There is a reason why this store has such good reviews. The staff is kind, friendly, and welcoming. They took time to explain the difference between jazz shoes, and they helped with color matching a pair of tights for my daughter. It was 100% worth the drive from Martinez. We will only be going to A1 for dance supplies from now on. read more

It's so great to have a dance supply/outfit store in Castro Valley. We've gotten tap and ballet shoes for our kid here and the staff is always nice and accommodating. read more

Great place for dancewear and shoes. My daughter needed a tank leotard and the woman who helped us was great in selecting several leotards that she could try. Unfortunately none of them fit fit my daughter. We did end up purchasing some new ballet shoes. The sales associates were incredibly helpful. Just be aware that they have a small parking lot. read more

I drove an hour and a half to come here . There is no dance stores where I live . It's very frustrating. The drive was worth it . The ladies are very helpful and very kind . If your a dancer this can definitely be your one stop shop . They have many leotards to choose from tutus to boas dance shoes and accessories. A lot items are also on sale . So far best one yet read more

The lady was nice and helpful. She didn't have the products we needed but she was knowledgeable & friendly.

Visited today around 6:15pm and so happy they were open! I drove all the way from San Jose with my cousin trying to find a dance store and luckily found this one on Yelp. -Super friendly and helpful customer service -Great prices for leotards and other dance items -Plenty of variety I highly recommend this business for all your dance needs! read more

I've been a ballet dancer for 13+ years and finally decided to take ballet classes again in my adult life after my coworkers who have never done ballet before wanted to try classes at Alonzo King Lines in SF. Realizing my old ballet shoes have become hole ridden, I needed a new pair. I hadn't bought new ballet shoes since I stopped dancing so I almost forgot what I was looking for but the staff were super nice, helped me find the right size, encouraged me to try them out (a little mini stage by the mirror with a barre!) and I did. Ah. The wonderful feeling of a Bloch split sole canvas ballet shoe. The feeling as it hugs the arch in your foot as you do a tendu. They have good sales and discounts too! Granted I don't need anything else now that I've got my ballet shoes (adult ballet classes, especially at Alonzo King Lines, don't usually entail tights and leotard) but if I ever need more or if I decide to learn tap dancing at this stage of my life, I know where to get my dance gear! read more

I needed a couple pairs of ballet slippers which was very hard to find as there are not many stores that carry them. A friend told me about A-1 Dance and Theatrical, and there, I found a pair of pink, which was on sale and a pair of black at a regular price. A couple of ladies working there were very helpful looking for what I needed in my size. I also looked for other dance items but didn't find what I needed. They don't really have a large selection of dance wears but they are very kind with helping you out at your dance wear needs. I recommend others to give them a try. read more

Fantastic experience!! Leila was so sweet and patient while I tried on lots of shoes (hard foot to fit)!! We found a pair but she assured me that exchanges and store credit can be given if there are any for issues once my feet swell up a bit, after I get home (not on the street or ballroom floor). We also did a lot of discussion and networking on places to learn and do bachata and salsa. Now I've got the perfect shoes to do bachata by the sea in Santa Cruz on the wharf . read more

This place is excellent. Every time I go I have a positive experience. Thank you, Layla for your kindness and exceptional customer service.

I am not sure I have ever written a Yelp! But the service and support I received from Marissa, Jennifer and Haley @ A1 Dance & Theatrical was probably the best I have ever received. I am the uniform coordinator for the Danville Girls Chorus. We have always purchased our shoes for concerts thru a online web site. With all the supply chain issues this year, I was scrambling to get a specific shoe for 49 girls in our chorus. I spent hours calling around and searching online. I called A1 Dance & Theatrical and they were able to help me. I sent them over the sizes I needed. They pulled and packed up everything they had. They called and text me with updates before I came to pick the shoes up. I was still short 9 pairs. They were able to find/get me the additional shoes before our concert date! We will definitely will use them for all of our future show purchases! Highly recommend! read more

