Kick off Bay Area Dance Week with us at Yerba Buena Gardens

Friday, April 26, 2019
12-1pm
Yerba Buena Gardens
Mission Street, between 3rd and 4th Sts, SF

Join in with hundreds of movers at the kick-off to the 21st annual Bay Area Dance Week! This year's kick-off features One Dance, led by Rhythm & Motion Artistic Director Dudley Flores and designed for movers of all ages and experience levels.

Everyone welcome! No experience required. Sign up now

You can practice at home with this step-by-step video tutorial. Or practice in person at one or more of our FREE public rehearsals:

• Sun, Apr 14, 1-2:30pm, ODC Dance Commons, SF

• Sat, Apr 20, time TBA, Berkeley Ballet Theater

• Sun, Apr 21, 11:30am-1pm, ODC Dance Commons, SF

Free classes during Bay Area Dance Week

Rhythm & Motion Fusion Essentials with Heather Bornfeld
Sunday, April 28, 10:00-11:15am
Fusion Essentials incorporates a broad range of movement and music styles from around the world and is a great format for anyone new to Rhythm & Motion, and/or, craving in-depth instruction about our high-energy choreography and techniques. All levels welcome. 

Rhythm & Motion Modern Essentials with Becca Selin
Sunday, April 28, 8:45-10:00am
Modern Essentials is rooted in modern and contemporary dance vocabulary and influenced by music from around the world. It is a great format for anyone new to Rhythm & Motion, and/or, craving in-depth instruction about our high-energy choreography and techniques. All levels welcome.

First Look: Rhythm & Motion Choreography
Sunday, May 5, 1:00-2:30pm 
In this First Look dance class, Rhythm & Motion choreographers will give a sneak peek and some in-depth instruction for new dances before their "official" release into the Program. All levels welcome and no experience with R&M required. Come ready to sweat! 

See a complete schedule of Bay Area Dance Week's free classes and events.

Rhythm and Motion Turns 40!

And so begins another year of dance and community! But this time it's not just any ol' year... it happens to be the year that marks Rhythm & Motion's 40th anniversary! Founded in December of 1979 by Consuelo Faust Anderson, Rhythm & Motion has been going strong for four full decades, offering classes in a combined total of over 30 locations over the years, both in the Bay Area and nationwide.

Some of our longtime dancers may remember the days when teachers started each routine by cuing a 45 rpm vinyl record, or when we offered classes at one of the many recreation centers around SF. Others might have first started dancing with us when we managed our own three-story dance center in the SOMA before we established our current home base inside ODC's gorgeous Dance Commons. Whether you've been dancing with us for 40 years, or for a day, we couldn't have done it without you. THANK YOU for being a part of our community.

Keep an eye out for invitations to 40th anniversary related events in the second half of the year. It's been a long, joyful ride, and we look forward to sharing another 40+ years with all of you gorgeous movers and shakers!

Read the rest of our January Newsletter here.

come celebrate our 5th anniversary in santa cruz - with FREE CLASSES!

Rhythm & Motion Dance Workout is celebrating five glorious years in Santa Cruz with FREE DANCE CLASSES across town the last weekend of September. Join us for a sweaty good time with music and movement styles from around the globe.

We’re excited to partner with three vibrant dance hubs in Santa Cruz to bring you these free classes. Come to one, or join all three! Rhythm & Motion is also looking to expand our teacher base in the area. For interested dancers, these free classes are a great way to learn about the program and meet our staff.

Saturday 9/29 from 4:30-6:00 pm
Pacific Arts Complex
1122 Soquel Avenue

Sun 9/30 from 9:00-10:30 am
Motion Pacific Dance
131 Front Street Suite E
*Join us for a champagne toast following class!

Sun 9/30 from 1:30-3:00pm
Tannery World Dance and Cultural Center
1060 River Street #110/111

Ages 13+. All skill levels welcome. No preregistration required, although your RSVP is appreciated.

Taught by Rebecca Setziol, with guest appearances by other beloved Rhythm & Motion teachers

Photo credit: Andrew Weeks Photography

Perform with R&M at the Solano Stroll parade on September 9th

We invite you to join us in Rhythm & Motion's first East Bay public dance performance!

