July 2016: Best Holistic and Entertaining Events in San Francisco Bay Area and Around




Dance, Sacred Connection and Cuddles

Friday, July 1, 2016 from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM (PDT)

Los Gatos Acupuncture and Qigong Center
761 University Ave Suite A,
Los Gatos, CA

Join Kailani and Flo for an evening of fun dancing with DJ Moody Shapes, sacred connection through guided Tantric practices and yummy cuddles!

Cost: $25 online; $27 at the door


Free All-Day Workshop with Spiritual Master Sri Subash Patri in Los Gatos

Saturday, July 2, 2016 at 9:30 AM - 6 PM

Los Gatos Acupuncture and Qigong Center
761 University Ave, Ste A,
Los Gatos, California 95032

Spiritual Master Sri Subash Patri will be at Los Gatos Acupuncture and Qigong Center on Saturday, July 2nd from 9:30am - 6:00pm. All are welcome. Free Event.

Patriji teaches anapanasati breath awareness meditation. He builds pyramids for meditation which can hold 5-6000 meditators at one time. In India he has millions of followers.

Come and deepen your practice at this all day event.

Sri Subash Patri is a spiritual master from Hyderabad, India.

Meditation has always been an integral part of spiritual teachings since ancient times. It is the very foundation of Spiritual Science. It is the doorway to our inner senses. Meditation is silencing the incessant chatter of the restless mind. When the chatter is silenced, our being is flooded with Cosmic Energy. This leads to an awakening of our inner senses and increased Physical, Emotional, Mental and Spiritual Energy.

In this intensive meditation workshop, we will explore spirituality as a science. Understanding the Science of Meditation enables us to understand the Universe and our role in it.

Workshop schedule for July 2nd
10 am -12pm Guided Meditation
12am - 1pm Talk on Science of Meditation
1pm -2:30pm lunch break
2:30pm - 4:30pm Meditation and a talk on Pyramid Power
4:30pm - 5:00 pm Break.
5:00pm - 6:00pm Meditation and closing comments.

Cost: Free


Esalen Midsummer Festival

Saturday, July 2, 2016 at 1 PM - 6 PM

Esalen Institute
55000 Highway 1,
Big Sur, California 93920

Celebrate summer at Esalen with a family friendly afternoon of music and dancing featuring live musical performances by Nahko and Medicine for the People, Diego's Umbrella, and Samurai Gypsies.

Ticket price includes the concert, light snacks and access to the baths.

Feel free to bring your own picnic lunch/dinner, and please bring your own towel if you'd like to enjoy the baths!

Cost: $85 per person; Free for kids under 12 years


Free Acroyoga Class in the Park

Saturday, July 2, 2016 from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM (PDT)

Lafayette Park
Gough St.,
San Francisco, CA 94109

Come join us for a free acroyoga class taught by Mikka, Sandi & Kadir!

An innovative blend of partner yoga, acrobatics and thai massage, acroyoga is a great way to practice trust, communication and connection, while discovering all sorts of fun ways two bodies can interact. Get ready to have fun, play with others, and get a great workout too!

No experience or partner necessary, although a foundational physical practice of yoga or some other modality is a plus Cat Park Acro is a monthly gathering of cats and other creatures to dance, fly and play in the sunshine at the cat park.

We meet the first Saturday of every month in the meadow on east side of Lafayette Park. Entrance is up the stairs from Clay and Gough. Every month we will have a free or donation-based class and lots of other treats brought by you! This month Il Morso coffee bites will be keeping us feeling good all day long!


Free 32nd Annual Fillmore Jazz Festival

July 2 – 3, 2016 (Saturday – Sunday)

Fillmore Street between Jackson & Eddy,
San Francisco, CA

Blending art and soul in one of the country's most unique neighborhoods, the Fillmore Jazz Festival is the largest free Jazz festival on the West Coast, drawing over 100,000 visitors over the Independence Day weekend. From sunup to sundown, visitors can groove to the sounds of live music from multiple stages, browse the offerings of over 12 blocks of fine art and crafts and enjoy gourmet food and beverages. Asian to Cajun, paintings to pottery, old favorites and new directions, the Fillmore Jazz Festival is not to be missed.

