Friday Night Dancers since 1974
Brief History of the Friday Night Dance at Glen Echo
By Dennis Tolliver
The Friday Night Dance (FND) traces its roots to 1974 in the DC area, after starting in the City and moving to Glen Echo in 1981. It is the largest Contra dance in the DMV area, and one of the largest Contra dances that meets on a weekly basis in the United States. Contra dancers, callers, and bands from around the world have danced in Glen Echo.
Contra Dance’s origins come from a mix of English Country, French folk dancing, and American Squares. The dance borrows moves from other dances like Swing, and is influenced by New England and Southern folk dancing. Folk schools and dances in such places as Brasstown, NC; Berea, KY; Brattleboro, VT; and others preserved and promoted the dance and the music associated with it. Washington, DC was in the middle, geographically speaking, and became a mixing bowl of people from everywhere. This mixing provided a fertile ground for Contra Dance to take root in the DC area.
In 1932, Glen Echo began as an amusement park and dance venue. The Bumper Car ride pavilion was converted so that it could also be used for dancing. The FND community provided labor and contributed to the funding to renovate both the Spanish Ballroom and the Bumper Car pavilion over the years. Dances are held in both locations.
History Book of Friday Night Dance. You can borrow a copy to read from the Board, or purchase on Amazon
The Friday Night Dance is an all volunteer dance. It takes approximately 10 volunteers to prepare for, manage, host, and then close down after the dance. Join us in this effort! See How to Volunteer.
The first 26 years of FND history are documented in a book by Owen Kelly titled “How the Friday Night Dance Came to Glen Echo Park” (ISBN 0-9670633-2-9).
Other History:
‘Zoom’ your partner! Fans of contra and square dancing have moved online. ~ Washington Post Highlights how Friday Night Dancers dancers adapted during the COVID 19 pandemic of 2020/2021.
Activists Look Ahead On 60th Anniversary Of The Fight To Desegregate Glen Echo Park
Watch a historical video of the Glen Echo Park.
Friday Night Dancers were recognized for organizational achievement during the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture (GEPPAC) gala in 2015. A beautiful glass trophy was awarded. It’s on display in the GEPPAC offices at the Park.