working to change, new livestream classes and more

We had a very different announcement planned for this week, but could not proceed without first acknowledging and facing the injustices and inequity facing BIPOC communities due to police brutality, racial violence and systemic racism.

We say their names: George Floyd, Ahmaude Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Nina Pop. We remember the countless people whose lives were taken as a result of police brutality and racial violence. We send love and stand in solidarity with all those who are suffering because of the destructive impact of a broken system. 

Many of us may be feeling overwhelmed and may not know where to start and how to help effect change. We feel you, and know that we, too, are experiencing a swell of emotions. We reflect inward and take this time to investigate ourselves, to listen and amplify the voices from black and brown communities, and to take the necessary steps, as small as they may feel, that will help lead to greater awareness and bigger changes. We will continue to learn, listen and grow together, and when we are feeling down and depleted, we will pick each other up to keep pushing forward. 

Thank you for being a part of our community. Now, let's take this moment and be part of the change. 

Til next time.

Be safe. Be strong. 

Read the rest of the June 4, 2020 newsletter here.

The latest classes, a cathartic playlist from Jessica and more

Thank you and stay tuned for big news

As we near the end of May, and day 4,785 of our shelter-in-place, we want to say THANK YOU for sticking with us. We know there are many online dance options out there and we appreciate that you're still checking in on us and each other, dancing with us from home, sharing our videos and social media posts and carrying forward...together.

Next week we will have some big news to share. We're very close to nailing down some of the details and don't want to give it away, but we promise that you'll like what you read. (Spoiler alert: Sadly, we're not returning to the studios for live classes just yet. But when we do, we'll make sure to broadcast that far and wide with a fanfare, fireworks and a flashmob.)

Stay tuned for next week's newsletter, and in the meantime, enjoy our current Youtube offerings (with a new release arriving on Sunday). Have a great weekend!

Read the rest of the May 23, 2020 newsletter here.

CELEBRATE, the latest classes, and more

CELEBRATE

As we near the end of the first full week of May (and our 8th week of Shelter-In-Place in the San Francisco Bay Area) here at Rhythm & Motion we want to take a moment with you to CELEBRATE.

May 4-8 was “Teacher Appreciation Week,” and we wish to CELEBRATE and thank, now more than ever, all the teachers and educators working out there. We acknowledge your resilience, ingenuity, passion and strength as you transition from your normal teaching practice to the online world, while also feeling the effects of COVID-19 everywhere. You are creating new practices, innovating with existing resources and developing new teaching systems that will have lasting benefits on students and other teachers for years down the road. We are so grateful for all of you and all that you do.

This Sunday is Mother's Day. To all the mothers and to those who mother, here in body or with us in spirit, we CELEBRATE you! For your unconditional love, selflessness, bravery, compassion, inspiration, influence (and for putting up with our shenanigans as kids…or in the present day), we thank you. We love you. Happy Mother’s Day.

CELEBRATE, stay safe and keep dancing, everyone!

Read the rest of the May 8, 2020 newsletter here.

Community

In live Rhythm & Motion classes, when the world loses a beloved music artist, we celebrate their life by dancing to their songs. In that tradition, we invite you to celebrate the late, great Bill Withers and dance to his timeless classic, "Lovely Day." Choreography by Kalliope Kalombratsos (1999).

To learn more about Rhythm & Motion, for online classes during this #stayathome period and ways to support R&M teachers, visit: rhythmandmotion.com/social-distance-dancing

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Look who’s doing R&M at home

To spread the love, capture video or take a picture of yourself dancing with our video and tag us! We’d love to see your beautiful selves dancing on our social media pages. @rhythmandmotion #rhythmandmotion

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finding hope, the latest classes, a playlist from Leesha and more

Embrace Hope

As California prepares to shelter-in-place through the month of May, we are hopeful that our state is not too far from the next phase of its reopening. We are hopeful that during this time others are feeling the importance of the arts and how they soothe, inspire and give us a sense of freedom, even within isolation. We feel hopeful that we will all be dancing together in some way soon.

