Programs & Teachers at Redwood Raks
Dance Classes with Shoshanna
(707) 616-6876 • shoshannaraks@gmail.com • www.shoshannaland.com
Shoshanna has offered dance classes for all ages on the North Coast since 1997. She has danced in many styles since she was three, including ballet, jazz, modern, tap and more, before settling into serious study of the dances of the Middle East and American Cabaret Belly Dance. Shoshanna directs Redwood Raks and the Ya Habibi Dance Company and serves as part time faculty in the Dance Program at Humboldt State University.
Shoshanna is currently teaching Belly Dance for students of all ages, Creative Dance for preschoolers,
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Dance Mix with Ellen Weiss
(707) 407-7715
Have fun with one hour of 15 different dance routines choreographed to upbeat eclectic music. A broad range of music and styles each class: latin, hip-hop, pop, jazz, country, swing, international, 60s/70s/80s... Drop-ins welcome but it’s also fun to learn and repeat the routines. There are usually 1-2 new songs weekly. $5-8/class
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Rueda de Casino (Cuban-style salsa in the round) with Jack Lewis
(707) 496-6189 • Facebook Group • Website
Cuban salsa ("casino") is popular in most urban areas and is gaining a following in the Humboldt Bay area. Rueda de Casino (literally "wheel of casino") is an amazing and fun way to dance salsa, because of the synchronized group movement and playful interactions; all patterns and partner-switches are called out in Spanish by one of the dancers. Join us on Wednesday nights!
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Miss Julie Hayes SALSA @ 6:00 EVERY Friday - On1 Salsa, Bachata, Casino Salsa, Kids camps, private lessons and more!
(707) 816-2809 • Website • Facebook Page • Instagram • FBGroup
Led by Miss Julie Hayes. All levels welcome at our 6:00 Salsa on1 class and bachata at 7:00. No experience or partner required. Just bring smiles and plan to meet friends! Julie also is proud to offer private lessons, and special event lessons and performances. Each August, she runs a wonderful and magical dance and music camp for boys and girls ages 7-12. She can't wait to see you on the dance floor. Call today for more Information
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Monday Night Swing!
(707) 362-6561 • Facebook Group
Monday Night Swing is an Arcata tradition! Learn how to swing dance! Directed by Cailan Haliday, different topics in swing dance styles every month. There's a friendly beginning level class 7-8pm. No partner or experience necessary. Starting at 8pm there is a social dance to DJ'ed swing tunes. Come join the fun! Sliding scale $5-$15 drop-in price, or $30 for a punch card for 4 nights!
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Balkan Music Meetup
(707) 496-6784 • linneamandell@gmail.com
COME PLAY AND SING BEAUTIFUL FOLK MUSIC!
You are invited to sing and play a variety of Eastern European, Balkan, and International folk music on Wednesday afternoons 4:30-6:00 in the Bella Studio.
All instruments, voices, and levels are welcome in this community group. You can read music or learn by ear.
$2-3 contribution toward rent requested.
Humboldt Folkdancers
(707) 496-6734 • Website
The Humboldt Folk Dancers do a variety of world dance. The group meets for class and practice on Sundays from 4:00-6:00 pm, and hold a live music party with local musicians on the First Friday of every month at 8:00 pm. All ages and levels of experience are welcome, and partners are not needed. Just come and join the fun, and bring a snack to share if you would like!
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Humboldt Capoeira with Espaço Mendez
(415) 314-7623 • space.azania@gmail.com • Facebook
Espaço offers classes for children and adults in this Afro-Brazilian art-form.
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West African Dance and Drumming
Arcatawestafrican@gmail.com • Facebook
A community facilitated class that has been gathering in Arcata for over 30 years. Our goal is to celebrate and honour the traditional culture of Guinea, Mali and Senegal through music and dance. Our class proceeds go toward hosting master teachers in Humboldt.
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For information about West African Drum Practice with Steve Russin: rsnaggletooth@aol.com
Zeta Fusion Transcultural Belly Dance
(707) 407-8606 • desertliliesbazaar@gmail.com • Facebook
Basics of Bellydance - drills & phrases 6-7 pm $10 welcoming new and ongoing dancers!
Intermediate/Advanced choreo & troupe 7-8 pm - performance opportunities for ongoing dancers $5
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West Coast Swing with Justin Golnik & Debbie Weist
(707) 464-3638 • dwdhumboldt@gmail.com • Facebook • Website
Dynamic and playful, enjoy learning West Coast Swing on Wednesday evenings at Redwood Raks 6:30-7:30pm. Debbie & Justin also offer private lessons in Ballroom, Latin & Swing in Eureka through Dance with Debbie
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The Alchemy of Flow with Bella Fire and Marques Mayo
Join the Humboldt Fire Dragons Conclave for weekly Flow Arts Classes every Monday at 7 PM! Perfect for beginner to intermediate skill levels, these sessions explore fire dance with multiple props, emphasizing intentional movement and choreography. Enjoy seasonal special workshops and instruction from the talented Bella Vita Fire Dance Co and Humboldt Fire Dragons.
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Instructor Bella Fire
Bella Fire has built a solid foundation through the element of fire, alchemically fused with her passion for movement, dance, and flow arts.
The Bella Vita Fire Dance Company, established in 2009 through the Ink People, has grown into a flourishing performing arts dance company. Bella’s enthusiasm and leadership continue to light the fires of inspiration for others to flow. For all of Bella’s offerings, visit www.bellafiredance.com.
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​Instructor Marques Mayo
Credentialed school teacher, performing artist, and mathematical lyricist, Marques Mayo brings deep roots in hip-hop dance and capoeira to his fire dance practice. Now assisting in teaching, Marques offers a unique perspective on dance-based flow.​
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Flamenco with Jamie
Come learn about the cultural significance of Flamenco and history of Romani resistance!
Experience the basic elements of Flamenco (footwork, turns, emotion, rhythms, wrist motions...) in
your own body and in the community.
All levels and bodies welcome! Suggested donation: $10-20.
Scholarships are available upon request! You can apply here.
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Jamie recently moved to Humboldt from Spain, where they were born and raised. Jamie has an eclectic musical background, having been trained as a classical musician (cello) and singer from a young age. In their teens Jamie fell in love with music as a community-building and therapeutic practice, studying and teaching
Circle Singing with Bobby McFerrin and Musica do Circulo in Brazil, and becoming certified in Social and Emotional Arts facilitation at UCLA.
Over the last decade, Jamie has studied a variety of dances including Bharatanatyam, Vogue, Waacking, West African dance, and traditional Flamenco, which has been their passion for the last five years. Jamie can't wait to share their favorite art form with the vibrant community of Humboldt! Their Flamenco masters include Solea Hernandez Montoya, Mimi and Ruben at Centro Flamenco Sentidos, and Marco Flores, Concha Jareño, Maria Juncal and Alfonso Losa at Escuela de Flamenco Amor de Dios in Madrid.​​