I'm so furious that I'm shaking…read more My daughter has been placed in pointe levels at Northwest Dance Project and Oregon Ballet Theatre, both with professional companies. She was placed in pointe this past spring at a dance school in Paris with instructors from the Paris Opera Ballet. The Paris Opera Ballet is one of the best dance companies in the ENTIRE WORLD. So obviously she's at the level of pointe. Last night, my daughter had a placement class with DanceWorks Performing Arts. They said that level 3 is the best level to assess new dancers. Shortly in, her asthma started acting up, and she ignored it. She ignored it so long that she nearly reached a point of passing out and had to step out. If her father and I weren't already there, it would have been a situation to call 911. That's how severe it was. She ignored it because she wanted to impress the instructor, Savannah. At the front desk, Karen, who I found out is the director just now, told us that our daughter could redo the assessment tomorrow night, when she's able to breathe properly. Today, I got an email. They're placing her in level 3 instead of reassessing, which is two full years away from pointe, and, no, they don't do midyear advancements. No, they don't skip levels. Karen said Savannah can tell "within the first couple exercises," which was before ny daughter couldn't breathe. You means when they're warning up?! No combinations, no floor work, nothing. Based on "the first couple exercises," they can tell a dancer's full ability? That's absolutely BULLSHIT. There's a reason assessments are an entire class rather than coming in for the first 15 minutes. Karen said this is an absolute, that she has to take at least two more years before pointe there, which is so wildly inappropriate I'm still in disbelief to some extent. So...are they REALLY trying to effectively say that other dance schools, with professional company, and Paris Opera Ballet instructors themselves, were all wrong in their assessments? Really? REALLY?!! REALLY!!! We could understand a few weeks of 3 to warm her up to this school, then 4 for a few weeks, then 5, which is the first pointe level. We could maybe accept a full term of 3 and then a term of 4 with 5 next year, or 4, which is a year before pointe, this year. But no. Even that's not considerable. They want her in a class level with 10-12-year-olds who are two years, minimum, away from pointe, with no exceptions at all, ever, whatsoever. There's no way their instruction is so much better that a pointe dancer with my child's experience would only be at a level 3. If the dancers there were that much better, this school would be world-famous. But since they're not, there's got to be another reason they don't want her in pointe, or even in a pre-pointe level. I suspect, strongly, that, since this school also has competition teams (which is optional and NOT something my daughter has interest in doing), they don't want her in pointe with their pointe dancers who are all the stereotypical twigs. It's the ONLY thing that makes sense. Knocking her down two levels from pointe would age her out of competition, which, again, she had no interest in doing. So basically this would mean she's too fat for pointe. Since my child is absolutely a pointe-level dancer, this is the only thing that makes sense. There's literally no way two schools with professional companies AND Paris Opera Ballet instructors are the wrong ones. None. All that's left is there much be another reason, and what else is left other than my daughter isn't emaciated? That's actually part of what makes her so beautiful to watch on stage, and it's not just me saying that, but people who didn't know which one is mine. Look at the pics from Paris below and tell me if you think that. Tell me if she looks like she needs two more years, minimum, before pointe.

So grateful we found this studio. Our daughter has been begging to take Hip Hop dance classes. We…read moretook her to another studio and were immediately concerned about their lack of awareness/acknowledgement that we are in the midst of a pandemic- wearing no masks indoors with the omicron variant wreaking havoc. This studio is clean, the staff and dance teachers are extremely friendly and everyone is wearing a mask. We feel like our daughter can enjoy learning and having fun while we feel safe in an environment and business that is doing it's job to prevent spread of COVID. The hip hop class she is in is for 6-8 year olds. The teacher is super energetic, the studios are lit up with colorful lights, and the music and routines are on point! Thanks DanceWorks!

