DANCE AT GLEN ECHO PARK
Celebrating 90+ Years of the Historic Spanish Ballroom!
Dance Into the Future with Us!
Glen Echo Park has three unique dance venues that host our weekly social dances: Spanish Ballroom, Bumper Car Pavilion, and Ballroom Back Room. The historic Spanish Ballroom proudly celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2023, and it is on the National Register of Historic Places.
- General Information
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Our fun and affordable social dances are open to the public with no prior experience and no partner required. New dancers are always welcome, and a pre-dance, introductory lesson is included with admission. Most dances feature live music by renowned local and national bands.
Dances take place year-round and occur regularly on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Frequently, two or three different dances are presented at the same time, one in each dance hall, offering greater variety to the public. (View the Dance Calendar below!)
- Dance Styles
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Currently, we're presenting dances in these styles:
Blues • Contra & Square • Swing • Folk • Waltz • Tango & Milonga • Ballroom • Zouk • Barn Dances • Balboa • Other Latin Dances
View Dance Calendar View the Monthly Dance Newsletter
Special Partnership Dances!
- HONKY TONK DANCE WITH DEDE & THE DO-RIGHTS (Friday, June 19, 2026)
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Enjoy an evening of live music at a Honky Tonk Dance with Dede & the Do-Rights, presented by Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts & Culture. A free beginner lesson in two step included with admission, led by Diana Nevills from the Church of Honky Tonk.
Dede & the Do-Rights is a Baltimore-based band featuring Dede Wyland that plays a mix of vintage country and early rock 'n' roll, often described as "Rock 'n' Roots Country". Known for high-energy, danceable performances, they are a staple in the local honky-tonk scene.
Schedule
7:30pm -8:00pm || Beginner Two Step Lesson
8:00pm - 10:30pm || Dancing with the band
Tickets
Discounted Advance Tickets ($22) || Online Only || Advance sales end at 11:59 pm on Thursday, June 18
Same-Day Tickets ($27) || Online or at the door (Cash, Check, or Credit Card) || Doors open at 7:00pm on Friday, June 19
All sales final.
- SALSA & BACHATA Y MÁS! (Monthly | Upcoming: Friday, June 19, 2026)
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Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts & Culture presents Salsa & Bachata y más!, a new dance series, combining our Back Room Salsa Nights and Bachata y más dances into one dance! Come experience sizzling hot Salsa and the magic of all styles of Bachata in this special night of Latin Dance.
- BUMPER CAR SQUARES (Monthly | Upcoming: Sunday, July 5, 2026)
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Join us for square dancing at Glen Echo Park! Do-si-do and swing your partner at an afternoon Bumper Car Squares dance. We'll start out with a square dance intro lesson for all skill levels from 2:45pm - 3pm. Then, caller Caroline Barnes will lead a rousing square dance to live music from Strings on Wings! The band will play from 3pm - 5:30pm so get ready for big square dancing fun that still gets you home early.
No partner or special attire required. Shoes with backs are recommended (no flip flops).
No need to worry about the weather! This dance takes place in the climate-controlled Ballroom Back Room.
Mark your calendar for 2026!
July 5 | August 2 | September 6 | October 4 | November 1 | December 6
Tickets
Discounted Advance Tickets || $12/adults (Online only) || Sales end at 11:59pm the night before the dance
Same-Day Tickets || $15/adult (Online or at the door), $5/teen (At the door only), FREE for ages 12 and under (At the door only) || Cash, check, or credit cardAll sales final.
- HONKY TONK DANCE WITH KAREN COLLINS & THE BACKROADS BAND (Friday, July 17, 2026)
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Enjoy an evening of live music at a Honky Tonk Dance with Karen Collins & the Backroads Band, presented by Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts & Culture. 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.
