Bailamos Dance Studio Closing; GROOV3 Needs New Space

They're tearing up the floors, taking down the mirrors and pulling out the light fixtures. At the end of this month, Bailamos Dance Studio on Santa Monica Boulevard will be closing up shop for good. 

With the decision to end its era of ballroom dance, the studio also leaves cardio-funk, hip-hop, live DJ class phenomenon 's founder—dancer, choreographer and performer Benjamin Allen—without a home base.

"We started right here in Weho two years ago with just two classes a week. West Hollywood is our home," said Allen at the end of his Sunday class, which has been regularly frequented by celebs such as Ru Paul.

The announcement from the studio was made only this past week to Allen and GROOV3, Dance, Sweat, Live. It has been rumored (although not confirmed by the studio owner or the landlord of the property) that Bailamos chose not to renew its lease, which is also said to be upwards of $12,000 per month.

In only several days, without a new space, GROOV3 may be leaving West Hollywood forever. So far, no available dance studios or spaces large enough and with a dance floor have been found. No other studios in the area have offered to open their doors either. 

In the meantime, GROOV3 is simply moving out, moving on and searching for a new additional location. They will continue to run their classes outside West Hollywood at their other regular spots: Moore Dancing in Brentwood, the Sweat Spot on Sunset in Silver Lake, Your Neighborhood Studio in Culver City and Wild Card Dance Co. in Agoura Hills.  

You can, however, sign up for their newsletter and get the details on all of the classes and happenings, like the upcoming New Year's Day two-hour special celebration class, which will be taught by several dance professionals, as well as the ongoing Dance Sweat Give Charity events. Visit the website: dancesweatlive.com.

And if you've got a floor big enough to host a DJ and 60 dancers per class, they'd love to talk to you.