This year's entertainment continues the tradition of showcasing outstanding artists from across the Jazz spectrum. The organization and logistics of the Festival are in the hands of Steven Restivo Event Services, Inc.

Cost: Free


All Gender Play Party Bliss with Alex S Morgan and Monique Darling

Sunday, July 3, 2016 at 7:30 PM to 12:00 AM (PDT)

Oakland, CA

Play with a capital "P" is whatever it means to you. You are invited to co-create whatever feeds your soul. Participation (also with a capital "P") can mean many things and voyeurs are as warmly welcomed as the most actively engaged. It's a sensual space where participants are encouraged to explore themselves and others in ways that are stimulating, nurturing, exciting, safe and FUN!

You are sensually, erotically and emotionally savvy enough to Play nicely with others. You're a good sharer, you take good care of your toys and you use your words. :-) You are somebody who knows your own wants and boundaries and can communicate them clearly... and/or you're someone willing to work and explore these areas for your own growth and enjoyment! You treat yourself and others with respect and kindness.

If you're reading this, thinking, "I would love to come, but I don't want to play," PLEASE COME and enjoy the pressure-free company of like-minded individuals and exit whenever you wish. Really. There will be no pressure for you to do ANY activity at this party at any time.

My biggest request is that you come with a fun-loving, warm, caring, open-minded, generous, thoughtful, compassionate, non-judgmental attitude and that you conduct yourself with the highest level of integrity possible.

This will be a very chill, fun, playful event where sex and nudity will most likely occur. Come relax. Come sip a glass of something or a cup of tea. Come smooch. Come play. Come watch. (You know me: voyeurism is participation!)

All genders, bodies, and orientations welcome. Come as you are and have a great time!

Cost: $35 per lady, $45 for man, $40 for someone on the gender spectrum, $60 per pair
($40/$70 at the door)


Summer Spark IGNITE

July 7 – 10, 2016 (Thursday – Sunday)

Santa Cruz, CA

Ignite is a four day and three-night fire circle ceremony, deep in the mountains near Santa Cruz, California, among beautiful redwoods and under the wide open sky. This is your invitation to join us for fun, laughter, magic, transformation and connection. Here you can drum your passion, dance your stories, laugh or cry, speak your truth, walk with your shadow, and sing your heart song.

Our approach is both simple and ancient. We come to together under the stars, surrounded by trees. Together we journey into the night, playing, dancing and singing around a fire for three nights until dawn. The cool night air, the mountains, the dirt under our feet, the sound of the drums, the warmth of the fire, the eyes of our friends, conspire to bring us back into our bodies, fully present, breaking down our resistances, letting us be ourselves more fully. Together we hold this space as sacred, allowing it to be the crucible that brings us into contact with the mysterious, that bubbles spontaneously up from within and without. We open ourselves up to the power of the moment to connect us again with places of deep truth.

This is not a meditation retreat; it is an ecstatic advance! It is an injection of spirit, of energy, of connection to source.

Cost: $125 - $215


Hot Date at The Love House: A Loveshop for Couples

Friday, July 8, 2016 from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM (PDT)

Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Enjoy a delightful organic gourmet candlelit meal and powerful sacred rituals for increasing intimacy and deepening the vibration of love. Facilitators Golden and Beth Love feel totally passionate about creating a safe context in which hearts open to wonder and souls join in bliss!

This loveshop is for couples of any and all sexual orientations and gender identities. We welcome long time partners as well as those in the beginning stages of relationship, and everything in between. If you already have established rituals of connection and intimacy, please come, expecting to go deeper. If you feel scared about commitment and intimacy, please come, and prepare to take a risk you will not regret taking. If you have a solid, functional relationship, please come and build on that foundation. If you are on shaky ground in your relationship, please come; we would love to support you!

This loveshop will be sensual and spiritual but non-sexual.  All food and activities will be provided. Please register both partners.

Cost: Free, however love offerings gladly accepted.


The Anatomy of Desire

Friday, July 8, 2016 from 6:45 PM to 9:30 PM (PDT)

The Loft
2501 Harrison St #15,
San Francisco, California 94110

In their combined 35 years of supporting people in their relationship & sex lives, Erwan & Alicia Davon have found that one of the biggest challenges both singles & couples face in their romantic lives is a lack of long lasting, increasing desire & attraction in long-term relationships.

