Welcome to La Peña! Promoting social justice & intercultural understanding through the arts since 1975.
Interested in RUMBA and the Afro-Cuban Tradition? We have these 2 music classes back-to-back at La Peña that explore the musicality of Cuban Rumba and more! Note: classes are taught in spanish, but english speakers are welcome to join if you're comfortable with limited translation. CLASE 1: Lunes, 7:00pm – 8:15pm @La Peña LA RUMBA […]
BILINGUAL FAMILY MUSIC CLASSES with Anna-Maria Violich-Olivier For babies, toddlers, and kids to age 6 and their caregivers. Make an impact on your child’s growth…start young with music & second language learning! Click here to try a FREE class! SPRING SCHEDULE: Tuesdays, January 14 - March 15 (No class March 11) 10:15 - 11:00AM […]
Join this fun class with instructor Momo Lebeau!! About Bodywerk Dance Classes: Bodywerk Dance offers a variety of different classes, all taught by award winning instructor, Momo LeBeau. We feature a fusion of Hip Hop, Afrobeats, Dancehall, jazz and many other dance styles. Bodywerk is a dynamic hip hop dance jam, good for all levels, […]
Founded in 1979 by Chilean refugees and community supporters, La Peña Community Chorus has been performing Latin American New Song — Nueva Canción — for many years. Accompanying themselves on guitars, flutes, drums, and a large assortment of Latin American instruments, the Chorus has sung for schools, churches, homeless shelters, retirement homes, drug rehab centers, […]
Capoeira Angola with Grupo de Capoeira Balanço de Angola Wednesdays, 7:00pm – 9:00pm In person at La Peña Cultural Center **FREE Community Class on the last Wednesday of every month!** Come experience the spirit, music, and movement of Capoeira Angola with Grupo de Capoeira Balanço de Angola! We begin our class with one hour of […]
SPANISH FAMILY MUSIC CLASSES with Natalia Bernal For babies, toddlers, and kids to age 6 and their caregivers. Make an impact on your child’s growth…start young with music & second language learning! Click here to try a FREE class! SPRING SCHEDULE: Thursdays, January 9 - March 13 9:15 - 10:00 AM (Spanish) Teacher: Natalia Bernal […]
In the wake of a live streamed Genocide, and after decades of apartheid and occupation, the oppression of the Palestinian people is becoming more and more well known around the world. However, many are still not aware of Big Tech's Complicity. From the censorship of Palestinian voices and narratives on social media, to the digital […]
An All-Star benefit for Valentino Pellizzer-Solgado featuring some of the Bay Area's top talent. Help with Valentino's recovery from a devastating injury. Gust artists will include The Hogan Brothers, Destani Wolf, Howard Wiley, Tiffany Austin, Luqman, Omega, Valerie Troutt, Josh Jones, and more! With host Rico Pabon. Read an article about this event on The […]
Brazilian Dance with Tainah Damasceno Brazil is a country that is rich in music and dance. Often what is advertised as Brazilian dance in the United States, is only what has been explored in the North-East and South-East of Brazil. Now you have the opportunity to experience a wider variety of dances encompassing the entirety […]
SUNDAY, FEB 2nd, and Feb 9th CLASSES HAVE BEEN CANCELLED. Baila Bomba will be back on Feb 16th! Sundays, 11:30am – 1:00pm. Cost: Drop-in $35 Adults, all levels. This class includes basic skills, improvisation techniques, choreography, and developing skills to dance in a Batey or community jam. Teenagers with some dance experience welcomed (please email […]
Interested in RUMBA and the Afro-Cuban Tradition? We have these 2 music classes back-to-back at La Peña that explore the musicality of Cuban Rumba and more! Note: classes are taught in spanish, but english speakers are welcome to join if you're comfortable with limited translation. CLASE 1: Lunes, 7:00pm – 8:15pm @La Peña LA RUMBA […]
BILINGUAL FAMILY MUSIC CLASSES with Anna-Maria Violich-Olivier For babies, toddlers, and kids to age 6 and their caregivers. Make an impact on your child’s growth…start young with music & second language learning! Click here to try a FREE class! SPRING SCHEDULE: Tuesdays, January 14 - March 15 (No class March 11) 10:15 - 11:00AM […]
Join this fun class with instructor Momo Lebeau!! About Bodywerk Dance Classes: Bodywerk Dance offers a variety of different classes, all taught by award winning instructor, Momo LeBeau. We feature a fusion of Hip Hop, Afrobeats, Dancehall, jazz and many other dance styles. Bodywerk is a dynamic hip hop dance jam, good for all levels, […]
