Dance Away Santa Barbara FAQs
Do I have to be a Unitarian?
No. There are some Unitarians that attend Dance Away but most of the people at Dance away are not Unitarians. Dance Away is open to people of all religions or no religion.
What kind of music do you have?
We have 8 DJs and they all play many genres. If you don't like the music one night, chances are, the next week will have something that you do like. You can check the Dance Away DJ Schedule if you want to know ahead of time who is Djing.
Some of the genres you may hear: Old School Funk, Motown, Disco, Hip Hop, R&B, House, Electronica, Trance, Organic Trance, Tribal, Ambient, New Wave, New Wave, Rock and Roll, Waltz, Swing, Country, World Fusion, African, Middle Eastern (Bellydance), Raļ, Bhangra, Asian Underground and Latin.
Is Dance Away a "singles" dance.
No. There are some single people there but there are also couples, families, kids ... Dance Away is not a pick-up scene. We do have second generation Dance Away dancers though.
Is it a rave?
Newsweek once called similar events New Age Rave but that can be misleading. That makes it sound like it is only neo-hippies doing Yoga to New Age music. At Dance Away, we have all kinds of people. Dance Away is something like a rave in that people dance without inhibitions but raves tend to be fueled by drugs. At Dance Away, we get high from dancing. Raves tend to be attended by just people in their 20s-30s. At Dance Away, we have all ages, infants to seniors. Raves tend to have only House, Techo and Electronica music from the US and Europe. At Dance away, we play music from all over the world from many decades.
What is the age range? / Can I bring my kids? / Can I bring my parents?
When many places say that they are open to all ages, thay mean 18-21. At Dance Away Santa Barbara, when we say all ages, we mean all ages. The median ages are about 20-40 but some people bring their babies, their may be groups of teens and we have people in their 70's who come regularly. We have even had people in their 90s attend. We do ask that children be accompaned by a responsible adult.
Do I need classes? / Do you have dance classes? /
No and no. Some people have had dance classes, some people teach dance classes. Others have never had a dance class in their life and never will.
At Dance Away, there is no teacher, facilitator or guide telling you how to dance. There is no instruction, no steps to follow, and no right or wrong way to dance.
What kinds of dances do people do?
Dance Away is a free style dance event.
What is free style dance?
In the 80's, freestyle (one word) dance was a kind of latin disco dance. That is not the same as free style (two words) dance. Free style dance is when people dance how ever thay feel like dancing; solo, in couples or in groups. Contact Improv, Yoga Dance, Swing, Club Dance, Trance Dance. Get down and roll on the floor if you want. "Dance like no one is watching"
Is Dance Away an Ecstatic Dance?
The term "Ecstatic Dance" usually means a 5 Rhythms Dance now days. Dance Away is not a 5 Rhythms Dance but it is ecstatic Dance in the older meaning. Ecstatic dance describes a state of mind reached through dancing where you loose awareness of the negative things in you life and dance without thought. Many Ecstatic Dance venues are in a class or workshop format. At Dance Away, there is no teacher, facilitator or guide other than the music.
Is Dance Away a Trance Dance?
"Trance Dance" is the same thing as ecstatic Dance but with the coming of raves, it came to mean dancing to Electronica Music on the drug ecstacy to many. Dance Away provides a healthy alternative to the club and bar and rave scene. At Dance Away, we dance into a state of ecstacy without drugs to a wide variety of music
Is Dance Away a Contact Improv?
It is if you want it to be. The best time for Contact Improv is the first 1/2 hour when the music is slower and it is less crowded. After 9:00, the music is mostly high enorgy but there may still be some people doing Contact Improv.
Do I have to dance with other people?
Only if you want to. Some people dance in couples or groups at times but mostly it is more like dancing with the whole room. If you want, you can stay in a corner and dance by yourself. Nothing is expected of you.
What should I wear?
Wear what ever you are comfortable with. Workout cloths, suit and tie, tutu ... whatever. We have a very casual dress code The only thing we ask is that you don't wear hard shoes.
Why no shoes?
Many people people prefer to dance barefoot and some people want the floor clean enough for Contact Improv or just rolling around. Therefore, we ask that that you remove street shoes and dance barefoot or wear soft soled shoes like dance shoes. No high heels! Not only can the hurt someone elses feet, they damage the floor. When in doubt, hold your shoes over your head and drop them on your toes.
Where are my shoes?! I left them in the corner!
They are in the lost and found. Anything on the floor will probably end up there. We have bags to check your belongings so the floor stays uncluttered.
Are there any refreshments?
We provide water. Bring your own juice and snacks. No food no drinks inside. No alcohol.
Why no alcohol?
There are many many places to dance where alcohol is served. At dance Away, we provide a safe atmosphere for families and people who prefer dancing in a clean and sober, healthy environment.
Is it like AA?
No. We all have our own reason to prefer a alcohol free dance space. Some want to bring their children. Some don't like the club meat market. Some are too young to get into clubs. Some of us just don't want to dance around a bunch of drunks.
Can I smoke?
No! Don't even think about smoking. Not even in the courtyard.