This place will meet most of your dancer's needs. I have purchased tap and jazz shoes, leotards, and other miscellaneous knick knacks. Staff is friendly, eager to assist, and very knowledgeable of their products. read more

We have been coming to A-1 for at least 13 years. Barbara and her staff have always been extremely helpful and consultative. 3 dancers in the household. That's a lot of shoes, Leo's, and tights. We hope to continue coming for YEARS to come. Thank you!!! read more

I haven't danced in a few years so I didn't exactly know what I was looking for when I went in store to buy jazz shoes. The person who helped me out was super friendly and knowledgable. She know all the right questions to ask and gave me a lot of great suggestions. I ended up having to get a size up! As a new customer, I got 15% off my purchase. I recommend! read more

I absolutely love this little local shop. The girl who works there is so super knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. As long as my daughter is in dance we will shop here! read more

Came here loving for ballet slippers for my very excited daughter and the staff was very patient with her. She really wants to be a ballerina on pointe, even though she's only five. They told her that she has to practice, practice, practice, but still let her hold the demonstration pointe shoe and told her what they made from and how they were different from her slippers. They also knew the proper uniform for her new school and I was totally clueless! We are definitely coming back to outfit my kid head to toe for her up and coming dancing career! read more

Went here to find some kind of tights to fit under my scantily clad burningman outfit. It turned out that I needed something that I never even knew existed. The women in the store were so helpful and so much fun! It was as good as having my best friend there to help me. Girls, I ended up wearing a vintage bathing suit to that party that looked amazing and I was warm and appropriately covered in my (what is that thing called?)- body tights? Thank you! Rachel read more

When I walked in with my daughter, I just felt unaknowledge by the older lady who kept talking with this other lady- I believe it might of been the owner. The young sales lady was ok with helping my daughter finding her shoes. When I walked to the register the older lady didn't even approach me nor said hi she just moved to the side so that the young lady rang me up. Anyhow, I didn't like the energy because I'm twenty-five years old and grew up in retail business and will never ignore a customer even if I was busy talking, I would at least say "hi or thank you." I had no choice, but to purchase them because I was running short of time and I'm busy running my Bridal Shop, but if I wasn't I wouldn't of. I honestly went to check out the reviews and they were positive,but when I went there it was a whole different experience. read more

Came to purchase new tap and ballet shoes for my little one. Great deal on the ballet shockingly only $10.00. Cha-ching!!! Money saver!! Huge variety of tap and jazz shoes. I was happy to see that they now carry Zumba shoes! A little pricey, but comfy and light as a feather. Amazing selection of tights, leotards, tutu's, etc. They have it all here. It for sure is a one stop shop for dancers. What was lacking...customer service. I wasn't acknowledged. When I did ask for assistance, the young girl who helped me seemed inexperienced. read more

I have known the Davidson family for many years and they are very good people. I recently took my 7 year old daughter to A-1 all the way from Santa Rosa and it was soo worth it. I spoke with Barbara on the phone a few days before we went and she was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. Then when we arrived, Layla, was very friendly, helpful, and great with my little girl. I'm the type of person who really values experienced professional service and if you are too, I highly recommend A-1. read more

Wife and I needed ballroom dance shoes and the young lady was so helpful with our decision. Great shop and will return. We are 80 and 82 years young and still dancing. read more

I am a frequent patron of A-1 Dance. The staff is always incredibly helpful! I have never had a bad experience. I have gone to other dance stores in the bay area and never had the service I get from A-1. They are very accomodating and very patient. The knowledge from the staff and owner are unmatched. Any question I have ever had, has been easily answered. As far as the tights mentioned in the negative review...I am not sure what the lady was looking at. There is a huge selection of tights with many different brands and many different colors. You don't try on pantyhose in a store so I am not sure why she thought you could try on tights. But, the selection is excellent and the prices are great! Barbara, the owner, is always willing to go the extra mile to get, you the customer, what you need or want. If she doesn't have it, she will get it for you! I highly recommend A-1. They always have the latest in dancewear and shoes! read more

