Controla Dance Academy: Your Premier Event Venue in Philadelphia, PA

Controla Dance Academy Introduce

Welcome to Controla Dance Academy, a vibrant and dynamic space in the heart of Philadelphia that goes beyond just dance instruction. While renowned for its exceptional Latin dance classes, Controla Dance Academy also serves as a fantastic and versatile event venue, perfectly suited for a wide array of gatherings. Whether you're planning a lively social event, a productive workshop, a unique private party, or even a community meeting, this welcoming establishment offers the perfect backdrop. For residents across Pennsylvania, particularly those in and around the Philadelphia area, Controla Dance Academy presents an appealing option for hosting memorable occasions in a setting that exudes warmth, professionalism, and a strong sense of community.

What truly sets Controla Dance Academy apart as an event venue is the inviting atmosphere cultivated by its dedicated team, led by Paola. Numerous testimonials from patrons consistently highlight the positive and inclusive environment fostered here. It's a place where guests feel comfortable and engaged, making it ideal for events where interaction and a positive mood are key. The facility is meticulously maintained, ensuring a clean and comfortable space for all attendees. This dual functionality – as a premier dance studio and a versatile event space – makes Controla Dance Academy a unique and valuable asset to the Philadelphia community, offering a distinctive alternative to traditional event halls.

Controla Dance Academy is strategically located at 714 Reed St, Philadelphia, PA 19147, USA. This address places it within a well-established and accessible part of Philadelphia, making it convenient for guests traveling from various parts of the city and surrounding Pennsylvania communities. The Reed Street location benefits from being within a neighborhood that offers a mix of residential and commercial establishments, contributing to its ease of access.

For those relying on public transportation, the venue is likely within reasonable proximity to SEPTA bus routes, offering a convenient way to reach the location. Individuals driving to the venue will find that its Philadelphia address places it within reach of major roadways, simplifying navigation. While parking availability can vary in urban environments, the specific address can be used with online mapping services to assess street parking options or identify nearby parking facilities. The central yet accessible location ensures that whether your guests are coming from South Philly, Center City, or even further afield in the greater Philadelphia metropolitan area, reaching Controla Dance Academy for your event will be a straightforward endeavor. This accessibility is a crucial factor when selecting an event venue, as it directly impacts guest attendance and overall convenience.

Controla Dance Academy offers a comprehensive range of services, making it a highly adaptable event venue. Their core expertise in dance also translates into unique opportunities for event planners.

Venue Rental for Private Events: The space is available for rent for a variety of private gatherings, including birthday parties, anniversary celebrations, social mixers, and more. The open layout provides flexibility for different event configurations.
Workshop and Seminar Space: With its comfortable and spacious studios, Controla Dance Academy is an excellent choice for hosting workshops, seminars, training sessions, and corporate team-building events. The professional environment is conducive to learning and collaboration.
Dance-Themed Events: Leveraging their primary function as a dance academy, they are uniquely positioned to host dance-themed events. This could include themed parties with dance instruction, dance showcases, or social dance nights.
Community Gatherings: The academy fosters a strong sense of community, making it an ideal location for local community meetings, club gatherings, and neighborhood events that benefit from a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere.
Basic Sound System Capabilities: While specific details would need to be confirmed, dance studios typically have sound systems, which can be utilized for music, presentations, or announcements during your event.
Flexible Scheduling: Depending on their class schedule, the academy likely offers flexible booking times, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate various event needs.

Beyond its versatile services, Controla Dance Academy boasts several features and highlights that make it an attractive event venue:

Spacious Dance Floors: The primary feature, of course, is the dedicated dance floor space, which can be adapted for general event use. This provides ample room for movement, mingling, and setting up various event elements.
Welcoming and Inclusive Atmosphere: As consistently highlighted by customer reviews, the studio cultivates an exceptionally welcoming and inclusive environment. This "community-first" approach ensures that all guests feel comfortable and enjoy their experience. This is a significant advantage for any event where positive guest interaction is desired.
Professional and Passionate Staff: The team at Controla, led by Paola, is highly professional and passionate about what they do. This dedication translates into excellent customer service for event renters, ensuring your needs are met with care and attention.
Experienced Instructors (Potential for Event Add-ons): While primarily for dance classes, the presence of highly skilled dance instructors opens the possibility of incorporating dance instruction or a performance as a unique element for certain events, if arranged in advance.
Clean and Well-Maintained Facilities: The reviews indicate a high standard of cleanliness and maintenance, ensuring a pleasant and comfortable environment for all event attendees.
Positive Community Hub: Controla Dance Academy serves as a beloved hub for the Latin dance community in Philadelphia. This established positive reputation can add a unique and vibrant energy to your event.

