Dance Block makes thousands of hours of affordable rehearsal space available annually to 500+ dance artists. Participants are racially and ethnically diverse, and work in a broad range of dance genres, from modern to hip hop to tap. Through collaborating with five local studio spaces, FABnyc has been able to craft a collective program offering workspace to dance artists at $10/hour, nurturing new creative work, and keeping the East Village/Lower East Side an important center of artistic activity.
The Dance Block program is open to all choreographers or dance companies rehearsing new or repertory works which are not a part of commercial production.
* PLEASE NOTE that IATI and Teatro Circulo currently have a work zone at the entrance to their building because of construction on the building facade. There is no danger to folks entering or leaving but we’ve decided it’s best to have a FAB staff member escort you in and out through the work area.
Please have all participants in your rehearsal arrive at the same time and meet at the Downtown Art building – 70 East 4th St, 1st floor. We will escort you to your studio.
* Downtown Art’s Theater as a Studio: The top 2 floors of the building are currently under construction. Due to this the office staff from Downtown Art will be working in the lobby adjacent to the theater. Please be aware that we ask to be respectful of volume upon arrival and during rehearsal.
Dance Block
Minimum 2 hour rental
Rate $10/hour
Morning Rental Blocks: 10am-12pm or 10am-1pm
— all morning rentals must start at 10am
Afternoon Rental Blocks: 2pm-4pm or 2pm-5pm
— all afternoon rentals must start at 2pm
Hours:
Tuesday 10am – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm
Wednesday 10am – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm
Thursday 10am – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm
Registration and Booking
To register and begin booking rehearsal space, please send an email to space@fabnyc.org that includes the following information and answers:
- First Name and Last Name.
- Email Address.
- How will you be using the space?
- Are you currently an enrolled student at a school or university?
- Are you 18 years of age or older?
- Are you rehearsing for your own independent project? If not what are you rehearsing for?
Your email must include answers to all six points. Once you send your email please allow at least 48 hours to process. Our staff will email you back with information about what spaces you are eligible for and a link to sign a contract online. After you submit your contract, please allow at least another 48 hours to process. We will get back to you with a link to our online booking portal and instructions about how to book space.
Frequently Asked Questions
BOOKING DANCE BLOCK
When can we rent Dance Block studios?
The Dance Block program is open 10am to 5pm, Tuesday to Thursday, for a minimum 2 hours/rental. We have four rental blocks: 10am-12pm, 10am-1pm, 2pm-4pm and 2pm-5pm.
When can we contact Dance Block about rentals?
Any time! Please email space@fabnyc.org at your convenience. But we only monitor this email when Dance Block is open (10am to 5pm, Tuesday to Thursday). If you contact us outside of these hours, we will get back to you when we are back in the office.
How do I see all of my reservations?
1. Visit planyo.com and sign up with the same email that you made your reservations with.
2. Go back to the Planyo home page
3. Click “MY ACCOUNT”
Will I get refunds?
We understand that sometimes things come up that may require canceling your rehearsal. As laid out in your contract, we have a 72-hour cancellation policy to be eligible for a refund. We ask that you email space@fabnyc.org if you would like to cancel. If you cancel through the booking app, there may be a delay in issuing your refund.
If you fail to cancel your reservation 72 hours in advance, you will be expected to pay the amount of that rental in order to continue your participation in our program.
ACCESSING YOUR RENTALS
I’m here for rehearsal! Where’s the Dance Block associate?
When you are here, we ask that you buzz the first floor of 70 East 4th Street. You may arrive 5-10 minutes early to ensure you get to your studio on time.
We ask that you do not go to the studios yourself and check in with a FAB staff member at the start of all your Dance Block rehearsals. Please note that studios can only be accessed when the renter on contract is present.
Why do I need to check in?
We are responsible to all the studio owners for the condition of their spaces. By checking you into your studio, we’re fulfilling that responsibility, and making sure the space is in working order when you arrive.
Running Late?
Please kindly email us at space@fabnyc.org.
Please note: we schedule our staff to be available at the start times of rentals until 10 minutes past the hour so we cannot guarantee they will be immediately available if you are delayed more than 10 minutes.
No Shows
…are never cool. Failure to show up for your rehearsal without a note via an email will result in a strike. Three strikes & you’re out.
ABOUT THE STUDIOS
Do your studios have wifi?
No, we do not provide anything other than speakers.
Do your studios have AC and heat?
All studios have heating and AC systems.
Spaces
Guidelines, Policies, and FAQs
Your subsidized hourly rate was supported in part by Dance/NYC. Please take a moment to fill out their survey!
Dance Block is a subsidized space rental program for dance from FABnyc. This program is made possible with generous support from The Mertz Gilmore Foundation, New York State Council on the Arts, Con Edison, Dance/NYC, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs with participation from The City Council.
