SDPDA is the cream of the crop when it comes to learning pole in an inclusive, safe and authentic…read moreenvironment. They offer a variety of classes for different levels, so you can focus on multiple aspects of pole. As a teaching style, they focus on progressions and what I would refer to as perfection before progression - not in the sense that it has to be perfect but that they want you to be safe in your body and learn things the proper way before moving into more advanced skills. They are teaching pole students how to use their bodies and take care of them to protect themselves and keep them in good shape to be in pole for the long haul. That's what it's all about, especially as you get older and want to minimize any injuries. The staff is always welcoming and the people who take class are kind. It's a warm environment to be in and I've never once felt judged or left out of any circle. Everyone comes to pole for the love of it and that's something we all share in common and can vibe off of together. I absolutely love learning there and would never want to leave.

The instruction is amazing, the facility is sparkling clean and really nice, but the instructors…read moreand members are VERY cliquey. I bought a multi class punch card and tried a few classes, and though the dancing was really fun I almost felt like an intruder. The best way I can describe it is like their attitude was like "oh... YOU'RE here? Um... ok." Like I was crashing a party I wasn't invited to. It's clear the long-term members and instructors have a vibe and they didn't seem interested in letting anyone new in. I ended up not using the last class on my card because each time left class, I just felt bad about myself.

My teammates and I decided to watch Keone and Mari's last show for Beyond Babel. Coming all the way…read morefrom the Orange County, we were pressed for time and drove 95 mph to get down to San Diego. Worth it? Most definitely. Although it's difficult to find parking, there is a nearby neighborhood that is less than a 2 minute walk from the theatre. This show is absolutely amazing. The storytelling is incredible and to weave it in with the movement and music is worth every penny and every mile that we drove.

Okay so this one is for my little dancers. Beyond Babel is as if your entire world was one giant…read moredance-off. The dance moves as you would hope were phenomenal. Seriously I didn't realize the human body could bend, twist, shake, etc., like that. Maybe the cast isn't human? Maybe they are aliens from Dancetron come to teach us to lay down our guns and pick up the beat? The choreography is creative and the moves are very clean and tight. I won't lie to you, this wasn't exactly my jam. My daughters love this show and this was the second time seeing it. I was told it was a spin on Romeo & Juliet which is cool and I saw some common threads but sometimes was left just going "huh?" Still a lot of "wow" factor in the dance. The theater is pretty neat. Located off Imperial Avenue, it looks like this took over two houses? There is the front lobby which you have to exit to go around back to the theater itself. The first floor holds the majority of the seats which look comfy. The second floor where my wife and I sat was bar stool seats overlooking a balcony. I wasn't very comfortable after a while and kept fidgeting. Get seats on first floor. The dancers also move through the audience. It didn't happen this time but my girls and wife said the stage also moves. They also said this show was different at times which would allow it to be fresh even for a repeat visit. You could tell there were a lot of die hard fans shouting out at dancers by name. The creators, Keone and Mari, have a lot to be proud of and it would not surprise me to see this hit Broadway. If love dance and want to support local artists hit Beyond Babel. Okay, I'm done. Time to moonwalk my way off the stage.

I was so fortunate last week that the Cultural District brought Lakshmi, her dancers, guitars and…read moresinger. They gave an outstanding performance at my residence. She was full of life, excitement and one of the best dancers I have seen here in San Diego. Many years ago I belonged to the Flamenco society as a budding guitarist and had met many dancers, guitarist and singers. She brought a beautiful show and culture to people that were in awe of her and unfamiliar with the stories of flamenco people. I found her to be very friendly, unpretentious and good humored. Her personality to be unsnobish as most dancers I had met were. (This was in the '70s and '80s). Really enjoyed the famous singer and the friendly guitarist who I spoke to in the beginning. Hoping that they will be back again and that I'll be able to see her at other venues. Closest thing to Spain I have seen here in San Diego in my lifetime. Thank you so very much.

Lakshmi "La Chimi" Basile is a rare talent. Not only that, she is one of the only flamenco artists…read morein San Diego who has sustained a long and impressive career dancing nightly in Sevilla, Spain, giving her profound insight into flamenco puro. Her shows bring world class guitarists, singers, and dancers to local stages, and I highly recommend them to anyone seeking an authentic and inspirational flamenco experience.

Had such an awesome time having a lesson from Nico! It's actually been years since I had put a…read morepause on dancing, and honestly watching Nico live by example and work on his craft day by day inspired me to reach back out. Initially, there's always that feeling of doubt and self-consciousness about being in your own body, but Nico does an incredible job at creating a safe space to practice and express, and with no judgement, all encouragement. It doesn't matter whether you're just starting to learn the art, or getting back into it after years, Nico is there to support your growth. Would absolutely recommend taking a class from Nico and the Break-5-8 organization, they know exactly what they're doing, and you're for sure going to receive value!

I connected with Nico after I asked a mutual friend who can coach me to do flares. I sent Nico a…read morelist of what I was looking for: 1) Assessment of my attempts at a flare 2) Assessment of my strength and flexibility 3) A workout plan to build up weak points. Getting flares is my top physical priority! We started with some stretches, strength, and conditioning. Then we got into the technique! He identified that I started too high in my flare. He used slow-mo video to show me what was up. He demonstrated how it's done correctly. He is very patient, technical, and encouraging. He delivered on everything I was looking for!

After going through several Latin dance studios and not able to improve my Salsa spin technique, I…read morecame across Carl, and he really surprised me. Besides being funny and patient, he focuses on your specific needs, vs having a syllabus like most studios do. He teaches Salsa, as well as Bachata and Merengue, and will go step by step until you get it right. Carl is a multitalented and humble instructor and I extremely recommend taking private lessons with him!

Excellent Experience. Good people. They had a lot of patience whit me . I'm a shy guy but they give…read moreme confidence