To learn more about booking Controla Dance Academy for your next event or to inquire about their dance programs, please use the following contact information:

Address: 714 Reed St, Philadelphia, PA 19147, USA

Phone: (215) 550-1318

Mobile Phone: +1 215-550-1318

For residents of Pennsylvania, particularly those in the Philadelphia area, Controla Dance Academy stands out as an exceptionally suitable event venue for a multitude of reasons. Firstly, its established reputation as a welcoming and inclusive community hub makes it inherently appealing. People seek out spaces where they feel comfortable and can genuinely enjoy themselves, and Controla consistently delivers on this front. This warm atmosphere, coupled with its adaptable physical space, makes it perfect for events ranging from spirited celebrations to focused workshops.

Furthermore, for those looking for something beyond a generic banquet hall or sterile conference room, Controla Dance Academy offers a distinctive charm. The inherent vibrancy of a dance studio provides a unique backdrop, and for certain events, the option to even integrate dance elements can create an unforgettable experience. The accessibility of its Philadelphia location ensures that guests from across the city and surrounding suburbs of Pennsylvania can easily attend, reducing logistical hurdles for event organizers. Ultimately, by choosing Controla Dance Academy, locals aren't just renting a space; they are tapping into a well-regarded institution known for its positive energy, professional approach, and deep commitment to fostering community. It’s an ideal choice for anyone in Pennsylvania seeking an event venue that truly enhances the overall experience for their guests.

