when the sun went down (which is late now due to the recent daylight savings time change), the temperature became tolerable inside. The live storytelling and musical performances were entertaining as usual. The host/producer, Scott, started out the show. From there, the comical readings from the teen diaries and journals of diverse individuals continued on stage for a little over an hour. No live band for this particular program, but one of the performers played us tunes on the guitar, which she created as a youth after heartbreak. I'm a fan of Mortified, and though this venue was not one my faves of those typically used for this event, it was a decent setting for a casual night out this past weekend, filled with laughter, awkward moments, and positive vibes. Also, Ashkenaz is a historic community center and nonprofit that's been around for more than half a century, dedicated to music, dance, and culture, which I appreciate.

I am looking forward to taking more classes on Sundays! They offer bachata at 6:30 and salsa at…read more7:30 p.m. Excellent instructors who teaches the steps slowly with many opportunities to practice before partnering and rotating partners throughout the classtime. It used to be located in Emeryville but now they are located in Richmond next to a grocery store which feels much safer when parking. I went here with three friends and we all plan to keep coming back at least 1-2x a month when we can!

The floor is better than when they just opened that place. I recommend it. Easy parking, many…read moredancing rooms.

Finally got to check out Crybaby this past weekend! It was…read more$22 at the door at around 10:30PM. The crowd here is very young but it's a nice little spot to grab some drinks and enjoy some music. Drinks were priced pretty good and they also have a nice little outside area if you want to smoke or grab some air.

Keak the Sneak brought me out. A Town Legend who took part in creating The Hyphy Movement over 15…read moreyears ago. I had so much fun at the foot of the stage, we danced all night. The crowd had motion as we sang along!

I love this dance community…read more Community: -friendly -safe -fun -relaxed -good people -diverse ages -diverse life experiences -diverse skill levels -welcoming/people will ask you to dance Venue: -large floor -plenty of room to dance/not crowded -fairly informal, don't need to dress up -not too loud -good mix of fusion songs (great for blues dancers looking for something a little different) -variety of DJs -variety of instructors -run by people who dance at their venue & engage with their community/strive to improve -snacks :) This and the Wednesday dance at La Peña used to be my regular East Bay dance diet.

This is one of my favorite dance venues in the Bay area. It's fusion partner dancing, but you don't…read moreneed a partner. Most people show up alone and either ask people to dance or solo dance. Just make sure you get here in time for the lesson if you're new to this type of dance!

Once a year, Ecstatic Dance takes their party outside. This is their fourth year, the format is…read moresimple, come and enjoy. Starts at noon, ends at five. Each DJ plays an hour set. A friend asked me to join him for their fourth year celebration and I agreed. Armed with our picnic lunch from Phat Matt's, we set up our blanket in the shade. From the left, we had an excellent view of the DJ set up, dance floor (located at the Bandstand), dancers (young, old and everything in between), jugglers, acrobats, babies and dogs. What a beautiful day and awesome time. I heart Lake Merritt and I hella heart Oakland.