Founded in 1979 by Chilean refugees and community supporters, La Peña Community Chorus has been performing Latin American New Song — Nueva Canción — for many years. Accompanying themselves on guitars, flutes, drums, and a large assortment of Latin American instruments, the Chorus has sung for schools, churches, homeless shelters, retirement homes, drug rehab centers, […]
Capoeira Angola with Grupo de Capoeira Balanço de Angola Wednesdays, 7:00pm – 9:00pm In person at La Peña Cultural Center **FREE Community Class on the last Wednesday of every month!** Come experience the spirit, music, and movement of Capoeira Angola with Grupo de Capoeira Balanço de Angola! We begin our class with one hour of […]
SPANISH FAMILY MUSIC CLASSES with Natalia Bernal For babies, toddlers, and kids to age 6 and their caregivers. Make an impact on your child’s growth…start young with music & second language learning! Click here to try a FREE class! SPRING SCHEDULE: Thursdays, January 9 - March 13 9:15 - 10:00 AM (Spanish) Teacher: Natalia Bernal […]
Led by community member Carlos Michaud, this program unites performers on stage to fundraise for urgent humanitarian causes. Thanks to 300+ audience members in 2024, Just for the Funds fundraised $12,000+ for aid going directly to Gaza. This year, they'd like to go bigger! This event is already sold out, but stay tuned for the next one! […]
Our first Immigrant Rights Workshop for Allies called "Become an Immigration Rights Ambassador" was held last Sunday, January 12th and it was a huge success! Given the ongoing need and interest from the community, we have confirmed a second one in February 2025. This workshop will cover how ICE operates and collects information and what to […]
Brazilian Dance with Tainah Damasceno Brazil is a country that is rich in music and dance. Often what is advertised as Brazilian dance in the United States, is only what has been explored in the North-East and South-East of Brazil. Now you have the opportunity to experience a wider variety of dances encompassing the entirety […]
SUNDAY, FEB 9th CLASS HAS BEEN CANCELED. We hope to see you again on Feb 16th! Sundays, 11:30am – 1:00pm. Cost: Drop-in $35 Adults, all levels. This class includes basic skills, improvisation techniques, choreography, and developing skills to dance in a Batey or community jam. Teenagers with some dance experience welcomed (please email for info). Folks […]
Interested in RUMBA and the Afro-Cuban Tradition? We have these 2 music classes back-to-back at La Peña that explore the musicality of Cuban Rumba and more! Note: classes are taught in spanish, but english speakers are welcome to join if you're comfortable with limited translation. CLASE 1: Lunes, 7:00pm – 8:15pm @La Peña LA RUMBA […]
BILINGUAL FAMILY MUSIC CLASSES with Anna-Maria Violich-Olivier For babies, toddlers, and kids to age 6 and their caregivers. Make an impact on your child’s growth…start young with music & second language learning! Click here to try a FREE class! SPRING SCHEDULE: Tuesdays, January 14 - March 15 (No class March 11) 10:15 - 11:00AM […]
Join this fun class with instructor Momo Lebeau!! About Bodywerk Dance Classes: Bodywerk Dance offers a variety of different classes, all taught by award winning instructor, Momo LeBeau. We feature a fusion of Hip Hop, Afrobeats, Dancehall, jazz and many other dance styles. Bodywerk is a dynamic hip hop dance jam, good for all levels, […]
Founded in 1979 by Chilean refugees and community supporters, La Peña Community Chorus has been performing Latin American New Song — Nueva Canción — for many years. Accompanying themselves on guitars, flutes, drums, and a large assortment of Latin American instruments, the Chorus has sung for schools, churches, homeless shelters, retirement homes, drug rehab centers, […]
Capoeira Angola with Grupo de Capoeira Balanço de Angola Wednesdays, 7:00pm – 9:00pm In person at La Peña Cultural Center **FREE Community Class on the last Wednesday of every month!** Come experience the spirit, music, and movement of Capoeira Angola with Grupo de Capoeira Balanço de Angola! We begin our class with one hour of […]
La Peña Presents La Cumbia Dance Party! Happening monthly on second Thursdays! DATE: Second Thursdays of the month starting on February 13th, 2025 | 7:30 pm - 12:00 am TICKETS: $10 for online presale (single ticket) | $15 for two tickets (Bring a friend – only $7.50 per ticket! Online only.) | $15 at the door (single ticket). […]