Controla Dance Academy Photos

Controla Dance Academy Location

Controla Dance Academy

Pennsylvania Philadelphia County Philadelphia South Philadelphia Reed Street

714 Reed St, Philadelphia, PA 19147, USA

Controla Dance Academy Reviews

I've dealt with Paola directly taking classes at Controla, and attended some Controla Fridays events. I've also attended classes at other studios in the area, and I've never had a bad experince at Controla. On the contrary, Paola has always been warm, respectful, knowledge, and inviting to my wife and myself. Highly recommended this studio to anyone looking to learn to dance, plus the events are always a great time.
Mar 27, 2025 · Enthony Silva
I cannot recommend checking out classes at Controla enough! I have been taking Latin dance classes at various studios here in Philadelphia for over ten years. I have taken classes in many styles at Controla over the last few years: Salsa, Mambo, Bachata, Cha Cha, Zouk and followers styling, including on a team. I can say without a doubt that the quality of instruction and professionalism at Controla is on par with larger and more long-established studios. The instructors at Controla are always keeping up their training and craft and will give you the skills to learn both fundamentals and how to develop your own style as a dancer. They are constantly bringing in some of the best dancers in the world for guest instruction and make learning dance fun and accessible. I always leave class with a smile!But the thing that makes Controla so special is the strong sense of community that Paola has cultivated in the studio and at the socials. It is the most welcoming environment I've experienced in a dance studio here in Philadelphia (although I have love for so many teachers at all studios). Paola, Armando and other teachers and staff are inclusive, make a real attempt to get to know you and are invested in your growth as a dancer- whether it is just to learn a few moves to gain the confidence to get on the floor at a social, or to take your dancing to a higher level- you will find what you are looking for in this studio. Paola herself has incredible style to her dance and choreography and it's exciting as a woman to support one of the few female-led studios in the city. As a follower, it's great to have instruction that focuses on styling and techniques for followers that are often neglected in Latin classes that focus mostly on techniques for leaders.I will just make a small note in response to some of the negative reviews given here. All of the folks who run studios, socials and create space for the Latin dance community to thrive in Philadelphia do it out of love and passion. These are small businesses that barely make a profit, and sometimes operate at a loss. Most dance teachers, including everyone at Controla have day jobs and they give their time to instruction out of love for students and the culture of dance. I'm beyond grateful to have been a recipient of this labor and generosity on behalf of instructors like Paola and others across the city.I've been on teams with several studios and the level of commitment and good behavior that was required of dancers on teams at Controla is no different that that of any other studio. Every team I've been on has required dancers to meet certain standards in order to make it to the stage, has requirements for showing up and representing the studio at events, behaving in a decent manner to teammates and generally representing the studio well. These commitments make you stronger as a dancer, make the team a positive environment for all involved and help to strengthen the studio overall so that you have more opportunities to perform. When you get to the level of joining a team, you are joining a community and are responsible for helping to keep that community strong. It makes me sad that a few folks who weren't able to hold up their end of commitments in this team structure- especially in their treatment of other dancers and teammates- have decided to try to take down this small business that serves as a hub of community and joy for so many other people.For those who are new to Latin dancing I can assure you this is not the norm and you will meet lots of amazing positive people through dance and Controla is a great place to get started with that!!
Mar 28, 2025 · Elizabeth Schlingmann
Controla is a fantastic dance studio and one of the only spots to study traditional Dominican bachata (the best bachata)! Women owned biz in a male dominated field and affirming space for anyone to learn to lead or follow. Plus Paola is hilarious and supportive and sharp. Socials are well attended and tons of fun!
Jun 04, 2025 · Jenny M. Sandler
Do yourself a favor and find another dance studio. I rarely post negative reviews and always support small businesses but the experience at Controla was bad. Paola and Armando, the owners, have a tumultuous personal and professional relationship and personalities. It seeps into classes badly. You never know which version of them will show up to practice: the rare positive and welcoming version, the you must all be pro dancers and we will spend the hour lecturing you instead of teaching version, or the ADHD distracted and disorganized and unprepared version, the take a lesson from this person we trained for a bit version because we canceled last minute, or the drama of kicking people out of the lesson experience. I took classes, private lessons, and was on the teams. More than once they didn't show up for my private lessons when I drove into Philly. I should have taken the red flag and ran. People dropped out of the classes left and right bc the owners make it a mission to create enemies and burn bridges. And the team experience was full of broken promises, a huge waste of A LOT of $$, and so much drama fueled by the instructors. There are a couple of longstanding Latin Dance studios in the area with award winning dancers, just go there and save yourself a lot of money and drama.Edited: I will edit this review one time and then I will never look back at this review or this business. In the reply from Paola and other reviews and replies, it is made to seem as if I was kicked off the team or banned from the studio, this was never the case. I want to make this clear as they are trying to pain the picture that I was not a fully invested teammate and performer and that I caused trouble in the team so that this review looks like something you can brush by.I have screenshots to prove that I was never banned and my last communications with Paola.I fulfilled my contract for the team, was praised by text and verbally from Paola for my performance, and I left the team after my contract was fulfilled and shortly thereafter the team disbanded. I also never bullied anyone, this is absolutely not in my nature. All of my teammates appreciated my efforts and support. My teammates came to back me up when I was wrongly accused of saying something in a "tone" to another member. I apologized to that teammate and my entire team backed me up that I wasn't using a tone. Paola wasn't even present at the practice in question. If she had been, she would have been there to give the updates that I was relaying to the team from the previous practice Paola, where not everyone was in attendance.This entire experience couldn't have been worse. Maybe one day the business owners will self reflect. Best of luck!
Apr 22, 2025 · Aubrey Reinmiller
After a very bad experience at Controla, I gave them a great deal of grace but a year later I was referenced by Paola (the owner) in her reply to an honest review written by a teammate. Paola then reached out to clean up after her messy reply and now I am compelled to share my own review. She then temporarily deleted her reply to Aubrey, and now to me .During my time there, Armando and Paola were co-owners though I do not believe that to be the case now. While I don't want to absolve Armando of all responsibility for what happened while his name was attached to Controla, I do not believe he was fully aware of Paola's actions, as what I list were majority done by her.My negative experiences include:- Disorganization around time and money of customers.- No call/no show on scheduled meetings, calls, and at times rehearsals. Telling us to rapid redial her until she answered, still not answering for hours- Public shame and removal from Controla chat over personal disagreements outside of dance.- Publicly posting about personal disagreements on business social media.- Trash talking other Philly/NJ studios and performers of all levels, then claiming “confidentiality” within teams.- Pressure to exclusively attend Controla socials, monitoring other studios' social media to call out those she saw on IG and Facebook attending other events on the night of her event. This started as a joke, quickly escalated to demands and threats to kick people off teams who did not pay and attend her events and classes. Falsely claimed this was in our contract.-Yelling, ranting, and otherwise losing her temper when asked about performances and what we had paid for.- Threats to cut people the night of the debut, still told to invite people to pay to come w/ no guarantee of performing.- Stating local businesses wouldn’t collaborate to schedule performance, specifically Lucha Cartel, Brasil’s Nightclub, Browns Test Kitchen Brunch and Bachata Event, and Laurel Card Latin Dance studio social (this was false).- Falsely stating we could not wear costumes we paid for in other capacities due to copyright with no clause in contract.- Threatening that we could not perform if we didn't take on new costs and routines that were not in our agreement and had not yet gotten what we paid for.- When questioned, we were told this is just how dance is. When those who danced questioned that, we were told this is just how the Latin Dance world is and that we were too new to Latin dance to understand, that it wasn’t for everyone and we could quit if we wanted, (after we had invested significant time and money)- Explosive retaliation when I quit. This included but was not limited to lies about conversations we had, lies about waiving my dues and my financial situation, passive aggressive digs, disingenuous accountability/avoidance of accountability, and also alluding to a private conversation we had about my experience with intimate partner violence and typical mental health struggles posted within a public team chat to impose shame and silence me from sharing my experience.With all the talk of abuse of power in dance right now, I hope this is an opportunity to reflect and improve. Especially since there are murmurs of new teams in partnership with Empire Mambo. Sadly, I anticipate personal retaliation via social media and Chat GBT’s finest 6+ paragraph curation of avoidance of accountability, personal attacks, passive aggression, accusations of betrayal and not having a personal conversation with her first (there were several) and general bad behavior with no opportunity to reply so she has the last word, while not missing the opportunity for a shameless plug to come see what Controla is about yourself at the biweekly socials Pivot Ballroom in Ardmore, the weekly classes at Fitness works in S Philly, topped off with wishing me well in my dance endeavors sprinkled with a subtle mention of defamation (it’s only defamation if it isn’t true, just because you remove someone from a chat does not mean your content disappears) #wepa #goodvibesonly
Apr 01, 2025 · Melissa Pleasanton