Schedule
7:30pm -8:00pm || Beginner Two Step Lesson
8:00pm - 10:30pm || Dancing with the band
Tickets
Discounted Advance Tickets ($22) || Online Only || Advance sales end at 11:59 pm on Thursday, July 16
Same-Day Tickets ($27) || Online or at the door (Cash, Check, or Credit Card) || Doors open at 7:00pm on Friday, July 17
Dual Dance Ticket ($40) || Includes 7/17/26 Honky Tonk Dance with Karen Collins & the Backroads Band and 8/21/26 Honky Tonk Dance with Agalisiga Mackey || Purchase Dual Dance Ticket >>
Same-Day Dual Dance Ticket ($45) || Online or at the door (Cash, Check, or Credit Card) || Online sales end at 6:00pm on Friday, July 17, at the door sales available at check in table
All sales final.
- HONKY TONK DANCE WITH AGALISIGA MACKEY & A FULL COUNTRY BAND (Friday, August 21, 2026)
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Agalisiga "The Chuj" Mackey is a Cherokee singer/songwriter who grew up in the small traditional Cherokee community of Kenwood, OK. Mackey melds a classic country and blues sound drawn from Jimmy Rodgers and R.L. Burnside with his deep baritone voice honed from his upbringing in singing Cherokee ceremonial songs. In a short time, the 21-year-old father of two has grown from covering vintage tunes down at the creek to performing on big stages around the Midwest while cultivating a growing audience among country western fans and Native Americans alike. Audiences are universally intrigued to hear the Cherokee language sung in this mode and captivated by Mackey's authentic folksy presence on stage. Outside of his music, he is a language and culture educator at the Cherokee Immersion Charter School, where he teaches children from Pre-K to 8th grade both ceremonial songs and contemporary Cherokee music.
Country music that sounds like it was written in the 70's and is sung in Cherokee.
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.
Schedule
7:30pm -8:00pm || Beginner Two Step Lesson
8:00pm - 10:30pm || Dancing with the band
Tickets
Discounted Advance Tickets ($22) || Online Only || Advance sales end at 11:59 pm on Thursday, August 20
Same-Day Tickets ($27) || Online or at the door (Cash, Check, or Credit Card) || Doors open at 7:00pm on Friday, August 21
Advance Dual Dance Ticket ($40) || Includes 7/17/26 Honky Tonk Dance with Karen Collins & the Backroads Band and 8/21/26 Honky Tonk Dance with Agalisiga Mackey || Online Only || Advance sales end at 11:59pm on Thursday, July 16 || Purchase Dual Dance Ticket >>
Same-Day Dual Dance Ticket ($45) || Online or at the door (Cash, Check, or Credit Card) || Online sales end at 6:00pm on Friday, August 21, at the door sales available at check in table
All sales final.
- SARAU DE SAMBA (Monthly | Upcoming: Sunday, September 20, 2026)
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“Vem Pra Perto da Gente Sambar!” (Come Samba With Us!) — Luiz Carlos Da Vila
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Experience the exuberant and community-centered tradition of samba at EducArte’s Sarau de Samba, a monthly celebration of Afro-Brazilian culture in the heart of the DMV. Renowned local Brazilian performers Pablo Regis, André Coelho, and Mariana Triginelli lead the Rio de Janeiro style music and dance event. Samba is an interactive experience and we invite you to join the Sarau de Samba.
Set in the historic Glen Echo Park, Sarau de Samba features a dynamic ensemble of skilled musicians and dancers, showcasing the diverse rhythms of samba, from Golden Age classics and choro to modern pagode and high-energy carnival beats. More than just a performance, this event invites attendees to become part of the music, with opportunities to dance, sing, and even play instruments alongside the professionals. Each session starts with a beginner dance lesson. The event is open to people of any skill level, no partner or instruments required.
Sarau de Samba is presented by the region’s premier Brazilian performing arts presenter EducArte in partnership with Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts & Culture. Glen Echo Park is a family friendly venue and park that offers free parking and is easily accessible by public transportation. Food and drink are for sale. This family-friendly event offers a welcoming space for all ages and backgrounds to come together.
Join us monthly for an afternoon of rhythm, dance, and community. Sarau de Samba isn’t just an event; it’s a living, breathing celebration of Brazilian identity and the unifying power of music. Don’t miss this chance to experience the authentic spirit of Brazil right here in Maryland!
