urban movement arts philadelphia

Urban Movement Arts (UMA) welcomes adults of all ages and experience levels to explore Hip Hop, American folk dance, and African Diaspora movement genres. We guide movers and dancers to develop true connection to community and style.
Our programs and classes bring out the joy of discovering new ways of being and moving in the world.
*Artwork by Lynnea Holland Weiss and Dan Isaac Bortz

how to start dancing:

Drop In : Class SCHEDULE is HERE. Just show up to a class and pay us in person. We take cash and major credit cards. You are not required to sign up ahead of time. Seriously, take a deep breath and come dance! We can walk you through the details when you get here.

INTRO MONTH = $40 for 30 Days: try everything!

Don't know where to start? Get an Intro Month and try out all the styles and levels. Class descriptions are HERE.

However, lots of students find the Mindy Body App a convenient way to sign up and pay for classes right from their smart phones.

featured classes

Afro - Cuban with Leilani Chirino
Thursdays 6-7 pm
Explore the rich traditions of Afro Cuban music and dances. This class focuses on musicality, body movement, an applying these concepts to social dancing. Learn about the music and movements of different Cuban orishas or sacred, folkloric characters. No partner required. Read more about the Leilani's lineage and the specific styles she shares on our blog!

Lindy Hop 6 Week Series Starts April 7
Sundays 5:30 - 6:30 pm with Ragtag Empire
Purchase 6 week series HERE

Lindy Hop is a joyful, rebellious partner dance created by black teenagers in Harlem in the 1930's. It also fun to dance to soul music or early rock and roll.
For Total Beginners: Even those with two left feet can learn the Lindy Hop and it's iconic "swing out" in this six week course. Taught by Lily & Tyler
Intermediate: is for those who can already swing out and are comfortable social dancing out in the wild. This class goes deeper into partner dance topics like musicality, improvisation, Charleston, and even Balboa. Teachers and topics TBD.
Purchase of a 6 week series includes:

6 Weeks Awesome Classes with individual attention and supportive vibes.
2 free drop in classes at UMA. We suggest Solo Jazz on Sundays at 4:30pm, right before class!
Pizza & Practice immediately following last class of the series.

Book Now

Partner Salsa 8 Week Series Starts April 7
Individual Registration: $75
Partner Registration: $125
Salsa Beginner and Level 1 Advanced Beginner 8 Week Series
Starts April 7th and runs until June 2nd (no class on Sunday, April 21)

Salsa Series Prices:
Individual Registration: $75
Partner Registration: $125
*$10 off for UMA members

Salsa Series Includes:

8 Weeks of Salsa Classes
1 free drop in to Solo Salsa Group Class Mondays 6:00pm
1 free Practice Party that happens once a month a UMA
Discounted private lesson rate during duration of the series; $60 for individual/ $100 for partners

click here for class descriptions.

parties & performances

The Hoodlockers
April 6 | 6 pm & 8 pm | $15
under 12 $5 door, cash preferred
The Hoodlockers, local innovators of the Locking legacy, bring camaraderie and competition to Hip Hop's funkiest style. Don't miss this special home-turf performance from these internationally acclaimed dancers!

Purchase 6 pm Show

Purchase 8 pm Show

Vince Performs: I.D. revisited
March 23rd | 8:30pm
Vince will share a piece of improvised sound and movement with good friends Francois and Chrissie, who will provide the sounds. Vince and Francois teamed up before for the 2017 Fringe Show "i.d." There will be something to drink and snack on. It's gonna be chill. $10 at the door. *photo courtesy of MANCC

Philly Kerplop and Stuff
June 1 details coming soon
at the Performance Garage
Vince is in deep meditation as we speak, seeking his inner light to guide creative process for his next Philly Kerplop creation to inspire and beguile you. Regardless of how that turns out, he's also invited some other familiar faces to share new dance work as well. SUMMER TIME VIBES.