Here at Rhythm & Motion we are exploring the different ways we can be there for our teachers and our communities in the weeks, months and year ahead of us. Though it's too soon to share any developments from this end, our promise now, as it did in the very beginning of our stay-at-home orders remain the same: So much of what we do at Rhythm & Motion is about creating connections and building community through dance. This way of coming together is changing, but we promise to stay connected and do our best to support you.

Read the rest of the April 30, 2022 newsletter here.

An invitation to dance in the dark, latest online classes and more

Hang in there

We are continuously amazed by the resilience and spirit of you, our Rhythm & Motion community.

We see you making time to dance at home, even with the pressures of work, family and quarantine baking. We see your comments on social media, connecting with your fellow students and communities. We see many of you on the frontlines and we are grateful for the work you are doing for everyone! We see you supporting the Rhythm & Motion teachers with your generous donations, and by taking classes. You are doing a lot!

We encourage you to hang in there, take care of yourselves, take care of each other and continue to do the activities that serve you (like dancing!)

Rhythm & Motion is here for you, and we hope you are enjoying the two weekly classes that we are releasing on our social distance dancing page (and on social media too, so do follow us if you are so inclined @rhythmandmotion)

We cannot wait to see you in the studio soon. Be well and we'll be in touch again next week!

Much love to all of you,
All of us at Rhythm & Motion

Read the rest of the April 22, 2022 newsletter here.

Keep in touch, latest online classes and more

Keep in touch

As we near the end of week 4 of our shelter-in-place order in California, and as some of us celebrate the Spring, Passover or Easter holidays, we at Rhythm & Motion want to wish you and your loved ones “Hello,” “Happy holiday,” and “We miss you and hope you’re doing well."

Whether you’re dancing with us through our online Youtube videos, trying different ways to move, or taking a break because virtual living is not for you, we want to share a reminder to stay connected to Rhythm & Motion and reach out any time. Comment on a social media post, share a photo, or send us an email just to say, “Hi.” We’d love to hear from you and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. We’re here if you need us.

In addition to connecting with us, connect with each other. Check-in on dance friends, ask about how others are doing and try to see and hear from fellow R&Mers. Invite people to virtual coffee, an impromptu R&M class watch party, or simply write a note. One of the strengths of the Rhythm & Motion community is knowing that someone is always there. As mentioned in a previous email, we may not always know each other’s names, but we know we can count on each other to uplift or inspire. We may not be able to be there for each other in person, but let’s carry our offline interactions and practices into our online living in any way we feel comfortable.

Be well and we'll be in touch again next week!

Much love to all of you,
All of us at Rhythm & Motion

Read the rest of the April 10, 2020 newsletter here.

We will dance through this together...Classes #4 and #5

It looks like we'll be staying at home for at least another month and we promise to be there for you when you need us. We will release two free online classes a week (with "throwback" videos and special events sprinkled in-between) so that you can access the joy of dancing with R&M and your favorite teachers any day, any time - and on repeat if you'd like. Class #4 (R&M Modern "Light") and #5 (our longest Fusion "Light" class to date) are now in the library. More on the way!

Know anyone who has yet to discover R&M, a person who'd rather try something at home before setting foot in the studio, or someone looking for ways to stay physically active? Spread the joy and share our classes with them!

Read the rest of the April 1, 2020 newsletter here.

From our homes to yours... Stay connected and dancing.

Dear Dancers,

So much of what Rhythm & Motion does is built on creating connections and community through dance. This way of coming together is changing. Now, more than ever, we turn to digital platforms and social media for community and connection. For many of us, it’s a very different experience.

We understand that our dance community is cut from a different kind of cloth. Not only are we driven by high energy movement and music and the desire to grow and release through dance, but we also thrive on being inspired by the people dancing around us, the hugs and high-fives between songs, the personal check-ins before and after class, and the unspoken understanding that even if we don’t say a word to each other, or know each other’s names, we can count on one another to help us re-energize and refuel ourselves for our day ahead. We may miss these aspects of what we do in the studio, but we can, and will, create connections like these in other ways. (Or, if needed, let this time at home be an opportunity to individually dive deep into growing in ways we’ve never thought of, to recalibrate, or to rest.)

