Dancin’ Up a Storm in Bethesda

Bethesda, Maryland is fast becoming one of the most desirable suburban locations in the Washington, D.C. metro area. With a wide array of restaurants, art galleries, bookstores, movie theatres and other amenities in its downtown area, it attracts a steady stream of visitors from Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia, as well as from locations outside the metro area.

Through the efforts of the Bethesda Urban Partnership, along with other civic groups and entities, there’s a real movement afoot to create a true sense of community among Bethesda’ s residents. During the summer, for example, free musical concerts take place at a number of locations around town. One of the most popular is the dance concert which takes place
every Friday night between six and nine o’clock in the plaza next to the Grand Hyatt hotel.

Each week’s concert features a different local band . Playing for three hours, with short intermissions around seven and eight o’clock, the musicians generally succeed in creating a sound that invites residents to get on their feet and dance. The repertoire offered by most bands consists of popular mainstream music, including Motown favorites, swing, boogie woogie, and sentimental standards. Not surprisingly, one of the perennial favorites heard over and over again as the series runs its course each summer is Glenn Miller’, whose “In the Mood” and “String of Pearls” rank as all-time favorites.

Attending a concert can be a terrific way to end the work week. The event can serve also as a pleasant social occasion for retirees eager to add variety to their lives. As for young homemakers who have been cooped up with the kids all week, they can enjoy a fun-filled evening with their spouse, getting a new lease on life. In short, whatever the age of people in the crowd, the dance concert offers something of value for everyone.

Each week’s concert usually draws a good-sized crowd. The plaza can easily accommodate a couple hundred people. Around the dance floor area, there are benches, as well as tables and chairs, where spectators can laugh and talk as they listen to the band and observe the action on the dance floor.

Located directly above the Bethesda metro stop, at the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue, Old Georgetown Road, and East-West Highway, the plaza can be easily reached by car or public transportation. Nearby parking lots offer discounted pricing for those attending the dance concert. There are also several convenient places to eat before, during or after each concert, including The Daily Grill and Morton’s (which are located in the Hyatt itself).

Anyone wishing to know the precise schedule of performers for this year’s series of concerts can obtain additional information by calling 301.652. 4988. That’s the number to call also if it looks as if bad weather may cause the cancelllation of a concert.

This year, the dance conceret series runs through September 2. Keep on dancin’, Bethesda!