We enjoy it and have loved this place for years. Wifi for parents. Kids love it. Snack Bar is…read morereasonable. Daughter did gymnastics here for several years and loved that experience. I wish the pool was more accessible, useable for free swims (likely keeps maintenance down and expensive draining session when an errant turd slips out?), but other than that the recent upgrades on the jungle/playground make it still a fun spot for my daughter. Also, I like the bathrooms - they seem safe, great design for people of all heights, UV drying blowers, and it feels safe... like no creepy creepers are slipping in there unnoticed. All in all - we prefer this to other locations in the region/area

So far this place is great!…read more Signed my 4 year old up for swimming classes. The pool is heated and the room is warm. My son loved it and enjoyed the class so much. After his class they gave him ribbons that said he was ready for the next class and one for completing his 1st swim class. He was so thrilled! They have so much to offer. Swimming, gymnastics is, preschool, huge indoor climbing gym for rainy days and holiday themed events. They have easy sign ups online as well. This place is AWESOME! I'm signing up my other 2 kids for swimming classes too. *** wish they would consider sibling discount, even 5%-10% would be nice Check them out!

My kid and I had a great time at the Learning Garage. It's very open-ended creating and was great…read morefor my daughter to just be able to make whatever her heart desired! But also had a suggested craft laid out for those that don't have as much inspiration. There is also some fun kids stuff in the back for them to play with if they get bored or finish their craft before everyone else. Really glad a new kid friendly activity place has opened up near me.

My daughter did a Kpop Demon Hunter craft and karaoke pizza night here and had a great time. All…read morethe kids were super jazzed when I saw them at pick up time and didn't want to leave as they kept playing music and dancing. The owner is a delight and great with the kids.

I have been taking lessons here (w/Abby) for almost a year and recently did a private party (with…read moreMiss V) for my birthday and it has been a phenomenal experience!! Everyone is so nice and personable and the private party was the most fun I've had with my friends in a long time! Thank you ladies for making me feel so confident and strong!

LOVE Studio 4! I've been to a few pole studios in the greater Portland/Vancouver area and this is…read moreby far my favorite. Everyone from the teachers to the other students are super welcoming and more concerned about helping YOU learn & grow than anything else! I've honestly found a few other studios to be a little catty at worst and confusing at best (example - no clear trajectory for learning, and when you do sign up for a class that's too hard, no ability to downgrade to something you can do without getting hurt!). At Studio 4 everyone is happy to answer my questions and suggest things I might like to try as well as explain moves without any judgement! Love the variety of Studio 4's classes and that you can get a LOT of choreo in! Super welcoming environment for all kinds of people!

We absolutely LOVE Vancouver Play Street Museum! This place is incredibly clean, thoughtfully…read moreorganized, and perfect for toddlers. You can truly tell how much care and intention goes into every detail. The owner is amazing -- a retired teacher -- and it really shows in the way the space is set up to encourage imaginative play, learning, and exploration in a calm, welcoming environment. My toddler adores this place and could spend hours playing. It's become one of our favorite spots, and I always recommend it to other parents looking for a clean, engaging, and enriching play space.

Fun place to take the kids when mom needs a break, I would say this is for kids primarily under 5…read moreyears of age. The older ones would be okay, but seem to be focused more so on the tots. Clean environment, cute projects, fun play time.

This month I was in Vancouver, WA as a performer at the Clark county fair for 10 days. I managed to…read moreget in a few days of Yoga when not running the streets near the hotel and it was really nice. I saw that Simply Yoga had and still has! A special deal of "10-days for 10$" and so I signed that up and took a few classes. I got to experience Hatha with Kristi and Vinyasa 1/2 w/ Christina. Both excellent teachers and the studio is beautiful, clean, well managed, and the vibes are so relaxing and open. I attempted another class but it was full, but it's all good! Simply Yoga is worth checking out, had good price points and is remodeling their large studio to be and beyond! Go check this place out and get your Yoga ON!

Went last night for the first time and loved it. I bought the 10 classes for 10 days in a row for…read more$10 - you can't beat that intro offer. I have not taken formal classes in many years, but have been doing yoga somewhat regularly virtually to Beth Shaw YogaFit, and I was able to fit right in with the class. There were 4 other people in the Hatha class with Kari and I loved the small class size. Kari was great. Having a "real, live" instructor really helps you to focus / relax much better than watching a video, and she really kept her eye on us and gently corrected our forms which was very positive for me. I had to email them because I had an issue with my account that was my own fault and they replied very quickly and wanted to make sure nothing got in the way of my returning before the kink got solved. I can't wait for the next class!