Just booked my second class, which should tell you something. c:…read more
I love this place's aesthetic and brand theming. Like, the owners are having fun with it; the colors, the "villain era" ad copy, the merch.
The pricing seems quite reasonable to me, at $79 for a 4-week class session, that's just under $20 for an hour of instruction. They have other pricing structures available too, including a monthly subscription type deal. (I work seasonally, so I can only really join in during my off-season, unfortunately, otherwise I might be tempted to go for their "Very Important Villains" option.) They host drop-in style classes too that you can attend individually for $25/ea. (I did one using a 10% off coupon they sent me after completing my first class. They want you hooked!)
The thing that impresses me most is the sheer variety of stuff you can learn here, and at many difficulty levels you can advance through with practice. I chose Lyra as my first beginner course and have had a blast. The next one I signed up for is Chair dance. Tbh, I'm also interested in Pole dance and Aerial Silks. I just kinda wanna try it all! They also have classes for dancing in high heels, burlesque, and trapeze! Wow! See what I mean? You're just gonna wanna try it all!
The studio space is a bit compact, but workable. On entry there's a room off to the left where you can change if you need to, as well as a gender-neutral restroom. In the lobby is a coat rack and place to take off your shoes. The studios are off to the right and you'll check in with the friendly employee behind the desk. Near the desk are lockers if you feel a need; I've felt secure leaving my little baggie beside the couch. We're all here to learn and have fun, no one's gonna nick your stuff, haha. They also have snacks and drinks for a $1 donation (aka, they aren't trying to profit, just make sure you're properly fed and hydrated for physical activity!), and some fun merch like stickers and t-shirts depending on how big a fan you are, hehe. Additional changing rooms are also there in the lobby.
The staff, instructors, and other students have all been friendly toward me. I'm a trans guy, and I've already met a couple other students who use they/them pronouns. In fact on their website they specifically call out that they are an LGBTQIA+ affirming space for everyone. I will say that this was a large factor into my decision to enroll and try their studio. Introductions always include your name AND pronouns. I've been very pleased by the inclusivity. They're also big on offering adaptations on class instruction to accommodate all body types and abilities.
The instructor I've had for Lyra comes off very confident and knowledgeable. She has also been encouraging and will keep an eye on you if it looks like you might be off-balance. Each class begins with some warm-up stretching and ends with some cool-down stretching. (I tend to stretch before I drive over though because I need a bit more than five minutes worth to get my tendons ready, haha.)
I hear they do student showcases and photoshoots sometime and I hope to participate one day!
The parking situation is really the only negative, and what can you do if you're located in downtown? It's street parking only, and Cedar Ave. can get pretty packed in places. This is made more challenging during winter time, as the snow banks obstruct parking.