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,
Dance Mix with Ellen Weiss
(707) 407-7715
Have fun with an hour of different dance routines choreographed to upbeat eclectic music. A broad range of music and dance styles each class: jazz, pop, latin, hip-hop, country, international, throwbacks… Get your cardio and choreo!
Drop-ins welcome. All levels and ages welcome. $5 donation per class.
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!
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
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!
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 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.
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!
Zeta Fusion Transcultural Belly Dance
zetafusiondance@gmail.com • Instagram
Thursdays, 7:00-8:00 pm: Drills - welcoming new and ongoing dancers for beginner/intermediate drills and combos! $10
Thursdays, 8:00-9:00 pm: Choreography & Troupe - intermediate/advanced choreography with performance opportunities for ongoing dancers $10
Zeta Fusion is a transcultural bellydance troupe composed of Tani Serene, Maddy Croen, and Rachel Sanders. These dancers are trained in Zoe Jakes' DanceCraft format, the Salimpour format, and with notable dancers such Aubre Hill and Kami Liddle. Altogether Zeta Fusion has decades of dance and performance experience ranging from Bellydancer USA to House of Tarot. We regularly perform at local festivals and events. Contact us for booking.
Our classes are open to all genders and sizes. Please get in touch with us for information about reparative pricing for SWANA, PIPOC, and LGBTQI dancers or other questions!
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.
For information about West African Drum Practice with Steve Russin: rsnaggletooth@aol.com
Samba with Maria
In this fun and supportive class, you will learn this beautiful and exciting dance style from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. You will also learn about the rich history and cultural significance of Samba.
In every class, we will practice:
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Samba no Pé Technique (Hips, Arms & Footwork)
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Styling
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Endurance
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Musicality
Each week we will also have exercises focusing on a specific topic such as the base Samba step, hips, walks, footwork, posture, speed, jumps, turns and more. For a detailed schedule of topics covered in each class, please go to the Samba with Maria Facebook Event Page.
More Info: mariadvanderhorst@gmail.com or (707) 845-3225
About The Instructor
Maria took her first Samba no Pé and Afro-Brazilian Dance classes in 2000 and has been hooked ever since. She has studied in both Brazil and the U.S. with Brazilian Dance teachers including Dandha da Hora, Tania Santiago, Rosangela Silvestre, Ana Laidley, Alessandra Jansen, Janete Silva Aide, Weslei Guimaraes, Emilce Parge and Danielle Lima. Currently, she trains with Alex Coutinho, Director of Passistas for Rio de Janeiro's Escola de Samba (Samba School) Paraíso do Tuiuti and the creator of the worldwide Poderosas do Samba Project. She is currently the Artistic Director for Samba do Mar Humboldt and has directed the dance sections for the North Country Fair Samba Parade project for 9 years. She was formerly the Co-Director of Samba na Chuva Brazilian Dance Performance Troupe for 15 years. Maria has been a guest teacher at Pacific Union Elementary School, Cal Poly Humboldt and University of California Riverside.
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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Samba with Rocio
Rocío Cristal is a Puerto Rican dance artist, teacher, choreographer, percussionist, and singer with 14 years of training in Samba dance and percussion under some of the world’s most influential Brazilian artists. Rocío has paraded in the Río de Janeiro Sambódromo as Primeira Musa of Unidos da Ponte and Acadêmicos de Vigário Geral, and as Passista of Estácio de Sá, União da Ilha and Inocentes de Belford Roxo. She has also been a ritmista (drummer) in the bloco Vagalume o Verde, parading twice in Río’s street Carnaval.
She has directed parades in Arcata and Seattle and has taught samba classes and workshops for 12 years across California, Texas, Puerto Rico, and online. In 2023, she organized the first cultural and dance tour from Humboldt to Río, where a dozen students trained with master teachers and participated in the world’s biggest Carnaval.
Rocío has been a member of several samba ensembles, including Samba da Alegría Arcata, where she served as Dance Director for five NCF parades; dance lead for the Passista ala of Austin Samba School; co-founder of Samba Floresta; MeliSamba; BateLata; Olio; SambAmore; Bloco Pacifico, and others.
Rocío believes samba is more than a hobby; it is a way to build community, discover oneself, and heal both body and spirit through ancestral cultural practices that have endured across generations and continents.
Intermediate Samba is the perfect next step for students who are already comfortable with the basic samba step and understanding of samba movement vocabulary. You will improve your skill through strengthening exercises and technique drills, while also learning choreography, developing your unique style, diving into musicality and embracing your sensuality. We will cultivate a non-competitive, supportive dance community for every-body. We encourage artistic exploration and the freedom to be your best self!
Brazilian Dance Get ready to move, smile, and connect in this all-level Samba class with Rocío Cristal! Samba is a vibrant Brazilian dance and musical tradition known for its infectious rhythms, joyful energy, and deep cultural roots. Whether you’re stepping onto the dance floor for the very first time or have been dancing samba for years, this class is designed to welcome you with open arms and an open heart. Here, you’ll learn the core Samba movements, work on drills to improve your technique and stamina, practice fun sequences and connect to Brazil’s rich cultural history. Rocío’s lighthearted and encouraging teaching style makes it fun to build your confidence while feeling the energy of Samba all around you. Beyond dance, this class is about community, self-expression, and celebrating this beautiful culture together. So wear your favorite activewear, comfortable sneakers and don't forget your water bottle. Come join us to feel the rhythms, ignite your spirit, and make new friends in a supportive, uplifting environment. Everyone is welcome, let’s samba!
Tae Kwon Do with Travis
travis@inkpeople.org (785) 766-4508
Travis is a 6th Degree Master Instructor and has been practicing and teaching with Sun Yi’s Academy of Tae Kwon Do for 20 years. He also has experience with Judo, JuJitsu, Army Combatives and is a Tournament Champion. His class is focused on physical fitness, martial arts for self defense and having a fun time.