Come dance with R&M and Berkeley Ballet Theater in the Solano Stroll parade on Sunday, September 9th at 10am. The Solano Stroll is the largest street festival in the East Bay, and attracts 230,000 annually.  

The R&M/BBT contingent will dance to three songs. The first two are routines many already might know from the SF Pride Parade:  "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" and "Celebrate." The third song will be a follow-along/freestyle rest song. The links to the routines are below:

• I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Whitney Houston)
• Celebrate (Pitbull)

No registration is required. Everyone is welcome. For extra practice, check out a free rehearsal at Berkeley Ballet Theater on Saturday 9/1 - 9:00-10:00am and/or Saturday 9/8 - 9:30-10:30am.

Rhythm & Motion named "Best Of" by SF Magazine

We are honored to once again be included in the annual "Best Of" issue of San Francisco Magazine! Our classes were awarded Best Dance-based Workout on the 2018 list:

"The dance classes taught out of ODC's Mission studio by Rhythm & Motion--especially the fast-paced Fusion ($15 drop-in)--offer all the booty-shaking physicality of a Beyonce routine. Teachers are encouraging, and classes are heart-pumping but low-pressure: Rather than picking off students in twos and threes to perform choreography for the group, instructors lead the class in the routine on the fly."

Teacher training auditions in Santa Cruz

Rhythm & Motion is seeking experienced dancers to audition and train to be instructors in our Santa Cruz location. Rhythm & Motion instructors are the heart and soul of the program, inspiring students with their energy, talent, and teaching skills. All instructors are trained, experienced dancers, and many are working professional dancers and choreographers.

RHYTHM & MOTION TEACHER TRAINING AUDITIONS
Sunday, June 10, 2018
1–4pm at Motion Pacific  in Santa Cruz, CA
FREE
Deadline to sign up: Thursday, June 7th at 5pm

Read more about the process and how to register.

Join us for the exciting kick off to Bay Area Dance Week!

BAY AREA DANCE WEEK KICK-OFF CELEBRATION
Friday, April 27
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
San Francisco City Hall
1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Place, SF

Led by Rhythm & Motion's Artistic Director Dudley Flores, this year's kick-off for Bay Area Dance Week opens with a "One Dance Audio Tour." Download or stream an audio track (available soon) through the headphones of your smartphone and follow along with the simple movement instructions. Nothing to learn - just plug in and dance along! 

After the "tour" is complete and everyone's warmed up and smiling, the music starts for the annual One Dance, a short dance sequence in Rhythm & Motion's trademark style of fun movement. One Dance is designed for movers of all ages and experience levels.

Learn the dance sequence through these helpful step-by-step and full dance videos. You are also invited to join our free in-person rehearsals* led by Dudley:

• Sun, Apr 15, 11:30am-1pm, ODC Dance Commons, SF
• Sun, Apr 22, 11:30am-1pm, ODC Dance Commons, SF

*More rehearsals may be scheduled. Sign up for the event to receive email updates.

We hope to see you there!

Kick-off celebration in Berkeley this Sunday

RHYTHM & MOTION IS COMING TO THE EAST BAY!

Join us as we kick-off Rhythm & Motion Dance Program classes at the beautiful new home of the Berkeley Ballet Theater in the Gilman District of Berkeley, CA! Instructor Rena Marie Guidry (and guests) will (re)introduce our special brand of MOVEMENT + MUSIC + SPIRIT + SWEAT to the East Bay with a special extended Rhythm & Motion class.

Bring a friend and spread the word! We're excited to be back on the sunny side of the bridge!

Where: 
Berkeley Ballet Theater
1370 Tenth Street
Berkeley, CA 94710

Sunday, January 7, 2018
10am-11:30am

Class Price:
$5 at the door
---
Starting January 14, 2018, Rhythm & Motion will offer three dance workout classes per week at BBT! No pre-registration is necessary. All classes are drop-in and open to students of all levels ages 15 and older. Come dance with us!

Tuesdays and Fridays from 9:00-10:00 AM
Sundays from 10:00-11:00 AM

Instructor auditions on July 30

Rhythm & Motion is seeking experienced and professional dancers to audition and train to be Rhythm & Motion Dance Workout instructors in the San Francisco Bay Area.

