La Peña Cultural Center

Welcome to La Peña! Promoting social justice & intercultural understanding through the arts since 1975.

Contact Us
Donate Now!

Search Results for: 2

The Son Party: Noche Bailable

Come dance Cuban popular music old and new, including Son, Danzón, Timba and Cha-Cha-Cha! Come early at 7:15pm to take a mini Son lesson with legendary Cuban musician, dancer and teacher, Roberto Borrell! Stay all night to dance to the music of DJ’s Roberto Borrell and Garry Johnson.

You can save some money and really help give us an idea of how many people to expect by purchasing an advance ticket for only $10 (plus small Eventbrite fee). If you are NOT going, you can still purchase a ticket, just to mess with us and give us false hope of seeing you in person.

There will also be $15 tickets available at the door for folks who like to procrastinate.

The Son Party will be in The Lounge at La Peña in Berkeley. The Lounge shares a space with a Mexican Restaurant, Los Cilantros, so maybe come early and have 2 Shrimp Tacos and a Negro Modelo before Roberto’s Mini Son Lesson, then one more Negro Modelo with lime 15 minutes into the party.

If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to ask me (Garry Johnson). Email me at emailforgarry@gmail.com or call at (415) 297-7212. I pride myself on getting back to people, so just try me!!!

If you have been feeling sad lately, it is probably from not dancing enough Son, Danzón, Timba and Cha-Cha-Cha, which is conveniently what we will be playing all night long at The Son Party.

Please support our Fundraising Campaign! We have a $50k goal.

Dear LP Community,

As you may know, the last twelve months at La Peña have been very busy! With a lot of work and dedication from our team, we are proud of having significantly expanded our events calendar, deepened our collaborations with community members, doubled our weekly roots arts classes, re-launched our rentals model, held organizing and fundraising space for Gaza, started our first-ever membership program, and so much more. 

This growth responds to the community’s needs and reflects the pivotal moment that we’re in both culturally and as an organization. During times of blatant dehumanization, environmental destruction, and rising political and economic uncertainty, building hope and cultivating organized communities is essential. Spaces like La Peña show us that we are not alone, and allow us to find strength in the intersection of collective struggle, joy, and creativity. 

Unfortunately, our ability to continue to be that space is now in jeopardy, as La Peña is facing its deepest financial crisis since the 2008 Great Recession. In just the past ten months, we have faced staffing cuts, multiple transitions, and a six-figure budget deficit due to sunsetted Covid-relief grants and local/global shifts in philanthropic priorities.

Despite these challenges, our young, five-person staff remains committed to making La Peña the space for radical thinking, artistic collaboration and international solidarity that these times demand. Now, more than ever, we need your support to not only expand the programming our community relies on but also to develop a multi-year strategic plan that ensures our cultural resistance continues for decades. As we approach our 50th Anniversary in June of 2025, this campaign begins a new pathway for La Peña’s longevity. Our goal is $50,000; help us make La Peña stick around for another 50 years!

The 4 best ways to support La Peña right now are:

Donate any amount here. No gift is too small!

Become a monthly donor by simply clicking “monthly” in our donation page

Become a La Peña member and get free events and special discounts!

Do you have a matching funds program through your employer? Please let us know!

Contributions to La Peña are tax deductible. Our Tax ID number is 94-2459560.

Thank you for trusting our work and for being on this journey with us!

With immense gratitude,
LP Team

Intermediate Salsa, Bachata & Merengue Dance Class Series (Sept 16 – Oct 7)

We’re thrilled to announce another round of our Intermediate Salsa, Bachata, and Merengue dance class series at La Peña!

Intermediate Class Series (4 sessions)
Mondays, Sept 16, 23, 30 | Oct 7, 2024
7:30 pm – 8:30 pm

REGISTER HERE

Elevate your dance game and explore the possibilities of your body as you communicate with others through dance, rhythm and flavor! This class is taught as “leaders” and “followers” and prioritizes creating a safe and inclusive space for everyone. All are welcome, and no partner is required! Let’s foster a supportive space where we can learn, grow, and move together!

