We did it!

Event Info:

The Schedule

2:00 Doors Open, Registration

2:30 Welcome

2:35 Standard - Novice Group 1 - Viewing Round

2:45 Standard - Novice Group 2 - Viewing Round

2:55 Latin - Advanced - Viewing Round

3:05 Showdance - Jamie & Denna

3:15 Rhythm - Viewing Round

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3:25 Argentine Tango Round

3:35 Standard - Advanced - Viewing Round

3:50 Team: Q It Up

4:00 Break & Social Dance

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4:10 Team: Abrazo Queer Tango

4:20 Team: Rebel Motion

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4:30 Introduce Final Rounds

4:40 Standard - Novice - Final Round

4:50 Latin - Advanced - Final Round

5:00 Rhythm - Final Round

5:10 Standard - Advanced - Final Round

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5:25 Team: Fierce Femmes

5:35 Team: Vima Vice Squad

5:45 Closing Remarks

The Venue

The event will take place at Lake Merritt Dance, 200 Grand Ave., Oakland, CA.

We are excited to enjoy this event in the main ballroom. We will also have access to a large room across the hall for some practice space, and another room down the hall for dressing areas.

The venue is wheelchair accessible via a ramp to another entrance.

A Non-Gendered Event

This event is a non-gendered event. There is no separation of gender in our competition rounds.

Some of us, however, are going to compete at the Gay Games and at other events where they will have categories such as women’s, men’s, and mixed, so we understand that these categories exist at some events.

Photography

We want to capture all the moments, so we are hiring photographers. Crease your collars, tidy your bangs, and don’t forget to smile!

We will share photos shortly after the event.

Feel free to take your own photos.

Social Dancing

Get up and dance! In between sets of performances, we will play a variety of music and ask you to get up and dance. Dance however you feel with whomever you like!

Do I have to be queer to attend?

This event is intended to showcase and encourage queer ballroom dancers in front of a warm audience. Anyone may be a spectator.

Performers—teams and couples—should be mostly “queer”-identifying. We welcome performers who are same-sex (couples), non-traditional (female lead, male follow), or a variety of combinations that open up possibilities in a space that is usually very heteronormative. Please ask questions: nancy@oaklandqueerdance.com.

Code of Conduct & Release of Liability

Participants will be required to adhere to our code of conduct and sign a waiver when they register. Here is the wording, below.

Oakland Queer Dance Studio’s Code of Conduct

We seek to ensure that all those interested in participating in our community feel safe and welcome. We expect our members and event attendees to respect one another, including on social media. No form of discrimination, bullying, or harassment will be tolerated. We treat any concerns regarding these issues seriously and will review any brought to our attention promptly. For any questions or complaints, please contact us at nancy@oaklandqueerdance.com. We invite all to support our community, to dance, and to have fun.

Oakland Queer Dance Studio’s Release of Liability

I will participate in The April Affair, to be held on April 11, 2026. In consideration for the opportunity to participate, I voluntarily agree to assume all risks involved in my participation. I understand that if I voluntarily participate, I expose myself to risk of personal injury, illness, and/or death and property damage or loss. I also recognize that there are both foreseeable and unforeseeable risks of injury, illness, or death that may occur that Oakland Queer Dance Studio cannot anticipate. I release and hold harmless Oakland Queer Dance Studio, its officers, staff, and volunteers, from any and all liability, claims, costs, expenses, injuries and/or losses, that I may sustain as a result of my participation in the above event. I have carefully read, understood, and am fully informed about this event and am satisfied that I can safely participate in this event. I enter into this agreement freely and voluntarily.

Photography Release

Photographs and video footage will be taken throughout The April Affair by both attendees and event organizers. These may be used by Oakland Queer Dance Studio for marketing and publicity in our publications, website, and in social media. Please contact an event volunteer if you have any concerns, and they can introduce you to the event photographer.

About Oakland Queer Dance Studio

Oakland Queer Dance Studio was founded in 2024 with a purpose to support our queer country-western social dance community with regular and weekly partner dance classes. Many students have come through our doors leaving with a little more confidence, curiosity, and pride.

With the Gay Games coming back around this year, the organizers, Citabria and Nancy, have decided to bring along many of our social dancers on an adventure to train to compete in Ballroom Dance as well.

We are looking forward to sharing the floor with you!