The Dance Complex

Cambridge, United States

4.3

Open now

22 reviews

Does not accept credit cards

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 617-547-9363
Website:
www.dancecomplex.org
Address:
536 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA, 02139
Central Square
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
210 ftGreen St @ Pearl St
260 ftMassachusetts Ave @ Pearl St
350 ftBrookline St @ Green St
Categories:
QR code
Download QR Image Download vCard

Map

Streetview

Activate map

Bussiness info

Good for Kids
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards
No
Bike Parking
Yes
By Appointment Only
No

Today

Today 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
Open now
Local time (Cambridge) 4:41 PM Friday, November 29, 2024

Business hours

Monday 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Tuesday 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Wednesday 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Thursday 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday 10:00 am – 5:30 pm

Description

Specialties

All styles of dance and all levels from beginning through professional.

Toddler through Senior.

No membership or pre-​registration.

History

Established in 1991.

Founded in 1991by Rozann Kraus, the Dance Complex grew out of the need to save the historic Odd Fellows Hall as a space for dance. Members of the dance community rallied to save this vital building, when the owners closed and declared bankruptcy. Through the combined efforts of the dance community, the City of Cambridge and the Central Sq Business Association, the Dance Complex purchased the Odd Fellows Hall, securing a home for the movement arts.

The Dance Complex is a regional center for dance and movement arts, servicing a multicultural spectrum of activities. It’s run as a rental facility, over 60 teachers representing more than 20 countries teach classes and conduct workshops in a wide variety of movement art forms. An equally diverse constituency, young and old, about 1000/​week, uses the facility. Programs such as the Shared Choreographers’ Concerts, DanceMonth and DanceMonth in the Schools provide opportunities for artists and enrichment for the community.

Meet the Business Owner

Rozann K.

Business Owner

Rozann Kraus (Modern Dance) has served on the faculties of the Yale School of Drama, New England Conservatory of Music and Boston University. Winner of an Artists Foundation Choreography Fellowship, a Choreography Fellowship from the State of Ohio, the Paul Robeson Award and Arts Lottery Grants from five cities, her work has been commissioned by a wide range of sponsors, including the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, The Yale Art Gallery, Composers in Red Sneakers and (for nine consecutive years) Boston’s First Night. Touring throughout the country as teacher, choreographer and performer, Ms. Kraus has been a guest choreographer at MIT, the Cambridge School and Tufts University and was an Artist in Residence at Clark University’s Center for Contemporary Performance and many other institutions. A published author and poet, Rozann Kraus is the founder and President of the Dance Complex. She is a dancer with Daniel McCusker/​Projects.

Related places

You might also consider:
40
ft
Wendy Jehlen
536 Massachusetts Ave (Central Square)
40
ft
Belly Dance by Johara & Snake Dance Theater Company
536 Mass Ave (Central Square)
40
ft
Prometheus Dance
536 Massachusetts Avenue (Central Square)
60
ft
Boston Dance Company
550 Massachusetts Ave Ste 3 (Central Square)
140
ft
Green Street Studios
185 Green St (Central Square)
330
ft
ThisWorldMusic
(Central Square)

Vicinity

Browse nearby places:
20
ft
Cheapo Records
538 Massachusetts Ave
30
ft
Shalimar of India
546 Massachusetts Ave
40
ft
Salsa Matei Dance School
536 Massachessetts Ave
40
ft
BollyX
The Dance Complex 536 Massachusetts Ave
50
ft
Law Offices of Dagne Yesihak PC
552 Massachusetts Ave