SPANISH FAMILY MUSIC CLASSES with Natalia Bernal For babies, toddlers, and kids to age 6 and their caregivers. Make an impact on your child’s growth…start young with music & second language learning! Click here to try a FREE class! SPRING SCHEDULE: Thursdays, January 9 - March 13 9:15 - 10:00 AM (Spanish) Teacher: Natalia Bernal […]
Join us at La Peña Cultural Center for a special edition of our Empowering People of Color Open Mic, hosted by Berkeley’s Poet Laureate, Aya de León! This month’s takeover celebrates the 30th anniversary of Aya’s legendary Love Fest, combining the empowering energy of our open mic series with the revolutionary spirit of an alternative […]
On Valentine's Day weekend, let's show our love for Palestine by joining Healthcare Workers for Palestine in a fundraising event to support two organizations providing essential medical care to Palestinians: Prosthetics for Palestine and HEAL Palestine. Bring your sweetheart (and/or your undying love for Palestine) and enjoy music, poetry, art, comedy, and Palestinian vendors, along […]
Brazilian Dance with Tainah Damasceno Brazil is a country that is rich in music and dance. Often what is advertised as Brazilian dance in the United States, is only what has been explored in the North-East and South-East of Brazil. Now you have the opportunity to experience a wider variety of dances encompassing the entirety […]
Sundays, 11:30am – 1:00pm. Cost: Drop-in $35 Adults, all levels. This class includes basic skills, improvisation techniques, choreography, and developing skills to dance in a Batey or community jam. Teenagers with some dance experience welcomed (please email for info). Folks interested in practicing Bomba percussion during the class are welcome (some experience in playing Bomba is […]
TODAY'S RUMBA JAM IS CANCELED!!! Folks from Rumba community will be gathering at Concerts for Cuba 2025 Fundraiser at The Chapel, 777 Valencia St, San Francisco. Details at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/concerts-for-cuba-a-national-benefit-to-raise-urgent-humanitarian-aid-tickets-1234947434019 Stay tuned for next month's Rumba Jam! Every third Sunday of the month from 2:30pm-5:00pm […]
Interested in RUMBA and the Afro-Cuban Tradition? We have these 2 music classes back-to-back at La Peña that explore the musicality of Cuban Rumba and more! Note: classes are taught in spanish, but english speakers are welcome to join if you're comfortable with limited translation. CLASE 1: Lunes, 7:00pm – 8:15pm @La Peña LA RUMBA […]
BILINGUAL FAMILY MUSIC CLASSES with Anna-Maria Violich-Olivier For babies, toddlers, and kids to age 6 and their caregivers. Make an impact on your child’s growth…start young with music & second language learning! Click here to try a FREE class! SPRING SCHEDULE: Tuesdays, January 14 - March 15 (No class March 11) 10:15 - 11:00AM […]
Join this fun class with instructor Momo Lebeau!! About Bodywerk Dance Classes: Bodywerk Dance offers a variety of different classes, all taught by award winning instructor, Momo LeBeau. We feature a fusion of Hip Hop, Afrobeats, Dancehall, jazz and many other dance styles. Bodywerk is a dynamic hip hop dance jam, good for all levels, […]
Come join The La Peña Old Guard* “Third Wednesday” Gatherings: each time a different discussion topic! See details in the invitation below. This monthly event is free and open to all. Please spread the word! If you're planning on coming, RSVP to oldguard@lapena.org *What is La Peña OLD Guard? We are a group of progressives who came […]
Remember the music jams? All ages, all instruments, all skill levels, all welcome, all fun! Mark your calendars for the return of these legendary music jams to La Peña, led by José Roberto Hernández! Las mermeladas musicales son un espacio donde la gente y sus instrumentos se juntan para hacer música, comunidad y compañerismo. It’s Wednesday…don’t you […]
Capoeira Angola with Grupo de Capoeira Balanço de Angola Wednesdays, 7:00pm – 9:00pm In person at La Peña Cultural Center **FREE Community Class on the last Wednesday of every month!** Come experience the spirit, music, and movement of Capoeira Angola with Grupo de Capoeira Balanço de Angola! We begin our class with one hour of […]
SPANISH FAMILY MUSIC CLASSES with Natalia Bernal For babies, toddlers, and kids to age 6 and their caregivers. Make an impact on your child’s growth…start young with music & second language learning! Click here to try a FREE class! SPRING SCHEDULE: Thursdays, January 9 - March 13 9:15 - 10:00 AM (Spanish) Teacher: Natalia Bernal […]