At this time, while we investigate the viability of various online streaming platforms and techniques that all of our teachers can use to offer a successful music-driven R&M experience, we are committed to offering free and donation-based classes and events for everyone. Our team of teachers, near and far, are recording videos of themselves teaching R&M routines so that everyone can experience the joys of our classes - the choreography, the fabulous teachers and music from home. (We’re lovingly calling it “Rhythm & Motion – from our homes to yours.”) We understand it won’t be the same as the in-studio experience, but as we grow into this new temporary reality, the R&M team, in collaboration with our studio partners, will find more creative ways to connect, dance and sweat. Additionally, here at R&M, we’ll be increasing our communication with all of you from monthly to weekly to remind you that we are still here for you when you need us. (Don't forget that we can also engage with each other on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.)

I invite you to check out our “Social Distance Dancing” page for information on classes and events, teacher happenings and ways to support them, and photos of our community dancing at home. It’s a work-in-progress and the page will continue to expand and evolve as the time passes.

Until next time, stay home, be digitally social, check-in on each other, and connect with us…we promise to do the same.

Much love,
Dudley and the R&M teachers and staff

Read the rest of the newsletter here.

Stay Connected During COVID-19 Shutdown. Online Classes, Updates, Donation Info And More

Rhythm & Motion during Bay Area shut-down

As you may know, on Monday, March 16, San Francisco mayor London Breed called for a "shelter-in-place" for San Francisco and surrounding areas through April 7.

During this time, Rhythm & Motion is looking at many different ways to stay connected to you, our amazing community, to support our teachers and continue to spread the joy of dance far and wide.

We have released our first-ever R&M online class and we hope you enjoy it! Please share it with friends and family to spread the joy of dance (and to encourage more living room dance parties) during this time. In addition to pre-recorded videos, we are investigating live-stream options for classes. Stay tuned.

If you like the video and are able, please consider donating in support of our teachers and efforts. (Also consider taking a photo or video of you dancing to the video. We'd love to see and share what our community is up to on our social media pages.)

We will continue to stay connected with you via our website, social media channels and emails like this one. Thank you to each of you for being incredibly understanding and willing to be part of the effort to "flatten the curve". We appreciate all you do to make our community vibrant!

Dance online with us!

Nothing replaces the experience of dancing in the studio together in community. Given the circumstances of a San Francisco Bay Area COVID-19 lockdown, this will have to do. So, grab the people you live with, clear some space, play the video on the biggest screen you have and crank up the volume!

Here are 7 routines for you in a 58-minute class (recorded the day before SF went into lockdown):

DANCE WITH US NOW

Liked this class? Please consider making a donation in support of the Rhythm & Motion teachers not working as a result of dance studio closures at the link below. Please indicate for “Rhythm & Motion faculty” in the comments field.

Special THANK YOU to ODC for setting up this donation page and for being incredible partners as we navigate the challenges of the times together.

DONATE

R&M Classes Suspended- A Letter From Director, Dudley Flores

Dear Dancers,

We are in unsettling times and with information and news about COVID-19 shifting quickly, we have been taking things day by day. ODC and Rhythm & Motion have reviewed all guidelines recommended by health and government officials, and in the best interest of our community’s safety and health, we are proceeding to make the very difficult decision to suspend all dance classes at the ODC Dance Commons effective Saturday, March 14 - Tuesday, March 31. We hope to reopen on April 1 and will keep you informed should that date change.

For those of you with class cards and Arts Access memberships at ODC, we are automatically extending the expiration dates to reflect the number of days of suspension. (Please read ODC’s message sent earlier today.)

In addition to ODC, R&M offers classes at Alonzo King LINES Dance Center, Berkeley Ballet Theater, Bernal Yoga, Ted Adcock Community Center in Half Moon Bay, Motion Pacific in Santa Cruz and the School of Richmond Ballet in Virginia. Since each studio is taking this situation day-by-day, we suggest that you check their pages for the most up-to-date information about their class schedule. A complete list of class locations can be found at rhythmandmotion.com.

