CounterPulse is an art space for performance art. Tonight they featured an open mic night. I was helping out at the event. I helped sign people in and serve drinks. There is one main space. The interior is nice and its a modern space. Justin was the key organizer and he's friendly. The event was short tonight. I would come back to CounterPulse for events...if you like art spaces. read more

CounterPulse - Sign - Performing Arts Near Me - San Francisco, California

We've been using CounterPulse to hold improv workshops and classes. The upstairs studios is affordable, comfortable, and great for our workshops. There's chairs and tables, lots of open space, speakers, good lighting, and an ADA accessible restroom down the hall. The upstairs studio has both elevator and stair access. The stairs are behind an EXTERNAL door (separate from the lobby). When we first came, we didn't know that. Once we knew, it's been super easy. There is a drinking fountain and more restrooms in the basement of the building. So glad this space exists to help keep arts accessible in SF! read more

See all

A family friend of ours is a dancer/actor/comedian and so every year, he comes to perform his material in the Bay Area. Last year, we went to go see him perform at the 418 Project in Santa Cruz which was amazing. He's part of the CA Touring Project, created by himself, Liam Clancy (www.liamclancy.net), Cid Perlman, and Nina Haft which was a way to created touring opps. for independent performers. This year, he performed all new material which was exciting. Liam integrates his great acting ability, comedic talent, and intertwines it with, I want to say, contemporary, abstract dance... I love dance but I couldn't quite figure out the story behind it. My husband andI were left scratching our heads but I want to say that it revolved around friendships and love between men but hey, I could be totally off. But if you really want to leave scratching your heads, Cid Perlman's choreography was very abstract to the point where I really could not make an educated guess of what the dance was about! The duo who really stole the show was Liz Casebolt and Joel Smith aka Casebolt and Smith who were incredibly funny, also intertwining dance with comedy. They performed two pieces which both left me cracking up and in awe of their creativeness. This is the first time that I've ever been to CounterPulse but it's a quaint performing space. They present emerging and independent talent so support your local artists and performers! read more

I went to one of their "Shaping SF" talks (in the Mission) recently and had a blast! The people running it are obviously compassionate, intelligent people and put a great deal of effort into the event (and hire dedicated sound personnel, among other things.). What a great way to learn about community history and culture. Can't recommend it enough! read more

CounterPulse - https://350.org amazing art and environment presentation - Performing Arts Near Me - San Francisco, California

Great indie theater. It is a very intimate theater so you get a great experience becoming party of the play almost. I went here for the x-mas Golden Girls play 2010. Let me just say, that was the most fun I've had in years going to a play. I would like to check out more shows that they put on out here. Location you get off at the Civic Center on Bart and walk up to 9th street and it is up one block. Great because you don't have to deal with the horrible city traffic. read more

Came here for the Tenderloin Community Info Session: Public art & the 950 Market project. A very small stage more setup for small groups and community services. Being right next to a CRO and a soup kitchen doesn't help. read more

Perhaps the most important venue / arts organization in San Francisco because of what they do to support emerging artists. CounterPULSE occupies that critical niche below Yerba Buena, which means LOCAL but TALENTED artists who have not necessarily found the steady stream of grants and funding. If you think about what makes a city vibrant, you have to think about the arts community that is ACTUALLY MAKING ART IN THE CITY. While YBC is great for catching the NY artists who just got a big Guggenheim grant, CounterPULSE is where you see the SF artists who are on their way there. Support it, please. read more

