September Classes are Starting Soon!

Spanish Ballroom, Glen Echo Park
7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD

September classes start Thursday, September 11 - 25 and will feature a 3-week Social Dance Sampler from 7:10 pm - 8:30 pm and an Intermediate Blues Class from 8:30 - 9:50 pm. Please check back for all the details soon!

SUNDAY BLUES DANCE
September 7

7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Spanish Ballroom, Glen Echo Park

Every time the Jamie Lynch Band plays at the Park, they knock our socks off! We are so pleased to bring them back again to usher in the cool, autumn weather and warm our souls.

Jamie Lynch, a native of Gaithersburg, MD, is turning heads with her strong and soulful voice. She studied classical music at Westminster College, but couldn't stay away from blues, R&B, and gospel music. Jamie chooses such vocal influences as Big Mama, Big Maybelle, Ella Fitzgerald, Bobby Bland, Etta James, and Susan Tedeschi, to name a few. Don't miss this grand opportunity to hear Jamie Lynch deliver great music for blues dancers - you'll love this band!

Prior to the dance, Mike & Donna will teach a 1-1/2 hour workshop from 7 - 8:30pm. During the first half hour we'll introduce some basics for those people who might not know much about the dance. The rest of the lesson will offer more challenging concepts and ideas to inspire both the experienced dancer and new dancers. Each workshop features new material, tailored to fit the level of the class. The cost of the workshop includes the dance with the Jamie Lynch Band that follows.

Cost: $17 for workshop and dance; or $12 dance only starting at 8:30pm. You do not need a partner. Tickets sold at the door. To volunteer and get in free contact Donna (dbarker@glenechopark.org).

SUNDAY BLUES DANCE
September 21

Melanie Mason Band

7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Spanish Ballroom, Glen Echo Park

NEWS FLASH: We have just received word that Melanie Mason will play for our Sunday Blues Dance at Glen Echo Park on Sunday, September 21. Not only is this a first appearance for Melanie Mason at Glen Echo Park, her popularity and exceptional musical talent make this a dance you can't miss!

One of the few female lead guitarists in the Northeast region, Melanie Mason continues to expand her popularity on the indie blues-rock scene as electric guitarist, vocalist and songwriter for the Melanie Mason Band. She also excels as a solo traditional acoustic blues artist, specializing in Delta and Piedmont-style country blues.

Says Richard Harrington of the Washington Post:

Mason is a triple threat as singer, guitarist and songwriter, and she's able to hold her own in both band and solo settings.

Among her many awards are the following:

• Featured lead guitarist in 2003 Emmy award-winning PBS WETA-TV ads promoting Martin Scorsese's "The Blues" film series. Check it out here!
• Solo finalist (1 of 6 selected nationwide) in the 2007 Telluride, CO Acoustic Blues Competition
• Voted Best Blues Band by readers in Music Monthly's 2007 Readers' Poll of 90,000+ D.C. and Baltimore readers, plus a Best Acoustic Artist honorable mention
• Numerous nominations for Best Blues Instrumentalist award and Best Blues Band, WAMA
• Winner of the 2001, 2004 and 2005 Best Blues Recording Award for Bendin' the Blues, Lonesome Is I and Live at Blues Alley, WAMA
• Winner of the 2003 D.C. Blues Society's International Blues Challenge band competition

Prior to the dance, Mike & Donna will teach a 1-1/2 hour workshop from 7 - 8:30pm. During the first half hour we'll introduce some basics for those people who might not know much about the dance. The rest of the lesson will offer more challenging concepts and ideas to inspire both the experienced dancer and new dancers. Each workshop features new material, tailored to fit the level of the class. The cost of the workshop includes the dance with the Melanie Mason Band that follows.

Cost: $17 for workshop and dance; or $12 dance only starting at 8:30pm. You do not need a partner. Tickets sold at the door. To volunteer and get in free contact Donna (dbarker@glenechopark.org).