Past
Events
Past Events
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Awake, My Soul: The Story of the Sacred Harp
Co-Presented with Bay Area Sacred Harp (BASH)
Overview
AWAKE, MY SOUL: The Story of the Sacred Harp Film Screening Co-Presented with Bay Area Sacred Harp (BASH) AWAKE, MY SOUL: The Story of the Sacred Harp (2006/2025, 81 min.). Prod. & Dir. by Matt & Erica Hinton. “The spiritual connection is the important part of the singing that we do, and why we do this singing.” – David Lee. Hoboken, Georgia. “It’s almost like the ground is shaking under you” – Richard Ivey. Huntsville, Alabama. "Nothing is weirder than Sacred Harp" -NY Times. Awake, My Soul: The Story of the Sacred Harp is the first feature documentary to explore the history, music, and traditions of Sacred Harp singing, the oldest distinctively American form of music. This haunting music has survived over 200 years tucked away from sight in the rural deep South and occurs mostly at community singing events, which typically include anywhere from a dozen to a couple of hundred singers. The events, called “singings”, emphasize participation over consumption since they are not generally performed for an audience. Sacred Harp singers begin each song by intoning syllables which are represented by specific “shapenotes” in their hymnal. To the casual observer, it is some foreign, unintelligible language, but to the Sacred Harp singers, it is the key that unlocks mysteries: songs of both beauty and sorrow, of life and of death, songs that cause feet to stomp and tears to flow, often at the same time. Introduction to the screening by Mark T. Godfrey of BASH.
WHAT IS SACRED HARP SINGING?
Sacred Harp singing is a form of a cappella shape-note hymn singing that preserves some of the earliest distinctively American music. Sacred Harp has persisted for almost two centuries in the Deep South, particularly in the context of community singing events that emphasize participation over consumption, as it is not generally performed for an audience. The tradition uses shape notes, in which triangle, circle, square, and diamond shapenote heads are paired with the syllables fa, sol, la, and mi to represent the notes in the scale. Sacred Harp is one of the open secrets of American music. If you have heard it at all, it may have been from the haunting choral music in the motion picture, “Cold Mountain,” or in a sample from such artists as Bruce Springsteen or M.I.A.. The past four decades particularly have seen remarkable growth of the tradition throughout other parts of America as well as another dozen countries, and particularly among young urbanites. The Sacred Harp hymnal, first published in Georgia in 1844 was revised and published in September 2025, the first revision in over 30 years.
BASH bio:
Bay Area Sacred Harp (BASH) exists to promote Sacred Harp and shape note singing in the San Francisco Bay Area. BASH is a 501(c)3 nonprofit whose specific purpose is to sing, teach, and raise awareness of community-based shape note music, particularly the Denson Sacred Harp, by holding small and large singings and engaging in other and community-based educational, training and outreach activities. BASH serves to uphold the Sacred Harp traditions of hospitality and inclusivity. All events are open to the public, free of charge, and require no prior experience or skill. [https://bayareasacredharp.org/](https://bayareasacredharp.org/ "https://bayareasacredharp.org/")
Ticket Price: $10 advance / $15 at the door.
Last Event
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Dance Proudly
Dance Proudly $10 Advanced/ $15 at the door We’re excited to launch Dance Proudly, a new monthly dance event at The 418 Project celebrating movement, music, self-expression, and community. Whether you come to dance all night, connect with community, or simply be in the space, Dance Proudly is designed to be welcoming, expressive, and open to all. Meet the DJ: Electric Tomcat For Electric Tomcat, music isn’t just a passion—it’s an irreplaceable way of life. Driven to participate in sound at every level, they have been shaping dance floors and curating nightlife experiences across California since 2009. From late-night clubs to sun-drenched festival stages, Electric Tomcat has spun every flavor of EDM, bringing a seasoned ear and a deep respect for the dance community to every set. "My ultimate hope is to leave a lasting, positive impact on the audience emotionally and physically." The Sonic Journey Electric Tomcat doesn’t just play tracks; they weave progressive and emotional stories through sound. Refusing to be boxed into a single genre, they fluidly mix styles to craft a specific narrative arc. Because they care deeply about the unique vibe of every event, Electric Tomcat masterfully mirrors the room's current mood and intentionally guides the crowd's energy as it progresses through the evening. Prepare for a shared, transformative experience where the music hits your heart just as hard as it moves your feet. Come dance with us. The 418 Project complies with local health regulations.
