Written by DCist Contributor Meghan Welsh

What originally began as a venue to expose the residents of D.C. to traditional and folk dance genres has now become an annual tradition. Today through Sunday, the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities will present the 4th D.C. Dance Festival.

Arts enthusiasts and even dance aficionados can find something new to experience at the festival — the three jam-packed days feature over 37 performances and interactive workshops, including flamenco, capoeria, belly dance, hand dancing, and Asian dance. Even better, every event is free and open to the public.

The festival has aimed to expand its offerings this year, according to Carell Kent, Arts Program Assistant for the Commission. If you’re tired of watching the dancers have all the fun, many of this year’s performances, including Saturday’s “Latin Fever” event at Jin, feature open dance floors so members of the public to join in.

“The nightclub venue is completely new,” said Kent. “We’re trying to add new locations to do something really unconventional to make this an event the D.C. community can look forward to year after year.”

The instructional event held in Dupont Circle, a favorite in past years, has been moved to Columbus Circle this year. Held on Sunday afternoon, “The Soul of Salsa” features performance and instruction by International DanceSport and Entertainment amidst the hustle and bustle in front of Union Station.

Absolutely not to be missed, according to Kent, is Saturday night’s “The Evolution of Step” at The Atlas. A collaboration of artists, including local playwright Glenn Allen, Kankouran, Lesole’s Dance Project, Nana Malaiyah, and the DC Youth Ensemble, will tell the story of the origins of step. Allen’s narrative chronicles stepping’s history back to South Africa (where the hand-clapping and stomping was used to tell stories and messages) up to modern day stepping.

See the entire schedule of events here.

Image courtesty D.C. Commission on Arts and Humanities.