A diverse group of people participating in a dance or exercise class in a gymnasium, with some individuals smiling and others focused.

Dance & Drum Classes

Group of women practicing dance in a studio, some with arms raised, smiling, and barefoot on a wooden floor.

Weekly Open Level Samba

Learn the basic step + new choreography taught each week. Stop by for an introduction to samba or learn how to refine your moves.
Thursday evenings, year-round
Sign up for class via ODC. Price varies by class card purchase.
ODC Dance Commons - 351 Shotwell St, San Francisco, CA

Sign Up

A group of women and men dancing on stage, dressed in colorful costumes with feathered details, performing a lively dance routine with smiling faces and energetic movements.

Performance Workshops

Returning in 2026 - live percussion workshop!

~10 weeks September - November of Thursday evening rehearsals ending with a weekend of performances at the ODC Theater. All levels welcome.

Sign up for the workshop via ODC.
Workshop classes $315 + estimated ~$100 costume fee
ODC Dance Commons - 351 Shotwell St, San Francisco, CA

Sign Up to Dance

Sign Up to Drum

A man in sunglasses playing percussion with drumsticks on a large drum at an outdoor event.

Group of dancers performing on stage with purple background, dressed in white skirts and blouses, some with colorful sashes, and one man in white with a red bandana, smiling and moving.

A woman practicing dance indoors, performing a pose with one arm extended to the side and the other hand placed on her chest, wearing dark clothing, in a dimly lit room.

Private lessons with Raffaella

New to samba and want some extra help to learn the basics? Experienced with samba and looking to refine your skills?

Reach out to schedule an individual or small group private lesson. Pricing and availability based on group size.

Email sambaraffa@gmail.com

A man and two children smiling and celebrating at an outdoor event on a stage decorated with yellow balloons. They are wearing crowns, and the man has sunglasses. The children are wearing coordinated outfits with polka dots and yellow accents. There is a drum in front of them and a backdrop of buildings.

Afro-Brazilian Percussion Class

Family-focused, all levels welcome. All instruments included. Taught by Alfie Macias

Fridays
5:30pm - 7pm
Youth and Students $5, Adults & Families $10. Cost per class is sliding scale, no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

400 Geneva Ave, at the corner of San Jose Ave, San Francisco, CA

Sign up on Eventbrite. Message @bateriasambaxe on Instagram to confirm class

Sign Up

People participating in a dance class inside a gymnasium.

Join us for 3 weeks in January to get a taste for the upcoming Carnaval season! All levels welcome.

Saturdays January
11:30am- 1pm
La Scuola San Carlos Gym - 741 South Van Ness Ave, SF 94110

$35 per class, or $90 for 3-part series. Drop ins welcome. Sign up on Eventbrite or in person.

Stay tuned for 2027!

January Samba Fundamentals Workshop

Sign Up