• Two images on green background with white text; image of young girl dancing with parent in front of other dancers of all ages; image of two couples dancing

    SOCIAL DANCE FREE-FOR-ALL

    Saturday, August 31 & Sunday, September 1, 2024  |  Bumper Car Pavilion

    The Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture is pleased to present a family-friendly Social Dance FREE-for-All over Labor Day Weekend!

    Join us for two days of FREE social dances – with live music – and get a taste of a variety of different dance styles! Join us from 12pm to 6pm each day. 

    Short beginner lessons will be included in each dance session, and all dances are open to people of any skill level! No partner required.

    SCHEDULE

    SATURDAY, August 31 

    12:00pm - 2:30pm

    Hoedown: Square Dance & Contra Dance
    Caller: Janine Smith
    Music: Meghan Mette, Joshua Lenes, Kai Knorr

    3:30pm - 6:00pm

    Cuban Son and Casino with DC Casineros
    Music: Son Cubano Subterraneo

    SUNDAY, September 1

    12:00pm - 2:30pm

    Brazilian Dance with EducArte
    Music: Pablo Regis Band

    3:30pm - 6:00pm

    Irish Ceili with Culkin School of Traditional Irish Dance
    Caller: Sean Culkin
    Music: Lilt

    Dance descriptions are below. 
     

    RSVP 


    RSVP preferred, not required. There is no check-in at this event.

    In between dance sessions, be sure to check out the 53rd Annual Labor Day Art Show in the Spanish Ballroom, 12:00pm - 6:00pm!

     

     

    DANCE DESCRIPTIONS

    Hoedown: Square Dances & Contra Dances

    Square dancing and Contra dancing are lively social dance forms where you and a partner get to dance with other people too. Haven’t ever square danced or maybe the last time was in elementary school? YOU can do this!

    All dances will be taught – expert caller Janine Smith will have you do-si-do-ing and swinging your partner in no time flat. Although many of the movements are similar, square dances are done in “squares” of eight people, whereas contra dances are done in long lines down the floor.

    No partner or experience necessary when you arrive; we just recommend bringing comfortable shoes and a bottle of water.

    Cuban Son and Casino

    DC Casineros will introduce a wide array of Cuban popular dances and structures that are also rooted in Afro-Cuban, Afro-Caribbean, and French/English contradances. Participants will be able to connect group dances from different traditions, including Rueda de Casino, Son, Rumba and more!

    Brazilian Dance

    Join EducArte for their colorful, lively, energetic offering of a Carnival-style Brazilian dance party! They know how to make it easy and fun.

    Irish Ceili

    A Ceili includes group dances for all, in lines, circles and squares in the Irish American tradition. Learn from and with special guests from the Culkin School of  Traditional Irish Dance!

     

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