First time dancing (in a studio) post-baby and what a great comeback with Hipline and warm welcome…read more FYI the entrance to Hipline is not street facing, there is a walkway next to Top Dog if parking on Lakeshore and signage pointing you in the right direction. I took an early morning class (Shimmy Pop, Indoor) with Nadiah. Upon entering there was a sign welcoming the newbies to the studio (including me!). After check-in, I received a newbie studio tour and joined the class shortly after. Absolutely loved the space, what the studio stands for, and the class format. SO fun! Great class and instructor. Would love to explore the other class type/styles, and incorporate into my schedule. To note, there is a newbie pass ($24) for unlimited classes for 2 weeks from start date. Can't wait to come back and explore Hipline more, thank you for the awesome experience!

I was going through a breakup over the summer and what better way to get over a man than to keep…read moremyself busy? I did the 2 week intro class pass because it was the same price as a single drop-in. I really took advantage of it because I was taking classes back to back every single day for those two weeks. One Saturday I took all their morning classes. That's like 5 in a row. It was amazing. I had so much fun! There's like a 15 min break in between classes. I love every single class that I took! The only downside to this is I live so far (South Bay) so to beat traffic on weekdays I would come super early (around 2-3pm) and sleep in my car parked at the Trader Joe's parking lot and wait for their 4pm class. I even considered moving to Oakland just so I can start taking their classes again and be in a closer vicinity. I love what they stand for (body positivity). I love the staff. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. If you try one instructor and don't like their vibe or playlist, I encourage you to try another! There's always someone out there for you that fits what you're looking for. I cannot recommend this place enough and wish they had options for day passes. I wish I could come in for one day and take back to back classes again. Hoping they open a studio in the South Bay!!

During the first few minutes, I thought, Holy shit, I was overly ambitious to book an intermediate…read moredance class with a former Warriors dancer! To ease the nerves, I just laughed it off I loved how non-judgemental the instructor and the group of gals were. Had so much fun! Who knew, I would enjoy dancing to K-Pop? Looking forward to the next class

Had such a great experience here. Grew up dancing and was looking for a good class for someone who…read moreis not a beginner but also hasn't danced in years, and had such a lovely time. Atmosphere is cool, upbeat and judgment free. Highly recommend for all levels and styles!

We decided to check out this dance studio since we saw they were teaching a Kpop class. Luckily…read morethey were teaching 2.0 by BTS and we were excited. This was our first time at the studio. There's plenty of parking, and the studio is on the smaller side, but nice (there's two dance rooms--one larger one and one smaller one). Since the Kpop class was so popular, there were a lot of people, but we were in the smaller room, since it sounded like there was another group training for some sort of performance. Once they left, we switched over to the larger room. Isabel teaches the Kpop classes and she was so friendly and encouraging. She was patient and great at breaking down the dance moves, while moving the class at an appropriate pace. It is a 1.5 hour class, so we finished all the moves with 15 minutes to break into dance groups (not exactly my favorite part, because my brain can't usually learn all the moves in the same class). Of note, they do record the group dances, but you can probably sit out if you want (I just stick around because of peer pressure and low key want to remember how I looked from when I started until mastering the dance). It's also nice that she will be kinda doing the dance on the side to guide you. There's no level listed on the class, so I'm assuming it's all levels. Based on being at other dance studios, I think 2.0 was more of an intermediate level class, but it was very doable! Overall, I really enjoyed my class with Isabel!

Went to 1 heels class here…read more The instructor/owner Izzy was kind, welcoming, and upbeat. She encouraged people to have fun, cheer each other on and say hi to each other. I've been to other dance classes where the instructor wasn't as intentional and had more of a serious and closed off, "get all the moves right" energy, which can be off putting when you're just joining a casual dance class, so this was refreshing! The class was Heels & Grooves and I would say it's beginner friendly! We started with stretching, then practicing walking, then learned the choreo. It was a fun class! Lots of parking available in the plaza. The space was open, bright, and clean. My GPS told me to go to the left when really they were located on the other side. It seems like they have a diverse range of class offerings. I'll def be coming back!

