ABOUT THE CLUB

The Capital Country Dance Club is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization which got its start in the Fall of 2003 when a small group of country/western dancers were discussing the difficulty of finding a fun and friendly place to try out their favorite steps. Large dance spaces with a good mix of music were hard to come by. And there were other issues; courtesy on the dance floor, the need for a smoke-free environment, and the desire for lessons and workshops were just a few. After seeing what other gay and lesbian dance clubs had achieved throughout the country the group decided to give it a try.

The club has grown since then and throughout 2006 will be hosting a dance on the first Saturday of every month at de Lounge in Wheaton, Maryland. It also sponsors a series of dance lessons and workshops on a continuing basis at close-in locations within the D.C. area. In addition, the club is a proud member of the International Association of Gay/Lesbian Country Western Dance Clubs (IAGLCWDC).

MISSION STATEMENT

The Capital Country Dance Club is a diverse group of people whose mission is to promote country/western dancing where everyone is welcome. We are dedicated to creating a fun and friendly danceable environment where lead/follow roles are not gender-defined. We welcome all dancers at any level and seek to provide opportunities for dance skill enhancement through weekly classes, workshops, monthly dances and more.

GOALS AND PHILOSOPHY

  • Capital Country Dance Club is an all-inclusive, primarily GLBT, country/western dance association with learning and dancing activities organized in the Washington DC capital region.
  • We welcome all persons without regard to age, race, sex, gender or gender identity, religion, national or cultural origin, sexual orientation, or disability.
  • Participants are encouraged and given opportunities to diversify and improve their dance skills through lessons and workshops taught by qualified instructors.
  • Participants are given supportive environments in which they are enabled to learn and practice dance lead and/or follow roles regardless of gender.
  • Currently, the dances promoted by the club are progressive two-step, country waltz, east coast swing, west coast swing, country cha cha, nightclub two-step, country polka, and triple two-step, as well as selected line and pattern dances.
  • The club advocates harmony on the dance floor, including division of the floor for multiple dances, observance of courtesy toward each other at all times, and dancing in control.
  • The club seeks to establish regular social events with venues that will enhance the dance experience for its members, such as suitable floor size and surface, non-smoking in the dance area, prescribed music mixes, and announced dances.
  • The club is a member of an internationally established parent organization known as the International Association of Gay/Lesbian Country Western Dance Clubs (IAGLCWDC), and will operate as a non-profit organization.