Three-floored community with a variety of dance classes. Came here on a Saturday for an impromptu Samba dance class at 1:30pm. It’s just one stop away on the red line from Harvard, so it’s a convenient option for students. It’s $15 for the samba class, but they’ll take cash and credit card. There’s a Santander right across the street if you need an ATM, since some of the classes are cash only. Note for Bank of America cardholders, there is a $3 ATM fee. There is a gender neutral bathroom available The 1:30-3pm Samba class was super fun. It was my first time doing Samba, but the teacher was super energetic and there are plenty of other beginners so you don’t have to feel awkward. You can put your stuff on the right hand side along the wall, and there’s plenty of mirror space so you can watch yourself shake it. There were people of all ages and it was good vibes all around. It started with a warm up and then payment, and then the actual Samba class. There was even a live band that played while we danced. At the end, there was a dance circle and everyone left sweaty but happy. The dance center overall is a cool spot and you can try out a number of different dance styles and classes no matter what age you are. I noticed on the bulletin board they have kid classes as well.

When in Boston I typically take ballet class at the Boston Ballet. There were no classes there when I went to Boston in the first weekend in August, 2015. Online I located several ballet classes in the Boston area. Since there were several classes at the Dance Complex, I went there. The Dance Complex occupies the former Odd Fellows Hall near Central Square, Cambridge. There are no elevators so all must climb up flights of stairs. Although there is a central reception desk on the second floor, students do not pay for classes there. Instead, each teacher is paid separately for individual classes. Thus, there are some discrepancies between the costs of similar classes by different teachers. I paid each teacher in cash. Teachers typically offer ten-class cards at reduced costs. The men's dressing room on the third floor has several lockers. Also there are two showers. I took ballet classes in studio 3 on the third floor. There is a grand piano. Apparently ballet classes are typically accompanied by pianists. On Saturday the pianist was on vacation so recorded music was used. The floor was sprung. The studio is spacious. There was ample light from high windows. There is no air conditioning. The outside temperature was in the 80s. In the studio I suspect the temperature was over 100. I was sweating profusely. I drank lots of water. I took classes identified as elementary and intermediate. The teachers gave some novel moves; that was educational. I kept up with the classes. They were helpful. Teachers gave easier options for less-experienced dancers. For example, instead of an arabesque turn, a dancer may maintain an arabesque position without turning. The classes were fine. They were comparable to classes at the Boston Ballet.