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All BANDALOOP registration is currently done through ClassBug. If you need registration system support you can contact ClassBug directly, support@classbug.com. Questions about BANDALOOP Education Programs and any feedback can be sent to workshop@bandaloop.org.
Registration typically closes 1 week (7 days) prior to the workshop. Later registration is available at staff discretion.
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Please do your best to be on time so you can fully participate in all activities.
Bring your own snacks, lunch & refillable water bottle.
Wear comfortable clothes to move in and layers that are weather dependent. BANDALOOP Studios are in a newly renovated studio warehouse - we have insulation, heaters and floor fans to help with temperature control but note that it will be warmer in the studio in the summer months and colder in the winter months.
Suggested Clothing:
· Bike unitards, Leotards, Spanx
· High waisted pants or shorts (we recommend longer shorts that end above or at the knee), or long shirt that can be tucked in
These items assist the harness to slide, rather than pull at your skin when rotations are made in the harness. Try to avoid having the harness contact bare skin. We encourage everyone to have their whole torso and legs above the knee fully covered to avoid harness rub on the skin.
· For students with external genitalia, we encourage undergarments that offer support and containment. Undergarments meant for compression are not recommended, as they may leave soft parts vulnerable to restriction from leg loops (this goes for outer layers as well). Something like a jock strap which offers support and containment, while keeping soft parts away from the legs is ideal. Each body and person is different, so come prepared with a couple different options of undergarments in case you find one is especially uncomfortable.
· Avoid wearing big/long jewelry to class. We will kindly request long hair be pulled back to avoid getting caught in a device.
HELPFUL TIP - Limit the amount of coffee or other acidic foods you take in right before your class/workshop as it could affect your stomach when we rotate or go upside down. We recommend substantial meals be eaten two or more hours prior to the start of class. Ginger is great to have if you get nauseous when upside down. Make sure to start hydrating at least 24 hours in advance of a workshop (it really helps!!!).
MEDIA:
We would love for you to share your experiences from this workshop. All media taken during class should be shared as "Workshop with BANDALOOP…”.
Suggested Tags: @bandaloop_edu @bandalooping
#bandaloopworkshop #danceonwalls #workshopwithBANDALOOP #bandalooping #verticaldance #bandaloopeducation
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Registration closes 1 week (7 days) prior to the workshop. Cancellations will be honored up to 2 weeks (14 days) in advance of workshop start date, refunded as class credit, minus a $25 administrative fee. After the 14 day window, partial refunds will be considered in the case of serious injury, illness, or personal emergency. In the event BANDALOOP needs to cancel a class or workshop due to extenuating circumstances, we will notify you with as much notice as possible and full refunds will be offered.
Class credits can be used towards any other BANDALOOP programming. Class credits do not expire and are not transferable.
When we teach outdoors, we work with the elements and weather. In the event BANDALOOP needs to cancel an outdoor class or workshop due to weather, we will notify you 24 hours in advance and refunds will be offered. We will teach in light rain and only cancel when severe smoke, weather or storms are a significant possibility. Please plan accordingly.
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WHAT IS MY HARNESS SIZE?
We use Metolius Waldo Harnesses for our education programming. We have the following harness sizes in our stock:
XXXS (waist 22”-24”)
XXS (waist 24”-26.5”)
XS (waist 26.5”-29”)
S (waist 29”-31.5”)
M (waist 31.5”-35”)
L (waist 35”-39”)
L/XL (waist 33”-42”) *this is a full-body harness
Some smaller youth sizes are also available.
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BANDALOOP Health, Safety and Accessibility Guidelines 2023
BANDALOOP is a learning organization that acknowledges its own fallibility. As such, we approach the work of anti-oppression and building equity with curiosity and humility. BANDALOOP works to be a more equitable organization with the understanding that harmful historical bias and oppression pervades the performing arts, a reflection of the larger system of false hierarchies of human value.
With an understanding that access needs are diverse and every disability is different, BANDALOOP Studios strives to create a safe(r) space for the justice, dignity and joy of persons living with disabilities. We are committed to transparency around access at BANDALOOP Studios. Below are our present and evolving Accessibility Guidelines.
For questions, requests and further accommodations, please email studio@bandaloop.org.
