Dance or Die: A Drag Rave

Name: Dance or Die: A Drag Rave
Start: 2026-09-25T21:00:00-07:00
End: 2026-09-26T00:00:00-07:00
Location: The 418 Project (Large Theater)

The Biggest Drag Experience Santa Cruz Has Ever Seen ft. DJ DEATHTONOKIA & Squeeb

Session Date & Time

Sep 25 2026 (Friday)

9:00 PM - 12:00 AM

Location

The 418 Project

In the: Large Theater

Ticket sales concluded. This session has already taken place.

About This Event

DANCE OR DIE: A DRAG RAVE

What is Dance Or Die? DANCE OR DIE is a community organization, presented under basic principles of movement, creative expression, and community as ways of spiritual enrichment, and seeks to create a safe space for people to express themselves in queer freedom.

What's A Drag Rave and what does it look like? DANCE OR DIE: A Drag Rave is Santa Cruz’ largest recurring drag show. It is not just a rave, it is a punk-spirited drag experience. We have a DJ who plays killer music before the show, during intermission, and after the show, this is usually electrifying techno/house. The main show is a drag show, with 5-6 performers total, 2 gogo dancers, and 4 main performers (including Sam Bennaroch, the host, Squeeb), and a guest performer. Main performers plan two performances. Gogos dance to the music before the show, during the intermission, and after the show if they feel like it. Guest performers plan one performance. Before our intermission we have a contest -- previous contests have included: costume, kissing, and dance.

Our crowd is 18+

We tend to appeal to a crowd of Santa Cruzians who do not have access to traditional club spaces and want a place to express themselves, though we see people of all ages.

Get ready for the BIGGEST DRAG EXPERIENCE SANTA CRUZ HAS EVER SEEN, Santa Cruz’ very own hit drag show DANCE OR DIE: A Drag Rave RETURNS to The 418 Project in the large theatre.

Get ready for a night of high octane sounds by DJ DEATHTONOKIA, and drag performances from top talent in Santa Cruz and the Bay Area. Leave your life’s problems outside. Are you ready to get your life?

Follow @wedanceordie and @squeebster for all things DANCE OR DIE!

Tickets (Subject to change depending on the date): $15 advance / $20 at the door

Doors open at 9pm at The 418 Project, 155 South River Street, downtown Santa Cruz at the Dragons Gate. The 418 Project complies with local health regulations.

Visiting The 418 Project: What to Expect

House guidelines to ensure a welcoming, inclusive space for everyone

We are committed to a safe, welcoming environment where everyone is treated with cultural and personal respect across all backgrounds and identities. We hold the highest standards for consent—in movement, touch, and conversation. Always check in first, honor boundaries, and ensure that consent is clear, voluntary, and ongoing.

As a community-run non-profit collective with a small staff, we cannot clean everything after every event. Please help us care for the space by picking up after yourself, placing recycling and compost in the bins provided, and treating every room with kindness so it remains welcoming for the next gathering.

We have a filtered water bottle refill station on-site, so feel free to bring a refillable bottle. All restrooms are all-gender, ADA-accessible, and located conveniently on the ground floor.

To ensure everyone can breathe and move comfortably—especially community members with chemical sensitivities and asthma—The 418 Project is a low-fragrance space. Please refrain from applying perfumes, scented colognes, or strongly scented lotions before attending.

As an artist-driven non-profit collective, we believe movement and art should be accessible to all regardless of financial circumstances. Many events feature sliding scale tickets, and we offer work-trade opportunities for community members who wish to volunteer in exchange for admission.

Explore volunteer & work-trade opportunities

Plan Your Visit

Venue & Accessibility

The 418 Project is located in downtown Santa Cruz. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming space for all dancers, artists, and community members.

Address: 155 S. River St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Accessibility: Ground floor entrances & all-gender accessible restrooms

Parking: On-street parking & nearby River Street public garage

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