Through their Relationship Curriculum, Erwan and Alicia support both singles & couples in creating and sustaining what they call an "Eternal Date," which is a romantic relationship that reaches higher and higher peaks of intimacy & sexual attraction over time.

Whether you are single looking to get into this kind of relationship, or you are already in a romantic relationship looking to take it to new heights of desire & attraction, Erwan and Alicia's newest talk, The Anatomy of Desire will give you the basics of where desire & attraction come from & how to increase them at will.

This event will also include casual socializing & cocktails!

Cost: Free


Sex as Meditation: Embracing the Spark of Our Desire

Saturday, July 9, 2016 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM (PDT)

2269 Market Street,
San Francisco, CA 94114

What really turns you on and how do you communicate that with a partner? For most of us, sharing what really gets us hot is vulnerable - and therefor inherently scary. Does that keep you from sharing what you really desire with your partner? Do you even know what turns you on? Are you ashamed of your desires? Just like being devoted to our own truth and allowing the love and connection we want into our lives, it is important for us to really know, understand and accept our sexual desires... no matter how scary they might seem. Monsters under the bed seem really huge, until you shine the flashlight of truth upon them. When we can accept and claim our sexuality and our desires, we accept and embrace a core piece of ourselves that is the spark of our passion for life.

We invite you to join us for this 4 hour Sex as Meditation workshop where we will dive into our inner worlds and build healthy relationships with our sexual desires and fantasies. We will bring mindful awareness to what turns us on and excites us and find ways to be able to talk about these desires with our partners. This process will open a more accepting and compassionate relationship with the sexual animal that lives within us all and give us an opportunity to make friends with this powerful part of ourselves and what it has to teach us.

This workshop does not include any nudity or explicit sexuality. All genders and sexual orientations welcome.

Workshop duration: 4 hours

Cost: $135


5th Annual Island Reggae Festival 2016

Saturday, July 9, 2016 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM

Santa Clara County Fairgrounds
344 Tully Road
San Jose, CA 95111

The 5th Annual Island Reggae Festival is a true All Ages Event showcasing Polynesian Roots & Culture through:
ü  Live music
ü  Polynesian dance showcase
ü  Youth rugby 7's tournament
ü  Polynesian tattoo showcase
ü  Car showcase
ü  Arts & crafts
ü  Unlimited Carnival Rides for the little one's.

Also enjoy our "Island Experience", an area dedicated to showcase the South Pacific way of living. Island Huts from various islands will showcase traditional artifacts, island attire, and other arts & crafts items giving you an idea of what it is to live in the Islands.

Cost: $66


Murder Mystery Investigation and Dance Party

Saturday, July 9, 2016 from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM (PDT)

Northside Branch Library
695 Moreland Way,
Santa Clara, CA 95054

A murder most foul has occurred at your Northside Library! Journey back to the 1920’s and help figure out who whodunit. Dance along to the live band Eight Dice Cloth and dress up in your best vintage attire! Photos, prizes, snacks, and of course a mystery to be solved!!

Silicon Valley Roller Girls will be beverages at the event for an additional cost. Proceeds benefit this non-profit group working to empower women and young girls across all social and economic avenues.

Ages 21+ only. No exceptions. All participants must have valid identification.


Ecstatic Festival – Afterglow

Saturday, July 9, 2016 at 7:30 PM - Sunday, July 10, 2016 at 1:30 AM (PDT)

Guava
4210 Holden St.,
Emeryville, CA, California 94131

Join us for an Ecstatic evening as we gather in the afterglow of the magical weekend we experienced in Pinecrest.

Reconnect with fellow Ecstatic goers or meet new friends. Come drop into your body, open your heart and let your true self play among kindred souls.

"Afterglow" will include a movement class, playful connecting exercises, Full DJ set, sound healing, tea, delicious food and other surprises as you would expect from an Ecstatic Festival production. Most importantly, it will include a group of incredibly beautiful people, ready to meet you wherever you are. 

