Ultimate Zouk Retreat May 3-5th ,2024

Our vision for Ultimate Zouk Retreat is to build a complete zouker toolkit for dancers to grow their dance and deepen their knowledge of important foundations in brazilian zouk, lambada, strength training, meditation, ballet, yoga and more. You can look forward to a mountain retreat site with amazing lake views, campfires, s’mores, pajama and dance parties, and time spent with your favorite artists.

 

Ultimate Zouk Retreat – 2019

Ultimate Zouk Retreat will feature: 

  • Brazilian Zouk Program
  • LAmbada Program
  • Training in modern and ballet techniques 
  • Holistic activities for mind, body and soul with yoga, meditation and strength training 

You will experience:

  • Small & intimate class sizes 
  • Inclusive, family atmosphere in classes & socials
  • Focused workshops that deep dive into techniques

Added perks:

  • Socials that start and end earlier so that you can enjoy a full night of dancing as well as the morning sun
  • Healthy and fresh meals, including vegan and vegetarian options
  • Bonfires, outdoor dancing and lake views

 

Socials – Retreat early vibes !. That means in order to conserve the vibe of the weekend, socials will start at 9 pm and end around 2 am. We would like you to participate in morning activities and enjoy the sun. We will have day socials as well Additional bonus, people will be encouraged to show up at the start of the parties (9 pm) and not wait until late to come dancing.

 

Confirmed Artists:

 

Included in full pass:

  • Access to all workshops, parties, activities
  • Accommodations for 2 nights, three days
  • Six meals (Friday evening, 3 on Saturday, 2 on Sunday)

This retreat will be the same format as Ultimate Zouk Retreat (UZR) in 2019. From that event, we got overwhelming feedback from artists and participants that they had an amazing time at this intimate and fun retreat. It will be three days in the cabins of Big Bear Lake with training in zouk, lambada, yoga and meditation, with dance socials, fireside chats and hiking! 

One important note about a difference from the 2019 retreat: due to it not taking place during summer season and the rules of the facility, there will be no water sports or water activities hosted or permitted on YMCA premises. Participants may separately rent kayaks/ paddle boards from nearby locations.

Venue: Big Bear YMCA

At an elevation of 6800 feet on the shore of Big Bear Lake’s Boulder Bay, YMCA Camp Big Bear offers year round access for all seasons of mountain activity. Nearby trails offer hikes to the ridge tops surrounding Big Bear Lake. 

 

YMCA Big Bear Address:

38908 N Bay Dr, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315

 

Accommodations

Recently remodeled common bunkhouses, with two separate areas for men and women. Bring your own sheets, blankets, and/or sleeping bags! There are centralized indoor bathrooms and showers at the site. 

Meals:

Full pass holders will receive 6 buffet-style meals throughout the weekend, with vegan and vegetarian options.

  • Friday- dinner
  • Saturday- breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Sunday- breakfast & lunch

Full Pass Prices: 

Included in full pass:

  • Access to all workshops, parties, activities
  • Accommodations for 2 nights and 3 days
  • 6 meals (1 Friday evening, 3 on Saturday, 2 on Sunday)

 

I am flying from out of town. How do I get to Big Bear?

You may fly into:

  • LAX (Los Angeles) 113 miles from Big Bear, 2hr 15 min drive time (no traffic)
  • SNA (John Wayne) 93 miles from Big Bear, 2hr drive time (no traffic)
  • ONT (Ontario International Airport), 58 miles from Big Bear, 1hr 15 min drive time (no traffic)
  • SBD (San Bernardino Airport) 37 miles from Big Bear, 1hr  drive time (no traffic). This is the closest airport to the venue.

We suggest that you choose to land at the airport that makes the most sense for you financially. Even though SNA and LAX are far from Big Bear, they are close to the general vicinity the locals are driving from. Some locals will be driving up Friday after work and some will be driving during the morning/day.

We will be helping coordinate a carpool system with LA/OCthe locals to help with rides to Big Bear. We cannot guarantee all participants flying in will be able to get a spot in a car but we will be doing our best to create this opportunity and make carpooling available to as many travelers as possible.

Please keep in mind that rush hour and Friday traffic in general can be heavy in Southern California so you may be looking at an additional hour or more of driving due to traffic. 

Hiking:

Nearby  trails offer hikes to the ridge tops surrounding Big Bear Lake.  The Castle Rock Trail is accessible by foot from Camp Big Bear and access to the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail is just a short drive the the North Shore.  You may also enjoy a walk of the camp grounds with multiple locations of awe inspiring vistas over Big Bear Lake.  It offers the perfect opportunity for personal reflection, counsel with a close friend, or small group discussion.

 

2024 Retreat Schedule

 

Friday, May 3
Dining Hall Hall 2 Outdoors
12:30 pm Registration opens
1:30 pm Welcome Ceremony
2:00 pm Lakefront Yoga
3:00 – 7:00 pm Classes Classes
7:00 pm Dinner
8:00 pm Bonfire, S’mores & Dancing
9:00 pm – 2:00 am Party – Onesie night (pajama party)

 

Saturday, May 4
Dining Hall Hall 2 Outdoors
9:00 am Breakfast
10:00 am – 11:00 am Class Class
11:00 am – 12:00 pm Class Class
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Class
1:00 pm Lunch
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm Hiking (optional)
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Class Class
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Class Class
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Class Class
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Class Class Outdoor Yoga
6:00 pm Dinner
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Bonfire, S’mores & Dancing
9:00 pm – 2:00 am Party – “Into the Wild” Theme

 

Sunday, May 5
Dining Hall Hall 2 Outdoors
8:30 am Breakfast
9:30 am – 10:30 am Class
10:30 am – 11:30 am Class Class
11:30 am – 12:30 pm Class Class
1:00 pm Pack up & Bunk Checkout
1:30 pm Lunch
2:30 pm  Closing Ceremony – Conclude UZR
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Optional Outdoor dancing/ hangout 
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Optional Kayak/ Paddle Board Rental from Separate Facilities

 

 

 

With much love and excitement,

 

Shani Mayer & Co.