Dance Jam

Here's the thing. I've never - not once - regretted going to this. Come. See if it's your thing. If it is, well, I find it life-changing to have a reliably joyful high point available every week. Can't believe I haven't reviewed this long ago. I've been dancing here, maybe 10 years. (How old is yelp?) It's where I first started dancing again regularly instead of once in a blue moon at a club. For a few years the same dance (that is same, time and place) was branded Ecstatic Dance. Mark relaunched it, bringing back the old name, and a vinyl-only theme, and it's been great; music and dance are his world. Since I first started dancing again regularly by coming here, I've found other similar weekly dances that I enjoy, and I keep coming back here.The men and women who make Dance Jam happen (and many regulars volunteer to) know -and show care for each other and everyone, from each first-timer to each dance addict. That includes ensuring everyone gets a quick lesson in how to respect themselves and others, and understands and follows it. I come to dance alone, eyes closed, and dive into the joy of moving and the feeling of expressing myself and the music as my thoughts about it fade into the background and I just let go. And I dance slowly or energetically, improvising, but mostly without thinking about it, with the music's main rhythm or by picking up on another that matches where I am or want to go, acts of lovingkindness for myself. And I come to dance with the whole room, eyes softly picking up others' movements and maybe energy and maybe adding a piece to my improvisation, and reaching out in my imagination to feel my place on Earth, in our solar system, in the Milky Way, reaching out to feel it myself and the beauty within the whole Universe. It's a uniquely wonderful feeling .... To be continued but I think you get the drift

Incredibly fun, warm, and liberating! It's a perfect evening for all ages for dancing in every possible style at any given time. Wednesdays at 8:30-11:30pm! Try it!

I danced here at the Berkeley Dance Jam back in the early 80's/and miss it like crazy!I live back in my home state of Michigan ,and want to start a carpeted floor Dance Jam here for those of us who love to dance to all forms of danceable music!I need your support Mark!Contact me if you are interested in attending one here in The Kalamazoo Michigan area!Ruth Nodel

I'm rather new to the ecstatic dance type thing and I'm a huge fan. Went my first time to this one and enjoyed it. A somewhat different scene than the one I do. Pretty mellow, didn't hit the big high energy wave. But the DJ was terrific and loved the music mix anyway. Cool to have all vinyl. There were several floor moving people, lots of interactive people, couples and groups of a few that would form for some pretty intimate moves. A bit much for me, so it wasn't my 5 star experience, but it could be yours. Great space and very welcoming. I'd go back and see what it's like on other nights.

Movement beneath moonbeamceiling as starsfrom the firework heart light

I too am a long-time veteran Dance Jammer. I find that on any given night, the energy in the room may be higher or lower and no DJ can please all the people all the time. That being said, it's really been picking up energy-wise since last summer and the musical range is delightfully varied. I make a point of arriving near the beginning because I love the luscious and slow warmup, and I stay to the end, 3 hours later, enjoying the variety of energies/intensities/rthmns along the way. For me, conscious dance is a practice of getting out of my head and diving ever deeper into my creative/expressive/soul-full/ non-judgmental body. Whether I like a particular song or not doesn't matter...I just dance how that song makes me feel. Dance Jam, under current leader Mark Metz, is a great venue to do just that!

As a veteran dancer jammer, I have experienced so many permutations of "Friday night dance." The community that has grown from this latest iteration is the warmest, most inviting and fun version yet. The warm-ups are delicious, and the new 5 minute OHM-circle adds an even deeper connection and welcomes in all newcomers. The ensuing upbeat selections keep me rockin' until I just fall down in euphoria! If you are looking for a place where you can easily and safely leave your inhibitions at the door - this is the place for you.

Dance Jam has been closed since Covid. It was great when I was going, so the single star is about the Dance Jam Yelp page still existing, and even offering $9 ticket deals. The Dance Jam entry owner Mark messaged me that barefootboogie dot net is where to find the current Friday scene.

I've been going to this studio for over 5 years and have seen it's evolution. It used to be one high energy dance vortex a couple of years ago but has mellowed out now. I miss the days of deep groove/tribal/latin/funk (DJ Dragonfly anyone?) vibes that hit everyone up around 10pm with glorious crescendos. Drenched clothes, thumping hearts, and huge smiles was what it was all about. I think they are playing it safe now and just go up to medium pace. Maybe they're afraid of attracting a wild crowd? I've asked DJs and Mark Metz if they can amp it up but I've given up. Last friday I asked the DJ if he can pick up the beat and he said "this isn't picking it up?" as we both looked at the dance floor: 7 dancers hittin' it and 10-12 others sitting around. For a solution he put on "When doves cry." Can't complain about PRINCE, but comon', 10:25 pm?! I left. I would rate this dance venue more of an exploratory music playground since the DJs seem more intent on the vibes going in their minds versus getting in touch with how the dancers sync into the grooves.