Dancing on the Waterfront brings bigger crowds than ever to Georgetown

As this season of D.C.’s Dancing on the Waterfront summer series concludes, Georgetown has seen an increased turnout, and organizers say they plan to bring the weekly dance lessons back next summer.

When the collaboration between DOTW and the Georgetown Business Improvement District first began three years ago, it had about 100 attendees at each biweekly session. Now, DOTW creator and host Morris Jackson said crowds can grow to about 300 people each Tuesday night.

Debbie Young, events director at the Georgetown BID added that that event attendance operates on a rolling basis, bringing in about 100 to 200 people for every hour of the 3-hour event, hosted near the fountain on K Street Northwest.

“I feel like it keeps growing every year, and it’s just, I think it helps show that Georgetown’s a great place to be,” said Young.

This summer’s season ends on Sept. 29.

DOTW was created and is hosted by Morris Jackson, who started dancing following his retirement from an administrative position at American University. All of DOTW’s dance lessons are free to attend, and focus on a new style every week, tailored to beginners.

“We create a vibe, okay? They’re not just dancing, they are socializing,” said Jackson.

He added that an increase in demand resulted in more classes being added to the rotation. In addition to its Georgetown events, DOTW hosts classes at the Wharf in Southwest and in Rockville, Maryland. DOTW had already been holding events in Georgetown on Saturdays prior to their partnership with the BID, and continues to do so, said Young.

What started as a shared goal of DOTW and the BID to cross-promote with both of their social media audiences has grown into the creation of the DOTW summer series hosted on Tuesdays, Young said.

When DOTW began, it offered Latin and African dancing but has expanded since the organization’s partnership with the BID to include line dancing and swing, said Young. Dance styles taught at the classes include bachata, salsa, kizomba, zouk, and hip hop.

DOTW and the BID’s aim, she added, is to make the event as welcoming as possible to people of all backgrounds. The event does not require tickets or registration, and there are no required fees or donations.

Jackson said he sources the dance instructors and DJs and collaborates with the BID to determine the class schedule.

Unlike Jackson’s other installments of DOTW, which are self-funded by Jackson and supplemented by attendee donations, the BID covers the costs of putting on the Tuesday night events. Including the price of permits, insurance, instructors, DJs, and advertising, a 10-week season costs the BID about $7,000 , said Young.

But the cost to host these events is worth it, as the Dancing on the Waterfront summer series has increased Georgetown’s foot traffic, Young noted.

“It’s an opportunity for us to get people back into Georgetown who maybe haven’t been here in a while and see that there are a lot of offerings, from small businesses to international retail,” said Young.

People who haven’t visited the waterfront in a while are enticed by the event to refamiliarize themselves with the area, she said. She added that the Tuesday evening events are also bringing in first-time visitors and draw attention to local businesses.

Attendees of the event said that events like this are crucial to building community.

Dance classes can be expensive, but DOTW gives people a chance to learn new skills and participate in their community without a cost barrier, said first-time participant Mehrzad Van Gieson, a software engineer.

He added that free community events provide exposure and face to face connection.

Ingela Rundquist, a digital organizing director at the Virginia Democratic Party, agreed.

Finding connection is harder than ever in the age of social media, said Rundquist. She added that people have become isolated in their online “bubbles,” and DOTW is a way for her to meet new people.

“Every time I go out, I try to dance with somebody new, and it’s just really special,” Rundquist.

More information on its location and time can be found on the Georgetown BID website, or on DOTW’s Instagram page, @dotw_dmv.