Sports & Dance
Intramural Sports!
Intramural sports are a great way to meet people and stay active. ESPM currently has a few department teams, including softball (ask Andy Rothstein), ultimate frisbee and soccer. Ask around to see who the captains are for each semester, or start your own team!
Student Tickets for Cal Athletics!
Take advantage of discounted student tickets for all manner of Cal Athletics by visiting The Bench!
ESPM IM Ultimate Frisbee
Discus Elegans is the greatest Cal Ultimate team to have ever existed. They play with extreme grace and athletic prowess and their arch rival is the PhySUCks team. They are known for bringing great music to games, playing Stubby Guts afterwards, and hosting killer bachelorette parties.
Gym Membership
All students get free access to campus Rec Sports facilities, including the RSF gym, various pools, and group exercise classes at the RSF.
Yoga
The Bay area has many diverse yoga options, including Vinyasa, Hot, Power, Basics, and Stretching. Some great options to check out include: Yoga to the People (flexible pricing) and Rec Sports facilities.
Dance
There are many ways to get your dance fix in. If you want to put a smile on your face, move around and get some exercise, and follow someone else's fun moves for an hour, try the RSF cardio hip hop dance workout on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 PM or various RSF Zumba classes (especially Willa's class Tuesdays at noon).
If the RSF offerings don't meet all your dance needs, check out these options in Berkeley and beyond:
The Ashkenaz (on San Pablo and Gilman) offers a variety of different dance classes and live music, often simultaneously. Try their weekly Tuesday night Bachata taster class and stay for the Bachata party with experienced dancers and beginners alike.
The Beat on 9th street in West Berkeley has everything from Salsa Rueda to tap in a welcoming atmosphere.
Check out Flying Studios in Temescal for part-choreo, part-fitness classes. Bodywerk on Thursdays is a fave.
For serious dancers, Shawl-Anderson is a good option (especially if you're classically trained) or check out ODC in the Mission, which is a Bay Area dance hub.
La Pen~a often has live music and Latin dance classes and events.
If you're into swing, try classes and social dancing at the Breakaway at Lake Merritt Dance Center on Tuesday evenings.
For a fun night out dancing with your friends, try:
White Horse - Top hits and throwback pop and hip hop; Bring your own crew; show your student ID for a free drink ticket; Historic- First gay bar in North America
The Layover- Starts getting great at midnight
Starline Social Club - variety of events
The New Parish - variety of events
Mr. Smith's (SF)- Sign up online the day before for free entry; Friday nights is 90s throwbacks, Saturday nights is dance-able hip hop and pop
Dance Fridays (SF) - 550 Barneveldt. Live band with a giant Salsa room as well as a Bachata room and a reggaeton room. Packed with experienced dancers.
Looking for some queer line dancing?
The Verdi Club in SF
The Sundance Saloon in SF for Thursday and Sunday line dancing and two-stepping