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Hi Friends!

Welcome to our November Social Dance Newsletter! It's time for some fall fun, with countless opportunities to dance at Glen Echo Park this month.

Swing your partner round the Bumper Car Pavilion with Bumper Car Squares! Thursday, November 6, pick from two beginner lessons: Intro to Square Dancing with caller Will Mentor, or Intro to Flatfoot Dancing taught by a member of Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble. Plus enjoy live music by Stomp Rocket!

Ballroom Time presents their "Second Sunday Afternoon Ballroom Dance" on Sunday, November 9, featuring live music by Night and Day Band. The afternoon starts off with a beginner lesson in slow waltz, followed by live music, a mixer, and some samba line dancing.

In collaboration with Dancing by the Bayou, the Partnership presents a Cajun dance to live music from Dennis Stroughmatt et L'Esprit Creole on Sunday, November 16. Led by fiddle player Dennis Stroughmatt, L'Esprit Creole brings you the sights, stories and sounds of French Creole music from The Illinois Country. We'll start off with a 30-minute Cajun dance lesson (included with the price of admission) with Sharon Schiliro and Michael Hart of Dancing by the Bayou, followed by dancing with the band!

Join us for a Latin Dance Weekend at Glen Echo Park! This special ticket lets you attend both dances at a $5 savings! A Back Room Salsa Night on Friday, November 21 and a Bachata y más dance on Saturday, November 22.

Saturday, November 22, check out a Sarau de Samba in the Ballroom Back Room! Co-presented with EducArte, renowned local Brazilian performers Pablo Regis, André Coelho, and Mariana Triginelli lead this Rio de Janeiro style music and dance event. Each session starts with a beginner dance lesson and is open to people of any skill level, no partner or instruments required.

In addition to our fabulous social dance program, Glen Echo Park also hosts 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 dance technique.

Read on to see more Social Dances at the Park this month, including 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

VIEW THE FULL DANCE CALENDAR

ZOUK/ WCS CROSSOVER DANCE DISCOUNT

Attending either a Zouk or a West Coast Swing Dance at the Park this Sunday? Now you can try both! Try the other dance for only $10 when you show proof of admission to Zouk or West Coast Swing at the door!

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

November 6 | 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 with the evening's caller, or Intro to Flatfoot Dancing taught by members of Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble. After the lesson, caller Will Mentor will lead a rousing square dance along with live music by Stomp Rocket!

Purchase Tickets >>

Ballroom Dance with Ballroom Time

November 9 | 2:45pm - 6:00pm | Spanish Ballroom

Ballroom Time's "Second Sunday Afternoon Ballroom Dance" will take place in the historic Spanish Ballroom on November 9, 2025. Live music will be provided by Night and Day Band. Following a beginner lesson in slow waltz at 2:45pm, music will play from 3:30pm until 6:00pm. The afternoon will feature a mixer and some samba line dancing.

Purchase Tickets >>

Cajun Dance with Dennis Stroughmatt et L'Esprit Creole

November 16 | 1:00pm - 4:00pm | Bumper Car Pavilion

In collaboration with Dancing by the Bayou, the Partnership presents a Cajun dance to live music from Dennis Stroughmatt et L'Esprit Creole. Led by Dennis Stroughmatt, L'Esprit Creole brings you the sights, stories and sounds of French Creole music from The Illinois Country. A 30-minute Cajun dance lesson (included with the price of admission) with Sharon Schiliro and Michael Hart of Dancing by the Bayou will start at 1pm, followed by dancing with the band!

Purchase Tickets >>

Back Room Salsa Nights

November 21 | 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 >>

Sarau de Samba/Brazilian Samba Gathering

November 22 | 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 >>

Bachata y más (Bachata & more)

November 22 | 7:30pm - midnight | 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 >>

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 >>

NOVEMBER DANCES AT-A-GLANCE

Wednesday

October 29

Thursday

October 30

Friday

October 31

Saturday

November 1

Sunday

November 2

International Folk Dance*

with

Dancing Planet

Ballroom Workshop

with

Ballroom Time

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

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

-------------Viennese Waltz Workshop

with

Dance Sport Endurance

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

Swing Dance*

with

New Columbia Swing

Waltz Dance*

with

Waltz Time

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

Zouk Dance*

with

District Zouk

(and afternoon workshops)

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

West Coast Swing Dance*

with

Late Night Early

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

Tango/Milonga

Dance*

with

Tango Brillante

Wednesday

November 5

Thursday

November 6

Friday

November 7

Saturday

November 8

Sunday

November 9

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

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

DCLXtra Dance

with

DCLX

Second Sunday Barn Dance*

with

Folklore Society of Greater Washington

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

Contra Dance*

with

Dancing Planet

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

Ballroom Dance*

with

Ballroom Time

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

Tango/

Milonga

Dance*

with

Tango Brillante

Wednesday

November 12

Thursday

November 13

Friday

November 14

Saturday

November 15

Sunday

November 16

International Folk Dance*

with

Dancing Planet

Blues Dance*

with

Capital Blues

Contra Dance and Occasional Squares*

with

Friday Night Dancers

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

Stardust Slow Balboa* Weekend

with

Capital City Shuffle

DanceFit:

Shake Your Soul

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

Stardust Slow Balboa* Weekend

with

Capital City Shuffle

Cajun Dance

with

Dennis Stroughmatt et L'Esprit Creole

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

Stardust Slow Balboa* Weekend

with

Capital City Shuffle

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

Waltz Dance*

with

Waltz Time

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

Tango/

Milonga

Dance*

with

Tango Brillante

Wednesday

November 19

Thursday

November 20

Friday

November 21

Saturday

November 22

Sunday

November 23

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

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

Zouk Dance*

with

District Zouk

DanceFit:

Shake Your Soul

-------------Sarau de Samba*

with

EducArte

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

Bachata y más (Bachata & more) Dance*

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

Swing Dance*

with

Gottaswing

Michael Hart's Surprise Birthday Party Dance

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

Ballroom Dance*

with

Ballroom Time

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

Tango/

Milonga

Dance*

with

Tango Brillante

Wednesday

November 26

Thursday

November 27

Friday

November 28

Saturday

November 29

Sunday

November 30

International Folk Dance*

with

Dancing Planet

NO BLUES

Contra Dance and Occasional Squares*

with

Friday Night Dancers

Swing Dance*

with

Gottaswing

Waltz Dance*

with

Waltz Time

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

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:

November 22 | January 18

Bumper Car Squares:

November 6 | December 4

Back Room Salsa Nights:

November 21 | December 19

Bachata y más:

November 22 | December 20

Cajun Dance with Dennis Stroughmatt et L'Esprit Creole: November 16

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.