Dance Lab

Dance Lab is a weekly gathering where we explore what happens when our bodies lead.

Carefully curated music and simple prompts help you find your way.

We call it a lab because we're all experimenting—discovering what movement does for our bodies, imaginations, and communities.

Dance with us

Dear dancers,

We’re taking a summer pause!

Keep on dancing, stay cool, and check back in September for upcoming dates.

You can also join us on WhatsApp to stay in the loop.

See you in the fall!

What people say:

  • To dance is to dream of different worlds far freer than our own.

    Blue (Participant)

  • Every week, dance feels like a ritual, a sacrifice, a creative process all in one. It's incredibly unique and vibrant because it's unlike anything else.

    Mo (Participant)

  • Dance Lab is where music flows through me instead of just around me-- a portal to deeper consciousness where I can feel and experience parts of myself that daily life doesn't offer.

    Meg (Participant)

We welcome all bodies

all races, genders, ages, languages, nationalities, citizenships, religions, abilities, political affiliations, & sexualities.

Community Agreements

  • Speech-Free Space

    Unless you need to clarify consent or apologize for an accidental collision, Dance Lab is a talking-free space. It's rare to be in community without speaking—embrace this opportunity. If you must talk, please step outside the room.

  • Sober Moving

    Our space is drug and alcohol-free. Dance Lab provides an opportunity to explore how movement, community, and music influence perception. We dance hard and wildly, so we ask everyone to stay sober for safety.

  • You Are Always at Choice

    All guidance and exercises are optional. Step outside, stand aside, or sit and witness whenever needed. Different music, emotions, or invitations affect people differently. Your nervous system needs care in this space. You may also have physical needs or limits that need care. Ask yourself if what's happening serves you—if not, do what you need to regulate.

  • Move with Consent

    Consent takes many forms. We often use non-verbal cues—eye contact, moving closer, mirroring movements, or welcoming gestures—to invite dance. If someone's body language says no or seems unclear, move on and dance with others. While someone may want to dance, they may not want physical touch. When body language is unclear, feel free to whisper to ask or communicate boundaries. Check in with your own body to know what you want, and respect others' boundaries with warmth.

  • Let People Feel

    Emotions and tears often surface during dance. While it's tempting to comfort someone who's crying, let them process unless you have clear permission. The dance offers space to feel strong emotions in community without direct relationship obligations. Sometimes the gift is letting someone grieve without interruption. If you feel compelled to comfort someone, breathe and return to your own body. Be gentle with the part of you that responds to others' pain.

  • Take Care of Each Other

    Community can be bumpy, sometimes literally. When collisions happen, stop and check on each other. Feel free to whisper "Are you okay?" Basic first aid supplies are located near the entrance. If you need help, physically or otherwise, ask someone on the volunteer crew to assist you. You should’ve seen one of them at the door when checking in.

  • No Phones

    Stow and silence all phones before entering. Photography and videography are strictly prohibited as they interrupt the safety of free movement. Any footage taken must be deleted.

  • Be Scent Mindful

    While we are not scent-free, please help us create a comfortable environment by being mindful of strong scents. Strong perfumes and body odors can affect the entire community. Consider the experiences of others and adjust your scents accordingly.

  • Footwear

    Dance barefoot or in non-street shoes to prevent slipping. Avoid regular socks (grippy socks are fine). We prefer bare feet or indoor-only shoes.

 FAQs

  • If you mean ecstatic dance as a umbrella term that refers to the phenomena of people moving freely to a range of music, then yes!

    If you are talking about the brand ecstatic dance that is structured around traveling DJs, then no. While we are doing similar activities, we have regular facilitators, our music is more varied, and we offer more inspiration over the microphone. If you are used to going to ecstatic dance events, and like them, you will likely be happy at dance lab as well. Check out our blog post on how we think about the dance.

  • Then you are in good company! Nearly everyone feels nervous or awkward during the first few minutes of the dance, even those who attend frequently. Displaying all your moves in a room full of people without structure is a risk and requires us to confront some vulnerability. Similar to sitting down to meditate, pausing to focus on the body can initially create discomfort. However, we’ve found through our research and conversations that everyone experiences this feeling. Navigating vulnerability as a community fosters a sense of freedom and safety. Embrace the nervous feelings; place a hand on your body, observe for a little while, or close your eyes and step away from the room; you may discover beauty on the other side. If you don’t, you can always leave. You are not required to make it to the end.

    We’ve come to believe that dance awkwardness stems more from the situation than from an individual person. We can all recall scenarios where dancing felt free and fun or humiliating and burdensome. The difference often lies in what’s happening outside the individual dancer. We work hard to create an atmosphere that helps discomfort fade away.

  • Wear clothes that allow for movement and breathability. Choose exercise pants over jeans. Bring layers, as the music shifts from slow to fast, which may cause your temperature to fluctuate. If you tend to sweat, consider bringing a cloth for that purpose. Many people appreciate having a change of clothes. Remember to bring plenty of water.

    If you have anything to help you take care of physical needs (canes, wheelchairs, anklebraces, etc), please feel very free to bring and use them.

  • The facilitator (typically Nicole or Rebecca) will be DJing a classic arc format and offering words over a microphone. Gentle prompts will be given to help you deepen your experience. They will not teach specific movements but will provide inspiration on how to feel, think about, and experience movement. The goal is to listen to what the room and participants need to feel comfortable and thrive. They may occasionally invite dancers to join in exercises, such as partnering up. All invitations are optional.

    You can check out this spotify link to get a sense of what our tunes sound like.

  • Cancellations and Refunds

    24+ Hours Notice: Full refund available if you cancel your class registration 24 hours or more before the scheduled class time.

    Less than 24 Hours: No refunds will be issued for cancellations made less than 24 hours before class time.

    No-Shows: No refunds will be issued for missed classes without prior cancellation.

    Ticket Transfers

    While we do not offer class transfers or credits, you are welcome to give your ticket to someone else if you cannot attend. Just let the person at the door know of the change.

    Our Cancellations

    If we need to cancel a class due to instructor illness, weather, or other unforeseen circumstances, you will receive a full refund processed within 5-10 business days.

    Refund Processing

    Approved refunds will be processed back to your original payment method within 5-10 business days, depending on your bank or credit card company.

  • First church is at the corner of Garden and Mason streets, just outside Harvard Square—across from Cambridge Common, and right next door to the Sheraton Commander Hotel. There is some metered street parking, but it can be hard to find occasionally.

    The closest T stop is Harvard Square. For those traveling by T, if you leave the station at the main exit into the heart of Harvard Square, cross Massachusetts Avenue directly across from the station and go right, following the street until the corner with Garden Street. Go left at Garden and stay on that street until you come to the corner of Mason Street and there we are!

    You can also take the Church Street exit out of the Harvard T stop, which is at the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Church Street. You will already have crossed Massachusetts Avenue underground, so from that exit, go right and follow the same path as above, crossing Church Street, and the next corner is Garden Street. Go left there and stay on Garden Street until you come to the corner of Mason Street.

    There are numerous buses within 10 minutes.