Wheelchair Access
Both Studios East and West, along with BANDALOOP Studios’ bathrooms are ADA Accessible. Our mezzanine is not ADA accessible at this time. To support our efforts to create more ADA access at BANDALOOP Studios, please check out The Anchor Fund.
Toilet Facilities
BANDALOOP Studios’ toilet facilities are ADA Accessible and gender neutral.
Access Services
BANDALOOP Studios employs the services and counsel of Gravity Access Services for access needs of community members with diverse sensory modalities and physicalities including live and recorded Audio Description services, pre-show Haptic Access Tours, ASL referral services, Site Visits, and Media Assessments.
For related inquiries please contact studio@bandaloop.org
Fragrance-Free Studios
Recognizing that some workshop attendees, employees and visitors may have sensitivities or allergic reactions to personal body odor and various natural or artificial fragrant products, we kindly ask all persons at BANDALOOP Studios to be cognizant of their body odor and scented personal products that they use or bring onto the premises such as cologne, perfume, oils, lotions and powders.
BANDALOOP Studios is a Smoke-Free Space.
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As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, we are monitoring the recommended healthcare guidelines from government and public health officials. As the State of California and Alameda County announce guidelines for our industry we will continue to offer in-person classes that adhere to those guidelines. Masking is supported and not required for indoor activities at BANDALOOP Studios by employees, contractors, dancers, teachers, students, facilitators, riggers, safety personnel, and use of space licensees.
Masking will be further advised for all indoor activities by employees, contractors, dancers, teachers, students, facilitators, riggers, safety personnel, and use of space licensees, whenever illness, viral or bacterial, in the public arena, is being watched and/or alerts activated by public health officials in Alameda County, California.
Vaccination is encouraged for all students when possible
Vaccination is required for all employees of BANDALOOP.
If any participant is experiencing Covid/flu-like symptoms, they are required to stay home from BANDALOOP activities
Partial refunds will be considered in the case of serious injury, illness, or personal emergency. Refunds are determined on a case by case basis. Email workshop@bandaloop.org to request a refund.
In an effort to increase agency for persons at BANDALOOP Studios to meet their access needs, masking could be required for programming at any time per the request of a teacher, student, space licensee or at the discretion of BANDALOOP management/staff in coordination with public health officials in Alameda County.
PPE is available upon request at BANDALOOP Studios.
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Please scroll to the bottom of this page for scholarship and work-exchange information.
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BANDALOOP WORKSHOPS
We welcome learners of all ages, genders, and movement backgrounds. While our dance form requires the use of technical climbing equipment, adaptations are available for those with specific access needs. BANDALOOP creates access to our vertical dance workshops for economically diverse communities, with work-study positions and scholarships granted throughout the year. Details and applications are below.
Please consider donating to support these scholarships!
this week @ bandaloop ↓
BANDALOOP VERTICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS
2024 Studio Holidays
Saturday 3/30 through Friday 4/5 - Spring Break
Monday 5/27 - Memorial Day
Wednesday, 6/19 - Juneteenth
Thursday, 7/4 - Independence Day
photo by Winter Ramos
FREE TO FLY
Free!*
*Starting in 2024, a $15 deposit will be charged to hold your spot. Deposits will be refunded 3-5 business days after attendance. Cancellations must be made by 4pm the Friday before Free to Fly to be refunded. Refunds will not be issued for day-of cancellations and no-shows. If this presents financial difficulty for you, or if you’d like to donate your deposit amount, please contact workshop@bandaloop.org.
2024:
April 27, session 1 - 12:30-2:00pm
April 27, session 2 - 2:30-4:00pm
May 18, session 1 - 12:30-2:00pm
May 18, session 2 - 2:30-4:00pm - Family session, ages 9+!
September 21, session 1 - 12:30-2:00pm
September 21, session 2 - 2:30-4:00pm
November 16, session 1 - 12:30-2:00pm
November 16, session 2 - 2:30-4:00pm
**registration opens 1 month prior to each Free to Fly session.
Get a free flight test with BANDALOOP and experience vertical joy! Float in the air, jump into space, explore surfaces and play with verticality in a new way. See what’s possible when we turn the dance floor on its side and change our perspective. Our kind and experienced teachers will guide you through a safe and exploratory time as you experience a taste of vertical dance. No experience necessary, all gear provided.