"Are you reading me mind?" the burly Ukrainian said to me. "This one is reading me mind!" "He knows me thoughts as I think it!" I was taken back. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Those who were witness couldn't fathom what my European friend had just accused me of, but there was no misunderstanding. This person literally thought I had the power to read his mind. He was getting worked up and the situation was turning hostile, but my friends calmed the big bloke and convinced him that no one can read his mind. I reiterated that I'm a normal joe, and that I don't have mutant powers to peer into another persons thoughts. The amusing occurrence eventually faded from thought and we left it at that. Whew! However . . . I REALLY DO . . . have secret powers. Don't tell him. I have the power to MAKE people do my bidding. Even when you think you're acting on your own volition, I'm actually MAKING you think that way to mask my clandestine movements. My Uncle Ben reminds me "with great power, comes great responsibility", so I only use the powers he taught me under dire situations. Take for example... ...that night I was running late to watch a talented Yelper do a dance performance at CounterPULSE. The theater-dance studio accommodates about 80 with extra seating available on floor pillows. With limited capacity, I'd advise purchasing tickets early rather than waiting until the last minute. When I arrived, the front glass doors were already closed and I saw people turned away. I lightly tapped the door. The attendant opened it just enough to quip "DO NOT bang on the door. The show is SOLD OUT. Please be QUIET, the show has started" and shut the door in my face. She was unnecessarily curt and I got fired up for her for telling me how to behave on a public sidewalk. I really wanted to watch the show, and I didn't come all this way to be turned away so easily. I took a deep breath, thought of Uncle Ben's words and channeled my special power from within. Ideally I need eye contact for my power to be most effective, but the attendant's back was turned to me. Instead, I sent a repetitive telepathic message to her..."You Will Let Me In... You Will Let Me In...". I pretended to read the various class listings on the front door in hopes she would turn around so I can catch her eye. She must have felt the telepathic beams marinating the back of her head, because a minute later she looked my way. I opened my eyes as WIDE as possible, "You Will Let Me In..." She slowly walked towards the door as if in a trance and came out. The door swished closed behind her as she pulled a cig from her purse and lit up. "Yoou Wiiill Leet Mee Innn ..." I silently concentrated while rereading the posted class listings for the fourth time. She exhaled a breath of smoke into the chilled night air as faint music from within the theater pulsed. A final drag and she snuffed the cigarette under her heel and then our eyes met. Her shoulders were relaxed and her face more warm. "Come on in young Jedi" she smiled as she held the door open. Thank you Uncle Ben Kenobi! read more

CounterPULSE is a place that nurtures artists and fosters a high level of creativity and insight. I was honored to participate in their residency program. This residency opened a challenging level of experimentation for my dancers and I. The discussions of my work early on led me to feel deeply respected as an artist and also helped me to clarify my focus early on in the process. The feedback from the CounterPULSE staff was thoughtful and articulate. I felt pushed to deliver intelligent and visceral movement, while also feeling safe in a fluid/flexible space. Being able to rehearse in the performance space makes an unimaginable difference in the conception of the dance and in the mastery of the movement for the dancers. The process and the product became legitimate and essential. The CounterPULSE residency program is thorough and built with care. read more

Cons: Only checks and cash accepted...it's 2013, the all-powerful age of machines making life swifter and such. So why the restrictions? You get the picture. No mirrors to use if you want a space with mirrors for rehearsing. Pros: Jeff the GM, guided me through the entire process of booking a space. Helpful, patient, effective, efficient, and did I mention he's a great listener? The studio has a restroom, a moderately-sized dance floor space, and a moderately-sized audience area complete with seating. There is free wifi, courtesy of CounterPULSE. They also let you use the boombox which can connect to a laptop for improved sound play. On top of that, the location is within BART walking distance and in front of the place is a bus top...very commuter friendly. read more

Picture this.. You have a small stage--two bare white walls met together, a side curtain, & some lighting. Now, put together a show involving a lineup of truly talented upcoming artists fueled with nothing but their passion and you might find some of the most personal shows you'll experience in your life. I saw the world-premiere of In/divisible here. The set up: modern dance, a live cellist, two live female vocal singers. The dancers attached themselves to harnesses and made the effect of entanglement and levitation. Great choreography, chemistry, amazing show! Best part, $15 bucks, members $10 bucks. CounterPULSE is a grassroots organization supporting emerging artists by providing them the space. I really encourage everyone, especially in this economy, not only to come see a show or attend a workshop here, but to support their cause and become a member as well. Support your local artists, support art, support CounterPULSE. read more

