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Hi Friends!
Welcome to our August Social Dance Newsletter! Whether you're a long-time dancer at the Park or trying your hand at social dance for the first time, we've got a great lineup of dances in store for you!
We'll kick off the month with AllStars Big Band swinging the night away in the Spanish Ballroom on Saturday, August 1! A beginner swing dance lesson (free with the price of admission) will be taught by Ellen Engle & Marc Shepanek of Flying Feet Enterprises. AllStars Big Band is a Washington, DC ensemble made up of veteran big‑band musicians - many of whom spent decades performing with the Tom Cunningham Orchestra - joined by standout youth players. Performing the classic swing library inherited from the Tom Cunningham Orchestra and New Columbia Swing Orchestra, the group brings the beloved big band sound of 1930's and 1940's: Ellington, Basie, Goodman, Miller, and more to life with energy, authenticity, and deep local roots.
Sunday, August 2, swing your partner at an afternoon Bumper Car Squares dance in the climate-controlled Ballroom Back Room. Dave Hauver calls to live music by Jump Fingers. Kids 12 & under get in free! Come find out why one square dancer had this to say about a dance they attended: "It was absolutely wonderful. The caller was divine; and the musicians were ... at the stratospheric level of wonderful."
We're thrilled to welcome Cherokee singer/songwriter Agalisiga "The Chuj" Mackey to the park for a special Honky Tonk Dance on August 21! Mackey melds a classic country and blues with his deep baritone voice honed from his upbringing in singing Cherokee ceremonial songs. Audiences are universally intrigued to hear the Cherokee language sung in this mode and captivated by Mackey's authentic folksy presence on stage. Agalisiga Mackey will perform with a full country band including Bryan McDowell (fiddle), Ahren Buchheister (steel guitar), Alex Lacquement (bass), and Chuck Navyac (drums). A free beginner lesson in two step included with admission, led by Alex Lacquement of Baltimore Honky Tonk.
Our Honky Tonk Dance with Karen Collins & the Backroads Band has been rescheduled for October 30! Our original July date had to be postponed due to a code red air quality alert, but we're delighted that the band will be able to instead join us this fall in the Bumper Car Pavilion.
In addition to our fabulous social dance events, Glen Echo Park also hosts social dance classes in a variety of styles at various levels. Registration for Summer classes is ongoing, browse the Mindful Movement & Dance Technique section of the Spring/Summer 2026 catalog to classes in August. Registration for Fall & Winter 2026-2027 classes will open on August 5 at 10am (EST). Browse the Fall/Winter catalog to find upcoming dance offerings.
Dancers are always welcome to get up out of their seats and move to the incredible music at our FREE Thursday night Summer Concert Series! On August 6, Arty Hill & The Long Gone Daddys perform Swingin', Rockin' Original and Classic Country for your listening and dancing pleasure. The U.S. Marine Big Band performs big band jazz, swing, and other popular styles on August 13. Then, we'll close out the 2026 seres with Patrick Albán & His Buena Vista Social on August 20, playing World Music, Cuban, Gipsy Kings, Acoustic American, Salsa, Mexican, and Brazilian!
As we move into the hottest part of the summer, please be aware of temperatures and plan accordingly. The Spanish Ballroom is a historic building with fans stationed around the floor, but no air conditioning. The Bumper Car Pavilion is a covered, open air pavilion with fans around the perimeter. Our Ballroom Back Room is a fully climate-controlled, indoor dance venue.
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Read on to learn more about all our featured dances for the month—as well as the entire Social Dances calendar, including ballroom, waltz, contra, salsa, bachata, zouk, and lots more! Keep an eye on our Social Dances page to stay up to date with future dances! We can't wait to see you at the Park soon, and as always, we appreciate your support.
Keep on Dancin',
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Emily Crews
Dance and Events Program Director
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Washington Folk Festival
Sunday, August 23
12:00pm - 7:00pm
The Washington Folk Festival returns to the Park! Expect a jam-packed roster full of music, dancing, and storytelling ranging from American to International styles. You’ll hear bluegrass, Celtic, Americana, blues, and Zydeco, as well as folk music from around the world! Learn More >>
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Dance for PD®
Wednesdays 2:30pm - 3:45pm
(No class on Wednesday, July 22)
In collaboration with Dance for PD® (Parkinson's Disease), the Glen Echo Park Partnership presents a Dance for PD® class series. These classes are free for participants, care partners, and family members thanks to the generous support of the program's donors.