Warm professional staff, outfitting my daughter for the last 12 years. 2 examples of exemplary service: 1.the owner drove a case of dance shoes to my house@10 pm on a Saturday night so I could get them to our studio whose shoes had been STOLEN at an out of town competition! Paid her later! 2. I went to look at a travel costume rack. Barbara& Darylen took the time to completely take it Part, showed me all the features, while advising me a new model w/ improvements would be coming in a month, so I might want to hold out! Barbara helped me design earrings I could make to match my daughter's costume, selling me something perfect for 50 cents instead of something less perfect for $10! Who let's anyone try on tights, anywhere? And who makes cotton dance tights?!--baggy ankles! We love A-1; they are our dance family! read more

Amazing place to go for dance got helped for 50 minutes straight! To find the best lyrical dance shoes for my granddaughter ! Amazing

Excellent customer service. Julianna went above and beyond. I was happy to get a first time customer discount. Spent less than 10mins in the store! Highly recommended and will come back for ballet and dancing needs for sure! read more

I have the longest torso ever, and leotards give me a heck of a time. When I went into A1, I was helped for 45 minutes straight to find the perfect leotard! The woman who helped me was so kind and sweet! Also, this place has better service and prices than encore! I live right next to the stoneridge mall, but after such a great experience in the A1 Castro Valley shop, I am willing to drive. Great selection. Great business! Thanks for the help! read more

I just went there today in search of ballroom dance shoes. I found their selection to be pretty good compared to other dance stores I had checked out. I wanted nude leather sandals so it could match with my skin tone (I am fair and the dark tan satin just looks strange on my pale legs!). Anyway, I went in and the lady there showed me where the ballroom shoes were. The regular price section didn't have what I was looking for...I am a beginner so didn't want to break the bank on the "professional" shoes. They did have a sale section with lots of small sizes and I was lucky to find one that fit me in the color I wanted. It was originally $71.99 and on sale for $50.99! They are final sale so I can't return them, but for a beginner shoes at that price I'm happy! The only problem is the location..there is very limited parking. read more

Our friend recommended this place for ballroom dance shoes for men and women and they open on Sundays which is a plus. I called to make sure they were open and when we were running late, they said they close at 4 and not any earlier on Sundays. He tried on the shoes and was happy with them. They have Stephanie and Capezio shoes. read more

Nice local shop with dance and ballet clothes and accessories for little ones and up. Customer service was great.

Still love coming here. We have been coming for almost three years now. We have had the same nice and friendly girl help my niece every time. I love how she is so nice and helpful and she even remembered her name this time. read more

Experienced on fitting my daughter's 1st pointe shoes. We also live their customer service and answer all questions.

Super helpful, knowledgeable staff. Mary in particular, was patient, funny and did an expert job of fitting our three kids comfortable jazz shoes this summer. Thanks A-1 Dance. Grateful to have you in our little town. We will be back! ;) read more

Great service from both the employees that helped me on the two days I came by. First day was to purchase a leotard and jazz shoes for my 12 year old, second day was the following day to exchange the jazz shoes for a bigger size. I was especially excited because my daughter needed the items asap and didn't know of a place nearby.. I had only searched on google to find websites where I can purchase them so I did have to do a little bit of research, only to find this place and it's so conveniently located near the Village Shopping Center, where I work. Happy with the service and my purchase, I plan to go back for my daughter's future dance needs. :) read more

