2020 Reboot
Good Rising Funkquarians! For 2020 we are committing to timely communication about classes, performances, participation opportunities, and all things Carnival. Check back here each week for the freshest news from Funkquaria.
1) SAMBACHURCH IS BACK – Weekly training is back on at the Malonga Casquelord Center for the Arts in downtown Oakland, 4pm-6pm every Sunday. Please arrive prior to the start of class, reserving enough time to find parking, or walk or bike to class, and arrive prior to 4pm. As Carnival approaches we are working to have dancers registered and paid in a timely manner for a 4pm start. Use any personal time to stretch, hydrate and warm up. Bring a Yoga mat if needed; we will be doing more floor work this season.
2) DROP-IN RATE INCREASE – Single class DROP IN prices will be increased to $15. This is applicable to 1st time dancers and guests starting in 2020. Classes will remain $13 for SambaFunk! dancers that have 1) previously registered for Carnival or 2) dancers who danced/ trained with SambaFunk! during 2019 (meaning you danced a minimum of 2x a month with SambaFunk! since the summer of 2019). Even at $15, we are still one of the best deals in the Bay Area dance community.
3) MEMBERSHIP – We are officially becoming a membership-based organization. We are asking that all participants and supporters become members. Membership details are being finalized and will be rolled out within the next month. Initial Membership support fees will be reasonable and also inclusive of 2020 Carnival registration fees. However, everyone is encouraged to become a member, whether or not you are planning to participate in Carnival. Membership dues will support our work as a 501(c)-3 arts and culture organization, keeping the Culture alive in our changing Bay Area.
4) WAIVERS & RELEASE FORMS – Dancers will be required to sign image and liability releases prior to participation in SambaFunk! dance activities. This is a simple house cleaning activity we’d omitted in previous years. Although in the past all Artists have signed image releases prior to Carnival. Now as a 501c3 it’s imperative that we protect our beloved community and keep our organization healthy. Look for the release forms in the coming weeks.
5) SUPPORT FOR OUR DRUMMERS – we’re asking Dancers to acknowledge the devotion and commitment of our FunkTyme Playahs by bringing fruit, water and snacks for Drummers to share and/ or contributing$2-$5 to the Drum Program/ Drum Fund. This can be done when registering for class. Their weekly participation is truly a labor of LOVE.
6) CARNIVAL 2020 – It’s Carnival Time…we will be moving forward with 2020 Carnival Theme: Pillars of Change, Celebrating 10 years of Artistic Service in the Spirit of Xango. In Honor of our Cultural Pillars, we will be unveiling the dances, music, costumes, funkraisers and special events of the season. We’ll be participating in a big way this year in Oakland Carnival, which we also host. Check back here for more updates and registration information. In the meantime, take a moment to review our Carnival FAQs, and spread the word to your dance and drum communities who might want to participate. We are looking to make this the biggest year yet.