Come check out 5Rhythms dance on Thursday evenings, 7:30-9:30pm up in Hall 1! I feel blessed and…read morehonored to have been teaching this class at the hall for 5 years now. So grateful to the City of Oakland for continuing to work with and support our evening dance programs at Lake Merritt Dance! For more info visit: www.sayrahgarrison.com Photo credit: Kerry Kehoe Photography

This is a beautiful building. The floors are excellent for dancing. One of the rooms looks out onto…read moreLake Merritt and is especially beautiful during sunset. Parking is plentiful and provided. Good customer service is needed here. The person currently in charge of handling phone calls for people who call in was very rude to me when I called to find out details on the sound system for the room I would be deejaying. When I called the number listed on the website she answered and proceeded to chastise me for calling before business hours. She told me that no one does business at 7 a.m. in the morning and that I should know better than to call that early. I was expecting an answering machine like most businesses have. I was shocked at how she spoke so loudly to me. It was appalling how she repeatedly interrupted me blatently refusing to answer my question. I asked if I had the correct number. I almost thought I had the wrong number because her speech was so fast and pressured like a homeless person on drugs talking to an invisible person. It felt as if I had reached a payphone by accident in a bad part of town. It was really awful. All I needed to know who is what kind of sound system the room came with. It was a pretty standard procedure phone call for a DJ to make but I'd never have been treated so unprofessional and rudely and in such a strange way over the phone or in person. I never found out the true answer to my question about the sound system. She ended up answering the question and having it delivered to me through a third party and the answer was that everything I would need would be set up for me in the space. When I arrived for my gig there were no working speakers or sound system. There was an amp that did not work. The floors in the room were dirty which was dissapointing because our dancers needed clean floors. We were cleaning the floors on our hands and knees because the maintanence man vanished with his broom. I saw her for less than five minutes the day of my gig and she was berating someone profusely for bringing a small live plant into the building. They kept apologizing as she threatened to raise their cleaning fees an extra 150 dollars. Naturally I did not introduce myself or ask for anything I needed, seeing as she was present only to bully, not to assist. I really hope that not everyone has this kind of experience with her because this is a space that really deserves to be supported. That said, No one deserves to be treated unprofessionally So just be aware and good luck.

We love miss Bonnie. My 3 year old was shy and just warmed up to kids Bonnie. She is like your…read moregrandmother and the kids magically all listen to her somehow. It's that old school dance school that is just filled with love and 90s Disney music classics. My daughter just loves it and can't wait to see her friends and teacher at dance. Also, the after school and school break programs at clutch. Thanks miss Bonnie!

Both kids had a great time and showed me their new dance routines and moves when they got home.read more

Project Bandaloop is amazing! If I were good enough, and they would have me, I would drop out of…read moregraduate school right now to dance on walls and cliffs with them. Since that is not the case, I had resigned myself to frequent visits to their website UNTIL I found out that they host beginner and int/ adv workshops! Woohoo! Maybe I will be an amazingly talented beginner and they will beg me to travel the world with them and dance on the Petronas Towers, Chartres Cathedral, maybe even at Petra or the Coliseum. Please. Please. Pick me. I'll do anything. ________________________ Update: Since I have now completed both the beginner and int/adv workshops offered by Project Bandaloop, I feel this review needs an update. The workshop is a lot of fun, although pretty hard on the body. I figured that vertical dancing might have its challenges, but I had no idea how much a rock climbing harness and nerve endings could disagree. However, that did not stop me from going 4 days in a row...doubling up on pants and shirts can make a huge difference. The beginner workshop (5 hours over 2 days, $110) features a warm up, and then a rotation through the climbing wall featuring bouldering/dance, dance from single point suspension ("pods"), the trampoline walls, and the wood wall. The advanced workshop (6 hours over 2 days, $150) has an additional floor station and focuses on play and choreography more than orientation and skills. The workshops were between 15-20 people with 5-7 instructors. The instructors were great! Definitely gave the freedom to play, while also providing constructive pointers and maintaining a safe environment. The founder of Bandaloop, Amelia, was also in and out, watching the advanced performances, answering questions, etc. While she did not offer me a position in her dance troupe, I am definitely addicted, and will be going back for more. Maybe one day I can have my own trampoline wall. The one downer: the warehouse in Oakland seems pretty sketch upon first approach,. It isn't well marked, and looks kind of run down. It also can be tough getting in earlier, etc because all the doors are locked. However, the next workshop is in a new location close by in Oakland, so this may change soon.

