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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
07/22/2025
🩸🌚 Bloodlust! The Musical is coming… and it wants you.
A mysterious mansion. A deadly invitation. A full moon.
Oh, and did we mention it’s a musical?
We're casting actors, singers, stagehands, and production crew for this spooky, campy, blood-splattered comedy. No experience needed, just show up ready to play.
🗓 Auditions: Sunday, August 3 at 2 PM
📍 The 418 Project – Small Theater
🎤 Bring a 90-second monologue or song (or use what we’ve got on hand!)
📢 Know someone who lives for the drama? Tag them. Text them. Drag them.
Welcome to Foreplay Soirée™ - a WIE® experiential salon.
At this year’s Soirée, we invite you into the world of Playful Ritual—where curiosity, embodiment, and 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.
Suggested arrival by 7:20pm to participate in a collective sensual drop-in.
Get Tickets Now!
$25 General Admission
$45 Generous
$85 Extremely Generous
Bring cash to tip performers
Your tickets support our sex-positive, body-positive programming, so get your tickets at the highest price you can afford!
The 418 Project complies with local health regulations.
No photography is permitted at the event without the express permission of those being photographed.
Thank you so much to our performers and organizers:
tits
inky.void
07/12/2025
We want to hear your stories 🧡 Or even how The 418 has been an ally to you.
06/01/2025
🌈 Happy Pride Month from The 418 Project! 🏳️⚧️
If you’ve been feeling like the world is a lot lately, we get it. It’s easy to freeze up in the face of so much uncertainty. But this month, we’re choosing something else:
We’re choosing joy.
We’re choosing visibility.
We’re choosing each other.
Joy isn’t a distraction.
It’s fuel.
And when we come together in celebration, we remember our collective power.
💥 At the Emerald Ball, our incredible community showed up BIG, raising over $13,000 for the Trans Mutual Aid Fund and reminding us that even in turbulent times, generosity and solidarity still lead the way.
✨ As Pride Month begins, we’re holding fast to this momentum. We’re dreaming up the next event in our Ally Series, and we want YOU with us… dancing, decorating, donating, lifting one another up.
Let this be your invitation:
To get involved.
To get loud.
To get joyful.
The work continues and so does the celebration.
05/31/2025
And 100% of that money will directly support local trans individuals in need. 💖
So, what is the Trans Mutual Aid Fund?
This fund provides direct support to local trans people facing critical needs, including loss of housing, gender-affirming care, assistance with travel documents, and supporting opportunities for growth. 100% of the money goes directly to those in need, ensuring that our community is supported in the ways that truly matter.
This initiative was born out of conversations with Dual Demons and The 418 Project during our Ally Campaign, and it’s amazing to see how the whole Ally Series came together to take action. 🙌
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this effort and helped us provide real, tangible support to the trans community. Your generosity is creating lasting change.
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The 418 Project posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
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.
For the schedule of classes or for studio availability.