I will be visiting Washington DC from Sept 21-25. Does anyone know of any good places that play good/live swing music? A place where lots of people dance? Preferably nothing outside of Alexandria- that’s as far as I’m willing to travel. Thanks!

The Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park has to be the top venue in the DC area.
The Clarendon Ballroom in Arlington, Virginia.
Chevy Chase Ballroom in Maryland.

I’ve also included some local swing dancing sites, including one with a calendar. There are a lot – swing dancing is very popular here.

Here are some things from their calendar:

Swing Dancing on Friday September 21, 2007

Tom and Debra will have dancing at Chevy Chase Ballroom. John Coccuzzi’s Swing Professors will play. Dancing from 9-12 pm, $15, and a great wood floor. CCB dancing is at 5207 Wisconsin Avenue NW in DC. This is at the corner of Wisconsin and Harrison, just south of Friendship Circle. Very metro convenient, large parking lot in back. Plenty of places to eat: Cheesecake Factory, Clydes, Maggianos, Booeymongers. An elegant civilized neighborhood
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SWING DANCES AT WASHINGTON DULLES HILTON 13869 Park Center Road (Route 28 near the airport) Gary and Sue lead the fun with a beginner lesson from 8:30-9pm, dance 9pm-12midnight to great live music, only $15! All ages welcome, and as always, you never need to bring a partner. The Rockin’ Bones will play.
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Swing Dancing on Saturday September 22, 2007

The Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo. The Jacques Johnson Band will play. Dance lesson 8-9, dance 9-midnight $12. Here are directions to the Spanish Ballroom
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Swing Dance with Daryl Davis Trio at St. Veronica’s Parish Hall, 3460 Centreville Rd., Chantilly, VA. 8:30-11:30 pm. $15 adults, $8 under age 18. (lesson 8-8:30 pm with David & Catherine Seng)
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The Grandsons will play at the Quarry House Tavern 8401 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD (Just two blocks from Silver Spring Metro) 301-587-8350 8:00 pm – 1:00 am $5 cover Smoke-free The wooden dance floor at Quarry House Tavern goes all Rockabilly every Saturday night

Swing Dancing on Sunday, September 23, 2007

LIVE MUSIC at McGinty’s SMOKE FREE Public House 911 Ellsworth Drive, Silver Spring, MD Drop-in beginner lesson 8-8:30pm; dance to The Jamie Lynch Band 8:30-10:30pm, $10 Hosted by Dabe and Janelle
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Tom and Debra have open swing dancing after their classes at ELAN (used to be the Virginia Ballroom).
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K2 dance Studio has a Sunday night dance with DJ music. See the Wednesday listing (above) for directions and other information

Swing Dancing on Monday September 24, 2007

Tom and Debra will have swing dancing to DJ music at Chevy Chase Ballroom. also
MONDAY NIGHTS SWING IN CANTON — that is, Canton the historic Baltimore neighborhood near Fells Point — every Monday, Sommer and Dorry will be hosting a swing party at the Austin Grill 2400 Boston Street, Baltimore, 410-534-0606 . They will have beginner lessons and open dancing from 9-11. $5 for dancing, $10 for dancing and lessons, plus a free 7:30 lesson for rank beginners. Give it a try!

September 25: Tom and Debra have swing dancing at Clarendon Ballroom, 3185 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington VA. The Grandsons will play. Note: Do NOT park at the Wachovia Bank lot across the street-they tow!