The 418 Project

The 418 Project The Place To Move & Be Moved In Downtown Santa Cruz, Since 1993
www.the418project.org Looking for studio availability? www.the418project.org

http://the418project.org/calendar/

The 418 Project is an incubator space for local and regional talent, offering performances, classes and workshops, supporting emerging artists and providing local masters a welcoming place to meet their audiences. Home to Dance Church too, the studio is the heart of a creative community.

01/14/2026

Dance into Thursday evenings with Congolese Dance led by Vivien Bassouamina, 5:00–6:30 PM at The 418 Project.Come move your body, connect to rhythm, and dance in community.

01/12/2026

Salsa at The 418 Project.Dancing with and our beautiful community—come find your next dance with our weekly and monthly offerings.

12/02/2025

It’s Giving Day, Santa Cruz — and today we’re celebrating the power of community-funded art.When you give to The 418 Project, you’re fueling more than performances.You’re sustaining a home where:✨ Emerging artists can take creative risks✨ Marginalized communities are centered, not sidelined✨ Cultural traditions are celebrated and shared✨ Healing, joy, and connection are part of everyday lifeAnd Giving Day is also your chance to lift up our fiscally sponsored artists and organizations — local visionaries who are creating groundbreaking work, building community, and leading programs that might not exist without your support.Two ways to make a difference today:💛 Support The 418 Project directly — helping us keep space affordable, safe, and accessible.💛 Give to one of our fiscally sponsored programs — ensuring artists and culture-bearers have the resources they need to thrive.Together, we can uplift the artists who uplift our community.Give with heart. Give with purpose. Give today.

11/07/2025

Meet the mind behind the monster! Our own Shane brought this terrifyingly delightful creature to life for Night of the Vampire Queen (the musical) — one of the many handmade creations that made the show such a spooky spectacle.From sketches and scraps to stage-ready nightmare, this monster was a true labor of love. It’s proof that at The 418 Project, even the scariest things are built with heart, humor, and community.Huge thanks to Shane and the entire creative team for the magic behind the mayhem. 🩸

We’re hiring! 💫The 418 Project is looking for a Front Desk & Refreshment Assistant — a welcoming, organized, community-m...
10/28/2025

We’re hiring! 💫
The 418 Project is looking for a Front Desk & Refreshment Assistant — a welcoming, organized, community-minded person who loves connecting with people and supporting the arts.
✨ Part-time (12–20 hrs/week)
✨ $18–22/hr
✨ Immediate start
✨ Be part of a creative, inclusive space that makes a real impact in Santa Cruz.
Bonus points if you speak Spanish or have food/retail experience!
Join us in creating an arts center that feels like home — for every body. 💛
📩 Apply with your resume + cover letter (one PDF)

Santa Cruz Film Festival Gala attendees beware!…. Monday night's full moon marked the ascendance of the vampire queen! T...
10/09/2025

Santa Cruz Film Festival Gala attendees beware!…. Monday night's full moon marked the ascendance of the vampire queen! Tonight, downtown residents, especially those attending the Santa Cruz MAH film festival gala, be warned… The vampires are on the rise and expected to take to the streets. To get to know these dangerous and thrilling creatures better, get your tickets now!

10/03/2025

What Is Erotic? auditions this Sunday!In 90 seconds or less, perform or share your concept for your WIE piece.We’re interested in: aerial arts, theatre, comedy, dance, spoken word, film, mixed genre (roller skating, anyone?). The sky is the limit; no experience is required to audition.WIE is accepting a limited number of artists to our 5-month mentorship program, which results in our professional level What Is Erotic? performance, opening February 13, 2026.If you cannot attend in person, you may submit a video audition to [email protected]. Video auditions must be received no later than 2 PM on Sunday.Not interested in being onstage but want to be a part of our 20th anniversary show? We are also seeking technicians, stagehands, set builders, and many others. Email [email protected] or show up in person.

You are most cordially invited to attend an extraordinary evening of lavish entertainment, exquisite company, and scient...
10/01/2025

You are most cordially invited to attend an extraordinary evening of lavish entertainment, exquisite company, and scientific inquiry at our humble home on October 17th, 18th, 24th and 25th on the outskirts of town at number 666 Hellmouth Avenue. Survivors will be richly rewarded. Join us, won’t you?
Sincerely,
-Victor von Uitzuiger, your host

p.s. The hosts are not responsible for unexpected or premature death, and/or dismemberment, caused by accident or misfortune, be it natural or supernatural.

p.p.s. please be sure your affairs are in order

✨ Weekly Offerings at The 418 Project ✨Every week our space comes alive with classes, jams, and gatherings — all led by ...
09/22/2025

✨ Weekly Offerings at The 418 Project ✨

Every week our space comes alive with classes, jams, and gatherings — all led by incredible community artists. From dance and movement to karaoke, self-defense, open mic nights, and more, there’s something for everyone at 155 S. River St.