We know that dance, and the community we have created through moving together, is an important part of our health and well-being. Although our home at the ODC Dance Commons may be closed for a period of time, we will continue to provide ways for all of us to stay connected to our bodies and each other. We, in partnership with ODC, are currently working on plans to provide online content for all of you. (R&M choreography and classes at home? Yes, please!)

Stay tuned for an upcoming newsletter and social media posts for details about what’s to come, ways you can stay connected to dance, and how to donate to support your teachers during these challenging times.

Until then, please do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions, comments or concerns. We will miss dancing with you in person over these next few weeks at ODC, and we certainly look forward to sharing the space again with big hugs all around (or elbow bumps, booty bumps, jazz hands, the Vulcan salute or your choice of greeting.) Thank you for being a part of our incredible community. We will get through this…together.

Much love,
The Rhythm & Motion office team (Dudley, Maggie & Janet) and faculty

COVID19 considerations and other R&M news for March

Caring for the R&M community: COVID-19 updates

Rhythm & Motion is committed to the well-being of our dance community and the community at large. We know that dance connects us and can be a refuge and respite during challenging times. Our goal, alongside the studio partners we work with, is to continue offering classes while taking the necessary precautions as recommended by public health officials to proactively keep everyone safe and healthy.

Please follow these best practices to keep yourself and others healthy:

• If you feel unwell, please stay home.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after visiting the restroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, or touching your face.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then discard the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.

• If possible, bring your own mat for floor work, or use a disinfecting wipe to clean a studio-provided mat before and after use.

We thank our incredible partners for taking the extra steps and resources to keep our dance communities safe. If you dance at one of these studios and you missed their newsletters, check out the info below:

ODC
March 5 Newsletter
March 9 Update
Please note: classes will have a lower set capacity (as stated in the message linked above) through March 20th

LINES
March 9 Update

MOTION PACIFIC
March 9 Update

BERKELEY BALLET THEATER

RICHMOND BALLET

As conditions are evolving each day, please be aware that studio policies might change. Continue to check studio websites for any updates.

Learn about other events, classes, performances and more in our March Newsletter.

Two performance opportunities + a new playlist 🎵

Itching to get on stage? Want to take your in-studio Rhythm & Motion experience to a different level? Instructor Rena Marie Guidry is leading an R&M performance workshop as part of the Collage + Collide series at Berkeley Ballet Theater. Please contact Rena THIS WEEK if you wish to participate. Participation fee is $75.

The performance will be held Sunday, May 26 at 3 PM at Regent's Theater at Holy Names University in Oakland.

Rehearsals start Sunday, March 17 from 10:45-11:45am (right after Rena's morning R&M class) at Berkeley Ballet Theater.

Learn about other events, classes, performances and more in our February 2020 Newsletter.

Rhythm & Motion Classes in Half Moon Bay

Rhythm & Motion is excited to be back with classes on the Peninsula!

We are now offering R&M classes with instructor Iddy Richardson at the Ted Adcock Community Center in Half Moon Bay.

Have friends in the Half Moon Bay area? Pass it on!

More information.



R&M Fundamentals Classes

Love the energy and community of a Rhythm & Motion Fusion class but craving even more information about dance technique and a way to work deeply with less impact? We're exploring the idea of a new Rhythm & Motion format called Fundamentals in San Francisco and Santa Cruz. 

…at Bernal Yoga

Join instructor Nancy Rubin for drop-in R&M Fundamentals classes at 6:15pm on select Friday evenings at Bernal Yoga in San Francisco.

More information.

photo by Shell Jiang

…in Santa Cruz

After a trial run in 2019, Rebecca Setziol is back teaching a 6-week Rhythm & Motion Fundamentals workshop Saturday mornings at Motion Pacific in Santa Cruz.
Drop-ins are welcome!

For other R&M classes in Santa Cruz, check out the Motion Pacific schedule for more information.