Dancing in Pittsburgh: A Return to the Soul of the Dance Floor
Remembering the Dance Floors That Moved Us
So I am no novice to dance clubs, nightclubs, concerts, or any other spaces that involve music and movement. Some of the most beloved friends of mine, I met dancing right in front of the speakers by a stage—where the bass pulsed through our bones and the music felt like church.
But over time, something shifted. The spaces that once felt alive with freedom and connection grew tighter, more performative, more... still. People were packed in with drinks in hand, maybe shuffling their feet or nodding their heads—but with minimal actual movement. Everyone faced the DJ like an audience, with little interaction between dancers beyond talking. The communal energy was missing.
Frustrated by this cultural shift, I began to long for the Pittsburgh dance floors of yesterday—shout out to Shadow Lounge, AVA, and Lava Lounge—some of the dopest places to dance in the 90s and early 2000s.
Dancing in Pittsburgh: A New Way to Move and Connect
In 2009, during a trip to NYC, I found exactly what I was yearning for: 5Rhythms and Night Waves. That first class changed my life.
There, I discovered a dance floor not centered on consumption or performance, but expression. The music spanned all the genres I love. And the people? They were ON FIRE. Moving with emotion, sweat, presence, play. This was dance as connection, as ritual, as release. I had found my people. My practice. My path.
I began dancing 5Rhythms regularly and eventually committed to studying and training to become a teacher—a process that took me ten transformative years.
Now, I’m back home in Pittsburgh, bringing that same life-giving experience to the community I love.
Where to Experience Embodied Dancing in Pittsburgh
Today, dancing in Pittsburgh is evolving. And I’m honored to be a part of this new wave. I offer:
Public 5Rhythms classes for all bodies, no experience needed
Embodied dance and movement series for deeper exploration
Friday night classes in NYC, for those traveling or bi-coastal
A grounded and creative community that welcomes authenticity over perfection
Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or just curious about a new way to move, there’s space for you here—space to sweat, laugh, grieve, celebrate, and return to your body.
Why 5Rhythms? Why Now?
The world is loud. Overstimulated. Fragmented. And dance—conscious, embodied dance—can be a form of medicine.
5Rhythms is not choreography. It’s not about looking good or “getting it right.” It’s about being present. About letting music guide you into deeper connection with yourself and others.
If you’ve been craving more meaningful dancing in Pittsburgh, this is your invitation to rediscover what movement can be: Healing. Honest. Human.
Join the Dance
Let’s create the dance floors we miss. The ones that move us.
I invite you to check out my current class schedule here or sign up for my newsletter to stay in the loop about upcoming events, series, and retreats. You can also follow me on Instagram @alyssajurewiczjohns for updates, music inspiration, and embodiment tips.
Dancing in Pittsburgh is alive. And you’re invited.