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Global Rhythms
Sunday, August 23
12:00pm - 6:00pm
A free showcase of music, dance, and storytelling that features performances by artists who share traditions from a variety of cultures around the world! Featuring Capital Horns playing Latin music, Hungarian folk dancers, and a new work by a contemporary Hungarian dancer/choreographer. Plus even more performers and food trucks!
Learn More >>
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ZOUK DANCE with District Zouk
August 1 | 7:00pm - 12:30am | Ballroom Back Room
Join us for a District Zouk social at the Park! As usual, we'll have an open level beginner-friendly class followed by social dancing. We'll also have a lambada practica before the class so our lambada students and dancers can practice together. Earlier in the afternoon, we have a Brazilian zouk beginner bootcamp (1:00pm - 4:00pm), so those new to this dance can learn the basics, and a lambada bootcamp (4:30pm - 7:00pm), so those familiar with Brazilian zouk can learn the technique and most important principles of lambada. Come get your dance on!
Learn More >> | Social Dance Tickets >>
Beginner Bootcamp Tickets >>
Lambada Bootcamp Tickets >>
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SWING DANCE with AllStars Big Band
August 1 | 8:00pm - 11:30pm | Spanish Ballroom
AllStars Big Band will swing the night away in the Spanish Ballrooom! A beginner lesson (free with the price of admission) will be taught by Ellen Engle & Marc Shepanek of Flying Feet Enterprises. AllStars Big Band is a Washington, DC ensemble made up of veteran big‑band musicians. The group brings the beloved big band sound of 1930's and 1940's: Ellington, Basie, Goodman, Miller, and more to life with energy, authenticity, and deep local roots.
Learn More >> | Purchase Tickets >>
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BUMPER CAR SQUARES
August 2 | 2:45pm - 5:30pm | Ballroom Back Room
Join us for Sunday afternoon square dancing at the Park! We'll start out with a square dance intro lesson for all skill levels from 2:45pm - 3:00pm. Then, caller Dave Hauver will lead a rousing square dance to live music from Jump Fingers. The band will play from 3:00pm - 5:30pm so get ready for square dancing fun that still gets you home early. We'll dance in the climate-controlled Ballroom Back Room.
Learn More >> | Purchase Tickets >>
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BALLROOM DANCE with Ballroom Time
August 9 | 2:45pm - 6:00pm | Ballroom Back Room
Ballroom Time presents a ballroom dance in the Ballroom Back Room on Sunday afternoon, August 9, 2026. A beginner lesson in Cha-Cha will take place at 2:45pm. Music by DJ Broomtime (our volunteers) from 3:30pm until 6:00pm.
Learn More >> | Purchase Tickets >>
View upcoming Ballroom Workshops >>
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WALTZ DANCE with Waltz Time
August 16 | 6:15pm - 9:30pm | Bumper Car Pavilion
Enjoy a summer evening with waltzing and more in the breezy Bumper Car Pavilion. Live music by GYRATIONS with David Knight (fiddle), Carrie Rose (flute), and Liz Donaldson (piano)! Beginner Social Waltz lesson starts at 6:15pm, included with admission. No partner required, participants are encouraged to rotate so everyone can learn and practice the moves. Live music for dancing - waltz mostly, with polka, schottische, tango, swing and more - from 7:00pm - 9:30pm.
Learn More >> | Purchase Tickets >>
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HONKY TONK DANCE with Agalisiga Mackey and a full country band
August 21 | 7:30pm - 10:30pm | Bumper Car Pavilion
Agalisiga "The Chuj" Mackey is a Cherokee singer/songwriter performing country music that sounds like it was written in the 70's and is sung in Cherokee. Join us at a Honky Tonk Dance with live music by Mackey and a full country band including Bryan McDowell (fiddle), Ahren Buchheister (steel guitar), Alex Lacquement (bass), and Chuck Navyac (drums). A free beginner lesson in two step included with admission, led by Alex Lacquement of Baltimore Honky Tonk.
