The Bay Area is set to experience an exhilarating surge of dance as Bay Area Dance Week (BADW) returns, bringing life to neighborhoods and transforming public spaces into vibrant hubs of movement.
Running from Friday, April 25 through May 4, this 10-day celebration marks the beginning of an unparalleled month of dance in the Mission, featuring a variety of events that showcase different styles and traditions.
Dudley Flores, a teacher at Rhythm & Motion, emphasizes the magnitude of dance activities taking place in the Mission during this period, especially emphasizing the excitement leading up to Carnaval San Francisco, where John Santos will serve as the grand marshal.
“There’s just tons of dance in the Mission between now and Carnaval,” says Flores, who is at the forefront of BADW’s One Dance kickoff. This mass public event will take place at noon on April 25 in Union Square.
The highlight of BADW is its commitment to accessibility, as all events are free to the public. This year’s kickoff, themed “Dance (Our Own Party)” by The Busker, celebrates the idea that one can dance anywhere, inviting people to join in, regardless of skill level.
“The song is about an introvert feeling uncomfortable dancing in public, which spoke to me as an introvert,” Flores explains.
The accompanying song, “Don’t Lose Sight” by Lawrence, contributes a theme of resilience, with its soulful funk sound instilling youthful optimism.
Flores has been a part of BADW celebrations since the inaugural dance in 2006, where the aim was to establish a spectacle with the longest conga line on the West Coast. Since then, he has continued to lead the opening event of One Dance each year.
The Mission is buzzing with more than a dozen free BADW events in the coming days. Here are five noteworthy activities that exemplify the fervor of dance.
On Saturday, April 26, Vanessa Sanchez, founder of La Mezcla, will lead an hour-long open-level Percussive Movement & Choreography Workshop at Brava Theater Center. The workshop will delve into the intricate rhythms of tap dance, zapateado jarocho from Veracruz, and Afro-Caribbean movement, merging various dance forms into a fluid percussive conversation.
Participants are encouraged to bring their tap shoes, zapateado shoes, and folkloric skirts to engage in this culturally rich dance experience at 10:30 a.m.
Additionally, on Sunday, April 27, choreographer Deborah Slater will host the Ways Not to Drown Workshop at Studio Valencia. This two-hour session for dancers and choreographers invites individuals to engage in creative play, allowing them to explore new material and develop practical skills for their artistic endeavors.
Slater describes it as “playtime for grown-ups,” where learning occurs through dynamic writing, moving, vocalization, and spontaneous experiments. The workshop is scheduled for 11 a.m.
Aimee Rose will lead a 90-minute Jamaican dancehall workshop on Tuesday, April 29, at Dance Mission Theater. Participants will focus on basic techniques and signature moves inherent to the genre while also learning about the history and evolution of dancehall culture.
With experience in collaborating with renowned dancehall artists and choreographing numerous music videos, Rose brings her expertise to this workshop, set to begin at 6:30 p.m.
Rhythm & Motion will present its acclaimed Fusion class led by Aimee Rose on Wednesday, April 30, at ODC Dance Commons. Recognized as “Best Dance Class” and “Best Dance Workout Class,” this dance workout accommodates students of all levels, featuring an eclectic mix of movement styles and choreography influenced by global music.
The class starts at 5:45 p.m., promising an invigorating experience for all attendees.
Finally, on Thursday, May 1, ODC/Dance will host an Open Rehearsal at ODC Dance Commons, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process of choreographer Mia J. Chong. This unique opportunity will allow spectators to observe the company as they prepare for their upcoming work, Summer Sampler, commencing at 4:15 p.m.
With a plethora of engaging dance events on the horizon, Bay Area Dance Week in the Mission is not just a celebration—it’s a full-scale festival of movement, inviting everyone to join in the joyous rhythm.
image source from：https://missionlocal.org/2025/04/the-mission-springs-into-a-month-of-dance/