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“Vem Pra Perto da Gente Sambar!” — Luiz Carlos Da Vila
A EducArte lhe convida para nosso Sarau de Samba, uma roda de samba mensal que celebra a rica tradição do samba que acontece no coração da região do DMV. A roda é comandada pelos músicos Pablo Regis e André Coelho e dançarina Mariana Triginelli. O samba é uma mágica manifestação popular e contamos com você.
Realizado no histórico centro cultural Glen Echo Park, o Sarau de Samba reúne músicos, dançarinos e o público num ambiente amistoso e contagiante. O evento é aberto a pessoas de qualquer nível de habilidade, sem necessidade de trazer um parceiro de dança ou instrumentos.
Sarau de Samba é apresentado pela produtora EducArte em parceria com o Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts & Culture. O Glen Echo Park é um parque histórico e um ambiente excelente para famílias. Glen Echo Park oferece estacionamento gratuito e é de fácil acesso por transporte público. Comidas e bebidas estão à venda.
Junte-se a nós mensalmente para uma tarde de música, dança e comunidade que celebra nossas tradições e o poder da música em nos unir.
Partnership-presented Dance Performance
- CUEVA FLAMENCA DE GLEN ECHO (Saturday, June 27, 2026)
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Cueva Flamenca de Glen Echo — an intimate Flamenco performance!
Step into Cueva Flamenca de Glen Echo, an immersive tablao‑style evening inspired by the legendary caves of Sacromonte. Featuring Furia Flamenca Dance Company with live music, this intimate performance draws the audience close to the artists—where every heel strike, every cry of cante, and every pulse of the guitar becomes part of a shared, electric moment.
Savor the experience with tapas and sangría available for purchase, creating the warmth and conviviality of a true Andalusian night.
Schedule
7:00pm - 8:30pm || Ballroom Back Room
Doors open at 6:30pm
Tickets
Discounted Advance Tickets ($25) || Online Only || Advance sales end at 11:59 pm on Friday, June 26
Same-Day Tickets ($30) || Online or at the door (Cash, Check, or Credit Card)
All sales final.
Partnership Dance/Fitness Series:
- DANCEFIT FOR BODY & MIND (Weekly on Saturdays)
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Join us for a dance series designed to keep your body moving and your spirits up! Meeting in either the Ballroom Back Room or the Hall of Mirrors.
More DanceFit Information
Dance for Parkinson's Disease:
- DANCE FOR PD® (Weekly on Wednesdays)
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In partnership with Dance for PD (Parkinson's Disease), the Glen Echo Park Partnership presents a pilot Dance for PD® class series at Glen Echo Park. Classes are FREE for participants, care partners, and family members thanks to the support of the program's donors.
More Dance for PD® Information
Sign Up (Preferred, not required)
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
Want to learn more about upcoming dances at Glen Echo Park? Join our email list!
Social Dances Email List:
Receive the Park's monthly dances spotlight. | Sign Up >>
Dance & Music Email List:
Receive the Park's weekly e-newsletter, the monthly dances spotlight, and emails about upcoming dance & music events. | Sign Up >>
Learn about the history of the Spanish Ballroom
- Watch this short video
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Watch this short video to learn about the history of the Spanish Ballroom!
- Learn more about the ballroom and the history of the Park
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To visit our Park History page, click here >>
Volunteer for Glen Echo Park Partnership 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!
Organize an event at Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture
Are you a presenter who would like to organize a one-time event or recurring event at Glen Echo Park?
Email Emily Crews, Dance and Events Program Director: ecrews@glenechopark.org
You can check the venues’ availability here. And if you don’t know our spaces yet, find their descriptions here.
LOST AN ITEM ON A VISIT TO THE PARK?
Lost & found is in the Partnership office, and you may pick up/check for lost items during office hours: Monday - Saturday, 10:00am - 6:00pm (Closed on Sundays)
While we weren't able to be together in the Park during the height of the pandemic, we enjoyed bringing you some of your favorite dance bands who performed for our Live from the Spanish Ballroom virtual music series. The performances are on Youtube, so have fun watching and dancing along!
Learn More & Watch on YouTube
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