** we kindly request that students only enroll in one Free to Fly session a year so we can welcome as many people as possible into these opportunities.
photo by Brooke Anderson
Artistic Research
Spring (January - June 4) - Tuesdays & Saturdays, 10am-12pm
Summer (June - August) - Saturdays, 10am-12pm
drop-in
$20/class.
5-class ($18/class) or 10-class ($16/class) packages now available! Valid for 4 months.
Age 16+
Drop-in with pre-requisites
Any BANDALOOP workshop in the past year (not free to fly)
OR company member
OR training group
This is a loosely facilitated session that will focus on creative research, play, and exploration. It is a time for you to be in parallel practice with the dancers around you, working solo or in collaboration. We will begin and close with a circle and check in once during this session to share questions, thoughts and updates. Artistic Research sessions can be a time to joyfully play, incubate new ideas, continue to explore and expand the form of vertical dance and more. Come with an open-mind and a commitment to staying curious and being part of a caring community of practice. A BANDALOOP staff member will be onsite to offer supervision, safety checks and support. All gear will be supplied.
To participate in Artistic Research you must have taken a BANDALOOP workshop in the past year (excluding Free to Fly) and be able to confidently acknowledge and actively engage in BANDALOOP’s Culture of Safety. If you are a practicing harness based vertical dancer, a safety lesson and evaluation can be arranged in advance for an additional fee to bypass the prerequisite.
photo by Brooke Anderson
Weekend Workshops - open level/beginning
$250
May 4 & 5, 1:30-4:30pm
October 5-6, 1:30-4:30pm
December 7-8, 1:30-4:30pm
Age 16+
Join us as we ascend into BANDALOOP’s signature style of rope and harness vertical dance. Launching from the foundation of our Culture of Safety and equipment training, we will activate BANDALOOP’s dance walls, trampoline wall, and free-hanging space with fun and rigorous dancing. Lessons include harness movement fundamentals, creative process, and more advanced work like wall running, rotations, and partnering. This workshop is mixed level and suited for new movers and experienced dancers. Come experience vertical joy and feel the freedom of flight! All gear will be supplied.
photo by Brooke Anderson
Eastern Sierra Workshop
$1300
June 10-14, 2024
arrive on the 10th, leave on the 14th (4 nights, 3 days)
Ages 18+
Location: We will be group camping at Tom’s Place. This campsite has running water and bathroom facilities.
Dive into three days of outdoor adventure and BANDALOOPing bliss while camping in the high country. BANDALOOP was founded 30 years ago in the Sierra and the mountains have since been our longest collaborator and oldest dance partner. Rooted in our culture of safety, students will start with movement practices that ground us in the environment and our bodies. We move to the basics of how to safely ascend and rappel with guidance from our experienced teachers and riggers. From there, we will immerse ourselves in BANDALOOP movement, including vertical technique, choreography, and partnering in a safe and supportive environment. We will dance together in nature inspired by the landscape and ecosystem. We will work with improvisational scores and compositional exercises to generate movement in relationship to place and to each other supported by morning sessions of ground-based warm-ups and movement. Stories and Q+A with BANDALOOP founder Amelia Rudolph, Teaching Artists and Riggers, and an informal sharing on the last day of the workshop will frame our time together.
This is an open level workshop, no prior dance or climbing experience necessary. Please direct all questions or concerns to workshops@bandaloop.org
BANDALOOP will provide all dance gear, water, snacks and hot beverages. Students are responsible for their own food, transportation and camping gear. Onsite camp logistical support will be provided by BANDALOOP.
photo by Skip Kirk
OPEN LEVEL ADULT SUMMER INTENSIVE
Early bird (before May 1) $825
Later bird (after May 1) $875
2-weeks (combined with ASCENDED Intensive): 10% discount
10:00am-5:00pm
July 29 - August 3, 2024
Monday - Wednesday, Friday - Saturday, Thursday off for a rest day.
Ages 16+
Immerse yourself in 5 days of BANDALOOPing!