Cost: $25


Hayward Russell City Blues Festival 2016

July 9 - 10, 2016 (Saturday – Sunday)

Hayward City Hall Plaza
777 "B" Street
Hayward, CA

This little town of African-American's who migrated here from the deep south was one of the proving grounds for many blues musicians. Russell City, an unincorporated area of Hayward, California is about 12 minutes from the City of Oakland. This community of modest houses and small farms along the bay is now gone. During it's heyday, Russell City was a down home, known for it's clubs with dirt floors, bootleg electricity and a steady stream of musicians playing a unique style of Delta Blues. During the early part of their careers, artists such as Big Joe Turner and Big Mama Thornton played Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana style blues in Russell City.

West Coast Blues music eventually influenced the traditional sound when horns replaced the harmonica and West Coast Blues was born. Russell City is a landmark on the map of American's contributions to world culture giving Hayward a unique musical legacy reflecting the African-American experience. We are pleased to bring those sounds back through the Hayward-Russell City Blues Festival. The Hayward-Russell City Blues Festival celebrates the rich history, musical and cultural art form found in Russell City and Hayward during the post war years from the 1940's thru the 1960's.

Cost: $30/day


Ecstatic Dance Leadership Retreat

July 10-14, 2016 (Sunday – Thursday)

Skyline UCC
12540 Skyline Boulevard
Oakland, CA 94619

The Ecstatic Dance Leadership Retreat is the best way to be on the leading edge of a movement sweeping the globe. Whether you want our expert guidance to begin a new dance or to expand something that's already in existence, this ground breaking training is for you. We're excited to offer you the very first Ecstatic Dance Leadership Retreat, designed to walk you step-by-step through the process to bring Ecstatic Dance to your city. This training will provide you with the tools to create a deeply fulfilling career path for yourself while bringing joy to others. You will make lasting bonds with other like-minded leaders in an intimate setting in one of the most prolifically conscious dance cities in the world!

Skills are one thing. Making money from it is something else. In this 5 day immersive training, you will gain a greater understanding of an embodied approach to the business of dance and how to apply it to your specific needs. The intimate class size of 20 students and 5 leaders enables you to get the personal support you need, as well as allow you to deeply connect with other extraordinary dance leaders from around the world.

Cost: $650


Being Yoga with Trishna Retreat at Sierra Hot Springs

July 12-15, 2016 (Tuesday - Friday)

Sierra Hot Springs
521 Campbell Hot Springs Rd,
Sierraville, CA 96126

Being Yoga with Trishna is authentic Yoga with a strong flow element. Subtle classical practices with breath and meditation are combined with some innovative approaches for a deeply nourishing and revitalizing experience.  On retreat we have the time to more thoroughly unfold the benefits of yoga in our lives. The fresh air, healing waters, and beautiful trails are the perfect complement to yoga on this healthy holiday!
The valley and surrounding area are world renowned for hiking and there are lovely swimming spots at the nearby Lakes Basin Wilderness, or slightly further by car to Nevada City and the Yuba River.
Accommodation options are camping, dorm beds, and shared or private rooms. There is a communal kitchen for preparing your meals other than dinner, and a comfortable living room and den. There are massage practitioners on staff, and our evening meals will be beautifully catered.

I have chosen the quieter midweek time for this Summer Retreat.

Ø  Yoga is every morning and evening, 2+ hours.
Ø  First class Tuesday July 12 at 5 :00 p.m.
Ø  Last class Friday the 15th, ending at 10:30 a.m.
Ø  Dinners are at 7:10 p.m.

Cost:
Ø  retreat with camping: $ 325.
Ø  retreat with dorm bed: $ 470.
Ø  retreat with double room: $ 420
Ø  retreat with private room: $ 505.


Wanderlust Squaw Valley 2016

July 14 -17, 2016 (Thursday – Sunday)

Squaw Valley
North Lake Tahoe, CA

Unplug from the ordinary. Adventure awaits.

Our festivals, set in awe-inspiring natural resorts across the globe, are a step down that path. Our transformational retreats bring together world-class teachers, tastemakers, and experts in mindful living in a fun-filled, creative environment.

Choose your own adventure with multi-level yoga and meditation sessions, mouthwatering organic and whole foods, heart-pumping music, inspiring lectures and workshops, and boundary-pushing outdoor activities. Wander with us and find your true north.

