Thursday Classes at Glen Echo
Sunday Blues at Glen Echo Park, MD
Swingin' the Blues at Glen Echo
Friday Swing Dances at Glen Echo Park
Wednesday Classes at K2, MD
Directions to Classes and Dances
Contact Me

Come to the Dance at Retroville!

Saturday, May 17, 9:30 - 11:30 pm
Spanish Ballroom, Glen Echo Park
7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD

Retroville is the 1950s theme for the 2008 Gala in the Park to benefit the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture. Join us for an exquisite evening with:

  • dancing to the Daryl Davis Band
  • dance performances with Markus Smith and Deonna Ball
  • dance performances with M & D's fabulous Youth Team, the MVPs
  • a dessert buffet, and
  • free carousel rides

Tickets are just $20, and you can reserve your ticket by calling 301.634.2255 and ordering on the phone using a major credit card. On the night of the event, go to "Will Call" at the Bumper Car Pavilion after 9:15 pm. The doors open at the Ballroom at 9:30 pm. Download a copy of the full details here.

You love to dance at Glen Echo Park, so please join us for a fun night of dance while you support our annual Gala fundraiser. All proceeds benefit the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts & Culture and help keep all our programs, including our dances, alive and well.



New Classes Start June 5

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

Intermediate Folk Waltz
Thursdays, June 5 - 26, 7 – 8pm

The only thing better than the sight of the Spanish Ballroom packed with couples spinning around each other is being a part of it! This class teaches the footwork, rhythm and counter-balance of folk waltz and plenty of moves to add variety. You’ll have the skills to waltz confidently in any setting. No partner required. 4 weeks, $40 (see registration information below).

Intermediate Swing: Next Steps
Thursdays, June 5 - 26, 8 – 9pm

There's more to swing dancing than 6-count pass-bys and tuck-turns. Move up to 8-count moves, swingouts and Lindy figures, and gain the experience that helps you express the music in your dancing. Recommended for students who know basic 6-count footwork. This class can be taken with the Beginning Lindy class at 9 pm the same night. The classes work well together. No partner required. 4 weeks, $40 (see registration information below).

A Taste of Tango for Blues Dancers
Thursdays, June 5 - 26, 9 – 10pm

Use the technique and styling of Argentine Tango to add a new dimension to your slow blues dancing. This class offers basic tango concepts and moves that can be directly applied to blues improvisation. An excellent way to improve your ability to lead/follow while developing a keen musical sense and appreciation for the nuances in blues and tango music. No partner/experience required. 4 weeks, $40 (see registration information below).

*Reg. Fee: You should register on one form all the Glen Echo classes you intend to take. That way, you will pay the registration fee only ONCE, for a single charge of $10. Pre-register online or call 301-634-2226. You can also register at the door on June 5 (please arrive 10 minutes earlier to register at the door). Registration forms are here.



FRIDAY SWING DANCE
May 23

8:00 p.m. - Midnight
Bumper Car Pavilion
Glen Echo Park

The Boilermakers pack the hall everytime they visit us at Glen Echo Park, so you don't want to miss another great night of dance! Band-leader Paul Cosentino, singer Jennie Luvv, and all the crew of the Boilermaker Jazz Band deliver a fabulous night of music for your dancing pleasure. Voted "Best Jazz Band" in 2003 by the Pittsburgh City Paper, this ecstatically fun band performs authentic hot jazz, ragtime, and swing with an infectious beat and an enthusiasm that thrills dancers and makes an audience swing to classic jazz standards, ballads and blues. Enjoy exciting solos from each of the band's musicians extraordinaire:

  • Paul Cosentino, clarinet
  • Jennie Luvv, singer
  • Mark Kotision, piano
  • Ernest McCarty, bass
  • Dan Davisson, banjo
  • Gerard Gagnon, trombone
  • Rich Strong, drums

An introductory Swing Dance lesson with Donna and Mike from 8 - 9 p.m. is followed by dancing until Midnight. $13 admission includes the lesson; no partner necessary. Tickets sold at the door only. To volunteer and get in free contact Donna (dbarker@glenechopark.org).



FRIDAY SWINGIN' THE BLUES
May 30

8:00 pm - Midnight
Bumper Car Pavilion
Glen Echo Park

The Idle Americans include musicians Wave Milor (harp & vocals), Matt Kelley (guitar & vocals), Mike O'Donnell (drums) and Steve "Wolf" Crescenze (bass). Wave and Wolf of ACME Blues Company "are excited about their newest project: The Idle Americans, playing traditional and newfangled blues, roots rock, rockabilly, jump and swing for your dancing pleasure. 'Live blues - that most primal and influential of American musics!' Come out and see for yourself!"

Included in the cost of the dance is your choice of either a West Coast Swing lesson with Ken Roesel, or a Slow Blues lesson with Mike & Donna from 8 - 9 pm. Either class will introduce to you the basics, and then move on to more challenging concepts.

Held in the Bumper Car Pavilion, Glen Echo National Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD. $13 admission, partner not required. Tickets sold at the door only. To volunteer and get in free contact Donna (dbarker@glenechopark.org).




SUNDAY BLUES DANCE
June 22

7:00 - 11:30 pm
Bumper Car Pavilion, Glen Echo Park

The ACME Blues Co. is back for our Sunday Blues at Glen Echo Park, and we've missed them! A high-energy electric blues band from the DC area, ACME delivers Industrial Strength Blues - Blues you can dance to!

    "Them boys can play!" - Blues Legend Pinetop Perkins, after jamming with ACME Blues Co.

The ACME Blues Company plays a mixture of traditional and contemporary blues music with an original sound that's sure to get you dancing. Known for their lively stage performance, ACME has gained a reputation for delivering highly charged and memorable performances all around Virginia, Maryland and DC. The 4-piece band features Wave Milor on harp and lead vocals, Steve Remy's soulful and blistering electric guitar, Steve “Wolf” Crescenze on electric bass, and Chris Ruckman thumping out the rhythm on drums. The dance will feature 75% slow blues tunes and 25% swing numbers.

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 ACME Blues Co. 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).







No classes with Mike and Donna currently at K2 - please check back for listing SOON! In the meantime, enjoy Jane's and Yvonne's classes and the fabulous dance from 9pm - midnight with DJ Mike Marcotte. Visit K2 Dance for directions and more information.

Glen Echo Park events are sponsored in cooperation with the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture, Inc., the National Park Service and Montgomery County, MD