Grounded in BANDALOOP’s Culture of Safety, daily practice will consist of on the ground technique class: warming, strengthening, releasing and articulating the body with precision, momentum and joy.
BANDALOOPing technique: drawing on decades of experience, we will find flight with rope and harness. Fundamentals of safety, gear training, sound body mechanics, harness dance, partnering and recuperative techniques mix into full-bodied, dynamic, multi-directional dancing. Vertical Dance Composition and Performance: Explore site-responsive composition tools and the vast possibilities of vertical space. Be supported and inspired to make dances, learn repertory, collaborate and co-inspire as a group.
Big Wall Training: take all the technique, skills, choreography and safety from the studio to an outdoor dance wall. Experience rooftop load-ins and big loft. Feel what it is like to dance with 100ft of rope! All gear will be supplied.
Wednesday afternoon and Saturday will take place on an outdoor dance wall in Oakland.
Additional events include an evening gathering hosted by BANDALOOP Leadership.
photo by Skip Kirk
BANDALOOP Ascended: Intermediate Adult Intensive
Early bird (before May 1) $900
Later bird (after May 1) $950
2-weeks (combined with Open Level Intensive): 10% discount
10:00am - 5:00pm
August 5-10
Monday - Wednesday, Friday - Saturday, Thursday off for a rest day.
Ages 16+
This is a continuing workshop for committed dancers who want to take their vertical dancing to the next level. A perfect pairing with our previous summer intensive week, BANDALOOP Ascended will focus on advanced vertical dance skills, choreographic tools, performance presence, BANDALOOP repertory and body wellness. A focus of this week will be adapting the skills, technique and safety awareness developed in the studio to an outdoor dance wall. Students will have multiple opportunities to train with big loft and experience rooftop load-ins. All gear will be supplied.
This week includes two full days on an outdoor dance wall in Oakland.
Additional events include an evening gathering hosted by BANDALOOP Leadership.
Prerequisites: BANDALOOPing Open Level Intensive or equivalent BANDALOOP training. Experienced vertical dancers can apply to attend by sending brief details of experience and a vertical dance video sample. Video work samples should demonstrate the student's ability to take off and land safely, run a pendulum, and rotate in space. Send work samples and questions to workshop@bandaloop.org.
photo by Skip Kirk
photo by Brooke Anderson
photo by Amanda Bellucci
BANDALOOPING: Advanced Adult Intensive
Early bird (before May 1) $975
Later bird (after May 1) $1,000
10:00am - 5:00pm
August 12-17
Monday - Wednesday, Friday - Saturday, Thursday off for a rest day.
Ages 18+
Designed for advanced level vertical dancers, this intensive will take students to new heights with rigorous and expansive dance training. Grounded in BANDALOOP’s Culture of Safety students will incubate new ideas, pursue curiosities, and learn and create choreographic phrases together.
We will start in the newly renovated BANDALOOP Studios, using the vertical trampoline, hard walls and low fly free hanging space to research, share and learn with each other. From there, we will spend 3 days on an outdoor dance wall, training and playing with up to 100 feet of loft.
Every day will begin with an opening circle, include a thorough on the ground dance warm up to activate the articulate, dynamic body, vertical dance rotations, and a restorative cool down. Connect with fellow vertical dancers, learn from BANDALOOP company dancers and alumni, and join us as we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible.
This week includes three full days on an outdoor dance wall in Oakland.
Additional events include an evening gathering hosted by BANDALOOP Leadership.
Registration by video audition. Advanced vertical dancers can apply to attend by sending brief details of experience and a vertical dance video sample. Video work samples should demonstrate; safely leaving and returning to the wall, running and rotating on pendulum, and full bodied expressive vertical dancing. Please also send a one minute video of you dancing on the ground. This could be improvisation or choreography. We want to see your articulate creative expressive dancing on the ground too!
All work samples and questions can be sent to workshop@bandaloop.org.
