Smuin Contemporary Ballet | Smuin Center for Dance

Nestled in the vibrant arts scene of San Francisco, Smuin Contemporary Ballet, and its accompanying Smuin Center for Dance, represent a beacon of innovative movement and artistic excellence. More than just a performing arts company, Smuin is a dynamic institution committed to "uplifting the human spirit and shattering preconceptions of ballet through innovative artistry and exceptional quality." Since its debut in 1994, founded by the visionary Michael Smuin, this company has consistently pushed the boundaries of contemporary ballet, blending classical technique with the energy and syncopation of American popular culture. For locals in the California region, Smuin offers not only breathtaking performances but also a welcoming center for dance education and community engagement.

Michael Smuin's enduring legacy is evident in every aspect of the company. His singular philosophy to create pieces that merge diverse vocabularies of classical ballet and contemporary dance remains the touchstone of Smuin Contemporary Ballet. This approach results in works that are original, evocative, and deeply entertaining, speaking to contemporary sensibilities while maintaining the discipline and beauty of classical form. The company’s repertoire seamlessly blends iconic works by Michael Smuin with commissions from world-renowned choreographers and exciting new voices, ensuring a fresh and compelling experience for audiences season after season.

Beyond the mainstage performances, the Smuin Center for Dance serves as a creative hub, leveraging its state-of-the-art facilities to support arts creation and vibrancy for the entire Bay Area. It provides a platform for artists to flourish, fostering innovation and sharing the passion for dance through classes and community engagement. Whether you're an avid ballet patron, a budding dancer, or simply curious about the transformative power of movement, Smuin Contemporary Ballet and Smuin Center for Dance offer an unparalleled experience right here in San Francisco.

Smuin Contemporary Ballet | Smuin Center for Dance is ideally located at 1830 17th St, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA. This address places the Center in the lively Potrero Hill neighborhood, an area known for its artistic community, creative businesses, and convenient access to various parts of San Francisco.

Accessibility is a significant advantage for this location. For those relying on public transportation, the Smuin Center for Dance is easily reachable. The building is situated within a block of four main bus routes, providing direct connections to different areas of the city. Additionally, the 16th Street Mission BART station is a brisk 20-minute walk away, offering a broader reach for commuters coming from other parts of San Francisco or the wider Bay Area. This makes it highly convenient for locals to attend classes, rehearsals, or other events at the center without the typical challenges of navigating urban traffic.

For individuals who prefer to drive, the area around the studio offers remarkably easy metered and free street parking. This is a considerable benefit in San Francisco, where parking can often be a source of frustration. There is also paid daily parking available in a nearby lot, providing additional options. The combination of excellent public transit access and comparatively manageable parking ensures that the Smuin Center for Dance is readily accessible to dancers, students, and audiences from across California, fostering a welcoming environment for all who wish to engage with the art of dance. The vibrant neighborhood also means there are local amenities nearby, making a visit to Smuin a well-rounded outing.

• Regular Performance Season: Smuin Contemporary Ballet presents multiple mainstage programs annually, featuring world premieres, company premieres, and revivals of beloved works by Michael Smuin and other renowned choreographers. Performances are held in various venues across Northern California, including San Francisco, Walnut Creek, Mountain View, and Carmel.
• The Christmas Ballet: A beloved annual holiday tradition, this mixed-repertoire show combines classical ballet and contemporary dance set to festive tunes, offering both elegant classical acts and lively contemporary numbers.
• Adult Dance Classes: The Smuin Center for Dance offers a wide variety of drop-in and series classes for adults of all ages and skill levels, from complete novices to advanced professional dancers. Styles include ballet (Basic, Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced/Professional levels, including pointe and turns), and Contemporary Jazz.
• Youth Dance Classes: Provides ballet classes specifically designed for children aged 3-8, introducing young dancers to the fundamentals of ballet in an engaging way.
• ConfiDANCE! Program: A series of free movement-based classes for children aged 6-13, designed to build confidence, self-assuredness, and self-expression, supported by community grants.
• Choreography Showcases and Workshops: Offers opportunities for Smuin artists to choreograph on their peers and present new works in an in-studio theater setting, fostering the next generation of choreographic talent.
• Studio Rentals: The Smuin Center for Dance makes its two bright, airy, and fully renovated studios (with sprung marley floors and climate control) available for rent to other arts organizations, independent artists, and for rehearsals.
• Community Engagement: Committed to sharing the passion for dance through outreach initiatives, including partnerships with local schools and "Class for a Cause" dance fitness events that benefit local charities.
• Emerging Choreographers Showcase: A formal program where selected dancers create longer works for theater settings, receiving commission fees, ownership of their work, and mentorship in artistic and administrative aspects of choreography.

