It’s been a couple of years since I went to Rich’s or Kickers and tore off my shirt then tore up the dance floor (at least that’s what I thought I was doing!). Those days are probably behind me, but a different kind of dancing in a different kind of context could be in my future – and yours too – at several locations throughout our LGBT community.
The old Naval Training Center (NTC) in Point Loma is striving to become home to many arts organizations in San Diego and it seems to have been successful as far as dance is concerned. An entire building at NTC is devoted to dance schools and dance companies, many of which offer private classes and group workshops in addition to their own company’s seasonal performances.
Here are just a few of the dance-oriented opportunities you can take advantage of when you are ready to take a break from the thump, thump, thump of the clubs:
Diversity Dancesport is a dance and social club for the LGBT community focusing primarily on international ballroom and Latin dancing, providing alternatives to club and country western forms. Check out their website to sign up for West Coast Swing and Salsa/Mambo classes beginning in June, diversitydancesport.com.
Jean Isaacs San Diego Dance Theatre offers a variety of classes, including a $50 unlimited class pack in June and their Summer Dance Workshop. Classes in modern and contemporary dance are offered at all levels, including Tango with Colette! Prices vary but introductory classes are low or even free, sandiegodancetheater.org.
Ka Lei Aloha O Hula is dedicated to the perpetuation of traditional Hawaiian dance offering classes from introductory to classic hulas, kaleialohaohula.com.
The Malashock Dance School offers a broad range of modern, contemporary and creative dance classes and workshops including Dance with thisABILITY, a high energy hip-hop based dance class designed to incorporate respectful accommodations for teen and young adults with disabilities, malashockdance.org.
Thank you very much for listing us in your publication! One of your readers asked if I taught men’s hula, and I answered I would love to if enough men were interested in learning. Please thank whoever visited the Dance Place and found us!
Best wishes and Aloha,
Anne and Ka Lei Aloha O Hula