A casual social dance in Berkeley, CA.
Intermediate Redowa Waltz
4-5:30 p.m.
Introductory
Rotary
Waltz: 5:30-7 p.m.
Dancing: 7-10 p.m.
$10-15 sliding scale (or pay what you can). Cash or Venmo only.
Times still being what they are, we will be enforcing Covid safety policies (see below). Please wear a (K)N95 mask at all times and bring proof of vaccination.
The first class (from 4-5:30 p.m.) will be an intermediate lesson in one of the speediest and swoopiest waltz styles around: the Redowa. Robert G. teaches. There is a lot of ground to cover, literally and pedagogically, so please come to class comfortable with the basic rotary waltz.
The introductory class (NEW TIME: from 5:30-7 p.m.) will be on rotary waltz, which is so important that it's usually just called "the waltz." No experience or partner necessary! This "beginner lesson" is great for anyone who doesn't yet feel confident in 3/4, even if you've taken a lesson before. Jay C. teaches with Caroline V.
And the dance party (from 7-10 p.m.) will follow, with DJs Dylan S. and Susan M. spinning a harvest time menu of waltzes, polkas, swing, latin, and more.
As always, EBW is a come-as-you-are, all ages, gender neutral, no-partner-required, ask anyone to dance event where we value consent and everyone is welcome.
Special Notes: Please wear non-marking shoes to the event, or dance shoes if you have them! We've been getting black scuff marks on the newly-refinished floor of the Finnish Hall, and some of them don't scrub off. Thanks!
In addition, we and many dancers will appreciate it if you can reduce or eliminate heavy perfumes/colognes or other scents. Please be mindful of those with sensitivities or allergies! Thanks again!
For the safety of our dancers, EBW requires all attendees to comply with our Covid-19 safety policy.
If you have symptoms or believe you are sick, please stay home. This is basic dance courtesy for all contagious diseases, not just Covid-19.
All attendees will be required to be "up-to-date" with their vaccinations for Covid-19. All attendees must show proof of vaccination upon entry: a vaccination card, or photo of one, or a QR code. "Up-to-date" means that the person has received all doses in the primary series and all boosters recommended for the general population. If you are unable to get vaccinated due to medical reasons, you can email us at info@eastbaywaltz.com at least 24 hours before the dance and we will confirm the exemption to showing a vaccine card. Note that medical exemption must be communicated before the day of the dance and is not available at the door.
All attendees must wear a N95 or KN95 mask over their mouth and nose at all times when inside the Finnish Hall. Please step outside the entrance or go to the front stairs to eat or drink; do not take your mask off to eat or drink inside the hall.
EBW staff will keep the windows and doors open to the extent possible. Do not close outside windows or doors without checking with us.
East Bay Waltz is a casual social dance held each month on the third Saturday, featuring mostly waltz and cross-step waltz, with polka, swing, schottische, and latin dances thrown in to mix things up. There is a class usually for intermediate dancers from 4-5:30 p.m., and from 5:30-7 p.m a waltz class for beginners that starts at the very beginning and will get you from walking to dancing. Then, there's DJ'd social dancing and fun times from 7-10 p.m.
$10-15 sliding scale (or pay what you can). No one turned away for lack of funds. Cash or Venmo only, please.
We have volunteer options available! Front door volunteers get in for free in exchange for sitting door for a set. If you're interested, sign up here.
Come by yourself, or with a friend, or a crowd. People of all ages, races, genders, sexualities, nations, or creeds are welcome. Dress in jeans and a t-shirt, or dress up all fancy-like if you've the inclination. Bring a (K)N95 mask and proof of Covid-19 vaccination, and please avoid wearing rubber-soled shoes or shoes that might leave marks on the wood floor; also please avoid wearing perfumes/colognes or other heavy scents. Everybody ask anybody to dance!
EBW is a volunteer-run event. The DJs, teachers, board members are all volunteers. If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or just want to chat, you can reach us at info@eastbaywaltz.com, or talk to us on the Facebook.
East Bay Waltz takes place in the wonderful Berkeley Finnish Hall, on Chestnut at University.
The Hall is a 7 to 10 minute walk from the North Berkeley BART Station and is easily accessible by the 51B AC Transit bus.
1970 Chestnut Street
Berkeley, CA 94702
EBW is a volunteer-run event. The DJs, teachers, board members are all volunteers. If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or just want to chat, you can reach us at info@eastbaywaltz.com, or talk to us on the Facebook.
We have a wide variety of teachers and DJs from all sorts of different backgrounds.
Robert G.Robert started social dancing in 2007, when he arrived all unsuspecting-like at a birthday party and found himself in a 4-Hand Reel. It wasn't long before he was waltzing, jigging, lindying, etceteraing, and recategorizing his music collection by dance type.
