Welcome to La Peña! Promoting social justice & intercultural understanding through the arts since 1975.
Beginners Salsa, Bachata & Merengue Dance Class Series (4 sessions) Mondays: Nov 25, Dic 2, 9, 16 (2024) | 6:15pm - 7:15pm Register here! Join us and explore the possibilities of your body and learn how to communicate with others through dance, rhythm and flavor! This class is taught as "leaders" and "followers" and prioritizes creating […]
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO SPRING 2025 ----->CHECK OUT THE BEGINNERS SERIES HERE! <-----
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 ME […]
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, […]
Mondays, 4:00pm - 5:00pm $25 per class Drop-ins welcome Contact: Héctor Lugo 510-927-7984 hectorlugo65@yahoo.com This weekly workshop offers a fun, safe, creative and dynamic environment for children and youth to learn centuries-old music and dance traditions from Puerto Rico. Through drumming, singing, dancing, and storytelling students learn about Bomba, and Plena, and explore their connections […]
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 ME […]
La Peña is thrilled to announce our newest Cumbia Dance Class Series, open to all gender identities and expressions! 
Embrace Your Inner Feminine Power: A 3-Day Dance Course Tuesdays, December 3, 10, and 17, 2024 | 6:30 PM - 7:45 PM Register here! Join us for a transformative journey of self-discovery and empowerment […]
BILINGUAL FAMILY MUSIC CLASSES with ANNA-MARIA FROM AGUACATE MUSIC KIDS For babies, toddlers, and kids to age 6 and their caregivers. Spanish not required! Make an impact on your child's growth...start young with music & second language learning! Click here to try a FREE class! CONCERNED YOUR CHILD IS TOO YOUNG, TOO SHY OR TOO ACTIVE FOR MUSIC CLASS? Aguacate Music Kids' […]
Join Maestra Lydia in singing and playing traditional music from South America. Students will learn to play a variety of flutes and percussion from the Andes, the plains and the coasts of Latin America. Tuesdays, 4:00-5:00 Youth ages 8-13 For information, contact lydiamillsmusica@gmail.com
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 […]
FILM SCREENING + Q&A WITH DIRECTOR AND GUESTS We invite you and guests to a special screening of Her Fight, His Name: The Story of Gwen Carr and Eric Garner, in contention for Best Documentary Short Film at the Oscars 2025. The film is directed by 2017 Student Oscar® Gold winner Brad Bailey (Hale), produced […]
SPANISH FAMILY MUSIC CLASSES IN BERKELEY, CA 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! CONCERNED YOUR CHILD IS TOO YOUNG, TOO SHY OR TOO ACTIVE FOR MUSIC CLASS? Aguacate Music Kids' teachers are EXPERTS at creating a FUN, NURTURING, and DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE class […]
BILINGUAL FAMILY MUSIC CLASSES with AGUACATE MUSIC KIDS For babies, toddlers, and kids to age 6 and their caregivers. Spanish not required! Make an impact on your child's growth...start young with music & second language learning! Click here to try a FREE class! CONCERNED YOUR CHILD IS TOO YOUNG, TOO SHY OR TOO ACTIVE FOR MUSIC CLASS? Aguacate Music Kids' teachers are EXPERTS at […]
Join us in the La Peña Lounge for a free community-led event: the new album release party of Chetina and Rodrael! Friday, December 6th, 2024 7:00pm-10:00pm La Peña Community Lounge 3105 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley, CA 94705
EVENT CANCELLED. SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE. Come and join Los Mapaches Latin American Youth Ensemble for an interactive family concert! We'll dance and sing to the Colombian cumbia, the Ecuadorian San Juanito and the festive zampoñas from Perú. Our young musicians look forward to singing and performing for you! La Peña Cultural Center, Lounge Saturday […]
Come find the perfect handcrafted gifts for your loved ones this holiday season at La Peña’s Annual Holiday Mercado! Over 40 local vendors will be selling beautiful handcrafted goods, as well as unique imports from Mexico and beyond! There will also be traditional foods for sale, so come hungry and bring the entire family. WHEN: […]
Mondays, 4:00pm - 5:00pm $25 per class Drop-ins welcome Contact: Héctor Lugo 510-927-7984 hectorlugo65@yahoo.com This weekly workshop offers a fun, safe, creative and dynamic environment for children and youth to learn centuries-old music and dance traditions from Puerto Rico. Through drumming, singing, dancing, and storytelling students learn about Bomba, and Plena, and explore their connections […]
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 ME […]
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 […]
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 […]
IMPORTANT MESSAGE: The Rumba Jam scheduled for December 15 has been POSTPONED to December 22, 3-6pm, at Radio Habana Social Club: 1109 Valencia St, SAN FRANCISCO. Everyone is welcome. See you all there! More about the Afro-Cuban Rumba Community in the Bay Area: Since the early 1980s, the Afro-Cuban rumba community has gathered in […]
Join KPFA for a live event with Bill Ayers for a talk about his latest book, When Freedom Is the Question, Abolition Is the Answer: Reflections on Collective Liberation, hosted by Cat Brooks of Law & Disorder. Sunday, December 15th at 6:30 pm at La Peña Cultural Center in Berkeley (Doors open at 6:00 pm) […]
Mondays, 4:00pm - 5:00pm $25 per class Drop-ins welcome Contact: Héctor Lugo 510-927-7984 hectorlugo65@yahoo.com This weekly workshop offers a fun, safe, creative and dynamic environment for children and youth to learn centuries-old music and dance traditions from Puerto Rico. Through drumming, singing, dancing, and storytelling students learn about Bomba, and Plena, and explore their connections […]
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 ME […]
Come join The La Peña Old Guard* “Third Wednesday” Gatherings: each time a different discussion topic! The topic for December 18th is: Defend our Immigrant Community: Building Strategies to Fight Back. This event is 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 […]
Remember the music jams? All ages, all instruments, all skill levels, all welcome, all fun! Mark your calendars for another iteration of these legendary music jams at 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. Make […]
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 […]
Last BAILA of our Fall Season: 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, a gender-inclusive salsa and bachata dance class, a fundraising bar, delicious food from our partners at Los Cilantros, complimentary coat check, […]