Past Events

Friday, October 30th – 9:00 PM – 12 Midnight – LARGE THEATER Live Drag Rave + DJ + Dance Experience 🎃🧛🏽‍♀️THE DRAG RAVE RETURNS SERVING CULT, for the SECOND YEAR IN A ROW🕯️💋. THE BEST HALLOWEEN PARTY IN SANTA CRUZ, we’re serving VAMP, CAMP, CULT, CLOWN AND MORE! 9PM IN THE 418 Project Main Room

GET READY FOR BONE RATTLING BEATS BY afterPRTY, A KILLER COSTUME CONTEST, and the BIGGEST DRAG SHOW in SANTA CRUZ! LET THAT FRIGHTFUL FREAK FLAG FLY💀🕯️🧨🕷️

Are you ready to get your afterlife? 🧟‍♀️ Follow @wedanceordie and @squeebster for all things DANCE OR DIE! Tickets: $15 advance / $20 at the door.

In this class, movers will wake up the senses through somatic and improvisational practices. Full bodied warm ups will use both standing combinations and floor work with an emphasis on alignment, breath, strength, and efficient movement. This class will also include across the floor combinations and accumulative phrase work. Throughout, dancers will use the expressive and creative body as a medium to practice internal and anatomical awareness. Some Dance Experience Required

Connect with the rich traditions of Central Africa in this Congolese dance class led by instructor Vivien. Accompanied by the grounding energy of live drumming, this class is open to all movement levels from absolute beginners to experienced dancers. Vivien will guide you through traditional footwork and polyrhythms that celebrate community, history, and rhythm. Presented as a Co-Production with The 418 Project, this partnership brings dynamic cultural arts programming directly to the local community. Hosted in our safe and welcoming space, it’s a great opportunity to move your body, de-stress, and connect with others. Grab your water bottle and join us on the dance floor!

Melissa Wiley started dancing at the age of four and is classically trained in tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop and contemporary dance. She competed for several years with Dance Magic Studio, based in Lancaster, CA. She began teaching at her studio through the competition team assistant's program and has been teaching tap, jazz, ballet and hip hop consistently for over 10 years. She loves working and interacting with students of all ages. Currently, she is also working with Cid Pearlman Performance Projects and has been a guest choreographer for Cabrillo College dance concerts.Melissa is also experienced in burlesque dancing, which has taken her to Portugal, Las Vegas and other venues throughout the bay area. She occasionally teaches burlesque workshops for adults and is always excited to perform and become involved with new challenges and projects.

Jeff Stasi returns with Baby Jam! A joyful, interactive gathering for babies, toddlers, and their caregivers. Baby Jam with Jeff Stasi Weekly on Wednesdays- 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Nearly 25 years after first bringing families together through music and movement, Jeff Stasi returns with Baby Jam—a joyful, interactive gathering for babies, toddlers, and their caregivers.

The morning begins with everyone gathering in a welcoming circle before Jeff leads the group into a playful musical journey. Drawing on nearly 25 years of experience creating family-centered music and movement experiences, Jeff combines live guitar, accordion, percussion instruments, and curated recorded music creating a rich and engaging environment for children and caregivers alike. Families are invited to dance, sway, spin, play, and connect as the music unfolds organically throughout the gathering. Designed for babies through approximately 2–3 years old, Baby Jam offers a relaxed environment where little ones can move freely, listen, spin, sway, and engage at their own pace. Babies are welcome on a rug in the center of the room, while caregivers participate alongside them, creating opportunities for bonding, shared discovery, and meaningful connection. Jeff is a dancer, musician, caregiver, gardener, painter, and longtime community builder whose work has helped families connect through music and movement for decades. Participants often describe Baby Jam as a special opportunity to slow down, share joy, and deepen their connection with their children. Older siblings are welcome when appropriate, but all children must remain under the supervision of their parent or caregiver at all times. This is a family participation event and not a drop-off program. This event has historically been offered as a free community gathering, with donations welcomed at the door for Jeff and/or the venue. Come sing, dance, play, and connect in a warm community space where movement, music, and family come together.

Wednesdays 7-10pm Drop-in $10 Beginners and all levels welcome! Come join us for a fun night of Argentine Tango Practica at The 418 Project! The dance floor we enjoy in the main lobby is large enough to be divided into two areas, one designated for learning the basics & the other for sequence practice for beginners. This offering requires proof of vaccination, the use of a mask during class is optional.