Learn More >> | Purchase Tickets >>
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¡MÚSICA! LATIN DANCE SOCIAL! with Moxie Movement Dance Company
August 21 | 7:30pm - 12:30am | Ballroom Back Room
We hope you'll join us for ¡Música! Latin Dance Social!, formerly Salsa & Bachata y más! Two lessons are offered by instructor Amber Logan prior to the social: a fiery salsa class from 7:30pm to 8:15pm and a sensational bachata lesson from 8:15pm to 9:00pm. All levels are welcome. The social, where everyone dances together, starts after the two 45-minute lessons at 9:00pm, with DJ Sidekick spinning the best salsa and bachata songs until 12:30am!
Learn More >> | Tickets Coming Soon!
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VIENNESE WALTZ WORKSHOP with DanceSport Endurance
August 29 | 2:30pm - 5:00pm | Spanish Ballroom
Learn the basics of social Viennese Waltz in this workshop with Todd and Migle of DanceSport Endurance which includes lessons and supervised and assisted dancing. Schedule: 2:30pm - 2:45pm Warm-up | 2:45pm - 4:15pm Lesson | 4:15pm - 5:00pm Social Viennese Waltz Dancing.
Learn More >> | Purchase Tickets >>
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CONTRA DANCE with Dancing Planet
September 13 | 2:30pm - 6:00pm | Ballroom Back Room
Enjoy a fabulous afternoon of contra dancing in the Ballroom Back Room, presented by Dancing Planet. Janine Smith will call to the inspired music of The Second Floor (Abe Joyner-Meyers, Steven Bluestein, and Cecily Mills.) Dance the afternoon away!
Learn More >>
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SARAU DE SAMBA with EducArte
September 20 | 2:00pm - 5:00pm | Bumper Car Pavilion
Co-presented by the Glen Echo Park Partnership and EducArte, Sarau de Samba is an authentic samba de mesa or samba de roda (jam session). The event features a dynamic ensemble of musicians and dancers, showcasing everything from Golden Age samba classics and choro to modern pagode and high-energy carnival beats. We kick off with a beginner-friendly dance lesson, so everyone can join the fun—no partner nor experience required.
Learn More >> | Purchase Tickets >>
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HONKY TONK DANCE with Karen Collins & the Backroads Band
October 30 | 7:30pm - 10:30pm | Bumper Car Pavilion
Enjoy an evening of live music at a Honky Tonk Dance with Karen Collins & the Backroads Band! A free beginner lesson in two step included with admission, led by Sharon Schiliro and Michael Hart of Dancing by the Bayou. One of the DC area's top honky-tonk groups, Karen Collins & the Backroads Band play real country music. They have an authentic vintage sound that includes shuffles, two-steps, and buckle-polishing slow tunes with some early rockabilly songs mixed in.
Learn More >> | Purchase Tickets >>
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*Includes beginner lesson & social dance
KEY:
bold = Partnership-presented social dance or class/workshop
italics = Dance class/workshop (no social dance)
underline = Free for all ages or free for kids
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Summer Concert Series
Thursdays @ 7:30pm
June 11 - August 20, 2026
Dancers are always welcome to get up out of their seats and move to the incredible music at our Thurday-night Summer Concerts! Learn More >>
We are looking for volunteers to assist with set-up and break down of seating for each of our summer concerts. SSL hours available! Volunteer >>
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Want to dance for FREE?
Volunteer for Partnership Dances!
We need volunteers at many of our dances! Volunteer for one hour, to either help set up or break down for a dance or event, and gain free admission to the dance or event!
Upcoming dances in need of volunteers:
August 1 | Swing Dance
August 2 | Bumper Car Squares
August 21 | Honky Tonk Dance
September 6 | Bumper Car Squares
September 20 | Sarau de Samba (Brazilian Dance & Music Party with live music)
To volunteer, please send an email to volunteer@glenechopark.org.
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Social Dance Classes
Have you ever wanted to attend one of our social dances but don’t feel comfortable enough with the style? Or are you looking to hone your skills and show off to the crowd? While our dances are beginner-friendly, we are proud to offer dance classes in a variety of styles at various levels.
| | | | | The Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council (msac.org) and also by funding from the Montgomery County government and the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County (creativemoco.com). All programs are produced in cooperation with the National Park Service and Montgomery County, Maryland. | | | | |
