Neptune - Oakland Ecstatic Dance - Weds Night @ Sweets

Ecstatic Dance Oakland @ Sweets Ballroom Weds Jan 8th - DJ: Neptune Contact Improv: Shannon Sahaja Yoga: Lauren Tierra Sound Healing: Amae Love Opening Circle & Meditation: Shannon Sahaja Tea: Kokko Wellness & Oli Marichi Food: Sacred Decadence (Leela Maya) Arrive when you wish: 6:45pm - Doors Open 7:00pm - Contact Improv Class (Main Floor) 7:00pm - Yoga Class (Upstairs) 7:50pm - Opening Circle 8:00pm - Ecstatic Dance 10:30pm - Sound Bath / Closing Meditation 10:45pm - Good Night Everyone! Sweets Ballroom 1933 Broadway, Oakland, CA 19th St. BART Secured Covered Parking: Dalziel Garage 250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, CA 94612 $6.30 Tickets: Available at the door with Cash / Card / Venmo $25 Drop-In $20 Circle Passes sold in 5 packs ($100) Volunteer Opportunity: Show up at 6pm sharp! for Opening or ask at the door for Closing Opportunities. ----- DJ: Neptune For over 30 years, Neptune has been a professional DJ, accumulating one of the most eclectic musical collections in the world with decades of avid record collecting across the entire musical spectrum. He has mastered the art of reading the energy of a room and tapping into the dynamics of the dancefloor, reaching into his musical palette to play the perfect music for the moment with no limitations on style or genre. On a deeper level, Neptune is a sonic shaman of sorts; awakening emotions and calling upon the spirits of dancers as he guides them into their bodies transforming them through music. Through the magic and mystery of a sonic journey, Neptune creates a musical map for the soul’s evolution. He is a rotating resident Dj for most of the Ecstatic Dances throughout Califorina & you can see him on the lineups for many of the concious dance events & festivals throughout the west coast & abroad. Contact Improv: Shannon Sahaja Shannon is an embodiment alchemist with 2 decades of teaching in the improvisational arts. She found a deep love and respect for the art and technique of Contact Improvisation through her studies with Kathleen Hermesdorf and Nancy Stark Smith. Shannon loves articulating the mechanics of weight sharing for those unfamiliar with the form and brings delight to the space with her unique ability to create safety while spicing things up with humor and spontaneity. She holds a BFA in Dance from S.U.N.Y Purchase, has been practicing Contact Improvisation and Yoga for 2 decades, and has had good fortune to have studied extensively with many of the most influential practitioners of CI: www.shannonsahaja.com Yoga: Lauren Tierra Lauren’s teaching draws upon various somatic movement practices such as release technique, axis syllabus, qigong, and her over two decades as a yoga practitioner and teacher. Other spheres of influence include many years of experience with meditation, bodywork, energy work, music & vocal embodiment, Taoist practices/ five element theory, and Ayurveda. Lauren is lit up by guiding herself and others into non-judgmental presence, authentic expression, embodied connection, and holistic well-being. She is especially enamored with contact improvisation for it’s ability to cultivate the spirit of curiosity and play, while also being a transformational healing practice that can expand our awareness, and connection to self and others, in multifaceted and meaningful ways. Sound Healing: Amae Love Amae Love is an exceptionally diverse, deeply soulful, positively uplifting songwriter/vocalist from The Bay Area. This songstress brings passion, heartfelt sentiment and remedy to her lyrics- even when she's Singin' the blues. Amae's debut solo Album, Ripe, is a timeless eclectic bend of blues, soul, jazz, and dub flavors, showcasing smooth harmonies, soaring melodies and varied vocal styles, all woven together with soul. Amae’s Latest Album REAL was recorded in Nashville featuring some of the town’s best session musicians, a gospel choir, sting & horn sections. Maintaining her Bluesy, soulful sound with a southern twist. Mz. Love wears many hats as a multi-faceted talent whose skills include MC’ing, live looping, dance, ukelele, piano, guitar, partner dance, hoop dance, cheffing, & clothing design. Amae's Love is palpable in her music...you can hear it when she's singing from the gut. Check out her everything at www.AmaeLove.com. Opening Circle & Meditation: Shannon Sahaja Two decades of holding space for yoga, meditation, dance, Sunday Ecstatic Dance Oakland Facilitator, and Certified Sophia Circle Journey Faciliator. Shannon offers exquisite meditations while creating impeccable sacred space. Participants often reflect on how incredibly safe they feel in her field. www.ShannonSahaja.com Upstairs Tea Lounge: Tea Lounge: Olivia Marichi (Tea Master Oli) With over two decades of dedicated practice, Oli has cultivated a profound mastery of Chinese tea and the art of tea ceremony. Her journey began with an enduring fascination for the intricate flavors and traditions of tea, studying at the First Club of Chinese Tea Culture in Moscow in 2000. Immersed in the cultural and historical essence of tea, Oli has explored every facet—from sourcing the finest leaves in the lush tea gardens of Fujian to mastering the meditative precision of Gong Fu Cha. The tea collection is provided by the Kokko Wellness, the place where Classical Acupuncture, Moxibustion, Herbal Medicine, Tea, Nutrition, and Bodywork come together in one harmonious space. Visit them at kokkowellness.com Food: Sacred Decadence (Leela Maya) Leela started her journey as a raw vegan dessert chef in 2007 during the early days of Cafe Gratitude where it first began in San Francisco and Marin County. It was working there that she discovered the power of intention, community, & how truly nourishing food felt like sensual kitchen witch craft for her soul. It was love at first bite. Since then she has been a chef and product developer for local healthy food companies like Urban Remedy and Good Earth. She is wholeheartedly happy to serve the Bay Area Dance Community in nourishing connection from within. When she is not playing with her food, Leela teaches Play based Authentic Relating & Connection Classes, Full & New Moon Circles for Womyn+, & Cacao Ceremony Soundbaths. She believes that love, joy, connection, and play are key ingredients to a healthy happy life. Blessed Be and Bon Appétit! ----- All are Welcome, Without Restrictions or Limitations. We only ask that you refrain from: 1. Talking on the Dancefloor 2. Using your Phone 3. Wearing Shoes or Scents 4. Using Substances (Be Yourself!) Thank You for Respecting the Space so that everyone may Move, Celebrate, Heal, & Pray in their own unique way... Together. Tix available at the Door: Drop-In: $25 (Cash / Card / Venmo) Circle Dance Passes: $20 each (sold in packs of 5 for $100) Available at the Door. @ Sweets Ballroom 1933 Broadway, Oakland, CA 19th St. BART Secured Covered Parking: Dalziel Garage 250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, CA 94612 $6.30 ----- Website: https://ecstaticdance.org/dance/oakland-ecstatic-dance/