TEACHER TRAINING AUDITIONS
Sunday, July 30, 2017
11:30–1pm at ODC Dance Commons (351 Shotwell Street, SF)
Audition is FREE; Training cost is $200. Flexible payment plans available.
Deadline to sign up: Friday, July 28

Learn more

Rhythm & Motion night at the SF Ethnic Dance Festival

Join us for an extra special evening on Saturday, July 8 as the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival makes its big debut at the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House. We’ve reserved a block of premiere center orchestra seats just for our Rhythm & Motion tribe, their families and guests at a discounted price. Let’s gather together during this momentous occasion to celebrate many of the world music and dance forms that inspire us in our Rhythm & Motion classes every day.

"A glorious achievement...one of the finest of all American dreams: a setting where cultures can celebrate their own traditions while honoring and applauding others." – The New York Times

39th Annual San Francisco Ethic Dance Festival
Saturday, July 8, 2017
War Memorial Opera House
301 Van Ness Avenue, SF

7 PM – Rhythm & Motion get-together in the Opera House Bar
Socialize with fellow students, meet new friends, and grab a drink before the show.

8 PM – Opening night performance
We've reserved terrific seats for you in the Orchestra section! The opening night program includes performances by: The Academy of Danse Libre (European Social Dances); De Rompe y Raja Cultural Association (Afro-Peruvian); Fogo Na Roupa Performing Company (Brazilian Folkloric— Maracatu); John Santos Sextet + Alayo Dance Company (Cuban Contemporary Folkloric); LIKHA - Pilipino Folk Ensemble (Filipino Folkloric—Mandayan and Tboli); Nā Lei Hulu I Ka Wēkiu (Hawaiian Hula); San Francisco Awakko Ren (Japanese Traditional—Awa Odori); Zakir Hussain + Antonia Minnecola (Indian Kathak).

Tickets are $40, which includes all fees and a special 15% discount offered through our partners at Worlds Arts West, the presenting organization for the festival.

To reserve your seat, email us, call 415-549-8525, or stop by our office on the ground floor of ODC Dance Commons.

Seating is limited at this discounted price, so make your reservation as soon as possible!

Photo credit: YaoYong Dance by RJ Muna

Artistry Matters SF dance party on June 2

Mark your calendars for a night of dance and revelry!

Friday, June 2 from 8 - 11 pm

The Assembly
449 14th Street, SF
Requested donation $25 - Buy tickets

DJ, dancing, drinks. Wine, beer and bubbly served. Door prizes!
All proceeds from the evening go directly to beloved Rhythm & Motion instructor, friend and generous spirit, Rebecca Porteous.

Dance with PRIDE

It's that time again! Come out and join your fellow Bay Area dancers for a massive celebration of love, diversity, and artistic expression at the the 2017 SF Pride Parade on Sunday, June 25.

Get all the details and register HERE.

Join us for One Dance 2017 at City Hall

Dancers' Group and Rhythm & Motion present One Dance 2017, part of the kick-off event for Bay Area Dance Week.

This year's One Dance celebration will be held indoors under the grandeur of the Rotunda at San Francisco City Hall. Rain or shine, we will dance! This year's international spin on some favorite pop songs will celebrate the diversity of dance and showcase several different movement forms. Everyone welcome! No experience required.

Friday, April 21, 2017
12pm
The Rotunda, San Francisco City Hall

You can practice at home with this step-by-step video tutorial. Or practice in person at one or more of our FREE public rehearsals with Rhythm & Motion Artistic Director Dudley Flores.

At Alonzo King LINES Dance Center:

• Sunday, April 9 - 3:00-4:30pm
• Wednesday, April 12 - 7:30-9pm

At ODC Dance Commons:

• Sunday, April 16 - 11:30-1:00pm
• Wednesday, April 19 - 7:45-9:15pm

R&M in the San Francisco Chronicle

Check out this great article in the SF Chronicle about "seeking solace in times of high anxiety" that highlights Rhythm & Motion instructor Amara Tabor-Smith. "Sometimes Tabor-Smith begins class by telling her students to shudder the stress out of their bodies. Sometimes she encourages them to set a positive intention for the energy they'll generate. Most often, these days, she asks the room to breathe together." (Photo by Paul Chinn/The Chronicle)