Motivo LA
Social dance classes and events in Atwater Village—swing, tango, salsa, bacha…
Motivo LA is a dance studio and social venue in Atwater Village, Los Angeles, offering weekly group classes, social dances, and live music events.
Photo: Motivo LA via Google
Before your first class
Beginner-friendly: Level 1 Intro Series are designed for absolute beginners with no partner or experience required, and many classes explicitly welcome all levels.
Level 1 Intro Series: $20/class (month-long series) or $30 drop-in; Drop-in classes: $30; Punch cards: $176 for 8 classes, $304 for 16 classes; Unlimited Membership: $205/month; Tango or West Coast Sw
About this studio
Motivo LA is a dance studio and social venue in Atwater Village, Los Angeles, offering weekly group classes, social dances, and live music events. The space is described as warm and vintage-inspired, designed to foster connection, creativity, and authentic shared experience.
Classes cover a wide range of social dance styles: Argentine Tango, Bachata, Balboa, Collegiate Shag, Latin Hustle, Lindy Hop, Salsa On2, Solo Jazz, and West Coast Swing. Instruction is structured in levels. Level 1 Intro Series are month-long fundamental courses that rotate monthly by style, giving you a solid foundation and the chance to explore different dances throughout the year. Once you complete Level 1, you can retake any Intro Series free of charge—useful for reinforcing basics or learning the other role. Level 1.5 is an ongoing advanced-beginner format focusing on comfort, technique, and vocabulary with monthly topics. Progression beyond Level 1.5 happens through assessment during practice sessions.
The weekly schedule is comprehensive. Monday through Sunday you'll find classes in Balboa, Solo Jazz, Lindy Hop, West Coast Swing, Tango, Bachata, Latin Hustle, and Samba de Gafieira, at various levels. Evening practicas and socials complement the curriculum, including Milonga Arrabal (tango social), Latin Hustle Open Practice, and Balboa/Lindy/Shag Open Practice. Many classes note that no partner is required to start.
Beyond classes, Motivo hosts regular social dance events: Milonga Gavito (1st Friday of the month, 9pm, with tandas, snacks, and warm hugs), Milonga del Sol (afternoon tango social with twilight ambience), Noche Azul (Salsa and Bachata dancing in the vintage-inspired ballroom), Club Velvet (live swing band nights), and FusionVibe (fusion and micro social dance). Larger weekend events include Elmo Verano, a 24+ hour dancing marathon with DJs and live music featuring traditional and alternative tango. The studio also hosts Creative Music events featuring world-class artists.
You can manage your schedule and cancellations through the Motivo LA app (available for iPhone and Android). The studio offers flexible pricing: drop-in classes are $30, Level 1 Intro Series are $20 per class when enrolled in the full month-long series, or $30 as a one-off drop-in if space permits. Punch cards (8 classes for $176, or 16 for $304) cover most classes and evening socials and never expire. Memberships include an Unlimited option at $205/month covering all group classes and socials, a Tango-focused membership (LATA) at $145/month, and a West Coast Swing membership at $145/month. All memberships can be frozen for up to one month at a time, with a maximum of three freezes.
What to expect
Your first visit
On your first visit, you'll be in a warm, vintage-inspired space. If you're new to dance, start with a Level 1 Intro Series in your chosen style—no partner or prior experience needed. Classes build fundamentals step by step. Most evenings end with a social or practice session, so you can dance right after instruction. You can sign up via the Motivo LA app or book through their website.
New to dancing?
What beginners can expect
Beginner-friendly: Level 1 Intro Series are designed for absolute beginners with no partner or experience required, and many classes explicitly welcome all levels.
Styles offered
12 dance styles taught here
Gallery
The people, the parties and the dancing here
Amenities
Pricing
Approximate lesson costs
Class schedule
Weekly classes and workshops
Motivo LAhasn't set up a public class schedule yet.
If you own Motivo LA, claiming the studio lets you add a public schedule in about 2 minutes. A free Google Calendar is the easiest path — visitors see your class times inline + can add events to their own calendar.
Frequently asked about Motivo LA
Quick answers to the most common questions
What dance styles does Motivo LA teach?
Motivo LA teaches General, Argentine Tango, Bachata, Balboa, Collegiate Shag, Latin Hustle and 6 more. The full list of styles is shown above on this page along with each genre's classes and lesson options.
Where is Motivo LA located?
Motivo LA is located in Los Angeles, CA. See the map above for the exact address and one-tap directions.
Does Motivo LA offer private lessons?
Contact Motivo LA directly to ask about private lessons and current class options — their website has the latest details.
Does Motivo LA teach kids and adults?
Motivo LA welcomes students of varied ages and experience levels. Contact the studio to learn which classes fit your age group and level.
How do I sign up for classes at Motivo LA?
The fastest path is to visit Motivo LA via their website or check the class schedule above. Many studios offer a free or discounted intro lesson — contact them directly to ask.