Cost: Free

Organizer: Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs

What to expect: Group dance instruction in everything from ballroom to country line dancing on a 3,500 square foot open-air floor at the Spirit of Music Garden in Grant Park. Check the events page for upcoming sessions, or visit the official website.

Why to go: It's better than embarrassing yourself at the next wedding you attend. A diverse crowd dives into each lesson, so be prepared to meet some new people while you learn.

Additional info: Don't worry, it's not all about class. After the lessons, live bands play until the wee hours (10 p.m.!) so you can practice what you've learned. Food and beverages are available for purchase at the SummerDance Grill, and if you need to take a rest, there's seating, too.

Can't get to Grant Park for some reason? Summerdance will do some touring again this year, at several parks and at Navy Pier. The full schedule of off-site events is below:

Athletic Field Park (3546 W. Addison)
July 15
6–7 p.m.: Miguel Mendez (Salsa, Merengue, Bachata)
7–9 p.m.: Samuel del Real y su Orquesta (Tropical Salsa)

August 5
6–7 p.m.: Nicolle Gifford (Fox-trot)
7–9 p.m.: Thomas Gunther Jazz Band (Classic Swing)

Humboldt Park Boathouse (1359 N. Sacramento)
July 1
6–7 p.m.: Miguel Mendez (Salsa, Merengue, Bachata)
7–9 p.m.: Grupo Kaña (Tropical Salsa)

July 22
6–7 p.m.: AfriCaribe (Puerto-Rican Bomba)
7–9 p.m.: Bombazo: AfriCaribe, Grupo Yuba and Nuestro Tambo (Afro-Puerto Rican Jam Session)

August 12
6–7 p.m.: Passistas Samba Dance Group (Samba)
7–9 p.m.: Swing Brasileiro (Brazilian Samba)

Jackson Park 63rd Street Beach (6300 S. Lake Shore)
July 8
6–7 p.m.: Urban Vibes (Salsa, Cha-Cha)
7–9 p.m.: Orquesta Iluziones (Classic Salsa)

July 29
6–7 p.m.: Margot McGraw-Toppen & Riley Wilmes Jr. (East Coast Swing)
7–9 p.m.: The Boilermaker Jazz Band (Authentic Swing and Jazz)

August 19
6–7 p.m.: Majestic Gents (Chicago Steppin')
7–9 p.m.: The Steve Butler Movement (Chicago Steppin')

Washington Park (5531 S. King)
September 2
6–7 p.m.: Kimosha P. Murphy (African Diaspora Dance)
7–9 p.m.: Occidental Brothers Dance Band International (African Soukous Highlife)

Navy Pier

June 17
6–6:45 p.m.: Arthur Murray Dance Center (Salsa)
7:30–10 p.m.: Orquesta La Crema (Hard-Core Afro–Puerto Rican Salsa)

July 22
6–6:45 p.m.: Dawud Shareef & Lura Satterfield (Steppin')
7:30–10 p.m.: The Nu Blu Band (R&B, Steppin')

August 19
6–6:45 p.m.: Tommye Giacchino & Gregory Day (East Coast Swing)
7:30–10 p.m.: Outcast Jazz Band (Big Band Swing)

Centerstage Reviewer: Ben Rubenstein