Intro to Tango is a welcoming weekly class for anyone interested in exploring the beauty, connection, and artistry of Argentine Tango. Whether you're stepping onto the dance floor for the first time or looking to strengthen your fundamentals, this class offers a supportive environment to learn at your own pace.

Students will develop the core principles of tango, including posture, musicality, balance, partner connection, and basic footwork, while building confidence through guided instruction and practice. No partner or previous dance experience is required just bring comfortable shoes and a willingness to learn.

Tango is more than a dance; it's a conversation built on trust, presence, and movement. Join us each week and discover the joy of connecting through dance.

Wednesdays | 6:00 – 7:00 PM

All levels welcome • No partner required

The Wahine Advanced Class is Te Hau Nui’s intensive master-level class for experienced adult dancers dedicated to preserving, practicing, and performing authentic Polynesian dance traditions.

Founded in Santa Cruz in 1997 by master teacher Kumu Lorraine Kalei Kinnamon (1957–2024) and carried forward with reverence by Charmaine Moniz, Te Hau Nui ("The Great Peace") honors the sacred genealogies of Hawaiian Hula and the exhilarating power of Tahitian 'Ori Tahiti.

Repertoire & Study:

• Hula Kahiko (Ancient Hula): Sacred chants (oli) accompanied by traditional percussive implements (ipu heke, pahu, kāla‘au), focusing on ancestral deities, voyaging history, and island ecology.
• Hula ‘Auana (Modern Hula): Flowing, melodic storytelling dances set to Hawaiian slack-key guitar, ‘ukulele, and vocal harmonies.
• ‘Ori Tahiti (‘Ote‘a & ‘Aparima): Rapid, syncopated drum dances requiring exceptional core and hip stamina, paired with lyrical, expressive ballad dances.
• Performance Repertoire: Intensive rehearsal of full hālau suites for community festivals, cultural showcases, and seasonal presentations.

Class Details:

• When: Tuesdays, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• Location: The 418 Project Lobby Dance Floor (155 River St S, Santa Cruz, CA)
• Who: Experienced wahine dancers by instructor placement or invitation.
• What to Wear: Traditional practice pā‘ū skirt, pāreu, or hālau practice attire.

Step into the welcoming warmth and sisterhood of Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance! The Wahine Beginning Class is designed for adult women of all backgrounds, ages, and fitness levels—whether you have never danced before or are returning to Polynesian dance after years away.

Under the supportive, culturally rooted instruction of Charmaine Moniz, you will experience dance as a celebration of life, community connection, and wellness.

Why You’ll Love This Class:

• Gentle, Welcoming Instruction: Learn the fundamental steps of Hawaiian hula (kāholo, ‘uwehe, hela, ‘ami) at a comfortable, encouraging pace.
• Storytelling Through Movement: Discover how hand motions and facial expressions tell timeless stories of ocean breezes, rainforest flowers, love, and community.
• Tahitian Rhythms: Experience introductory Tahitian hip articulation (tāiri tamau, fa'arapu) that energizes the body and builds healthy core and lower-body strength.
• Holistic Wellness: Low-impact cardiovascular exercise, improved balance, joint mobility, and mindful stress relief in a supportive community space.
• No Partner or Prior Dance Experience Needed: Come as you are, connect with fellow dancers, and enjoy the transformative spirit of aloha.

Class Details:

• When: Tuesdays, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Location: The 418 Project Lobby Dance Floor (155 River St S, Santa Cruz, CA)
• Who: All adult women welcome (teens 16+ also welcome).
• What to Wear: Comfortable clothing you can move freely in (leggings or workout pants). A pāreu (sarong) tied around the hips is recommended to help visualize hip movements. Barefoot or dance socks.

Introduce your keiki (children) to the vibrant stories, rhythms, and spirit of Polynesia! Taught by the renowned Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance, this joyful weekly class offers young dancers a nurturing foundation in both Hawaiian Hula and Tahitian Dance ('Ori Tahiti).

Founded in Santa Cruz in 1997 by master teacher Kumu Lorraine Kalei Kinnamon and continued by Charmaine Moniz, Te Hau Nui shares Polynesian culture through motion, music, and the foundational values of aloha (love and kindness), mālama (caring for one another), and hō‘ihi (respect).

