Ecstatic Dance Guide for Sacramento and Northern California
- Katerina Greco
- Jul 22, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: May 1
Finding an ecstatic dance near you can be surprisingly hard. Events pop up and disappear, schedules shift, and most dances run on Instagram posts and word of mouth rather than anything centralized. I put this guide together to make it easier to find a dance in the Sacramento and Northern California area, and I update it regularly so the information stays current.
I've included 5Rhythms and contact improv on this list too, since the communities overlap significantly and the movement styles share a similar spirit of freeform, embodied expression.
If you know of a dance that meets regularly and isn't listed here, let me know and I'll add it. The goal is to make this the most complete and up-to-date resource for NorCal conscious dance.
Active Dances in the Sacramento Area
Sacramento
Usually the fourth Friday of the month, 7:30 to 10:00 PM Auditorium at CLARA, 1425 24th Street, Sacramento $20 at the door (cash or Venmo). A vibrant community dance event led by DJs from all over the world. The space is alcohol-free and non-verbal on the dance floor, with a lounge area for conversation. Shoes off. Each event features a different DJ, so the musical journey changes every month. I actually run this dance!
Monthly women's dances and semi-annual co-ed dances. A women-centered ecstatic dance experience with semi-annual events open to all genders. Check their website for upcoming dates and locations.
Wednesdays and Sundays The Auditorium at CLARA, Sacramento. A guided movement practice based on Gabrielle Roth's five rhythms (flowing, staccato, chaos, lyrical, stillness). Wednesdays and Sundays offer different formats and instructors. A great entry point if completely freeform dance feels intimidating, since there's more structure to follow.
Davis
Monthly (check website for dates) Village Homes Community Center, Davis. An ecstatic dance inspired daytime dance party that's intentional, playful, and family-friendly. Each gathering starts with an opening circle, followed by music and movement, and ends with a closing circle. Great community-led energy.
Centering Dance 4th Tuesday of the month
A monthly conscious movement gathering. Check their site for location and schedule updates.
Nevada City
Every Tuesday evening, 7:30 PM Nevada City. One of the longest-running ecstatic dances in Northern California and widely regarded as one of the originators of the ecstatic dance movement. Tuesday nights feature a warm-up class at 7:30, a two-hour DJ-led sonic journey at 8:00, and a sound healing closing at 10:00. The space includes a non-verbal dance floor, a stretch/yoga area, and a social lounge. Cacao and tea available. Check their website for featured DJs and any schedule changes.
Most Sundays (check to confirm) Nevada City. A more sweet Sunday dance gathering which in the summer time is the forrest and in the winter it's inside. Follow the Facebook page to confirm dates, as the schedule can vary.
Chico
Second Sunday of every month Dorothy Johnson Center, Chico. A monthly ecstatic dance featuring DJs from around the region. Follow their Facebook page for updates and featured artists.
Mt. Shasta
Every Thursday, 7:00 to 9:00 PM Mt. Shasta City Park Dance Hall, 1315 Nixon Rd, Mt. Shasta. A weekly ecstatic dance in one of the most beautiful settings in Northern California. Doors at 6:00 PM with a somatic workshop at 6:15, followed by the main dance at 7:00. Features both local and guest DJs. Substance-free, shoes off, conversations outside the dance room.
Harbin Hot Springs (Middletown)
Check schedule (seasonal) Harbin Hot Springs, Middletown. Open to all paid and registered guests of Harbin Hot Springs, on a donation basis. Winter and spring dances are held in the Events Tent; summer and fall dances move outdoors to the fire circle in the meadow. A unique setting that combines the ecstatic dance experience with Harbin's hot springs and retreat atmosphere. Reservations are required for all visits.
What to Expect at Your First Ecstatic Dance
If you've never been to an ecstatic dance, here's what to know.
There are no steps to learn. Ecstatic dance is completely freeform. You move however your body wants to move. Some people dance wildly, some sway gently, some lie on the floor, some stretch. All of it is welcome.
The dance floor is non-verbal. This is one of the things that makes ecstatic dance different from a club or a regular dance class. No talking on the dance floor. It creates a meditative, inward quality that lets you get out of your head and into your body. Most events have a separate lounge area where conversation is welcome.
Shoes come off. Dancing barefoot (or in socks) is standard. It helps you feel more connected to the ground and to your own movement.
It's substance-free. No alcohol, no drugs. The dance itself is the experience. Most regular dancers will tell you it produces its own kind of natural high.
Consent matters. If you want to dance with someone, make eye contact first and wait for a clear yes. If someone turns away or seems inward, respect that. This is a space where people get to choose how and whether they interact, and honoring boundaries is foundational to the culture.
Come as you are. Wear comfortable clothes you can move in. Bring water. Arrive a few minutes early if it's your first time so you can get oriented. And don't worry about how you look. Everyone is too busy in their own experience to judge yours.
Why Ecstatic Dance Is Worth Trying
Ecstatic dance offers something hard to find in most social settings: a way to be fully in your body, around other people, without the pressure of conversation or performance. The non-verbal, freeform format creates a space where you can process emotions, move energy, and connect with others through rhythm and movement rather than words.
For people who find traditional social environments draining or performative, ecstatic dance can feel like a relief. There's no small talk, no dress code, no expectation to be anything other than what you are in that moment. It's also a surprisingly good workout and an accessible form of moving meditation.
The NorCal ecstatic dance community is one of the most active in the country, with Nevada City being one of the original birthplaces of the movement. Whether you're in Sacramento, the foothills, or further north, there's likely a dance within driving distance.
Another experience to check out in the area that also brings together music and community is Drum Circles. The two communities overlap a lot and share a similar ethos.
Help Me Keep This Guide Updated
This guide only works if the information stays current. If you run or attend an ecstatic dance, 5Rhythms class, or contact improv jam in the greater Sacramento or Northern California area that isn't listed here, please reach out and I'll add it. If any of the listings above have changed (new times, new locations, or a dance that's no longer meeting), I want to know that too.
The more people who contribute, the more useful this becomes for everyone looking for a dance near them.
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