The Diversity Center provides a variety of well-being programs and activities to build resilience and community belonging.
Ballroom Dancing
Date: Weekly class on 8 Saturdays from March 1 - April 19
Time: 5:00-6:00 PM
Location: The Diversity Center
Ages: Adults, teens welcome
RSVP: tinyurl.com/TDCballroomdancing
Learn the basics of salsa, swing, and other styles in this weekly 8-session class. Connect with yourself and your community through inclusive ballroom lessons! Come as you are and channel your worries into multicultural movement. You're welcome to come in for any lesson and skip any others. The Community Calendar will be updated with the lesson being taught. May 8 we do the Tango!
Journey with the Drum
Date: Saturday, March 15
Time: 6:30-8:00 PM
Location: The Diversity Center
Ages: 18+
Journey with the drum assists participants to enter into a deep state of relaxation which enables them to access inner wisdom, guidance, and a rich imaginal realm. The leaders will drum while the participants are in a comfortable position. (Bring a mat, a blanket, or something to lie on if you wish.) After the journey, there will be an opportunity for journaling and sharing. As we join together energetically, we empower ourselves to manifest changes in ourselves and in the world.
Dancing for Every Body: An All-Levels Accessible Monthly Dance Class
Date: Every Last Monday, starting March 31
Time: 5:00-6:30 pm
Location: London Nelson Community Center, 301 Center St., Santa Cruz
Ages: All Ages
RSVP: tinyurl.com/dancingforeverybody2025
Join Motion Pacific’s Mo Katzman for an accessible dance class you can do in a chair, with a cane, standing, or in a wheelchair. Register here. Dancing for Every Body will promote the mind-body connection, with a focus on easeful and fun movement, finding the joy and resilience in our moving bodies, dance making, and story sharing. Being Queer and non-binary, Mo will be facilitating the class through a Queer lens and is passionate about creating belonging through cultivating Queer spaces. Mo is very much interested in co-designing the class in response to desires and needs. This class is for all accessibility levels, dancing can be done sitting or standing, and no dance experience is necessary to join. Calling all LGBTQIA folks and allies! A sliding-scale donation is requested but not required.
Pride Thursdays: Coffee, Conversation, and Community
Date: Thursday, April 3
Time: 9:00 am - Noon
Location: The Diversity Center
Ages: All
RSVP: tinyurl.com/ncyzbus6
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Santa Cruz Pride, join us at the Diversity Center for one of the great “Pride Thursday” events. We will celebrate each other in community over coffee and conversation, and enjoy a special panel discussion with our Triangle Speakers to connect over shared stories of our LGBTQ+ diversity. The event concludes with Guided Mindfulness, so you can give your brain a break, and reconnect with the present moment, using guided breathing and mindfulness techniques. All LGBTQ+ people and allies are welcome.
Queer Money Matters
Date: Wednesdays, April 9 & April 23
Time: 5:30-7:00 pm
Location: The Diversity Center
RSVP: tinyurl.com/queermoneymatters2025
Many LGBTQ+ people don’t have access to money mentors–people who can teach us how to save, how to increase our credit score, understand different types of loans, or how to budget for our goals. The Diversity Center would like to change that. Both workshops will explore different topics, from credit scores to budgeting. It’s never too early–or too late–to learn about managing your money. We will do our best to pool our resources and knowledge to answer your money questions. April 9 is Budgeting 101 and April 23 is Debt Day.
SPILLING THE CHAI Writing Workshop and Book Launch
Date: Saturday, May 10
Time: 2:00-4:00 PM
Location: The Diversity Center
Age: 14+
RSVP: tinyurl.com/spillthechaiattdc
Local poet, Geneffa Jahan, will read from her recently published poetry memoir, SPILLING THE CHAI: POEMS ABOUT FAMILY AND FOOD, and lead attendees in poetry-writing prompts around hidden family recipes and the flavors of memory. The first hour will focus on poetry-writing exercises with time for an Open Mic-styled reading. Geneffa will read from her book for the second hour with time to purchase and have your book personally signed. This event is especially for those who identify as LGBTQ+ and allies. It will be co-facilitated by local teen trans youth poet, Madeline Aliah.
Recurring Programs
Queer and Trans Yoga Hosted by Sapphire Collective
Date: Weekly on Monday
Time: 6:00-7:15 pm
Location: The Diversity Center
Ages: Adults and teens
This is a trauma-sensitive, all-levels, all-bodies/abilities class taught by a rotating queer-identifying yoga teacher each week. We highlight self-nurturance through yoga asana and meditation, a somatic and mindfulness healing practice that resources us for our resilience as well as community care. No prior yoga experience is necessary. Ultimately, this is a brave space for LGBTQ+ identifying folks to gather and take deep care. Please bring your yoga mat and water bottle.
Santa Cruz Queer Book Club
Date: Tuesday, March 4
Time: 6:00-9:00 PM
Location: The Diversity Center
Ages: 18+
This event is open to all! Eat, drink, and chat about LGBTQ+ literature! Text Jeffrey at 732-272-5896 to be added to the Whatsapp group.
This month’s selection: “How Far the Light Reaches,” by Sabrina Imbler.
Guided Mindfulness Group
Date: Weekly on Thursday
Time: 11:00 am
Location: The Diversity Center
Ages: Adults and teens
Give your brain a break, and reconnect with the present moment, using guided breathing and mindfulness techniques. All LGBTQ+ people and allies are welcome.
Queer Movie Matinee
Date: March 14 and 28, the second and fourth Friday of every month
Time: 3:00-5:00 pm
Location: The Diversity Center
Join your community and watch an LGBTQ+-themed movie twice a month! We alternate screening documentaries and films, and we’re happy to take requests if you have a favorite. We’ve got popcorn, snacks, and a big screen, and we’re ready for some fun! Join us on the second and fourth Fridays of the month.
For movie details, subscribe to our newsletter, or call the Center front desk at 831-425-5422.
Queer Activities Collective: Pickleball @ Brommer Park
Date: Sunday, March 16
Time: 2:00-3:30 pm
Location: Brommer Park, 1451 30th Ave. Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Ages: 21+
RSVP: tinyurl.com/QACTDC
Queer Activities Collective is a community-based offering for adults 21+ who want to socialize in a safe space. Welcoming masc/butch lesbians and their supporters. Join these fun monthly activities facilitated by community member Carolyn Rosevelt, supported by TDC. RSVP here!