The bike tours are unrivaled for their information to minute ratio. Chris Carlson = top 5 people in SF. read more

I found this little gem though the recommendation of someone who works at CounterPULSE. It's very close to where I live - less than a block away. I am so glad that I found this space. I've been dipping my feet in the whole Indie theater scene and having a place so close to my apartment is a blessing. I've checked out their calendar and they offer a good mix of the performing arts and emerging artists. I'm also on a budget, so I feel as if I can attend an affordable and fun event, while supporting something important in my neighborhood - a venue for the arts. If I am looking for something to do on a weekend night, I'll definitely check out what's on the schedule at CounterPULSE. read more

CounterPULSE is an invaluable resource to the performing arts community in San Francisco. The staff makes ever effort to work with the arts community, including educating artists on arts administration. They try very hard to do outreach in order to keep programming accessible, diverse, and on-going. They even open their doors to allow affordable office space for community arts groups including Asian American Dance Performances and Art Face. Thank you CounterPULSE, for being a flame that doesn't burn out. read more

CounterPulse - CounterPULSE 2nd Year Anniversary - Performing Arts Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

we came here for the first time last friday to see the SO's cousin perform in "incidental fear of numbers" (leslie seiters little known dance theater with lux boreal). while the show itself was poignant and visually interesting, it wasn't until i read up about it afterward that i really understood its message. eh, bite me. it's been a while since i've had to use my brain. the space is small, with folding chairs aligning a black box style seating block. small ledges cut into the wall looked like little loft seats (pillows included), and if ever there is an overflow of people, pillows on the floor make up another row of seating. so yeah-- be prepared to "rough it", for all the indoor cats out there. the sound was jarring from where we were sitting, though the sound for that specific show was meant to have that effect, so i can neither criticize nor idealize that aspect. the reception area was dimly lit, narrow and small. small two movie theater style rows flank the tiny room, and the ventilation is a joke. but, keeping in line with a small artists' space, you should already come to expect this. your damn ticket was 10 bucks-- don't expect luxury. people are helpful and it looks like their lineups are always interesting, leaning more towards experimental dance and fringe performance. i'll definitely try to patronize this place more often! read more

Oh, CounterPULSE, how I love you. I moved 3,000 miles away, and I still think about you often. CounterPULSE dreams big, takes chances, and they like their adjectives. But it's an organization and art space that lives up to the ideals it disseminates, intrinsic in good faith and never eschewing accessibility for the experimentation and innovation that it cultivates. The heart of it all is that CounterPULSE cares. It doesn't matter if you're artist or audience. There is so much warmth radiating from within these walls that you won't know what to do with yourself. read more

An absolutely necessary and needed space for emerging artists and alternative and experimental art. The space is great for classes, intimate shows, and even hanging out...it's pretty comfy. And if you're looking for something NEW to do on a weekend alone (or with friends), this space has something showing all the time. read more

Nice Indie theatre near downtown. Very small and simple yet they put on some good shows. My friend took me here to see a drag show. The first drag show that I've ever seen and I have to say it was pretty awesome. I'll definitely have to keep an eye on this place now that I've moved into the city. read more

Amazing space. Well organized. Fair ticket prices. And it shows work from all areas of performance art, something very rare. It's one of my favorite space in the Bay Area for Art. read more

Went to a contact improvisation dance class last night taught by Krista De Nira (sp?). Great class, good dancers, stayed for the jam afterwards for a bit. Very friendly community of contact dancers. read more

This place is amazing. Love the feel and look. They have spared no expense in providing a professional space for all their performers, guests and shows. Great job! I applaud you for your dedication and hard work! read more

I've been to several shows and they've been consistently good. Words First is a monthly solo performance series at CounterPULSE. The solo performers are polished. It's a mix -- sometimes funny, sometimes dramatic. And they bring in new talent each month.... so no show is the same. I like it. Oh yes... it's affordable too! read more

