Five weeks ago, Soul Sanctuary Dance, Berkeley’s Sunday midday community freestyle dance since 2003, eliminated its admission fee and become all volunteer produced, inspired by a number of thriving local "gift economy" organizations. After 5 weeks in the new format, we're thriving.

Our mission is to produce a welcoming and inclusive all-ages freestyle dance that supports free expression, community, physical and emotional health, and a spirit of generosity. An all volunteer produced dance offered as a gift is the best way we can see to further that mission. Our weekly dance event is something we all give each other, without expectations or strings attached.

At the welcome table, a sign is posted: "Your dance today at Soul Sanctuary Dance is a gift from those who have made donations to the dance, and from the volunteers who organize and produce the dance. We invite you to pay this generosity forward for future dancers, in whatever amount or manner you choose, so that we can continue to keep this chain of gifts alive."

Soul Sanctuary Dance was inspired by a several local gift economy organizations: CharityFocus (http://www.charityfocus.org/), Karma Kitchen (http://www.karmakitchen.org/), Works & Conversations magazine (http://www.conversations.org/), greenmuseum.org (http://greenmuseum.org/), and Karma Clinic (http://www.karmaclinic.org/).
 

We're wondering if any of you want to share your experiences with all volunteer produced dances, as well as various "payment" options like "pay it forward" (our model), "pay what you want," "sliding scale," and "no one turned away for lack of funds." Hoping we can learn from and inspire each other.

Zach PIne

co-organizer, http://www.soulsanctuarydance.com .