22 reviews of The Dance Complex

No registration required
Place rating: 4
Cambridge, MA
This is a review for the 10:30AM Hip Hop class on Saturdays.
A good first dance class experience and I would recommend this class to anyone who enjoys dancing and just wants to have some fun on a Saturday morning. The class was packed, with probably 30 – 40 people, so come early to get a good spot and to be able to see yourself in the mirror. The class demographic is extremely eclectic which I think really embodies the essence of the Cambridge community.
My only complaint was in regards to organization. If it is your first time, when you first arrive, you have to sign-​in for the Dance Complex. Then, once you head upstairs, you have to sign-​in again with the people who host the class. I would suggest signing up online before hand to save yourself some time. Also, maybe it was because we didn’t arrive early enough, but we were confused if the class going on was the tail end of the 9:30AM class or the beginning of the 10:30AM class. The person checking in told us it was the early class but then the people trickling in were joining the class. It was all very unclear.
With all that siad, I do plan on coming back, but will definitely make sure to give myself plenty of time before hand to get situated.
Tip: Pre-​register online! Save yourself the check-​in process for the class and save $ 2.
Place rating: 5
Boston, MA
Hidden gem of cambridge! Dance classes for all styles, great for anyone looking to try something new! Many beginners classes, highly recommend the African dance class!
Place rating: 4
Dorchester Center, MA
Love this place. Took the beginner hip hop dance class here. I really liked the class and had fun. Although for me the hip hop classes don’t seem like they are for beginners. A lot of people look like they some training in the classes and get the steps very quickly so if you have low level dance skills and memory just go to have fun.
Place rating: 2
Boston, MA
I attended a class last night, and although the actual complex was impressive, and the teachers were amazing, the lack of air conditioning was just ridiculous. How is it OK to hold a class with a lot of people on the fourth floor in the summertime with the windows closed, and no A/​C. I left halfway through because I just could not stand it. And not to mention, people PAY for this. I’m sorry Dance Complex, everything about you was great except for the lack of A/​C, but that’s enough for me to take my money elsewhere, and pay for a facility that has adequate and comfortable facilities.
Place rating: 5
Quincy, MA
The Dance Complex is truly a hidden gem in Central Square. I didn’t know this place existed until a free BollyX class was offered here a little under a year ago.
The entrance is quite elaborate with a ginormous marble staircase. It’s very old school on the interior with a lot of artwork and about 7 – 8 dance studios. Front desk staff are extremely helpful and they ask that you fill out a waiver if it was your first time taking classes there. BollyX is offered here twice a week, and my main reason for coming. I definitely want to try different classes that are offered here because the music and energy coming from the various studios make me feel like getting up and dancing.
Come to BollyX!
— new clients get to take advantage of the 3 class pack (3/​$ 24).
Yay for dancing :)
Place rating: 5
Philadelphia, PA
So many classes! Such a great location! Even if you have two left feet, you should definitely stop by here and try some of the amazing variety of classes offered.
Place rating: 5
San Jose, CA
I had so much fun at the enthno-​Haitian dance class Sunday afternoon. This was my first time in a dance class in a few years and it was just hard enough to push me but it wasn’t impossible! This class really let’s you release stress and the live music is something rare in the dance world. Take advantage of the drop-​in classes because not many studios offer this, especially ones with live music! Great job dance complex! See you next week!
Place rating: 5
Somerville, MA
The Dance Complex is one of my favorite places in the Boston area and Lisa Simon’s M/​W night jazz dance class is the best! I love the nice long warm-​up and Lisa’s multi-​style choreography which is the same for three weeks at a time. Class is mixed level so Lisa always teaches from the top and everyone works to their ability, whether they’re drop-​ins or regulars, beginners or experienced. There are always new people in class, and the regulars are all friendly and fab (not just saying that because I’m one of them!). Plus, Lisa’s sense of humor and her Jack Russell terrier Dolly, the class mascot, really take the edge off all the ab work!
Place rating: 5
Cambridge, MA
