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Hi Friends!

Welcome to our December Social Dance Newsletter! Let's dance our way into the new year with a wonderful lineup of dances this month. ❄️

Swing your partner round the Bumper Car Pavilion at Bumper Car Squares on Thursday, December 4. Choose from two beginner lessons: Intro to Square Dancing with caller Dave Hauver, or Intro to Flatfoot Dancing taught by a member of Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble. Plus enjoy live music by Jump Fingers!

Ballroom Time presents a Ballroom Dance on Sunday, December 14, featuring live music by The Janet Paulsen Trio. The afternoon starts off with a beginner lesson in slow waltz, followed by dancing with the band.

A little later in the month, join us for a Latin Dance Weekend, with a Back Room Salsa Night on Friday, December 19 and a Bachata y más dance on Saturday, December 20. A special ticket lets you attend both dances at a $5 savings! Stay tuned for more details about Salsa & Bachata y más!, our new Latin Dance series that combines both dance styles, starting up in February 2026!

🪩 Ring in the new year at the Park! Join us for a New Year's Eve Dance with Gottaswing in the Spanish Ballroom, featuring live music by Russ Wilson and his Famous Orchestra. The celebration will be in full swing (pun intended!) with decorations, hats, tiaras, streamers, and a vintage moon photo backdrop. Praline Cafe will be open, serving wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages.

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 Fall & Winter 2025-2026 Classes is open and ongoing. Browse the Mindful Movement & Dance Technique section of the catalog to find classes that introduce you to new styles or improve your technique in styles you already love..

Read on to see more Social Dances at the Park this month, including west coast swing, blues, waltz, folk, contra, 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',

Emily Crews

Dance and Events Program Director

Lost & Found Items

Items left in any dance venues will be donated to thrift stores by Monday, December 15, 2025. If you think you have left something, ask the dance presenter to get an event supervisor to assist you. Or you may come by the Partnership office on the 2nd floor of the arcade building to ask about your item Monday-Saturday between 10am and 6pm.

VIEW THE FULL DANCE CALENDAR

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.

BROWSE THE CATALOG

FEATURED DANCES

Bumper Car Squares

December 4 | 7:00pm - 10:00pm | Bumper Car Pavilion

Join us for square dancing in the Bumper Car Pavilion! Choose from two lessons offered free with the price of admission: Intro to Square Dancing, or Intro to Flatfoot Dancing taught by members of Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble. After the lesson, caller Dave Hauver will lead a rousing square dance along with live music by Jump Fingers!

Purchase Tickets >>

Ballroom Dance with Ballroom Time

December 14 | 2:45pm - 6:00pm | Spanish Ballroom

Ballroom Time presents a ballroom dance in the historic Spanish Ballroom! A beginner lesson in slow waltz will take place at 2:45pm, followed by dancing to live music performed by The Janet Paulsen Trio from 3:30pm - 6:00pm. All are invited! Children under 18 should be accompanied by an adult.

Purchase Tickets >>

Back Room Salsa Nights

December 19 | 7:30pm - 11:00pm | Ballroom Back Room

Join us for a sizzling hot night of Salsa in the Ballroom Back Room! We'll start at 7:30pm with a one-hour beginner lesson (free with the price of admission) followed by dancing with a DJ from 8:30-11pm. No need to bring a partner. All levels welcome, ages 18+! Save the date: Back Room Salsa Nights are always on the third Friday of the month!

Purchase Tickets >>

Bachata y más (Bachata & more)

December 20 | 7:30pm - 11:30pm | Ballroom Back Room

Come experience the magic of Bachata and discover why it's the dance that's sweeping the world. Bachata, a playful Latin dance originating from the Dominican Republic, is known for its hip movements, footwork, and close partner interaction.

Beer, wine, soft drinks "y más" available onsite at Praline cafe.

Purchase Tickets >>

New Year's Eve Swing Dance with Gottaswing 🎉

December 31 | 8:00pm – 12:30am | Spanish Ballroom

Let’s ring in 2026 together with long-time and new friends. Decorations, hats, tiaras, streamers—take your picture with our vintage moon backdrop. Music by RUSS WILSON AND HIS FAMOUS ORCHESTRA. All ages welcome, and you never need a partner. Beginner swing dance lesson with Tom & Debra included with admission. Tickets $40 at the door. Save $10! Purchase advance tickets by 12noon the day of the dance.

