The dance wave is a form of ecstatic dance characterized as 90 minutes of speechless improvisational dance based somewhat on the 5 Rhythms Ecstatic Dance concept of Gabrielle Roth. This can be either solo dancing, partner dancing, contact improvisation, or ad lib group. The experience can be meditative or spiritually oriented for some individuals. Dancers of all ages are welcome and there typically is no talking during the dance. Dance opening circle begins somewhere between 6:30 to 7:30 PM depending upon the location and time of year. Donations of $5-10 recommended, but not required. No one will be refused for lack of funds. Funds go towards the costs of holding weekly dances and a contact improvisation scholarship fund rather than the volunteer organizers. Dance sometimes occurs on Fridays instead of Thursdays. Dance occurs at Pullen Park (across the street from the aquatic center), Raleigh Rose Garden, Wooten Meadow Park, Dorothea Dix Park (Big Field or Spring Hill Park & Ride), or other outdoor locations, including indoors during the winter at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh (Clara Barton Room or Founders Hall). Dance is outdoors and weather dependent, but will usually occur during light rain. This event listing will often be updated a few days before to reflect the location and opening circle time as information becomes available. See Raleigh Ecstatic Dance Facebook group on the event day for latest information on exact location and times.
7/20/23 Shelley Lake Park:
Last minute notice that the lot is full. PARKING LOT NEARBY IS FULL. RECOMMEND PARKING AT ART CENTER AND WALKING AROUND THE LAKE TO WHERE WE ARE.
<< Parking Information >>
We recommend parking in the smaller parking lot off of West Millbrook Rd (instead of the main parking lot). This parking lot is connected to a Greenway Trail that crosses over Mine Creek (you can see this on Google Maps if you zoom in). You can put these coordinates into Google Maps for the parking lot: 35°51’22.2″N 78°39’42.3″W
– From the end of smaller parking lot, you will see the Greenway Trail with two signs that state “Shelley Lake Park Sertoma Art Center” on your left, and “LOCK your car, TAKE your keys, HIDE your belongings” on your right.
– Go down the stairs, and you will come to a fork in the road — take the left path with the sign that says “Shelley Lake Trail”.
– Follow the paved path until you pass the until you pass the pull up bars.
– You will see a concrete cylinder for sewage access ahead of you. Walk until you reach that point and look left, and you will find RED!