This is a 4-class series designed for seasoned beginners to intermediate dancers. Completion of the Beginner Dance Class Series is recommended but not required.

What You’ll Experience:

🔸 Enhance your dance skills with expert guidance from Juliana Mendonca (she/her).

🔸 Dive deeper into the rhythms of salsa, bachata, and merengue through your body’s natural movements.

🔸 Connect with a friendly community and make new friends on the dance floor!

 

Not ready for the Intermediate course? No problem! Check out our Beginners class series HERE!

ENROLLMENT COST:
$94 for the entire 4-class series (+ Eventbrite fees)
—–>REGISTER HERE

BONUS PERK:
Each participant will receive one complimentary entry to our community dance party ¡BAILA!

Let’s dance, connect, and build a vibrant community at La Peña.

QUESTIONS?
Contact us at: classes@lapena.org

🏳️‍🌈 La Peña is a Queer affirming space: We strive to create an empowering and supportive environment for everyone 🏳️‍⚧️

Intermediate Salsa, Bachata & Merengue Dance Class Series (Sept 16 – Oct 7)

We’re thrilled to announce another round of our Intermediate Salsa, Bachata, and Merengue dance class series at La Peña!

Intermediate Class Series (4 sessions)
Mondays, Sept 16, 23, 30 | Oct 7, 2024
7:30 pm – 8:30 pm

REGISTER HERE

Elevate your dance game and explore the possibilities of your body as you communicate with others through dance, rhythm and flavor! This class is taught as “leaders” and “followers” and prioritizes creating a safe and inclusive space for everyone. All are welcome, and no partner is required! Let’s foster a supportive space where we can learn, grow, and move together! This is a 4-class series designed for seasoned beginners to intermediate dancers. Completion of the Beginner Dance Class Series is recommended but not required.

What You’ll Experience:

🔸 Enhance your dance skills with expert guidance from Juliana Mendonca (she/her).
🔸 Dive deeper into the rhythms of salsa, bachata, and merengue through your body’s natural movements.
🔸 Connect with a friendly community and make new friends on the dance floor!

Not ready for the Intermediate course? No problem! Check out our Beginners class series HERE!

ENROLLMENT COST:
$94 for the entire 4-class series (+ Eventbrite fees)
—–>REGISTER HERE

BONUS PERK:
Each participant will receive one complimentary entry to our community dance party ¡BAILA!

Let’s dance, connect, and build a vibrant community at La Peña.

QUESTIONS?
Contact us at: classes@lapena.org

🏳️‍🌈 La Peña is a Queer affirming space: We strive to create an empowering and supportive environment for everyone 🏳️‍⚧️

Beginners Salsa, Bachata & Merengue Dance Class Series (Sept 16 – Oct 7)

Exciting news! Our popular Salsa, Bachata & Merengue Dance Class Series is back, offering both Beginners and Intermediate sessions!

Beginners Class Series (4 sessions)
Mondays, Sept 16, 23, 30 | Oct 7, 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 a safe and inclusive space for everyone. All are welcome, and no partner is required! Let’s foster a supportive environment where we can learn, grow, and move together! This 4-class series is designed for everyone, from absolute newcomers to those looking to refresh their dance skills.

What You’ll Experience:

🔸 Explore and enhance your dance skills with expert guidance from Juliana Mendonca (she/her).
🔸 Dive into the basics of salsa, bachata, and merengue through your body’s natural movements.
🔸 Join a welcoming community and make new friends on the dance floor!

Already taken this class or want to dive a little deeper? Check out the Intermediate class HERE!


ENROLLMENT COST:
$94 for the entire 4-class series (+ Eventbrite fees)
—–>REGISTER HERE

BONUS PERK:
Each participant will receive one complimentary entry to our monthly community dance party, ¡BAILA!

QUESTIONS?
Contact us at: classes@lapena.org 

Let’s dance, connect, and build a vibrant community at La Peña!

 

🏳️‍🌈 La Peña is a Queer affirming space: We strive to create an empowering and supportive environment for everyone 🏳️‍⚧️