The swing dance scene in and around DC is exceptionally vibrant and has been incredibly influential on the modern global swing dance community. While we aim to offer plenty of great dancing and instruction, we also want you to take advantage of all the cool things that DC has to offer, and all the different organizations that offer them.
We can't possibly list everything, but here are a few things to get you started. Another great place to see what's happening is the DC Swing Dancers Facebook group, where people share information about upcoming dances, classes, and events.
Listen, you should come dance with us! You can find us every Tuesday night at the Josephine Bulter Parks Center, right across from Malcolm X/Meridian Hill Park in Northwest DC, with plenty of street parking available on 16th Street after 6:30pm. We host weekly classes for all levels (beginner to advanced) from 8pm-9pm and a social dance from 9pm until 11:30pm. Have you ever thought you might like to try swing dancing? Com on out and see us! Did we mention your first time is free? Sign up online with the voucher code FIRSTTIME.
What is blues dancing, you ask? A close cousin of the swing dancing we teaching, blues dancing makes a great accompaniment for slower swing tunes, traditional blues music, and more modern musical styles, too. Capital Blues offers great weekly blues dancing in the back room of Glen Echo's Spanish Ballroom. They also offer frequent workshops, plus an annual "Red Hot Blues and BBQ" weekend that's, well, red hot!
With regular dances Mondays and Fridays and occasionally Saturday nights, Mobtown Ballroom in Baltimore offers the most regular nights of dancing in the greater DC area. Their beautiful converted church makes a fitting place to dance, with a fabulous bar onsite for when you need to recharge. They also offer Lindy Hop classes and a variety of non-swing dance classes such as aerial silks and acrobatics, and they host occasional weekend events. You'll find frequent DC dancers making the Friday pilgrimage up to Mobtown on a regular basis, so ask around and see what's happening!
No one teaches more classes and runs more regular events in the DC area than Gottaswing. They've got classes several nights of the week, regular dances out in Northern Virginia, and also frequent dances at Glen Echo. Check out their calendar to learn more!
It's no secret that Glen Echo Park offers one of the best historic ballrooms for dancing in the country. But did you know that Glen Echo hosts regular swing dances hosted by a variety of organizations around the DC area? You will find everything from local favorites to internationally renowned dance bands, and we try to host our own New Columbia Special nights several times per year as well. You will want to bookmark the Glen Echo dance calendar, for sure!
DCLX, held every spring at Glen Echo's Spanish Ballroom and other spots around DC, is arguably the single best weekend social dancing-focused swing event in the country and maybe even the world. Its priority of providing high-quality live music draws dancers from all over. And because their dedication to bringing live music to DC is so great, they also regularly host Saturday night dances at Glen Echo throughout the year, too!