FIRST BAILA OF 2025: Dust off your dancing shoes for an epic night with live music & vibrant community energy! Join us for an evening featuring live music, not one but two dance floors, gender-inclusive salsa and bachata dance classes, a fundraising bar, delicious food from our partners at Los Cilantros, complimentary coat check, and a vibrant, inclusive […]
A unique three-night performing arts festival celebrating the spirit of Yemanjá: the Yoruban deity/orixá that represents the ancient, essential, and beautiful nature of water. Inspired by the original Festa de Yemanjá celebrated in Bahia, Brazil, and the resilience of African spiritual practices across the americas, the Yemanjá Arts Festival brings together master artists and young […]
Brazilian Dance with Tainah Damasceno Brazil is a country that is rich in music and dance. Often what is advertised as Brazilian dance in the United States, is only what has been explored in the North-East and South-East of Brazil. Now you have the opportunity to experience a wider variety of dances encompassing the entirety […]
Sundays, 11:30am – 1:00pm. Cost: Drop-in $35 Adults, all levels. This class includes basic skills, improvisation techniques, choreography, and developing skills to dance in a Batey or community jam. Teenagers with some dance experience welcomed (please email for info). Folks interested in practicing Bomba percussion during the class are welcome (some experience in playing Bomba is […]
Interested in RUMBA and the Afro-Cuban Tradition? We have these 2 music classes back-to-back at La Peña that explore the musicality of Cuban Rumba and more! Note: classes are taught in spanish, but english speakers are welcome to join if you're comfortable with limited translation. CLASE 1: Lunes, 7:00pm – 8:15pm @La Peña LA RUMBA […]
BILINGUAL FAMILY MUSIC CLASSES with Anna-Maria Violich-Olivier For babies, toddlers, and kids to age 6 and their caregivers. Make an impact on your child’s growth…start young with music & second language learning! Click here to try a FREE class! SPRING SCHEDULE: Tuesdays, January 14 - March 15 (No class March 11) 10:15 - 11:00AM […]
Join this fun class with instructor Momo Lebeau!! About Bodywerk Dance Classes: Bodywerk Dance offers a variety of different classes, all taught by award winning instructor, Momo LeBeau. We feature a fusion of Hip Hop, Afrobeats, Dancehall, jazz and many other dance styles. Bodywerk is a dynamic hip hop dance jam, good for all levels, […]
Founded in 1979 by Chilean refugees and community supporters, La Peña Community Chorus has been performing Latin American New Song — Nueva Canción — for many years. Accompanying themselves on guitars, flutes, drums, and a large assortment of Latin American instruments, the Chorus has sung for schools, churches, homeless shelters, retirement homes, drug rehab centers, […]
Capoeira Angola with Grupo de Capoeira Balanço de Angola Wednesdays, 7:00pm – 9:00pm In person at La Peña Cultural Center **FREE Community Class on the last Wednesday of every month!** Come experience the spirit, music, and movement of Capoeira Angola with Grupo de Capoeira Balanço de Angola! We begin our class with one hour of […]
SPANISH FAMILY MUSIC CLASSES with Natalia Bernal For babies, toddlers, and kids to age 6 and their caregivers. Make an impact on your child’s growth…start young with music & second language learning! Click here to try a FREE class! SPRING SCHEDULE: Thursdays, January 9 - March 13 9:15 - 10:00 AM (Spanish) Teacher: Natalia Bernal […]
Become an Immigration Rights Ambassador! (Workshop for immigrants and allies - in English) Due to the ongoing need and community interest, we've scheduled additional workshop sessions for March 2025. This workshop will cover how ICE operates, how they collect information, and what to do during encounters. You'll leave prepared to share crucial “know your rights” information […]
EVENT POSTPONED. PLEASE STAY TUNED FOR THE NEW DATE. Water for Life Film Screening + Q&A Water For Life tells the story of three extraordinary individuals: Berta Cáceres, a Lenca Indigenous leader in Honduras; Francisco Pineda, a subsistence farmer in El Salvador; and Alberto Curamil, an Indigenous Mapuche Chief in Chile, all of whom refused […]
Brazilian Dance with Tainah Damasceno Brazil is a country that is rich in music and dance. Often what is advertised as Brazilian dance in the United States, is only what has been explored in the North-East and South-East of Brazil. Now you have the opportunity to experience a wider variety of dances encompassing the entirety […]