All Aboard: Trolley Dances in San Diego

Dance fans rejoice, for Trolley Dances are back for the 13th consecutive year, presented by Jean Isaacs Dance Theater and the Metropolitan Transit System. This interactive performance art experience follows a trained tour guide through six trolley stops, with unbelievable dances created for each specific location.

These one-of-a-kind rides are taking place on Saturday, September 24th and Saturday, October 1st, departing Grantville station at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm. In addition, the dances will take place on Sunday, September 25 and Sunday, October 2nd, with trolleys departing Grantville station at 1pm, 1:30pm, 2pm, 2:30pm, 3pm, and 3:30pm.

This year, the trolley rides will head east; leaving Grantville and following the Green Line straight into Santee, with each tour lasting approximately 3 hours. At each specific stop along the MTS, a guide will lead you to your destination, where the dancers are waiting to perform a choreographed routine in an unexpected location.

In fact, the locations are often what make the dances even more exciting. In past years, dances have taken place at fountains, swimming pools, carwashes, children’s libraries, and even the San Diego Convention Center. Each dance is choreographed to fit the particular space and brought to life by talented local dancers. Over 60 professional dancers and choreographers will be participating in this event, all of them adventurous and ready to show viewers some insane new moves. Choreographers include Paz Tanjuaquio, John Diaz, Allyson Green, Minerva Tapia and Jean Isaacs.

General admission tickets are available for $30, with $20 tickets available for seniors, $15 tickets available for students, and no tickets necessary for people in wheelchairs and children under 5. Ticket-holders also gain dining and shopping promotions at the last stop, Santee Trolley Square. Learn more at sandiegodancetheater

Discover more local entertainment ideas in our San Diego events calendar.

Photo by Manuel Rotenberg, courtesy of San Diego Dance Theater