This is a great, welcoming studio with a wide variety of classes. The intro and intermediate ballet classes were FAR more advanced than what I would consider «standard» for many studios. If you’re not sure where you belong, I would go a level down, as you can still be challenged. Students in my beginning class ranged from a dancer at Boston Conservatory who wanted to work on technique with our truly incredible instructor, to a few true beginners.
There are so many different kinds of dance offered here, and the teachers are amazing people who are well known in their fields. It’s great to get to dance with them.
Place rating: 5
Cambridge, MA
This is a very unique place and if you have never graced the grand staircase of this old fellows hall please do soon! I am a work study which means I volunteer and exchange for my time I earn free classes. It’s the best things could ever do in my adult life for myself.
There is such a organically positive energy here that it’s only felt if you visit. There are a plethora of classes to take no matter your experience in the genre of dance and there’s the possibility of renting space to do your thing as long as it’s art related!
There’s no other community like it. If there were a dance complex in very city the world would be a happier place. Favorite classes to take in no particular order ballet with Anna Myer, Stretch with Lisa, Afro Contemporary with Marianne, kickboxing with Dennis & Ethno Haitian with Jean, BollyX and west African dance with Seydou. The last two mentioned I don’t go to religiously but the rest keep me sane and are like my therapy. If I could spend all my time here I would. This place has really been great and you get to meet some really awesome people!
Place rating: 3
San Francisco, CA
This is quite a unique experience for me in Boston. The dance complex has four floors, and an amazing array of dance classes for all levels. It’s quite a crowded and old building, with squeaking wooden steps, and the rooms, while fully mirrored, as also as old. The classes are also often quite oversubscribed. It’s great as it’s low cost ($ 10 per class), and the teaching quality is very high. However, the not so ideal conditions and the crowded classes make it difficult to make a full commitment to attending on a regular basis. Oh, and it’s also very difficult to find parking, though the T to central square is right next door.
Place rating: 3
Boston, MA
I really want to like this place… I keep trying to take class there and leaving underwhelmed by my experiences.
The space is always a bit dirty and people are always coming and going. It’s great to see so many people milling about, but also a little unsettling when you’re in a leotard and trying to stretch out. The studio floors aren’t great for technique classes, studios always feel cramped, and the locker rooms are dirty. I really wish I could write a better review for this place. I appreciate what it stands for and I’m grateful to have this space in the city, but it never lives up to my expectations.
Place rating: 5
Los Angeles, CA
I just moved away from Cambridge and this is one of the places I miss the most. This place has an amazing variety of dance classes and an amazingly diverse clientele. It’s great to have a space for joy and movement like this in the middle of Cambridge.
Place rating: 5
Charlestown, Boston, MA
This place is my latest awesome discovery in the city… My husband and I took an Iranian dance class here a couple weeks ago and will definitely be back again! Very neat you can pay by class, too, so it’s kind of a drop-​in basis (which works great for people w/​changing schedules).
We paid $ 13 each for the class. Not sure what the usual going-​rate is, but that sounds alright to me.
What I like best about this place (aside from it being totally amateur-​friendly) is the variety of dance styles they offer. I mean really, Iranian dance? That is just too random and cool to pass up (hubby’s ½ Iranian, so that’s cool).
Place rating: 4
Somerville, MA
Really cool old building with music and the sound of dancers emanating from every crevasse! The environment here is very unique — you will meet a millions types of people here who come because they love dance and movement. If there was a utopia, this might be it.
My pieces of advice to newcomers: being new here is a bit intimidating. But don’t worry: be brave, ask questions and be humble! Some of the teachers move fairly quickly with their teaching and you may not get all the steps, but no one is judging!
Also, parking is a pain so walk or take the T. And you will be paying the teacher in cash (exact change is appreciated) half-​way through the class during a quick break. Don’t feel that you need to be decked out in the latest «dance gear» — an inexpensive pair of relevant dance shoes and your reg. workout gear is a-​okay!
