A Cultural Home for LGBTQIA+ Artists.

Make a charitable donation!

Explore Punking, Whacking, and Waacking in adaptable, inclusive classes where dancers of all levels can move, play, and express themselves freely.

Express yourself

Experience the Culture

Dive into immersive workshops and Events that celebrate queer and BIPOC histories in safe affirming spaces.

Connect and Belong

Join a community that celebrates creativity, empathy, and self-expression, where LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC community can thrive, connect, and be seen.

  • No matter how bad a week was it felt so good to know that at the very least I would have two hours where I could go and be with kind people and dance!

    —Emil Mata (they/them)

  • As an international dancer it is really difficult to find community and family, but every time I go to Whacking Los Angeles it feels like family and I have so many friends.

    -Akari morimoto

  • Today was another reminder that whacking literally saved my life. Thank you whacking los angeles for today’s event. I feel very alive

    - Justin (he/him)

  • I am so deeply grateful for this program, and it has truly been a dream come true. I want to thank WLA for creating such an amazing community. Huge shoutout to Roxi and Justin for being the best teachers and allowing us to embrace our stories and movement. I felt so safe to learn and you both allowed us to ask questions even with the limited time we had.

    — PPW Program member

  • for an organization to have its door open for ultimate freedom of expression for queer folks - that's something that's very powerful.

    -fred mayor

Let’s Dance!

Three people dancing with energetic poses, wearing colorful and casual outfits.
See our Schedule

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime.

  • WLA is more than a dance organization—it’s a home for LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC artists. We honor the history of Punking, Whacking, and Waacking while supporting creativity, community, and mentorship. Our programs are inclusive, adaptable, and accessible, so anyone can explore dance, storytelling, and self-expression.

    • LGBTQIA+ & BIPOC community

    • Recreational movers who are new to dance

    • Emerging & professional dancers who want to learn about Whacking/waacking

    • Allies who respect the culture

  • Our spaces are safe, welcoming, and affirming—a friendly, come-as-you-are environment. They encourage play, self-expression, and community connection. Sessions are designed for all skill levels, and our sliding-scale pricing makes participation possible for everyone.

  • No experience is necessary! WLA sessions are designed for all levels, with adaptations to accommodate different abilities and backgrounds. Whether you’re new to dance or a seasoned mover, you’ll be supported in exploring your own style and expression.

  • Please email us at hello@whackingla.org We aim to respond within 48–72 hours. As a small part-time team, we appreciate your patience. Email is our preferred method of communication, as we respond more consistently there than via Instagram direct messages.

  • Punking is a Los Angeles born dance form born out the gay multicultural community in the 1970’s at the club Ginos II in West Hollywood. “Punk” a derogatory term for being gay was a word reclaimed by the originators of this dance. As an outlet to create art from oppression, these dancers took inspiration from Hollywood silent films, comic books, martial arts, gymnastics and cultural dances to create this unique dance form. The first movement form of this dance is known as “Posing”, and later came the arm strikes or the “Whack” inspired from the Batman onamonoptia’s and movement on screen. The original punkers consisted of Andrew Frank, Arthur Goff, Guillermo “Billy Star” Estrada, Tinker Toy, Tommy Mitchel, Kenny “China Doll”, Lonny Carbajal, and Viktor Manoel.

    This dance evolved into the popular dance known today as Whacking or in further evolution Waacking. Through being highlighted on television such as on Soul Train and featured with popular artists such as Diana Ross. This dance has traveled world wide and grown to provide space especially for the LGBTQ+ community to find liberation and freedom. Many have provided notable contributors to spread and establishment of these communities. Some of these contributors are Dallace Ziegler, Ana Sanchez, Shabadoo, Billy Goodson, Tyrone Proctor, Archie Burnett and more. For us, generations later - Punking/Whacking/Waacking serves as our form of play, self-exploration and community.