I don't know how this place stays in business. I came here for the first time eight days ago to get fitted for pointe shoes. As I walked in and told the sales lady what I was there for, she asked me how old is your daughter. I said the shoes are for me. I am an adult dancer who has returned to ballet after a multi-year break. During the fitting I got numerous indirect references about my age from the salesperson. In fact as I was paying for my purchase, she flat out asked for my birthdate. I didn't know what she needed it for, but I gave it anyway. She responded, "oh I meant your phone number." Clearly she couldn't stop being bothered about my age! She also fitted me with the wrong type and size shoes. They only carry two types of pointe shoes: Capezio and Bloch. I tried on several pairs, and each felt really uncomfortable. I told her several times my toes were not flat inside the shoe and that they felt painful. She responded each time that they are not supposed to feel comfortable, and that I better get used to it. In the end I purchased shoes that were the most comfortable out of the uncomfortable ones, but kept wondering why my pointe shoes as a kid where more comfortable than these. The icing on the cake was that they were out of ribbons and ballet flats in my size 8 which I also needed. They had put an order in a few days earlier and said it would be about 5 to 7 business days to arrive. As of today (2-3 days later than they had estimated) I got my flats but not the ribbons. I asked if A-1 would give me a refund for the ribbons since they hadn't arrived in the time they had promised (and especially since I had wasted $70 on wrong pointe shoes!). No can do! Their very inflexible customer service mandates that only store credit is given. I asked if I could buy some tights instead with the credit but unfortunately they didn't have in stock the correct color on any size, or the right size in a different color. I am appalled at their ageist comments, the fact that they sold me the wrong shoes (turns out, half size too small and too wide), and their inability to keep common items in stock. I am taking my business elsewhere and I recommend everybody else does the same. Its really unfortunate because I would like to support a local business. As a comparison, few days later I went to Contra Costa Dance Wear in Walnut Creek and the experience was completely different. Instead of just asking for my shoe size, they measured my foot. They immediately brought me the correct size pointe shoe. They also said Capezio (which I purchased from A-1) was not the right shoe for me. I purchased Grishkos, which fitted me beautifully and didn't hurt my feet. They also had ribbons in stock and everything else I needed. read more

Great service! I called before going in to get fitted for pointe shoes. I was told to wear tights and bring any shoe recommendations from my teacher in order to make the process more efficient. Also, weekdays are the best time to come in, as it gets super busy from Thursday through Sunday. Milda fitted me perfectly in no time and made sure I got the proper pointe shoe pads, elastic, ribbons, sewing kit, etc. After about a 12-year hiatus from pointe, I'm ready to jump back in! read more

They have never let me down when it comes to dance supplies. Their shoe selection is good and if they didn't have my daughter's size, they were always able to order it and get it within a day or two. I've purchased rhinestones here in emergencies, and they always have what I'm looking for. Very cute selection of dance-related retail gift items as well, just in case you need something wonderful for the dancer in your life! read more

Went to purchase a pair of dance shoes, and the service was wonderful. The sales clerk, Darylin (I think that was her name) was very patient with me trying at least 20 pairs (if not 30). Their inventory may not as extensive as stores in the city, but for me, there were plenty to choose from. While I was there, the store owner was helping a dance school teacher to choose costumes for upcoming recital, and she sounded very knowledgeable and helpful. I have already recommended this place to friends and would continue to do so! read more

I've been coming to this store for years to buy either gymnastics leotards and now, I buy dance shoes & clothes for my other daughter. Barbra, the owner, knows so much about dance and she uses that knowledge to help her customers choose the right shoes or clothes they need for whatever activity. There's a nice selection to choose from & whatever you need, she either has it or she'll order it. Its always do-able for her. read more

You cannot find a friendlier place to purchase dances shoes, leotards, etc. Great selection, great prices, and kind hearts. You can't ask for more. :) read more

It's kind of the only game in town, so to speak. Not many other shops close by for south East Bay dancers. It wasn't bad, they had a decent selection and the woman helping the young lady trying on shoes was knowledgeable. The young lady who helped us wasn't as helpful as I'd hoped, especially since store policy does not allow one to try on tights prior to purchase. She did not offer me any alternatives-- I guess there's only one brand of pink child-sized footed ballet tights. I did not notice anything child-sized that had any cotton content; everything was nylon/polyester. Now by default I'll know what size my kid is, and I'll shop online for fabric content and price variations. read more