I have only been to one show here, but I'm giving the place 5 stars because I was really impressed by how welcoming and well-run the place seemed to be. Everyone I interacted with was really friendly and really great at making the best of tight spaces (like the terrific directions to the backstage bathrooms). As a person who has basically no interaction with the modern dance/performance art community, I was pleasantly surprised with how not out of place I felt. read more

A really cool, intimate space. CounterPULSE seems to promote a wide variety of performance art that leans more toward the experimental side. The theatre is very supportive of emerging local artists, which is AWESOME, but of course not everything you see here is of the highest quality. Still, I think it's essential that venues like this exist. read more

spent a day at CounterPulse for the 2016 dancehack. The renovation from March 2016 is really nice. Definitely liked the multiple kinds of performance spaces available, from the main stage to the basement gallery. read more

Really great space with excellent programing and staff. A great mix of experimental works and professionalism. If you want to support performing arts in the Bay this is one of the spaces you should be looking at. read more

CounterPULSE is a comfortable, intimate performance venue. Stage audio and video are really great - I don't mean to sound surprised but especially for a small space focused toward emerging and low-income performers, the quality of the stage resources are great to see. They host a diverse range of performers and performances, so not everything is for everybody but there is a lot of depth developed and shared in that theatre. They also provide interesting community-building activities beyond performance, like monthly bicycle history tours of SF. A great place to visit and support. read more

I want to express my appreciation for CounterPULSE and all of the tremendous work this organization does on behalf of San Francisco artists. As a 2007 winter artist-in-residence at CounterPULSE I was the fortunate recipient of truly top-notch artistic support. Working with CounterPULSE helped me articulate and achieve my artistic goals and create new ones. The support I received there has helped me not only to emerge, but to build. While this is a continual process for any artist, it feels great to have made tangible progress. I could not have made that progress, and it certainly would have been less tangible, without Jessica Robinson and the rest of the CounterPULSE staff. read more

Counterpulse used to be 848 Community Space, an alternative dance space on Divisadero. When they lost their lease, which has happened to so many artists' spaces in this overpriced city, they raised the funding to build their wonderful new space on Mission at 9th in 2005. Counterpulse supports grassroots arts & culture in San Francisco and provides an incubator space for emerging artists. Although they primarily support dance work, they also have music, theater and visual art events. I saw Annie Sprinkle perform there a few months ago and it was one of the most inspiring and heart-opening shows I've experienced in a long time. Last week I went to an evening of videos and films by dance artists which included work by cutting-edge European choreographers which we never get to see out here in the provinces. The dance performances range in quality from "emerging" (read: pretty amateur) to extremely talented and underfunded choreographers who just need a leg up. And every tuesday night at 6:30 there is a Contact Improvisation class taught by a different teacher every month (including yours truly), followed by a Contact jam at 8:00. If you don't know what CI is or have heard about it or seen it but didn't know where to learn this is a great place to start - beginners are very welcome. Check the Counterpulse website for events happening every night of the week, you won't be disappointed. read more

i've only gone here for some of the fall and spring talks series on social, political, environmental, etc issues. amazing series! (the guy who emcee's/leads these events has made a few remarks that didn't sit well with me. but he is generally ok and makes some great comments about creating a world where people do meaningful work and creating community) it's free will donation, and the space allows them to come to share the great info with the community. very nice! amazing resource for sf. love it, and hope it remains the valuable part of sf it is! read more

Our Daily Bread was incredible. My friend and I were seated on the floor owing to our naiveté trying to get a ticket the day of, but that felt like the best seat in the house at this performance about what it takes to nourish us, and at what cost. Felt like I experienced the entire range of human emotion in those two hours. And that vegan cornbread they handed out was delicious. Like nothing I've seen before. Thank goodness for CounterPulse making such performances possible. read more