Dance Day 2026
A day of FREE outdoor dance classes and performances at the beautiful Yerba Buena Gardens.
WHEN: Sunday, October 11, 2026
10am-4pm
(Come for an hour or stay all day!)
WHERE: Yerba Buena Gardens
Mission St. between 3rd & 4th Sts.
San Francisco, CA + Google Map
Cost: FREE!
EVERYONE IS WELCOME!
What is Dance Day?
Art, culture, a workout, a party and a communal celebration, Yerba Buena Gardens Dance Day is a portal to a joyous dance-filled world! Presented by the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival and Rhythm & Motion, YBG Dance Day transforms the Gardens into an outdoor dance center where participants can sample dance in a variety of forms and flavors with some of the Bay Area’s most talented teachers. Classes are one-hour long and span a wide range of dance genres. Whether you are new to dance or a seasoned professional, Yerba Buena Gardens Dance Day is open to everyone! Bring comfortable shoes, a water bottle and your curiosity for movement – stay for an hour or the full day. Invite friends and family. This is your day to dance!
This year, Dance Day honors the life and legacy of Rhythm & Motion founder Consuelo Faust (1953-2025). We celebrate the spirit she championed – living the belief that anyone can dance and that dance has the power to bring people together in joy. Following the day of classes, there will be a celebratory music and dance performance that uplifts her vision and the vibrant SF Bay Area dance community she deeply loved and helped to nurture throughout her life.
SCHEDULE OF CLASSES
Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026 - 10am-1:30pm
Yerba Buena Gardens
All classes are 1-hour long.
ALL FREE
(Click on the class for more information.)
10-11am – Rhythm & Motion (Crepe Myrtle Garden)
11:15am-12:15pm – Tropicali Dancehall with Aimee Rose (East Plaza)
11:15am-12:15pm – Bachata with Monica Ascencio with (Crepe Myrtle Garden)
12:30-1:30pm – Soul Line Dance with Chocolate Platinum (East Plaza)
12:30-1:30pm – Jazz Funk with Jess Bozzo (Crepe Myrtle Garden)
After the last class, join MJ’s Brass Boppers for a New Orleans-style second line parade around the Great Lawn, followed by special performances on the main stage.
PERFORMANCE PROGRAM
Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026
1:30-4:00pm
Yerba Buena Gardens Great Lawn
(bring a picnic blanket or mat to sit on)
1:30pm-2:00pm
MJ’s Brass Boppers
Kick off the afternoon with a lively New Orleans-style second-line parade around the Great Lawn! Join the celebration as we honor the vibrant Bay Area dance community and the life and legacy of San Francisco dance icon and Rhythm & Motion founder, Consuelo Faust.
2:00pm-4:00pm
Performances at the Main Stage
- Jill Parker & Mind’s Eye Bellydance Company
- Theater Flamenco of San Francisco
- Latin Dance Grooves
- Brandon Freeman and Rachel Furst of ODC
(performing choreography by Amy Seiwert)
- Grupo Afro Dendê
- Allie Heal
(inspired by the choreography of Consuelo Faust)
- Rhythm & Motion
- …and you!
ASL Interpretation will be available for the 2pm performance.
JOIN US IN THE DANCE DAY FINALE
Dance with us at Dance Day 2026! As part of this year's event, we will be honoring Rhythm & Motion's founder, Consuelo Faust, and invite everyone to join us on the Great Lawn at the Yerba Buena Gardens to dance in our finale, "My Darlin' New Orleans," an R&M routine choreographed by Consuelo. The routine is follow-alongable and everyone is welcome - no rehearsals or experience necessary!
Want to practice ahead of time? R&M Director Dudley Flores provides a brief introduction to the dance and its connection to Consuelo, followed by archival footage of Consuelo herself teaching the choreography at a 1995 R&M new choreography teacher training session. Learn it directly from Consuelo, then join us at Dance Day to dance together in the day's celebratory finale.
Have more questions? Check out our FAQ or email us.
Huge thanks to Yerba Buena Gardens Festival for partnering with us to make this day possible. Please consider making a donation to the Festival so that free programs, like this one, can continue to thrive.