Last Event
9:00 PM - 11:30 PM
BEYOND THE VISIBLE: HILMA AF KLINT
BEYOND THE VISIBLE: HILMA AF KLINT Film Screening Friday, July 17th – 7:30 PM [SMALL THEATER] BEYOND THE VISIBLE: HILMA AF KLINT (2019, Zeitgeist Films, 93 min.). Dir. Halina Dyrschka. Swedish painter and mystic Hilma af Klint (1862-1944) was an abstract artist before the term existed, a visionary, trailblazing figure who, inspired by spiritualism, modern science, and the riches of the natural world around her, began in 1906 to reel out a series of huge, colorful, sensual, strange works without precedent in painting. The subject of a recent smash retrospective at the Guggenheim Museum, af Klint was for years an all-but-forgotten figure in art historical discourse, before her long-delayed rediscovery. Director Halina Dryschka’s dazzling, course correcting documentary describes not only the life and craft of af Klint, but also the process of her mischaracterization and erasure by both a patriarchal narrative of artistic progress and capitalistic determination of artistic value – synopsis courtesy Zeitgeist Films.
Ticket Price: $10 advance / $15 at the door.
Last Event
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Motion Pacific: Adult Int. Modern
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
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Santa Cruz Swing Social
During our series, we host social dances from 8:00pm - 9:30pm immediately following the dance lessons at the 418 Project. Students from the lessons get into the dances for free. Dancers from the general public are welcome to join as well, for $5 during a regular DJ'd social, and $10 If we have a band.
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Congolese Dancing with Vivien Bassouamina
Come experience the fast paced energy of Congolese Dancing with experianced teacher Vivien Bassouamina! $20 suggested Donation.
Santa Cruz Swing Lessons
We are offering two tracks for this series:
• Level 1 & 2 • Level 2 & 3 Please read the descriptions and register on our website :)
Each level is the same price ($65) and each includes: Three classes (1 hour and 15 minutes each) from 7PM to 8:15PM Three social dances from 8:15PM to 9:15PM All classes and dances are located at the 418 Project in Downtown Santa Cruz. Note: all classes are focused on Blues, East Coast Swing, or Lindy Hop, NOT West Coast Swing.
Santa Cruz Swing began in response to the growing interest and excitement the Santa Cruz community has shown for swing dancing. The teachers and those who have supported SC Swing have been swing dancing for over a decade and want to share the silly, playful, cool, and fun nature of the dance.
Tango Class with Aaron and Yuki
Donation-based class to spread awareness of the joy of tango.
Cielito Lindo Tango Practica
with Israel Bibriesca
Wednesdays 7-10pm Drop-in $8 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.
Baby Dance Jam
With Jeff Stasi
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.
Motion Pacific: Melissa Contemp. Jazz
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.
Motion Pacific: Dance for PD
Dance for Parkinson’s at Motion Pacific is a class for people with Parkinson’s Disease and their caretakers. The class is based on the innovative and internationally renowned Dance for PD® program designed by the Mark Morris Dance Group and the Brooklyn Parkinson Group. Trained Dance for Parkinson’s teachers use prompts and multiple dance styles to inspire movement, creative expression, and community. Dancers may sit in a chair, use a barre, or stand. Dance for Parkinson’s at Motion Pacific is open and free to the public. Classes are appropriate for anyone with Parkinson’s, no matter how advanced. Movement modifications will be made available and there is no dance experience required. Dance for Parkinson’s is offered every Wednesday from 1:00pm to 2:15pm, with the exception of the first Wednesday of the month, during which class is not held. Classes are offered in a hybrid format. This means that you can join us on Zoom or in-person, in the Lobby at The 418 Project.
Kids Class: Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance
155 S. River St.
Santa Cruz CA, 95060
(831) 466-9770
community@the418project.org
Made with ❤️ by: The Electric Family