Cost: Varies


Step Back In Time

Friday, July 15, 2016 at 5 PM - 8 PM

Filoli
3.7 Mi NW of Woodside off Canada Rd,
Woodside, California 94062

Due to popular demand, this stylish 1920’s garden party has moved to a Friday night. Let us take you back to the roaring twenties, with jazz age speakeasies, bobbed hair, and flappers. Come to the party in period attire (optional) or don your fedora and be surrounded by those who have dressed for the occasion. Enjoy a rare opportunity to stroll the House and Garden and take in the majesty of this country estate.

Your evening includes music performed by the Marc Snyder Quintet featuring Suzanna Smith, hors d’oeuvres, and refreshments, including beer provided by 21st Amendment Brewery. All of this will be served by Filoli staff and volunteers in period dress reminiscent of the Bourn’s 1920 household staff. Put on your dancing shoes and join us for Step Back In Time!

Cost: $45


Sacred Snuggle Party: A Tantric Second-Base Love Puddle

Friday, July 15, 2016 at 6:30 PM - 11:30 PM

GUAVA
4210 Holden St.,
Emeryville, CA

WHAT IS A SACRED SNUGGLE PARTY?
It's a sweet sensual event where we gather to flirt, touch, massage, run tantric energy, play, laugh, cry, and share intimacy, vulnerability or whatever else spontaneously arises. It's a drug and alcohol-free party where we can relax and connect with like-minded people. Singles, married couples, celibates of any race, experience and sexual orientation are welcome. Most importantly, this is a laboratory to practice expressing what feels good and what doesn't, asking to get your needs met, setting boundaries, and perhaps even overcoming rejection!

Who should attend:
Singles, couples, triad, love pods, beginners and teachers, Open hearted, touch positive people interested in safely exploring sacred sensuality.

6:30pm Doors Open, Mix & Mingle, Light Snacks
7:15pm Orientation and connection games (Doors close, nobody is admitted late)
8:15-9:15 Sensual exercises
9:15-11:15 Self Directed Snuggle Party
11:15-11:30 pm Closing Circle

Cost: $35 for singles, $65 for couples, $90 for triads


Salsa Festival on Fillmore

July 15 – 16, 2016 (Saturday – Sunday)

1475 Fillmore St.
San Francisco Ca. 94115

Dancing under the stars at the 7th Annual Salsa Festival Fillmore. This dance party is FREE. Two nights two great bands. DJ's and dance lessons.

Cost: Free


Toxic Summer Festival 2016

Friday, July 22, 2016 at 8:00 PM - Saturday, July 23, 2016 at 2:00 AM

City National Civic
135 West San Carlos Street
San Jose, CA 95113

Popular music festival.
Phase one lineup announcement coming soon.

Free Water
Smoking Section
Ages 16+
21+ to drink
21+ VIP sections

Cost: $40


Goddess Pleasure Retreat

July 22 - July 24, 2016 (Friday – Sunday)

Lupin Lodge
20600 Aldercroft Heights Rd,
Los Gatos, CA 95033

Sisters.  Goddesses. High Priestesses. Sorceresses.

Return to own who you are, what you love, and how to have it in your everyday life now with a weekend getaway. Celebrate the pleasures of life, the richness of our emotions, and our passionate ways of loving. Lupin Lodge in Los Gatos, the clothing optional location of this epic sister gathering, is filled with tranquil trees, canyons, and peaceful meditative lounging areas. 

The GODDESS PLEASERE RETREAT is all about the feminine version of receiving nourishment, riches, and life fulfillment instead of trying to work hard for it, earn it, or perform it.  We are more than enough in our natural feminine Shakti power to enjoy rich mundane every day bliss.

Cost: $300 - $395


Soul without Shame Workshop

July 22-24, 2016 @ 10am-6pm (Friday – Sunday)

Ridhwan Center
2075 Eunice Street
Berkeley, CA 94709
United States

The judge, superego, or inner critic shapes and limits our daily life. This psychic entity, which praises, accuses, promises, and threatens, is forever looking over our shoulder to see if we measure up. Invading our relationships and undermining our self-esteem, self-judgment is also the primary force interfering with our personal spiritual work.