💕Mondays: Self Defense, Hip Hop, Afro Brazilian, Jazz, and contact improv
🌸 Tuesdays: Karaoke, Hula, Q***r Munch & Rope Jam
🔥 Wednesdays: Self Defense, Tango, Dance for PD, Contemporary Jazz
💃 Thursdays: Modern Dance & Swing Dance
🌟 Saturdays: Adult Beginning Ballet + Monthly MicDrop! Open Mic & Milonga
Join us to move, connect, and create with your community.
Full schedule at the418project.org

We’re not just giving away T-shirts. Nope, it’s bigger than that. We’re calling in allies to show up.To take a stand. To...
08/18/2025

We’re not just giving away T-shirts. Nope, it’s bigger than that. We’re calling in allies to show up.

To take a stand. To go beyond words and into action.

⁣In a world where voices are silenced, we amplify.

When safety is threatened, we protect.

Where expression is stifled, we celebrate it louder.

We believe in the strength of difference, the power of inclusion, and the necessity of equity. And we know these values don’t protect themselves… We do. Together.

Support our artists. Fuel our programming. Be part of something that builds belonging from the inside out.

🎁 Donate $10/month or more and receive an Ally Campaign t-shirt as a thank you:

🧵 Wear your values.

💥 Take real action.

💖 Help create a world where everyone belongs.

👕 Claim your free shirt + more by donating at the link in our profile

⁣

08/06/2025

Dare or Dare? ✨️ One spin could change everything... ⚡️

Spin the wheel, accept your flirtatious fate 🔥🌀

WIE Foreplay Soiree: Playful Ritual, this Friday! Tickets in bio.

Welcome to Foreplay Soirée™ - a What is Erotic® experiential salon.Friday, August 8, 20257:00 PM - Doors - Ambient Sh***...
08/06/2025

Welcome to Foreplay Soirée™ - a What is Erotic® experiential salon.
Friday, August 8, 2025
7:00 PM - Doors - Ambient Sh***ri, Pole, & Gogo Dancing
7:30PM - Opening Zensual Ritual
7:45-10:30PM - Offerings & Performances
10:30 PM - 12:00 AM - Dance Party
Suggested arrival by 7:20pm to participate in a collective sensual drop-in.
At this year’s Foreplay Soirée, we invite you into the world of Playful Ritual—where curiosity, embodiment, and erotic expression meet in a vibrant playground of possibility. We're expanding our spectrum of offerings to create a richer, more intentional palate of experiences: whether you're bold or shy, subtle or brash, you’ll find invitations to explore your desires, connect through shared ritual, or simply watch and soak it all in.
Wear what makes you feel sexy & playful… lingerie, B**M attire- whatever turns you on and makes you feel delicious!
Doors open at 7:00 PM.
At 7:30 PM, we begin playing together with a Zensuality teaser, a guided somatic experience to awaken your senses and welcome you into the night. Led by Tina Powell.
Shy Vo**ur Section: take a seat and observe from seats and cushions in our theater riser area. There’s no pressure to interact in any way.
Dungeon Photo Booth: Expose Yourself in the Privacy of your very own photo dungeon. You're in charge with your personal remote control, ensuring total privacy as you create your intimate memories. Your high-resolution photos are delivered directly on a flash drive- to share or not to share, as you wish. First come, first play- come early!
Stroll and sip a beverage to keep you cool as you enjoy our hot experiences—and let your senses wander to our snack table when your lips, tongue, or fingertips need a little something to explore.
Partial Event Line Up
Sensation Stations – For Your Body
Flog Massage & Dungeon Play with Cherish
Lapdancing with Shane Kephart
InapproPirate Strip Plank with Captain Chaz
Playful Pole Tricks
Visual Treats For Your Eyes
Dance Seduction by Scarlet Daimon
Silks & Slow Burlesque Mini-class by Dom the Switch
Ambient Sh***ri by Inky Void
Pole Doubles by The Shadow Sugar Pu***es
Go go dancing and poling: Ava Upside-Down, Bijou Wyld, Icarus Fallin,’ Kiki Sterling, Red Raven, Shane
Going Deeper – For Your Emotions
Energy Alignment with Stan
Tarot with Travis
A Soirée Classic: The Dare or Dare Wheel with Martin- Take a Spin, and act out wherever you land on our Dare or Dare Wheel. Various levels of daringness to fit your predilections.

Address

155 S. River Street
Santa Cruz, CA
95060

Opening Hours

Monday 6pm - 7:30pm
Tuesday 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Wednesday 7pm - 10pm
Thursday 7pm - 9pm
Sunday 11am - 1pm

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The 418 Project — Our Story

“Move and be moved.”

The 418 Project builds community in Santa Cruz county and beyond by fostering physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing in a creative and collaborative environment through movement art and dance

We value an inclusive and heartfelt community, personal and artistic growth and expression, and consciousness that encourages support and safety. The 418 Project is an incubator space for local and regional talent, offering performances, classes, technique classes, and workshops. We support emerging artists and provide local masters a welcoming place to meet their audiences. It is home to What is Erotic?, Dance Church and Ecstatic Dance, Grateful Dead dances, and more—the studio is the heart of a creative community.

Move and be moved with The 418 Project.