where the old dances invade a new generation
Parties
held in Berkeley, the 4th Friday of the month
Our crowd is growing and thriving... a really positive atmosphere!
8:00-9:00 = Lesson in Vintage Waltz -- no partner or experience needed
9:00-midnight = Dance to Persephone and guest DJs playing lots of waltzes,
and a little bit of all the other partner dances. We take requests :)
Upcoming guest DJs are:
January 22 = Bandana Bob, February 26 = Sam
only $8 for class and dance, $6 after 9pm
Our crowd is growing and thriving... a really positive atmosphere!
8:00-9:00 = Lesson in Vintage Waltz -- no partner or experience needed
9:00-midnight = Dance to Persephone and guest DJs playing lots of waltzes,
and a little bit of all the other partner dances. We take requests :)
Upcoming guest DJs are:
January 22 = Bandana Bob, February 26 = Sam
only $8 for class and dance, $6 after 9pm
The Finnish Brotherhood Hall
1970 Chestnut St @ University
If you are coming on Bart, get off at the North Berkeley Bart station. When you exit turn to your right and go across the parking lot to Delaware St. Turn right on Delaware, walk 3 blocks west to Chestnut, turn left and go 2 blocks south to the hall.
If you are driving, take the University Avenue exit from Hwy 80, and go east, away from the marina and the bay. Soon after you cross the major street of San Pablo, you will see All Star Donuts on your left. That is Chestnut Street, turn left there and park. There is a small lot alongside the hall, or if that is full you can usually find street parking within a block or two.
Enter through the small door on the left of this stairway.
If we're good we will have signs pointing the way. :)
Have you ever waltzed to Metallica or polkaed to They Might Be Giants? Yes? Then you know what a great time it is, and we will see you there! No? Well it's never too late to start. Since we have hundreds of years of waltz music to choose from, the variety makes a wonderful, festive evening. This is a casual, neighborhood party: a chance to meet people, bounce around, and generally make merry. We'll have a potluck; you are welcome to bring snacks if you like. Your hosts always bring the punch and water. No alcohol, please, as we sometimes have dancers under 21 attending.
All are welcome for the lesson, so we can get you moving and ready to sail across the floor. If you're new to dancing we promise to be patient with you, and if you have waltzed before we will improve your technique. After class, during the dance party, we will still be available to help you with what we taught you, and introduce you to some of our regulars. They are well skilled, but don't be shy about asking them to dance with you too. They'll probably be happy for the chance to show off. :)
If you have any questions, please send an email to Persephone, Dancing (at) SFO (dot) com.
Otherwise, we look forward to seeing you there.
Recent Quotes about Vintage Invasion:
"The friendliest waltz I have been to. Very comfortable, and just the right number of people; I got to dance with almost everyone I wanted to."
--Alan, Jan 2010
"It's the best place for switching parts and goofing around. It's sometimes hard at the regular ballroom places, or I can go to the queer dances but then it's all queer. Vintage Invasion is the best for a mixed crowd."
--Laura, Dec 2009
"My friend came for the first time tonight, and he had such a good time. At other venues he just sat in the corner, because no one would ask him to dance. But here people kept getting him onto the floor, and he danced all night."
--MacKenzie, Nov 2009
Photos
from Previous Dances
A Typical Evening's Mix
| Type
of Dance |
Speed |
Music
Genre |
| Waltz |
132 |
Pop |
| Waltz |
156 |
Alternative |
| Waltz |
114 |
Pop |
| Polka
or Reel |
264 |
Industrial |
| Waltz |
144 |
Celtic |
| Waltz |
180 |
Indie |
| Swing |
140 |
Vintage |
| Waltz |
132 |
Folk
Rock |
| Waltz |
168 |
Oldies |
| WCS or
Cha Cha |
124 |
Pop |
| Waltz |
189 |
Classical |
| Waltz |
162 |
Alternative |
| Polka |
232 |
Folk |
| Waltz |
129 |
Gothic |
| Mazurka |
135 |
Soundtrack |
| Schottische |
148 |
Alternative |
| Waltz |
183 |
Vintage |
| Waltz |
156 |
Folk |
| Foxtrot
or Swing |
128 |
World |
| Waltz |
124 |
New Age |
| Polka |
224 |
Comedy |
| Waltz |
165 |
Classical |
| Waltz |
136 |
Oldies |
| Zwiefache |
Folk |
|
| Waltz |
196 |
Gothic |
| Waltz |
144 |
Indie |
| Swing |
184 |
Big
Band |
| Waltz |
108 |
Soundtrack |
| Mazurka
and Waltz |
192 |
Folk |
| Tango |
126 |
Vintage |
| Waltz |
156 |
Alternative |
| Waltz |
177 |
Indie |
| Schottische |
164 |
Folk |
| Waltz |
129 |
Soundtrack |
| Polka |
240 |
Punk |
| Waltz |
147 |
Celtic |
| Waltz |
177 |
Rock |
| Charleston |
248 |
Vintage |
| Waltz |
114 |
Country |
| Waltz
and Redowa |
174 |
Pop |
| Cha Cha |
132 |
World |
| Waltz |
183 |
Folk |
| Waltz |
132 |
Soundtrack |
Speed is in beats per minute; you see we play a wide range of tempos. The number and type of non-waltz dances vary a bit from party to party, as we respond to requests; but this gives you a general idea.