Roco Expands to Fairfax
In a thriving space in Mill Valley, RoCo Dance & Fitness has consistently packed its classes for youth and adults. Based on the growing interest of dance and Roco’s classes, founder Annie Rosenthal Parr has expanded her popular studio model to a second location in Fairfax. RoCo Dance & Fitness began in 1993 with only an adult program, one studio and six teachers. With the expanded location, which opened on February 1, RoCo’s operations have expanded to seven studios, twenty-five instructors and thousands of students. Combined, Roco programs offer over 150 dance and fitness classes weekly for all ages and levels. In addition, RoCo provides scholarships for boys interested in modern jazz or ballet training.
For the last 17 years, some of Marin’s most well known performers and business people have taken classes or sent their children to dance at RoCo. Rosenthal Parr, who has danced for Margaret Jenkins and David Dorfman, brings an accomplished professional passion for excellent execution of diverse forms of dance. This has made the studio a thriving community hub with consistent growth. The secret of their success is both in Rosenthal Parr’s own skill as a teacher as well as her ability to attract engaging teachers. Instructors include Stacey Printz (Printz Dance Project), Micaya (SF Hip Hop Festival), Joan Lazarus (West Wave Dance Festival) and Marin fitness icon Mary Sherman. A second group of RoCo’s youth company will also operate out of Fairfax creating performance opportunities for teens in Ross Valley, West Marin and northern Marin.
Rocodance.com or 415-388-6786 to register for classes or for more information.
Subterranean Anniversary
The Subterranean Arthouse, located in Berkeley, has announced that it has reached its one-year anniversary and will hold an event to celebrate on Saturday March 6. Founded by Nicole Rodriguez and Claire Duplantier, the Subterranean Arthouse defines itself as an interdisciplinary community space that offers diverse opportunities for local, national, and international artists to teach, create and present their art form. Through weekly classes, performances, film showings and visual art exhibitions, the organizers encourage dialogue between disciplines, between artists. They describe their roots as “in a tradition of experimentation unique to the Bay Area as it extends its branches to the terrain of other art communities.”
For more information about the Subterranean Arthouse and the anniversary event in early March go to: subterraneanarthouse.org
Zambaleta Opening: New Mission School and Studio
The Mission’s got a gigantic new space for dance: Zambaleta World Music & Dance School.
Just opened, in October 2009, Zambaleta offers group music classes from all over the world. In March, Zambaleta will launch dance and yoga programs to expand the breadth and scope of their programming.
As a San Francisco based world music and dance school, Zambaleta offers a variety of music and dance classes, along with self-described hullabaloos, hootenannies, and other musical encounters that they hope will lift spirits and create community.
Their location, in the heart of the Mission, boasts an exceptionally big space with 5,600 square feet of hardwood floors, no columns, 18 foot ceilings, beams suitable for aerial dance and beautiful natural light all day. There is also an onsite café with an intimate performance venue. Zambaleta is making this space available for rentals beginning in March.
You are invited to stop by for a visit. And for those seeking another teaching gig, Zambaleta is looking for diverse, experienced and enthusiastic dance and yoga instructors to help grow their new dance programs.
Zambaleta, 2929 19th Street, SF; 415-341-1333; zambaleta.org
This article appeared in the March 2010 issue of In Dance.
