Karamu House is proud to introduce Adult Urban Ballroom Dance, a vibrant and welcoming class designed for adult life-long learners of all experience levels." ...a social, mature, and soulful partner dance experience that merges the structured elegance of traditional ballroom with the smooth, rhythmic, and improvised styling of 1970s Detroit club dancing. It is often referred to as "Detroit Ballroom" or "Urban Contemporary Ballroom," focusing on fluid movement to mellow R&B, soul, and jazz music, prioritizing connection, sophistication, and a "glide" across the floor rather than high-energy, high-impact movements. - LA Times, 2012

Participants will build coordination, balance, confidence, and partner connection while exploring movement that feels both grounded and expressive. Whether you are stepping onto the dance floor for the first time or returning with experience, this class emphasizes joy, community, and personal style.

Adult Urban Ballroom Dance honors Karamu’s legacy as a home for cultural expression and artistic growth, offering adults a space to stay active, build community, and celebrate movement in an uplifting, culturally connected environment.

ATTIRE:

Comfortable clothes, shoes with a smooth bottom for dancing or sock covers over rubber soles.

Sock covers: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FKNDFY7P?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

This year’s program proudly aligns with Karamu House’s year-round theme:

ROOTED in LEGACY and RISING in PURPOSE in honor of celebrating Karamu's 110th anniversary.

Class Day: Tuesdays

Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM 

Program Dates: September 14 – November 7, 2026

Performance Dates:  November 6th and 7th of 2026

Location: Karamu House, 2355 East 89th Street, Cleveland, OH 44106 | Pavilion

Required Materials: Comfortable movement clothing and tap shoes

Contact our Arts Education Department: Maya Israel, Arts Education Manager Email: misrael@karamuhouse.org Phone: (216) 795-7070 ext. 228

This course offers adults a challenging yet welcoming space to develop acting skills through progressive training in voice, movement, character, and scene work. Using texts that reflect cultural identity and social relevance, students sharpen their technique while engaging in personal and artistic transformation.

Class Day: Tues & Thurs

Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM 

Program Dates:  September 14, 2026 -November 7, 2026

Performance Dates:  November 6th and 7th of 2026

Location: Karamu House, 2355 East 89th Street Cleveland, OH 44106 | Concert Hall 

Required Materials: Comfortable movement clothing and sneakers

Annual Registration Fee: $25.00 (non-refundable)

Full Tuition & Sliding-Scale Financial Assistance Available

To request financial aid for class, use promo code ROOTED at checkout to pay only the $25 registration fee at the time of enrollment.  Do not select a payment plan.  You will be contacted by Karamu's finance office with next steps.

A member of our finance team will contact you to collect documents such as paystubs or tax returns to assess your family's financial aid eligibility. We will then provide a tuition award and create a personalized payment plan that meets your needs.

Please Note: The $25 annual registration fee is required for all students, regardless of tuition option.

Contact our Arts Education Department: Maya Nicholson, Arts Education Manager Email: misrael@karamuhouse.org Phone: (216) 795-7070 ext. 228

To request financial aid for the acting class, use promo code ROOTED at checkout to pay only the $25 registration fee at the time of enrollment.  Do not select a payment plan.  You will be contacted by Karamu's finance office with next steps.