Alan K.Alan has been trying to determine if one can dance "too much" since 2007. Other dances he has DJed and/or taught at include Vintage Invasion, Queer Contra Dance Camp, Parlor Ceili, Loony Ceili, and Ashkenaz Anglo-Celtic Ceilidh, which he also co-hosted. He took the advice "You Gotta Get a Gimmick" to heart and, through his own series of dances, created the Showtune Shindig, now an EBW favorite. At EBW he has taught waltz, Irish ceili, polka, east-coast swing, west-coast swing, lead/follow switching, country two-step and more. An experienced follow and lead, he loves the social and the dance parts equally and hopes you'll join him for a dance.
Caroline V.Caroline was first taught to social dance from her older sister who introduced her to the joys of Salsa and Latin music. Caroline discovered Irish Step Dancing on her own and in college she became obsessed with Blues and West Coast Swing (WCS). While studying abroad in Ecuador and England she attended many Cuban Salsa/Rueda classes as well. Caroline teaches the annual WCS class at East Bay Waltz and loves to both lead/follow multiple dance styles! Please grab her for a Latin dance or to lead or follow a WCS/Cha-Cha/Blues all-inclusive dance.
Jay C.Jay started attending contra and square dances just a few years ago. From there he quickly branched out into ballroom and several other styles and has been exploring the works of social dancing ever since. He has recently relocated from the mountains and now you might find him dancing ballroom, fusion, swing, Irish ceili, or whatever else he may find interesting on any night of the week. He is also an occasional DJ at EBW.
The evening begins at 4 p.m. with a dance class for beginners and those who don't yet feel confident with rotary and cross-step waltz. An intermediate class at 5:30 p.m. follows, focusing on one of the dance styles we practice for those who want to build up their dance skills.
At 7, our open dance party begins. There is plenty of room to leave your coats and things while you're dancing and seats for when you're not dancing to relax and socialize.
While songs and dances played vary by evening, below is a sample set list of what you might see:
We aim to make EBW a welcoming and friendly place to dance, and to learn to dance. We do not tolerate any form of sexual harassment, discrimination, or violence. Should such unpleasantness happen, please contact the DJ, teacher, or person at the door, and we will gladly deal with the issue as soon as possible.
For the safety of our dancers, EBW requires all attendees to comply with our Covid-19 safety policy.
If you have symptoms or believe you are sick, please stay home. This is basic dance courtesy for all contagious diseases, not just Covid-19.
All attendees will be required to be "up-to-date" with their vaccinations for Covid-19. All attendees must show proof of vaccination upon entry: a vaccination card, or photo of one, or a QR code. "Up-to-date" means that the person has received all doses in the primary series and all boosters recommended for the general population. If you are unable to get vaccinated due to medical reasons, you can email us at info@eastbaywaltz.com at least 24 hours before the dance and we will confirm the exemption to showing a vaccine card. Note that medical exemption must be communicated before the day of the dance and is not available at the door.
All attendees must wear a N95 or KN95 mask over their mouth and nose at all times when inside the Finnish Hall. Please step outside the entrance or go to the front stairs to eat or drink; do not take your mask off to eat or drink inside the hall.
EBW staff will keep the windows and doors open to the extent possible. Do not close outside windows or doors without checking with us.
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or just want to chat, you can reach us at info@eastbaywaltz.com, or talk to us on the Facebook. While at the event, you can also slip a note into our suggestion box, which is located on the snacks table. Please help us make this dance as safe and enjoyable as it can be.
EBW teachers and DJs are all volunteers. If you're doing that, or just are interested in what they do, please read the EBW Teacher and DJ Guidelines.
(updated November 2023)
About half or so of our waltzes are at a tempo appropriate for the Cross-Step Waltz, which is newfangled and somewhat unusual and a lot of fun. We teach this version of waltz in the beginner class every other month.
There's a Bohemian National Polka on the set list at every dance, but we only teach it maybe once a year (usually in the fall).
We also dance the Congress of Vienna Waltz at every dance, and sometimes teach it in the beginning rotary waltz class. If you don't know it, feel free to ask somebody who does to lead or backlead you through it!
We dance the Midnight Waltz Line Dance at every dance. Check out the video review on our YouTube channel. Feel free to join in and follow along!
It's great to dance with new people! To that end, we have two choreographed mixers in each night, as well as the traditional "Dance with a Stranger" dances where everybody, y'know, goes and dances with a stranger.
We briefly teach each mixer before dancing it, but if you'd like a reminder or study aid, here are the choreographies:
The SF Bay Area is blessed with opportunites to social dance!
And some gender-free dances partly run, or frequented, by EBW folks!