Fly & Flow: 8-Week Series
$460
Thursdays, 6:30-8:30pm
September 12 - October 31
Age 16+
This series provides the curious mover or dedicated dancer a chance to regularly ascend into BANDALOOP’s signature style of vertical dance. From a foundation of safety and equipment training, dancers will activate BANDALOOP’s dance walls, trampoline wall, and free-hanging space with fun and rigorous dancing. Lessons include harness movement fundamentals, creative process and more advanced work including wall running, rotations, partnering, and opportunities for students to explore their own artistic voice or curiosities. This class is suited for all levels, an already established movement practice is encouraged but not required.The 8 weeks will culminate in an informal showing. All gear will be supplied.
Up to be seen: Performance workshop
$460
Mondays & Thursdays, 6:30-8:30pm
November 4 - December 6 (no class November 25 & 28)
Performance date: December 7 @ 6pm, call time 4pm
Age 16+
prerequisite: An intermediate mover should have a regular movement practice, and have taken one BANDALOOP workshop/series in the past year. Must be able to confidently acknowledge and actively engage in BANDALOOP's Culture of Safety.
A new series for curious BANDALOOP students interested in performing vertical dance work. After revisiting the safety and fundamentals of BANDALOOPING, this series will look at vertical dance composition, choreography and performance. Special attention will be given to musicality, theatricality, improvisation as performance, considering site, and relating to climbing gear as a dance partner. All gear will be provided. Practice into Performance will culminate in a public performance on Saturday, December 7 at 6pm.
PUBLIC OPEN SHOWING: Saturday, DECEMBER 7 | Students Called: 4pm-7pm | Public Performance: 6pm
PRIVATE LESSONS
In Studio Training:
Individual private rates are $150 per hour with a two hour minimum. We recommend 2-3 hours for a private lesson. Discounts and package deals can be made for small group privates and multiple individual privates. Email workshop@bandaloop.org for more information, scheduling and pricing.
BIG WALL TRAINING:
For advanced dancers who have previous BANDALOOP dance experience through workshops or classes, we offer outdoor big wall training in Oakland. In studio privates are a prerequisite for big wall training. Training programs will be developed on a case by case basis depending on the dancer’s experience level, safety, and comfort. Email workshop@bandaloop.org for more information and pricing.
Big Wall Training is currently on pause.
BANDALOOP’s rigging for vertical dance and aerial work is done by qualified professionals. Our rigging team consists of certified mountain guides, professional rock climbers, theatrical riggers, and rope access technicians. This diverse set of vertically inclined professionals work closely with our logisticians and risk management team in keeping our dancers safe as they perform on buildings, bridges, and cliffs globally. BANDALOOP does not condone any student rigging or participating in aerial or vertical dance outside the classroom without the supervision of qualified professionals. You and others can be injured or killed. If you are interested in hiring a professional rigger, contact workshop@bandaloop.org.
FINANCIAL AID
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BANDALOOP offers a limited number of need-based scholarships. Scholarship priority is given to BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ applicants with the greatest need, but we encourage everyone who needs financial assistance to apply. Typical scholarships range from 10%-50% of tuition costs offset.We request that students complete this application no later than 2 weeks prior to the start date of the program you’re applying for. Applicants should expect a response 1 week after applying. Please email workshop@bandaloop.org with questions.
We are so grateful to our funders at Bay Area Physicians for Human Rights and individual donors for making our scholarships possible!
POLICIES:
Beginning the next business day after your scholarship application is received, your spot in the workshop will be held for 2 weeks (14 days).
Within 1 week (7 days) BANDALOOP will notify you of your scholarship decision.
You will have 1 week (7 days) after receiving your scholarship notification to accept & set up payments for the workshop.
A minimum payment of 25% of the remaining workshop fee will be required to confirm registration.
Payment plans are available upon request.
After 2 weeks, your space on the roster will be forfeit. Should you still be interested in participating in the workshop, a new scholarship application will need to be submitted and the timeline will reset.
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BANDALOOP offers work-exchange opportunities to earn credit towards studio rental or workshop tuition. WEX is offered at an exchange rate of $25/hr. Shifts typically include cleaning the studio, assistance on special projects, and assistance on events.
Our highest need is for regular cleaning shifts (weekly preferred) for our West Oakland studio, located at 1601 18th St, Oakland.
Please fill out this form to express interest in work-exchange with BANDALOOP.
GIVE THE GIFT OF FLIGHT
Donations help us offer scholarships and make BANDALOOP education accessible!