¡BAILA! Community. Dance. Party with Carlos Xavier Salsa Band! (Feb. 2025)

La Peña Cultural Center

Join us this February 2025 at BAILA! Enjoy live music, community, and joy rooted in love, inclusivity, and connection.

La Peña's Community Dance Parties

Celebrate joy, movement, & community at La Peña’s dance parties! From ¡BAILA! to La Cumbia, these events honor Afro-Caribbean/Latine rhythms, create inclusive spaces of belonging, & resist heteropatriarchal norms in dance with consent & collective joy.

<h3>First BAILA of 2025! Friday, February 21st, 2024 • Doors open at 7:30 PM</h3>Join us for the first BAILA of the 2025 season, a vibrant celebration of music, dance, and community! We're bringing live Salsa with <a href="https://carlosxavieronline.com/" title="https://carlosxavieronline.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Carlos Xavier Salsa Band</a>, gender-inclusive Salsa &amp; Bachata dance classes, and dedicated dance floors for Salsa and Bachata lovers. This is a welcoming, vibrant space to connect, dance, and celebrate together.<h3>What to Expect:</h3>BAILA is your community dance party that welcomes all!<ul><li>Free, Gender-Inclusive Salsa &amp; Bachata Classes with<a href="https://inlakechdance.com/" title="https://inlakechdance.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"> In Lak'ech Dance Academy</a> (no experience or partner needed)</li><li>Live Salsa music by <a href="https://carlosxavieronline.com/" title="https://carlosxavieronline.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Carlos Xavier Salsa Band</a>.</li><li>Two dance floors: Ritmos Tropicales with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mundomuzik/?hl=es" title="https://www.instagram.com/mundomuzik/?hl=es" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">DJ José Ruíz</a> and El Colmado de la Bachata with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/djronpalma/" title="https://www.instagram.com/djronpalma/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">DJ Ron</a>.</li><li>Delicious bites from <a href="https://www.instagram.com/loscilantros/?hl=es" title="https://www.instagram.com/loscilantros/?hl=es" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Los Cilantros</a> Mexican restaurant</li><li>Fundraising Bar: Every drink supports La Peña’s community programs</li></ul>

<h3>Tickets:</h3><ul><li>$15 - Super Early Bird</li><li>$20/person - Group Rate (4+ tickets)</li><li>$25 - General Pre-Sale</li><li>$30 - At the Door</li><li>La Peña Members: Use your member code at checkout for free entry!</li></ul>

<h3>Join Our Volunteer Community</h3>Volunteer at BAILA to help create a safer, inclusive space for all! Enjoy free entry, complimentary food and refreshments, and connect with our community. <a href="https://signup.com/go/uUxHHFu" title="https://signup.com/go/uUxHHFu" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Click here to sign up to volunteer!</a>

<h3>La Peña is a Safer Dance Space Member: Building an Empowering Dance Space with Consent Culture</h3>At BAILA, we are committed to creating an inclusive dance environment that supports gender diversity, is LGBTQIA+ affirming, and welcomes all ages (with adult supervision for minors).We encourage you to help shape this space by modeling behaviors that promote safety, joy, and mutual respect. Ask others about their needs and preferences, and be open about your own. Together, we can create a space where everyone feels valued, heard, and free to express themselves.While we strive to make every experience at BAILA safe, we understand that creating an inclusive community is an ongoing effort. We celebrate authentic self-expression and center consent, respect, and inclusivity for dancers of all skill levels.<h4>Community Agreements for a Safe, Empowering, and Joyful Experience at BAILA</h4>To ensure a positive experience for everyone, we ask that all attendees adhere to our community agreements. These include, but are not limited to:<ul><li>Respect Personal Boundaries: Always ask for and respect both verbal and non-verbal consent before initiating physical contact or dancing.</li><li>Zero Tolerance for Harassment or Abuse: No harassment, verbal, physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. We expect kindness and respect for all.</li></ul><ul><li>Inclusive Participation: Celebrate diversity and engage with others in a way that makes everyone feel welcomed, valued, and respected.</li><li>Responsible Alcohol Consumption: Be mindful and legal with your consumption of alcohol. Moderation ensures the well-being and safety of all.</li><li>Good Dance Floor Etiquette: Dance safely by avoiding reckless movements that may cause harm to yourself or others. Respect your partner’s space.</li><li>Support and Empower Others: If you witness behavior that compromises others' safety or comfort, speak up, or notify a staff member or volunteer for support.</li><li>No Discrimination: No discrimination based on gender, sexuality, race, ability, or any other identity. We are an inclusive space for all.</li><li>Active Participation in Creating a Safe Space: We all share responsibility in creating a welcoming environment. Be proactive in modeling behavior that promotes safety, mutual respect, and joy.</li><li>Immediate Compliance: If asked to stop a behavior, comply immediately. We all play a part in maintaining a respectful and enjoyable space.</li></ul>We value your safety and the safety of our community. Those who violate these agreements may be asked to leave without refund.If you wish to make a report after an event, please contact us at <a href="https://lapena.org/contact/" title="https://lapena.org/contact/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Lapena.org</a>. Together, we build this space.

<h3>Getting to La Peña</h3><ul><li>Public Transit: The 18 bus line stops directly across the street (Shattuck &amp; Woolsey), and Ashby BART is just two blocks away.</li><li>Parking: Free street parking is available, or park at the Ashby BART station for a fee.</li><li>Bike-Friendly: Bike racks are available outside the venue.</li></ul>

<h3>Accessibility</h3><ul><li>La Peña is a wheelchair-accessible venue with step-less entry, wide doorways, and accessible restrooms.</li><li>Masks are strongly encouraged. If you’re experiencing COVID-19, cold, or flu-like symptoms, please consider staying home to protect our community.. HEPA air purifiers operate throughout our space.</li><li>Restrooms are all-gender</li></ul>We strive to make La Peña a welcoming, accessible space for everyone. If you have any specific needs or questions about accessibility, contact us in advance, and we’ll do our best to accommodate. Email us at <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/empowering-women-of-color-open-mic-tickets-1049219703377?aff=oddtdtcreator" title="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/empowering-women-of-color-open-mic-tickets-1049219703377?aff=oddtdtcreator">info@lapena.org</a>

<h3>La Peña Membership</h3>Become a La Peña member today! Members enjoy free entry to BAILA and other perks. Learn more: <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/baila-community-dance-party-tickets-1084941211369?aff=oddtdtcreator" title="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/baila-community-dance-party-tickets-1084941211369?aff=oddtdtcreator">lapena.org/members</a>