Dane Dances Announces "A Season of Togetherness"

posted July 21, 2023 – 11:45am

2023 Dane Dances! - Every Friday in August

Dane Dances is enthusiastically kicking off its 24th season, "A Season of Togetherness," on Friday, August 4 from 5:30 to 9:30 pm. New this year they'll engage the audience with DJ Francis Medrano and free dance lessons starting at 5:30 pm each week. This year Dane Dances is celebrating the contributions of all those who are making our community great. Opening night is “Show Your Colors Night,” and you're encouraged to dress to represent your company, club, church, country, Greek organization, non-profit, school, and/or profession. Dane Dances is celebrating what we bring to the community and we want everyone to feel welcome at our events! No tickets are needed or required.

Friday, August 4: The Associates Band at 6 pm & Mike Dangeroux Orchestra at 8 pm

Get up with two of the Midwest’s best diverse dance bands from the Chicagoland area. The Associates Band will keep the night going with their high energy smooth dance jams with a taste of funk. Continue to jam the night away with one of the Midwest's best international performing R&B, pop and vocal dance bands. The Mike Dangeroux Orchestra performs a variety of genres and top hits with original work. He has been hailed as one of the top guitarists in the world.

Friday, August 11: Orquesta SalSoul Del Mad at 6 pm and Luisito Rosario at 8 pm

Get down with Madison’s premiere Latin-soul band, Orquesta SalSoul Del Mad. They bring together the fire of Latin rhythm and the groove of soul with English lyrics. Continue the rhythm through the night with Luisito Rosario, an international recording salsa artist with a high energy style of Latin music. Luisito Rosario was the lead vocalist with the legendary Larry Harlow of the Fania All-Stars fame orchestra for 23 years in New York City. You do not want to miss this show!

Friday, August 18:  BBI at 6 pm and VO5 at 8 pm

Get together with an entertainment phenomenon energizing audiences around the globe with universal crowd appeal, BBI. Then enjoy the inferno of disco rhythm and the groove of funky soul with Madison’s favorite dance band, VO5!

Friday, August 25th:  Aurra & Slave at 6 pm and Angel Melendez & the 911 Mambo Orchestra at 8 pm

Get out, get up, and all the way down with three headlining international performing artists! Aurra is an American 80s soul group that is an offshoot of the funk band Slave. The group found success with hits “Are you Single” and “Make up Your Mind.” And keep feeling the funk with Slave with Old School Funk,Chicago’s best show and dance band. Cap off the night with Angel Melendez and the 911 Mambo Orchestra, a salsa, mambo and Latin jazz band from Chicago that is among the country’s best. The ensemble achieved national attention in 2005 when their debut album was nominated for Best Traditional Tropical Latin Album at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards.

Rain Back- Up: In the event of inclement weather Dane Dances! will be held inside at Monona Terrace on August 4,11, and 25 and at Alliant Energy Center August 18 (with free parking at Alliant Energy Center).

Important Security Information:

All bags will be checked by a security representative. This includes: food bags, food coolers, chair bags, etc. Guests should be prepared to open their bags for inspection and may be asked by a security representative to shift and possibly remove contents. Contactless walk-thru security screenings will be in place. For the safety of everyone at Dane Dances, all persons will walk through a metal detector or be screened with a hand-held metal detector to search for prohibited items (no weapons or alcohol allowed).

Dane Dances thanks all of our sponsors, friends and volunteers that enable us to continue the local tradition of free, family-friendly music, dancing, and community spirit each Friday in August on the Monona Terrace rooftop! This year we are inviting and reaching out to all ethnic groups, associations and businesses to help us connect and have everyone feel the welcoming “MAGIC” of Dane Dances!

To volunteer: https://signup.com/go/zmknhxy
To sponsor: https://danedances.org/sponsors.php