What Dancers Learn:

• Hawaiian Hula Fundamentals: Essential footwork (kāholo, hela, ‘uwehe, ‘ami) and expressive hand storytelling gestures representing the ocean, mountains, rain, flowers, and ancestral legends.
• Tahitian Drumming & Rhythm: High-energy basic Tahitian steps (tāiri tamau, fa'arapu) aligned with traditional Polynesian drumming cadences.
• Cultural Language & Protocol: Chants (oli), song lyrics (mele), basic Hawaiian/Tahitian vocabulary, and reverence for traditional dance arts.
• Movement & Poise: Coordination, rhythm, spatial awareness, and confidence in a collaborative group setting.

Class Details:

• When: Tuesdays, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
• Location: The 418 Project Lobby Dance Floor (155 River St S, Santa Cruz, CA)
• Who: Open to all keiki/youth beginners and continuing young dancers (ages ~4–11).
• What to Wear: Comfortable clothing that allows movement (t-shirt and leggings or shorts). A floral sarong (pā‘ū or pāreu) is welcome but not required. Barefoot or dance socks.

Designed for youth and teen dancers, the Kaika Class with Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance deepens students' technical skill, artistic expression, and cultural understanding of Polynesian dance traditions.

Under the dedicated guidance of instructor Charmaine Moniz and senior dancers, youth explore both classical Hawaiian Hula and dynamic Tahitian Dance ('Ori Tahiti), developing rhythm, stamina, and ensemble choreography.

What Dancers Focus On:

• Advanced Hula Technique: Moving beyond basic footwork into layered foot combinations, graceful hip transitions, and nuanced storytelling through hand, arm, and eye focus.
• Fast-Paced 'Ori Tahiti: Developing core strength, rapid hip articulation (fa'arapu, varu, afata), and tempo control set to live and recorded Tahitian percussive beats.
• Mele (Songs) & Oli (Chants): Understanding the poetry, historical contexts, and Hawaiian language pronunciation embedded within each dance.
• Ensemble Artistry: Spatial awareness, line synchronization, stage presence, and mutual encouragement within the hālau family.

Class Details:

• When: Tuesdays, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
• Location: The 418 Project Lobby Dance Floor (155 River St S, Santa Cruz, CA)
• Who: Youth and teen dancers (ages ~11–17), from beginner to continuing intermediate students.
• What to Wear: Pā‘ū skirt or pāreu (sarong) over athletic leggings/shorts and a fitted top. Barefoot.

Mondays 6pm–7:30pm Drop-in $25 - $35 Beginners and all levels welcome! Dandha’s Afro-Brazilian Dance is an invitation to explore the rich world of Afro-Brazilian Dance traditions with a gifted and dedicated teacher. Her classes focus on folkloric and Orixa-inspired dance, Samba-Afro, samba reggae, and other Brazilian dance styles and feature live drumming. Everyone will find challenge and inspiration in her dancing and teaching. All levels and all backgrounds are welcome.   We are centering around equity and discovering what this looks and feels like. We are humbly striving to create an antiracist space to move freely and to embody diversity, equity, and inclusion as an intentional community of movers and shakers. We don't know exactly what this will look like however we are open to ideas and would love feedback. If you have suggestions, please submit them in writing to one of the facilitators or the suggestion box.

Monthly on the Last Sunday of Every Month4:15 PM – 5:15 PM: Ink Drop (Free Writing Workshop)5:15 PM: 5-Minute Open Mic Sign-Ups Begin5:30 PM – 8:30 PM: Mic Drop Open Mic & FeaturesAdmission: $7 – $10 sliding scaleMic Drop! is an “All the Way Open” community open mic welcoming every modality of creative expression: poetry, spoken word, hip-hop, acoustic music, singing, comedy, dance, and theater. Each month features a spotlight artist alongside a walk-in sign-up list with 5-minute performance sets.Founded by Jessie Marie and emceed by Gregory Speed Sr. (GMS), Mic Drop provides a safe, welcoming, and encouraging space for unseen and unheard groups to share their talents, express life experiences, and connect deeply with the Santa Cruz community.Follow @.mic.drop. on Instagram for monthly feature announcements, updates, and community highlights.