truly amazing, innovate aerial artists! google them, and check out some of their performances, or…read morebetter yet, go see them in person!

This review is for Tink! Hands down the strongest, funnest, and most empowering women I have met…read more Thank you for your enthusiasm, encouragement and sharing all your fun tricks with me. So thrilled that you always have my back and bring such positive energy to every class. THANK YOU!!!

I came to my first pole class in October 2022 and have been hooked ever since. I recently loss a…read moresignificant amount of weight and wanted a way to get fit, have fun and feel comfortable in my body. My first class was with Zhara. She was great, full of energy and helpful. After one class, I went to a couple more intro classes eventually I purchased the 10 pack package (more bang for your buck) and subsequently moved to an annual membership after about 3 months of consistent classes. Each class and instructor I have taken has been wonderful. The entire staff is knowledgeable, encouraging and willing to offer feedback and assistance. I have taken multiple classes with the convenience of the annual pass. (Ie intro, low flow, twerk, poleography, pole workout, inversion etc). I have nothing but positive feedback about the instructors. Zhara's energy and abilities are awesome! Kelli's intro to pole and inversion class is wonderful. I always feel challenged but encourage that I will continue to progress. Kate's breakdown of the technical details with intro to inversion sessions are amazing. It feels like having a private session. Vickya's exercises in intro to pole particularly looking in the mirror and watching myself has helped me boost my self esteem. Tink's boot camp class has helped me get in better shape. C Michelle's energy and class on twerking has opened my eyes to the art form. Kat's kindness and beautiful choreography in low flow has helped me gain confidence in my own sensuality and body. For someone who never been on a pole 5 months ago and was shy to now being able to climb and starting to learn inversion, this studio has been amazing. So glad I took that first intro class and took a chance in myself. Now I can't get enough!!! I can't say enough positive things about this studio. In a short time I have learned so much and am excited weekly for my pole classes. I have met diverse folks of all backgrounds and it's beautiful to be part of this community.

If you're looking for a diverse, welcoming and inclusive healing space to practice, this is it…read more For days when you're feeling too tired to work out, but I still feel the need to center yourself and move the days events out of your body and mind try the Gentle Yoga class. By the end of class I'm feeling more myself, more grounded and nourished and better equipped to show up for myself and my community. In times like these, this is the perfect place to hold space for yourself, but not by yourself. Arrive early to secure metered street parking.

I joined this organization first as a member and later became a work-trade member, hoping to find a…read moresafe, joyful, and supportive community of BiPOC women. I came here with excitement and a desire to contribute, grow, and connect--but my experience has left me deeply hurt. Without any warning or explanation, I was told by Sataya that I was no longer part of the work-trade community because her and Cleopatra don't feel comfortable. To be removed so quickly and abruptly from a space that is meant to uplift BiPOC women is devastating and confusing. I feel excluded, unheard, and deeply disappointed by how this was handled. I hope the organization takes a hard look at how they treat community members and work-trade contributors. Transparency, care, and genuine inclusivity are essential--especially in spaces designed to support marginalized BLACK women in a society that is already unjust.