Frequently Asked Questions:
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When? We meet every Wednesday 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Yoga 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Dance 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
(We are supported by donations and volunteers)
Why? Ecstatic Dance is a freeform movement space where:
dance expands
spirit activates
boundaries melt
boredom ceases
creativity breaks out
hope happens
beauty flows
communities collaborate
ritual is reinvented
harmony resonates
The beat deepens as an electronic tapestry of world rhythms weave us together as individuals within a greater family. Can I bring kids? Yes, kids of all ages from infant to 100 years old are welcome. We offer free childcare during dance. Why is there no alcohol? The reason that we have made Ecstatic Dance a sober space is to allow for those that come to learn how to connect with one another without talking and without having to be intoxicated by anything other than the music. We are not “against” alcohol. Many people who come do drink alcohol, just not during Ecstatic Dance. How often is Ecstatic Dance? Provided there is no catastrophe, Ecstatic Dance is every single Wednesday year-round, regardless of holidays. How much is Ecstatic Dance? Admission is $20, however, no donation is turned away. If you cannot afford $20, please contact us for volunteer opportunities or other forms of exchange. We rely on the support of our community to run. We support our artists, DJs, Yoga Teachers, Body Healers, and the like, so you can feel confident that whatever your contribution is going towards your community. If you would like to make any additional donations of time or money, we would be extremely grateful. What if I’ve never danced? What if I suck at dancing? Ecstatic dance is not a competition or somewhere to go to show off, although it can look like some dancers succeed at that without any intention or effort on their part. Come and move any way the music moves you. There is no structure to Ecstatic Dance. Watch how the kids move; sometimes they just chase each other around... feel free to follow them. Is Ecstatic Dance just a group of pretentious hippies? Ecstatic Dance has one of the most diverse demographics I have ever seen, from infants to senior citizens, from doctors and CEOs to the traveling bohemian living in their van just passing through. Is it worth coming if I can’t make it at 6pm? Yes! Ecstatic Dance starts for you when you get there. There is no “class” and no set time to arrive. Many people that come look forward to it all week and show up at 6pm, however, some people show up for just the last half hour. There is no "right" time to arrive or leave. What’s up with the no talking and no shoes? You’ll see on the no talking thing. Invariably someone will forget and say something on the dance floor from time to time, and watch how all your attention moves from your body to your mind and you’ll quickly see the value in having a talking-free dance floor. You can talk anywhere aside from the dance floor and the alter/mediation room. No shoes means “No Street Shoes” because many people decide to dance barefoot. Street shoes track in dirt and other things, and it also hurts if someone steps on you with shoes. If you have dance shoes and would like to wear them, you’re more than welcome to do that. What clothes should I wear? Think like you’re going to the gym or a yoga class. Others get creative and sparkly. There is no right or wrong. It gets hot when you are dancing for a long time, so we suggest something comfortable and light. Cologne and Perfume? Please refrain from wearing cologne and perfume if possible. You can use essential oils, and please come showered and clean. When you have a bunch of bodies moving and sweating, the last thing you want is that masked by a bunch of competing artificial scents. Those with sensitivities and allergies will thank you. How can I participate and contribute my time/talent to Ecstatic Dance? We get asked this a lot! Which is awesome, because Ecstatic Dance is by its very nature the total sum of its own community. If you teach yoga, dance, contact improv, play instruments, sing, have marketing skills, cooking skills, juicing skills, are a good copy writer, artist, or designer and would like to volunteer as a form of donation, please contact Zack Geist, the event’s organizer, and let him know via Facebook, email, or in-person at Ecstatic Dance. I love Ecstatic Dance and I really want to talk to some of the people that are there, but there’s no talking on the dance floor. How in the heck do I meet people in the Ecstatic Dance community? You can talk anywhere other than the dance floor and alter/mediation/contemplation room. Volunteering for set-up and break-down of the dance offers some additional time to interact with community members. The temple often prepares a sit-down meal that some of the dancers attend and visit with one another after dance. Getting involved in the community garden in the back of the temple is also a good way to form connections!
