SF Adavu
SF Adavu dancers performing in the Bay Area

San Francisco Adavu

A community for Bharatanatyam dancers in the Bay Area

Join a meetupSee our work
SF Adavu community at a photoshoot

Who We Are

SF Adavu is a Bay Area-based, community-driven initiative primarily led by women, dedicated to the practice and sharing of Bharatanatyam.

We provide a supportive, inclusive space for all dancers, whether you grew up learning the art form or are rediscovering it after time away.

Since our launch in 2019 and post-pandemic rebranding, we have grown into a thriving, self-sustaining collective where you can refine your technique, collaborate on new choreography, and engage with the art form on your own terms.

Productions

Performances, workshops, and rehearsals we've shared so far.

Upcoming

TaKaDhiMi

October 17, 2026 · Joe Goode Annex

Learn more →
  • 2023SF Oasis

    APAture 2023: Resonance

    Our showcase at SF Oasis as part of APAture 2023.

  • 2024TBD

    Community Performance

    Details and footage coming soon.

  • 2025Bay Area

    Semi-Classical Workshop

    Our first public workshop for people new to Bharatanatyam.

  • 2026TBD

    AAA 2026

    Our performance at AAA 2026.

Join Us

Practice in San Francisco. Dates on Instagram.

Upcoming

Peer Practice

When:
Check Instagram for dates · Sunday mornings, typically 2 hours
Where:
San Francisco Bay Area

Open practice for dancers with prior training. Come as you are. We warm up, run adavus, and learn short choreographies.

SF Adavu is for anyone with adavu training who loves Bharatanatyam and wants a community to practice with. No performance pressure, no dress code. Show up how you are.

DM us on Instagram to be added to our WhatsApp group.

DM us on InstagramFollow @sfadavuEmail us

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I join if I learned a different bani or style?

Yes. As long as you have adavu training, it doesn't matter which bani you studied. We just need a shared foundation to work from.

I've never learned Bharatanatyam but I'm interested. Can I join?

Regular meetups are for dancers with prior adavu training. We're not set up to teach from scratch. If you're curious about the form, watch for our workshops; we sometimes run sessions for people new to Bharatanatyam. Follow us on Instagram for dates.

What level of dance do I need to join meetups?

We welcome dancers at all levels. Familiarity with Bharatanatyam adavus is recommended so you can follow along and get the most from sessions. Kuchipudi, Odissi, and other classical dancers are welcome too. Our practice is Bharatanatyam-focused, but you're invited to come try a meetup and decide if it's a good fit.

I practice Kuchipudi or Odissi. Can I join?

Yes. Meetups are primarily Bharatanatyam, but we welcome dancers from other classical forms. Come try a session and see if it works for you.

Is this a performance company or a practice group?

Mostly a practice group. We do perform and run workshops when the group is ready, but nobody has to.

How serious are the sessions?

Sessions are peer-led and relaxed. Come to practice, not to rehearse for a debut.

Are you affiliated with NYC, Boston, or Atlanta Adavu?

We're our own chapter, but we're part of the same Adavu network. There are groups like ours in 15+ cities.

What does a typical session look like?

Warm up, adavus, repertoire, usually in that order. Wear what's comfortable, break when you need to.

What do meetups cost?

Regular meetups are low cost, typically $5 to $10, mainly to cover studio rental.

I haven't danced in years. Is this really for me?

Yes. You don't need to be performance-ready. Whether you took a break or never stopped, you're welcome.