Berkeley folk Dancers
Berkeley Folk Dancers is America’s largest folk dance club.
Dancing seven times a week, fifty weeks a year.
Now in our 82nd year!
Time to Renew or Join!
Berkeley Folk Dancers Membership Information
Membership Fees
- Annual Dues: The annual membership fee is $260. However, if you are joining for the first time, the fee is reduced to $190 for the first year .
Beginner Classes
- Class Options: New beginners can attend the Tuesday afternoon class at Northbrae Church or the Thursday evening class at Live Oak Park (See the Instructors and Classes section below)
- Drop-in Fee: If you are unsure about committing to the full membership, you can attend any class for an $8.00 drop-in fee
- 8-Week Session: For those interested in the Thursday evening class, there is an option to sign up for an 8-week session for $40
Special Offers
- Free Membership: Thanks to the Mel Mann Fund, full-time students or individuals under 30 are eligible for a free membership .
Registration Process
- Online Registration: The preferred method for joining or renewing your membership is online. The link for the 2024-25 membership is available here
- Paper Registration: If you prefer to register using a paper form, you can download, print, fill out, and mail the form along with a check to Berkeley Folk Dancers, c/o Arnold Stoper, 6439 Regent St, Oakland 94618. The link to the paper form is available here .
- Credit Card Payments: Please note that credit card payments can only be processed online. Paper forms cannot be used for credit card payments
Additional Information
- For more details, especially about the Beginner Class, please refer to the “More Facts About Us” section under the “About Us” page on our website
Upcoming Events
To register online click HERE
Instructors and Classes
Beginner
Tuesday Afternoon 1:30 to 3:00 pm
Northbrae Church
apnitrate@aol.com
(510) 375-6874
Beginner
Thursday Evening 7:45 to 9:30
Live Oak Park
kindermar54@sbcglobal.net
(510) 549-1703
helenbrown333@gmail.com
c.ghafur@gmail.com
Intermediate
Thursday Afternoon 1:30 to 3:00 pm
Northbrae Church
marijahillis@gmail.com
510-684-7514
Intermediate
Tuesday Evening 7:45 to 9:30 pm
Live Oak Park
kindermar54@sbcglobal.net
(510) 549-1703
davidhillis1@comcast.net
(510) 872-5066
Advanced Intermediate
Wednesday Evening 7:45 to 9:30
Live Oak Park
luoping@berkeley.edu
(510)528-0749
marijahillis@gmail.com
510-684-7514
Advanced
Monday Evening 7:45 to 9:30
Live Oak Park
yaqizhang@comcast.net
(510) 345-2845
Tom Sha
shaqz123@gmail.com
(510)842-7538
Request Night
Friday Evening 7:45 to 9:45
Live Oak Park
pvdangelo@hotmail.com
(510)654-3136
If you would like to subscribe to our Bulletin and be informed of future events please send a message to arnold.stoper@gmail.com with “Subscription request” in the subject line (current members receive the Bulletin automatically and don’t need to do this)
BERKELEY FOLK DANCERS 2024 CORRECTED CALENDAR May 17, 2024
Here are days we dance for the remainder of the calendar year.
May 20 (Monday) Malcolm X Day
October 14 (Monday) Indigenous People’s Day
November 11(Monday) Veterans Day Observed
October 14 (Monday) Indigenous People’s Day
November 11(Monday) Veterans Day Observed
We will not dance on the following city holidays
January 1 (Monday) New Year’s Day
May 27 (Monday) Memorial Day
July 4 (Thursday) Independence Day
September 2 (Monday) Labor Day
November 28 (Thursday) Thanksgiving Day
November29 (Friday) Thanksgiving Holiday
December 25 (Wednesday) Christmas Day
December24, Christmas Eve. Though it is not a City Holiday we will not be dancing.
Usually, we dance from 7:45 to 9:30 Monday through Thursday and 7:30 to 9:45 pm on Friday except as noted above. However, we have a number of special events that fall outside of our usual calendar. We would like to use the Evergreen Room on the following dates and the following times.
January 6, Saturday Birthday Ball Completed
February 10, Saturday Festival of the Oaks Completed
March 8, (Friday) AI Fun Night Hours: 6:30-10:30 (Dancing 7:30-10pm)
May 11, (Saturday) Intermediate Fun Dance Hours: 1-5pm (Dancing 2-4:30pm)
July 20 (Saturday) Beginning Fun Night Hours: 1-5pm (Dancing 2-4:30pm)
September To Be Determined Inaugural Ball Hours: TBD
October To Be Determined Trial Dance Party: TBD
November To Be Determined Advanced Fun Night Hours: TBD
December 31 (Tuesday) New Year’s Eve Hours: TBD
For the invitation letter and registration form, click HERE.