Purchase Tickets >>

Sarau de Samba/Brazilian Samba Gathering

January 18 | 2:00pm - 5:00pm | Ballroom Back Room

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, led by locally renowned Brazilian master musicians Pablo Regis and André Coelho, 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.

Purchase Tickets >>

DanceFit for Body & Mind

Shake Your Soul

Experience the JOY of dance through Shake Your Soul, a dynamic movement practice that energizes your body, relaxes your nervous system, and awakens your soul. This class is appropriate for all levels and welcomes all movers and music lovers. Learn More >>

DECEMBER DANCES AT-A-GLANCE

Wednesday

December 3

Thursday

December 4

Friday

December 5

Saturday

December 6

Sunday

December 7

International Folk Dance*

with

Dancing Planet

Bumper Car Squares Dance*

-------------

Blues Dance*

with

Capital Blues

Contra Dance and Occasional Squares*

with

Friday Night Dancers

DanceFit:

Shake Your Soul

-------------

Contra Dance Calling Workshop Series

with

Folklore Society of Greater Washington

------------

Swing Dance*

with

Craig Gildner & The Blue Crescent Syncopators

Waltz Dance*

with

Waltz Time

-------------

Tango/Milonga

Dance*

with

Tango Brillante

Wednesday

December 10

Thursday

December 11

Friday

December 12

Saturday

December 13

Sunday

December 14

International Folk Dance*

with

Dancing Planet

Blues Dance*

with

Capital Blues

Contra Dance and Occasional Squares*

with

Friday Night Dancers

-------------

Balboa DJ Dance*

with

Gottaswing

DanceFit:

Shake Your Soul

-------------

Viennese Waltz Workshop

with

Dance Sport Endurance

-------------

Zouk Dance*

with

District Zouk

-------------

Swing Dance*

with

Gottaswing

Second Sunday Barn Dance*

with

Folklore Society of Greater Washington

-------------

Ballroom Dance*

with

Ballroom Time

-------------

Tango/

Milonga

Dance*

with

Tango Brillante

Wednesday

December 17

Thursday

December 18

Friday

December 19

Saturday

December 20

Sunday

December 21

International Folk Dance*

with

Dancing Planet

Blues Dance*

with

Capital Blues

Back Room Salsa Night Dance*

-------------

Contra Dance and Occasional Squares*

with

Friday Night Dancers

Ballroom Dancing Workshop

with

Ballroom Time

-------------

Bachata y más (Bachata & more) Dance*

Waltz Dance*

with

Waltz Time

-------------

LAST CHANCE! West Coast Swing Dance*

with

Late Night Early

-------------

Tango/

Milonga

Dance*

with

Tango Brillante

Wednesday

December 24

Thursday

December 25

Friday

December 26

Saturday

December 27

Sunday

December 28

NO DANCES

Contra Dance and Occasional Squares*

with

Friday Night Dancers

NO DANCES

Ballroom Dance*

with

Ballroom Time

-------------

Tango/

Milonga

Dance*

with

Tango Brillante

Wednesday

December 31

Thursday

January 1

Friday

January 2

Saturday

January 3

Sunday

January 4

New Year’s Eve

🎉

Swing Dance*

with

Gottaswing

NO DANCES

Contra Dance and Occasional Squares*

with

Friday Night Dancers

Zouk Dance*

with

District Zouk

Waltz Dance*

with

Waltz Time

-------------

Bumper Car Squares Dance*

-------------

Tango/

Milonga

Dance*

with

Tango Brillante

VIEW THE FULL DANCE CALENDAR

*Includes beginner lesson & social dance

Partnership-presented social dance or class

Dance class (no social dance)

FREE for kids

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:

Sarau de Samba:

January 18

Bumper Car Squares:

December 4

Back Room Salsa Nights:

December 19

Bachata y más:

December 20 | January 24

To volunteer, please send an email to volunteer@glenechopark.org.

glenechopark.org | 301.634.2222

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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.