This workshop will begin to directly address the inner judge using principles of the Diamond Approach. Through embodied awareness (to support presence) and open-ended inquiry (to bring about understanding), we will learn to recognize and confront the assumptions and principles that keep self-judgment in place. We will cultivate aspects of our true nature that antidote self- judgment: compassion, will, and strength. Most important, we will practice disengaging from the judgment process through understanding and deliberate action.

The sessions will include meditation, lecture, discussion, and experiential/movement exercises. The workshop is open to everyone with an interest in and a willingness to confront habitual patterns of self-attack. Bring your courage, compassion, and curiosity.

Cost: $315 - $350


Sensuali-TEA: It's Not Your Grandma's Tea Party (July Edition)

Sunday, July 24, 2016 from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM (PDT)

SF Citadel
181 Eddy Street,
San Francisco, CA 9410

This is so much more than just your average tea party. Sensuali-TEA includes so much:
Ø  Mystic Tea Lounge with specially crafted aphrodisiac herbal tea infusions to arouse your senses
Ø  Tarot card readers giving insight to your erotic past, present, and future
Ø  Play in the exquisite dungeon play space
Ø  Enjoy some sexy sensual play

We ENCOURAGE all genders, orientations, and body shapes/sizes to join our events. We are delighted to hear that people find our events to have some of the most sexually diverse crowds around. We have a zero tolerance policy for anyone being disrespectful of the boundaries of others.

Warning! Heavy ADULT content!

Cost: $33/person; $60/couple


Restorative Yoga, Sound Healing and Affirmations

Sunday, July 24, 2016 at 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Breathe Los Gatos
14107 Winchester Blvd, Ste H,
Los Gatos, California 95032

Join Ambika Daniella and Danny Goldberg for another amazing journey!

This will be a powerful and deeply relaxing 3-hour practice. The first 2 hours is Restorative Yoga led by Ambika Daniella while she shares wisdom on the subject of the power of affirmations, how they can re-wire the brain and how we can use them to consciously manifest what we want in our lives.

Danny Goldberg will play sacred sounds that resonate every cell in our body temples to vibrate at a higher frequency and release stagnant energy in the body in all forms. Ambika Daniella’s wonderful assistants will be offering anointings of Essential Oil Blends made by Ambika Daniella for both the soothing the Heart and strengthening the Intuition.

The final hour, Ambika Daniella and Danny will offer a luxurious Sound Bath that includes 3 Gongs (Danny has an amazing NEW GONG!), Koshi chimes, flute and 25 Tibetan Bowls played within the room and on your body (with permission). Ambika Daniella will play her Harmonium and use the resonance of her singing voice as the instrument of sound healing with Mantra and toning.

We will close with a group singing practice using powerful affirmations.

Bring an eye pillow for the Sound Bath (if you have one)

Cost: $75


Tantra, Qi Gong and Yoga in Redwoods

Monday, July 25, 2016 from 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM (PDT)

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 North Big Trees Park Road,
Felton, CA 95018

Join us for a blissful half day in the Redwoods Forest for a grounded and heart-opening experience of connecting with yourself, nature and others through the practices of Tantra and Qi Gong. We will awaken the Life Force Energy, increase our sensitivity to our own experience and the world around us and connect deeply to nature. And from that place of grounded presence we will connect to our friends and partners. Practicing the art of sacred connection in nature is a real treat. We get to open up to all of the existence in Mama Nature's most perfect playground - the Redwoods.

We will weave energy awareness and grounding practices of Qi Gong with sacred connection and heart opening practices of Tantra for a day of expansion, growth and coming home to the Self.

Your guides for the day will be Kailani Magic and Lewis Regen. Kailani teaches Intimacy Magic Tantra - her own blend of centered, energy competent art of human connection. She has studied with SkyDancing Tantra and The Source School of Tantra Yoga. She is also a yoga teacher and a Conscious Relating and Intimacy Coach, as well as a Martha Beck certified Life Coach.

Lewis Regen is a certified Qi Gong, Tai Chi and Ba Gua teacher, as well as a yoga teacher and a massage therapist. Lewis regularly takes groups for Qi Gong nature walks in Felton area.

Cost: $35 - $40