Meet Cera Meintzer | Denver Dance Tribe Founder and Meditation Guide

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cera Meintzer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cera, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I was sitting on my couch on a sunny October morning letting my mind wander when I got an image of women dancing in what looked like a club. I didn’t know if I was pining for my club dancing days but I sat back and went with the flow just waiting to see what would come next. I then saw the word TRIBE and I understood that what I was envisioning was a women’s dance community.

I grew up dancing every chance I could get. Formally in classes from the age of 3 through college at UNC, Greeley and informally in any space I could- my basement as a kid, the club as a 20 and 30-year-old. After I had kids and reached my mid-30s, the opportunities seemed few and far between. A family wedding, a concert, in the living room or kitchen with kids. I missed going out and dancing with friends but I new I wasn’t going to start at 44 going to clubs and starting my night at 11 pm.

Tribe was the answer…or rather the name evolved into Denver Dance Tribe; An Early Evening Dance Community for Women! I chose to go with women-only (we do have an event or two each year when men can join) because women not only need opportunities to dance, but when need them in safe spaces and low pressure and little stress.

I have a friend, a well-known DJ who has been in the Denver DJ scenes for 20 years- DJ Mear- who helped me flush out the idea and bring it to fruition. She still DJs most of our events. I also have some awesome friends and colleagues who have supported the idea from the very beginning and continue to be regulars at the events.

Each event features a unique music theme from ’80s to EDM to Country.

We are age (although most events are 21 +, we do have a few events per year for under 21) and LGBTQ-inclusive.

Our mission is to offer opportunities for women of all ages to DANCE, let their inner wild run free, and connect with other like-minded women in a FUN, stress-free atmosphere.

It’s been a blast to build and heartfelt to see the smiles on the attendee’s faces. I want every woman in the Denver area to know that she has a place she can come monthly to dance with other fun, safe and drama free women!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Growing up neurodivergent with Dyslexia, ADHD, and Highly Sensitive (HSP), dance was one of the only outlets where I felt like I could be free to be me, challenging brain and all! Dance was my creative outlet, I would spend hours in our family walk-out basement in Elizabeth, Colorado dancing in front of the large windows which acted as mirrors when it was dark outside.

You can ask my Elizabeth friends, I was the town choreographer. I loved to string together a movement to a piece of music and would do it for everything and anyone who asked!

Dance has been a grounding force for me, along with meditation and nature. It has helped me cope with the challenges that come with a neurodivergent brain more than I can ever say! It’s how I found self-worth. It was the one place I could be successful and feel confident.

I am so happy to be dancing again and I hope others who love dance but don’t have much of it in their lives, will come join us at Denver Dance Tribe (DDT) events! We have so much fun!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well, naturally we would go to a Dance Tribe event! These are usually on a Friday or Saturday night, so let’s start with that.

A trip with a dear friend would have to include a hot springs, my favorite is Joyful Journey in the San Luis Valley.

It must also include some time in Eldorado Canyon communing with the trees and riding 4-wheelers, my Father lives above the State Park so we get to do some special things others don’t have access too. This is one of my favorite places in Colorado.

Red Rocks- of course, for a concert.

Meow Wolf is pretty special. It can be a little overwhelming for me, but it would still have to be on the list!

I would also take her to the Denver Cat Company on Tennyson, This place saw my family and through covid when we need a cat fix and a place to have a date night or family outing. It is always followed by ice cream at High Pointe Creamery.

As for food, Thai Diamond on Colfax and Kipling is a favorite and a must-visit as is Table Mountain Cantena in Golden.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Denver Dance Tribe would not be what is without the support of the women in Denver who belong to Polka Dot Powerhouse. Kinda a strange name, but Dots, as we call them, are drama-free women looking for connection with other women. Could be through business or friendship. We have four chapters in the Denver Area, one in Northern Colorado and one in Colorado Springs. I belong to the Foothills Chapter and my “dot sisters” have shown up to dance from day one! I can count on them to share the events, to photograph for me, to video testimonials for marketing, and to check tickets at the door!

Some of the specific ladies I would like to recognize are Natalie Morrow, Kathy Beekman, Jen Andrade, Lara Brzezinski, Liz Lauthrup and Karly Stein.

Also a big thank you to my friend Kai Hillberry, who is not a Dot, but has been supporting me from the start alongside our friend DJ Mear!

I also need to thank the locations that have helped me find affordable space so that we can move the events around the city! Uncle Tim’s Cocktails, Mint and Serif, Townhall Collaborative, and Nurture A Wellness Marketplace!

Website: https://denverdancetribe.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denverdancetribe/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cerareine/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DenverDanceTribe

Image Credits
Images or purchased from Good Morrow Photography