Place rating: 3
Somerville, MA
Years go by and still I think of youuuuuu…
Yoga, Modern, Ballet, Jazz, Classical Indian dance classes — I took them all here.
I have been away from the dance world for a few years now, but every time I feel the itch — this is my go to place. It’s easy to get to, there are SO MANY options for classes.
They have work/​study programs, and you can also rent space here! What could be better than that in a massive building dead in the center of Central Square.
New (2010) renovation means: better lighting in changing rooms, handicap bathroom on the main floor, and a BRAND new office and men’s changing room too. Brilliant. I was really VERY glad to see these updates made.
Place rating: 5
Somerville, MA
I have taken only a handful of classes/​workshops here, but one of the most notable is Carl Alleyne’s beginner hip-​hop class on Saturday mornings. Carl consistently finds new, fun ways to bring out the best in and challenge his students, and even though I’ve been dancing Hip Hop for 10 years, Carl will always find several combinations that make me put on my thinking cap.
The fact that the class always is 20 – 30 students deep also speaks to his widespread appeal. Very welcoming and energetic atmosphere — I highly recommend this.
Place rating: 4
La Jolla, CA
Great place for an ECLECTIC group of classes. They are not a studio in that they have their own faculty, although they do have a bunch of independent teachers that rent out space. so when you come for classes you pay the teacher.
I’ve done Jazz, Hiphop, Capoeira, Salsa and Ballet here. I have also workstudied here, 2 workstudy coordinators ago. Space is difficult to rent here — it’s usually booked.
Place rating: 4
West Hollywood, CA
I went to a hooping class here recently.
the space is gorgeous, the staff is helpful, the class was great, however my husband’s wallet got stolen from the back of the room where the coat rack and bench were. when talking to the staff and police it turns out this is a common occurrence, especially on sundays.
so word to the wise, keep your valuables either in one of the lockers downstairs (bring your own locks) OR keep your valuables on the side of the room furthest away from the doors.
Place rating: 4
North Hills, CA
I’m a capoeirista and am visiting for the week so I decided to check out the capoeira. They train at the dance complex on Saturdays only.
The group is large. A mixture of advanced and beginner. The warmup is really good. Very well rounded, however I was a bit frustrated because of the constant waterbreaks. I don’t know though. I come from a school where the only time you hydrate is after the roda.
They play a lot of sao bento pequeno a fast game. Pretty fun. Nice group.
Place rating: 5
Minato, Japan
God bless this place.
Needless to say, there are so many dance classes available in unbelievably various genre. There are some martial arts classes as well (Teakwondo and cardio kickboxing).
And huge plus is that you can rent a room. My martial arts training partner and I used to book a room for very cheap rate. I think it was like $ 7.50 an hour or something. Depends on time frame of the day or which day it is. (For the record, I think we were the only two who used to come out of the room with bruise on our eyes and bloody nose. They must have been thinking «WTF???»)
Another huge plus is that locker room is equipped with a few showers! Having worked at an athletic facility without shower room, I find this very, very blessing! (I know how expensive to install and maintain, etc…)
Place rating: 4
Boston, MA
Classes at Dance Complex are so much fun! I’ve taken Samba and Hip Hop here. Samba (with Deraldo) is by far, one of the best workouts I’ve gotten from dancing. Ok, it was a little fast paced, and as a beginner, I found myself lost and confused sometimes, but it’s still fun nonetheless.
The one problem I found with the teachers that I’ve had is that it’s a bit difficult for them to break it down into very step-​by-​step instructions, since it comes so naturally to them. My learning style pretty much needs step-​by-​step instructions, but I think eventually it’s just good to let go and do it, even if you’re not doing the routine perfectly. I’d love to say I would do Carl’s hip hop class again, but it was a little bit too scattered and last-​minute change of dance combos for me – I guess I just like structure a little bit more. I think his teaching style suits certain people, but I just prefer some of the other classes taught here.
Deraldo’s Samba class has him and another instructor (the class is usually a bit on the larger side), so he can take a few minutes to help the people who are struggling, which I think is great. I love Samba classes here!