Our Mission of Movement

To introduce and increase the use of Argentine Tango in the Santa Cruz Tango Community

Teachers with Experience

Sharon and Terry have been teaching Argentine Tango in Santa Cruz County since 2006. They stay current on technique by participating in Tango Festivals & Encuentros, not only dancing at the milongas but participating in the classes offered so they can bring back the techniques and sequences to share with the students.   In addition, they host teachers from Argentina on a regular basis to bring the real thing to the local community. 

Last Sundays 5:15pm 5 minute Sign-ups Begin 5:30pm to 8:30pm Open Mic Entry: $7-10

Mic Drop is an “All the Way Open”  Open Mic!  featuring a featured artist. 5-minute sets are available, all modalities of expression are welcome and encouraged.

Mic Drop is an "ALL the Way Open" Community Open Mic that meets once per month, every Last Sunday 5:30pm-8:30pm. with a 5 min sign up list. Our intention is to come together to provide a safe space for unseen, unheard groups allowing them to realize they are valuable, worthy of being heard, seen, & have great potential. For the last 3 years we've hosted a diverse hip hop crowd as well as acoustic guitar players, pianists, singers, poets and spoken word artists, occasional dancers, comedians, & theater performances.  We have an on going partnership with The 418 Project in Santa Cruz as our home, our shared goal is to provide people from all walks of life & all creative levels a safe space to express themselves and share their life experiences and talents, in a beautiful professional space. 

    Additionally as open mic veterans (all of our organizers have lead Art and Music Events in the community), we know the value and magic of how being received and reflected by a community, and feeling welcomed is, as well as encouraged and supported can change a life. In addition to booking and acquiring submission packets from our planned featured artists every month and preparing to launch the event, we utilize an active weekly presence on our Instagram & Facebook pages, as well as sharing our live streams  on our Youtube Channel. Every month we share about our features, as well as creating a unique expressive social media presence.  We additionally share events, videos, & photography from the arts community at large in Santa Cruz on our Instagram. 

We have always found ways to bring the community together every month, this is very much a labor of love.  The community shows us how invaluable this space is for all of us to share our expressions consistently.

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.

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.

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 | 5:30 – 7:00 PM All levels welcome • No partner required The 418 Project • 155 River St. S., Santa Cruz

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.

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.

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.

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