WesGrooves Social Dance Series

WesGrooves is a series of social dance events with a vision to create community connection through rigorous play and creative movement. Each WesGrooves event starts with an introductory dance workshop led by a visiting instructor before moving into open dancing in a joyous and party-like atmosphere to live music. No previous dance experience is necessary. Students, faculty, staff, families, and community members are encouraged to take to the dance floor together. Participants can come and go as they please—but instruction takes place at the start of the event. Light refreshments are offered. Bring your energy and your friends, get in the groove, and learn how different dances from across the world bring people together.

Check for upcoming WesGrooves events. 
2025
October September April

2025

October

WesGrooves Social Dance Series: West African Dance with Iddi Saaka [NEW TIME]
Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 5:00pm
Fries Arts Building, 56 Hamlin Street, Middletown, Connecticut
The fourth event in the new WesGrooves series of social dance events with a vision to create community connection through rigorous play and creative movement will feature a West African dance lesson from Associate Professor of Dance Iddi Saaka followed by a dance party featuring Wesleyan’s African Pop Music Band, directed by Assistant Professor of Music John Dankwa PhD ’18, as the culmination of the opening celebration of the new Fries Arts Building.

September

Navaratri Festival Student Dance Showcase: Akhil Joondeph ’26 plus WesGrooves Social Dance Series: Bollywood Dance Party
Friday, September 26, 2025 at 4:30pm
World Music Hall
An informal afternoon of dance begins with a showcase featuring choreographer and dancer Akhil Joondeph ’26. Then WesGrooves will host a gender-bending Bollywood dance party with an introductory dance lesson taught by the student South Asian dance and music group WesMalai, music curated by students, and a “Samavesha” mocktail in honor of Friday evening’s gender-bending dance performance by husband and wife Indian dance stars Srikanth Natarajan and Aswathy Srikanth. Come as you are or dress to impress. No dance experience needed.

April

WesGrooves Social Dance Series: Salsa Dancing with Las Mariquitas and Latin and Ballroom Club
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at 7:00pm
Fayerweather Beckham Hall, 55 Wyllys Avenue, Middletown, Connecticut
The second event in the new WesGrooves series of social dance events with a vision to create community connection through rigorous play and creative movement will feature a basic salsa dancing lesson from Wesleyan’s Latin and Ballroom Club from 7pm to 7:45pm, followed by a dance party with New York City's queer and trans salsa band Las Mariquitas from 8pm to 10pm.
WesGrooves Social Dance Series: Detroit Line Dancing with Kendra Bostock and DJ Monday Blue
Friday, April 11, 2025 at 7:00pm
Fayerweather Beckham Hall, 55 Wyllys Avenue, Middletown, Connecticut
The first event in the new WesGrooves series of social dance events with a vision to create community connection through rigorous play and creative movement will feature a Detroit soul line dance workshop and party guided by teaching artist and community organizer Kendra Bostock and music from Brooklyn-based DJ Monday Blue from 7pm to 10pm.