Frequently Asked Questions

What is Boise Ecstatic Dance?

We are an Idaho nonprofit with a community of hundreds of people who like to come together and dance! 


Our mission statement:

Boise Ecstatic Dance, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting community well-being, connection, and self-expression through movement arts. Our primary focus is providing accessible, weekly ecstatic dance gatherings in a safe, substance-free environment that welcomes people across ages, abilities, bodies, cultures, and life experiences, where individuals can explore freeform dance.

We are committed to fostering personal growth, strengthening community bonds, and advancing holistic wellness through the transformative power of movement. In addition to weekly dances, we aspire to offer educational workshops and public events that support our mission of building a resilient,  and connective community — always with dance at the core of our programs.

What is Ecstatic Dance in general?

Ecstatic Dance is a communal, freeform, conscious movement practice. Just imagine how you’d move if you were all alone and listening to your favorite music, but with other people! There are ecstatic dance communities around the world, all abiding by a similar set of principles. At Ecstatic Dance, we agree to:

1. Arrive sober and able to participate responsibly.
2. Respect the non-verbal nature of the dance, including silence on the dance floor.
3. Do not make recordings of any kind (photos, video, or audio).
4. Wait for clear consent before dancing with others, and respect boundaries at all times.
5. Dance without shoes when possible, for the safety and comfort of all participants.
6. Refrain from using phones within view of others — we are a phone-free space.
7. Abide by our Code of Conduct, available here or as a physical copy at the event.

What does a typical Wednesday dance look like?

How much does it cost?

We are donation-based and suggest a $15 donation on regular nights,  $20 when we have guest DJs. Your contributions are crucial to our community, but we will also never turn anyone away for lack of funds.

I'm coming for the first time, what should I know?

If this is your first ecstatic dance, you may have some apprehensions. Is it going to feel awkward dancing around people you don't know? Are you dressed right? What are you supposed to do with your hands?

First, just know that however you show up, it's probably going to work out just fine. Almost everyone who comes to dance once expresses wanting to return. There's no specific uniform or costume, there's no right or wrong way to dance out there, and you'll be in good company with other people who also arrive uncertain about how things are going to go.

There are no complicated rituals and no pressure to participate in anything in particular. There are places to sit or lay down when you need to rest or observe. Because the dance is non-verbal, there's no pressure to socialize or keep up banter. Ecstatic dance ends up being low-pressure and there's plenty of room for you to figure out what you need to on your own time.

And, if you don't know what to do with your hands, as our facilitator Simran likes to say, we have some maracas and drums you can grab to give them something to do.

How do I report a safety issue?

If you have any issue at all, please contact us. We would recommend you fill out a Community Safety Incident Report as it will prompt you with important details, and you can also submit that form anonymously if you so choose. If you prefer, you can also connect with anyone on our board of directors or send us a message.

I am a DJ, how do I connect with you so I can come perform?

Excellent! We love having DJs from our own and other communities come play at our dances. We see DJs as ambassadors between communities and enjoy the unique flavor each one brings. Please fill out the DJ application form so we can get a sense of your style and what we would need to do to accommodate your visit. Thank you for thinking of Boise Ecstatic Dance!

Can I listen to your past music sets?

Of course! Check out our Past Music Sets page for previous sets.

Do I have to stay for the whole dance?

Nope! You’re free to leave whenever you’re so inclined. We recommend if you are new that you come for the the introduction talk, and the closing can be sweet but optional.

How many people show up to your dances?

Currently there's typically at least 25 dancers, with many nights climbing to 40 or so. Our current space is around 1900 square feet, which gives it the right balance between room-to-move and room-to-connect. Seasons and holidays affect attendance somewhat.