A WEEKLY COMMUNITY CONSCIOUS DANCE
EVERY 1ST & 3RD FRIDAY, 7 - 9:15PM
@ THE FAIRFAX COMMUNITY CHURCH
WHO WE ARE
The Dance is a soul-centric community of practice that meets every 1st & 3rd Friday night at the Fairfax Community Church. In this community, movement is our medicine, music our sacrament, & sweat our holy water. We come to remember, to connect, to break free, to have fun, & to shed the stories & sensations that are no longer serving us.
At The Dance, we know that the way we look to others while dancing is far less important than how we feel, & so we practice moving from the inside out in an effort to feel our whole selves through the movement. We believe that radical authenticity facilitates deep safety & deeper safety begets greater authenticity–for this reason, we practice using our movement to tell the truth.
In this community, we understand that our individual bodies are but cells of the larger planetary body, & so we align our weekly dance with the movements of the seasons—the decor, opening meditations, music, & overall intention from week to week all grow out of the same seasonal theme. The cycles of the earth live within our body, after all. Some weeks, this thematic overlay will be manifestly apparent; others, it will be a more subtle flavor. This shared intention deepens our embodiment & allows us to participate with our surroundings.
For us, the dance floor is both a sanctuary & a playground, a sacred theatre in which we can ride the waves of human experience with honesty & curiosity. In this community, we treat others with respect, communicate transparently with self-responsibility, & honor that everybody’s dance is different.
COMMUNITY VALUES
Consent & Respect
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We honor one another’s bodies, space, & choices.
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When we want to connect with someone else during dance, we practice asking with a gesture or eye contact. If the answer is no, we honor it gracefully.
Freedom of Expression
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All movement is welcome — big or small, still or wild.
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We release judgment of ourselves & others.
Substance- & Tech-free Space
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We cultivate clarity, presence, & freedom from dependency. This is an alcohol- & drug-free container.
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Phones are prohibited on the dance floor.
Cultivating the Nonverbal
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The dance floor is a space of presence & nonverbal communication. Words stay outside; sound, breath, & authentic vocal expression are welcome.
Inclusivity & Belonging
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Every body, age, background, & level of experience is welcome.
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We recognize that diversity strengthens our circle.
Presence & Responsibility
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Each individual is responsible for their own body, needs, & well-being.
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If emotions arise, we practice acknowledging & moving through them. The dance is a place for release, healing, & alchemization.
Conflict Resolution
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If anyone experiences a problem with another community member, we ask that you address it directly with them. If that does not feel available for any reason, seek support from a member of the leadership team confidentially.
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We refrain from triangulation, gossip, & “cancel culture” tactics. We equally refrain from silencing anyone, most especially ourselves. We resolve challenges with honesty, compassion, & care.
Leadership Transparency
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Our leadership commits to openness, clarity, & accountability in decision-making.
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We value honest communication & invite feedback to help the community thrive. [If you need to report a member of the leadership team for any reason, please follow this link to submit an anonymous complaint.]
Sacred Play
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The dance floor is both sanctuary and playground. We practice the art of serio ludere–serious play–in honor of the reality that life is both ridiculous & mega-real.
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We feel free to bring reverence & joy in equal measure.
THE FLOW
7:00pm - 7:30pm
THE OVERTURE
Grounded & down-regulated, this set will invite you into presence & depth with gentle rhythm, expansive slowness, & melodic beauty.
(Inspired by Amy Rogg's Underbelly & the art of slowing down)
7:30pm - 9:00pm
THE CRESCENDO
Herein we invite the party. This set is exuberant, funky, fast-paced, & freedom-finding.
9:00pm - 9:15pm
CLOSING MEDITATION
EXCHANGE
Sliding Scale: $23 - $30
THE FIVE Dance Cards: $111
Weekly volunteer positions available. Volunteers are required to undergo a brief orientation before they are cleared for sign-up. Apply here.
Fri, Apr 17A movement-based journey—nothing to fix, everything to move. Where soul, rhythm, and truth meet the body.
DJ LINE-UP
PRODUCTION
The Dance is supported by a tremendous volunteer base*, without whom we would not be. The DJs have been selected not just for their ability to select amazing music, but also for the way in which their music tells a story. At The Dance, we're here for the journey, not the destination, & the musical production endeavors to reflect this principle.
The Dance's primary spaceholder, our head-witch-in-charge, is Mackenzie Amara. She is a woman who has been repeatedly made whole on dancefloors. Learn more.