• Innovative Artistic Vision: Smuin Contemporary Ballet distinguishes itself by consistently merging classical ballet with contemporary dance and American popular culture, creating unique, entertaining, and thought-provoking performances that "shatter preconceptions of ballet."
• Exceptional Dancers: The company is comprised of "top dancers, each a charismatic principal soloist," known for their incredible skill, athleticism, and ability to embody a wide range of choreographic styles with both precision and heartfelt expression.
• Diverse and Engaging Repertoire: Features a rich mix of iconic works by founder Michael Smuin, company premieres from acclaimed international choreographers like Justin Peck and Alejandro Cerrudo, and exciting new creations from emerging choreographic voices.
• Beloved Holiday Tradition: "The Christmas Ballet" is a highly anticipated annual event that blends classical and contemporary styles with festive music, offering a magical and joyful experience for families and audiences of all ages.
• Accessible Dance Education for All: The Smuin Center for Dance provides high-quality dance training for adults and children of all levels, from complete beginners to professionals, taught by current or former Smuin dancers. This makes professional-level instruction available to the local community.
• Focus on Holistic Development (Youth): Programs like "ConfiDANCE!" highlight the commitment to building confidence, self-assuredness, and self-expression in young people through movement, going beyond just dance technique.
• State-of-the-Art Facilities: The Smuin Center for Dance at 1830 17th St offers beautifully renovated studios with sprung marley floors and climate control, providing an optimal and safe environment for dance training and rehearsals.
• Community-Centric Approach: Beyond performances and classes, Smuin actively engages with the Bay Area community through initiatives like studio rentals for other non-profits and "Class for a Cause" events, contributing to the local arts ecosystem.
• Consistent High Quality: Decades of positive reviews consistently praise the stellar performances, compelling choreography, and the company's ability to move audiences to tears and inspire them.

Address: 1830 17th St, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA

Phone: (415) 912-1899

Mobile Phone: +1 415-912-1899

For residents across the California region, particularly those in the San Francisco Bay Area, Smuin Contemporary Ballet and its Smuin Center for Dance offer an unparalleled opportunity to engage with world-class dance, whether as an audience member or a participant. Its suitability for locals is deeply rooted in its artistic excellence, community focus, and accessibility.

Firstly, Smuin provides consistently high-caliber performances that are both innovative and deeply moving. Locals have the privilege of experiencing a company that "pushes the boundaries of contemporary ballet," offering a fresh and exciting take on the art form. The diverse repertoire, from Michael Smuin's enduring works to cutting-edge new creations, ensures there's always something new and captivating to see. The fact that performances are frequently held in accessible venues across Northern California, including San Francisco, Walnut Creek, Mountain View, and Carmel, means that world-class ballet is truly within reach for a wide local audience, making it a convenient and enriching cultural outing.

Secondly, the Smuin Center for Dance serves as a vital community asset. It provides professional-level dance instruction for adults of all experience levels, from absolute beginners to seasoned dancers. This allows locals to train with current and former Smuin artists, offering an exceptional opportunity to learn from the best in a supportive environment. The dedicated youth programs, like "ConfiDANCE!", further highlight Smuin's commitment to nurturing the next generation and making dance accessible and beneficial beyond just technique, focusing on building confidence and self-expression. For parents seeking enriching extracurricular activities for their children, or adults looking to pursue a long-held passion or a new fitness regimen, the Center offers top-tier facilities and instruction right in their neighborhood.

Lastly, the ease of access to the Smuin Center for Dance in Potrero Hill, with good public transportation links and relatively easy parking, removes common barriers to participation. This commitment to accessibility, combined with its profound artistic impact and community-focused educational programs, firmly establishes Smuin Contemporary Ballet and the Smuin Center for Dance as an indispensable and cherished institution for Californians who appreciate the transformative power of movement and the arts. It's truly a local gem that enriches lives and inspires countless individuals through the beauty of dance.

Smuin Contemporary Ballet | Smuin Center for Dance

1830 17th St, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA