Richmond VA Dance Scene

Dance in Richmond is everywhere—on polished studio floors, in historic theaters, in public parks, and under disco balls. Whether you're looking to learn salsa, join a competitive hip-hop team, enjoy a night of ballroom dancing, or just let loose at a silent disco, Richmond has a dance scene that’s vibrant, inclusive, and full of rhythm.

Where to Dance in Richmond

The Dance Space: A hub for adult dancers in the Fan District, The Dance Space is known for its open-level classes in ballroom, swing, tango, and more. It’s popular with both beginners and experienced social dancers.

Studio Four Dance Agency: Specializing in hip-hop and competitive choreography, Studio Four helps shape the next generation of dance talent in Richmond, with programs for youth and teens.

River City Dance & Performing Arts: Located on the city’s West End, River City Dance offers classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, and contemporary styles. It serves students from toddlers to adults and is known for its supportive and welcoming atmosphere.

Fred Astaire Dance Studio: For those interested in ballroom, Latin, and swing, Fred Astaire provides both private and group lessons. The studio is great for beginners and competitive dancers alike, and often hosts social events for students to practice in a relaxed, fun environment.

Latin Nights & Socials: Richmond has a particularly strong salsa and Latin dance scene. Venues like Havana ’59, NAMA, and Aloft host weekly Latin dance nights with beginner lessons followed by open-floor salsa, bachata, and kizomba dancing. These events are energetic, inclusive, and deeply rooted in community—especially popular on Thursdays through Saturdays.

Boot Scooters: For line dancing enthusiasts, this group organizes lessons and socials through Facebook, with a regular following and a friendly vibe. They offer a rotating schedule of beginner and intermediate nights.

Virginia Tango School: Based in Midlothian, this school hosts Argentine tango classes and social dances every Friday and Sunday. It's one of the best ways to engage with tango culture in the Richmond area.

TADAMS (Traditional American Dance and Music Society): This long-standing group hosts twice-monthly contra dance events with live folk music. Events are open to all ages and typically require no partner or prior experience.

Pole and Fitness Studios: Outside the ballroom, Richmond also has movement-focused studios like Pole Pressure Richmond and Butter & Filth, which offer pole fitness, aerial arts, and sensual movement classes in a supportive and body-positive environment.

Dogtown Dance: Though no longer housed in its original Manchester location, Dogtown Dance continues to operate as a nonprofit supporting independent dancers. In 2025, it revived the Richmond Dance Festival across venues like Grace Street Theater and the Glen Allen Cultural Arts Center.

The Glen Allen Cultural Arts Center: This multipurpose venue regularly hosts dance workshops and multicultural events, including performances that feature Indian classical dance, traditional African movement, and Latin fusion.

Dance Colleges and Companies

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is home to one of the top dance programs in the state, offering degrees in performance and choreography. Its student productions are a key part of the Richmond dance calendar. Meanwhile, the University of Richmond’s Department of Theatre and Dance supports a wide range of modern and classical techniques, contributing to the local arts scene through public performances and collaborations.

Richmond is also home to nationally recognized companies. The Richmond Ballet, the state ballet of Virginia, offers world-class performances and training programs for dancers of all ages and levels. They host productions throughout the year and also run a thriving outreach and education program. Their, frequently sold-out, annual production of The Nutcracker is a Richmond institution, and one of our absolute favorite Christmas Season rituals.

Other groups like Richmond Urban Dance specialize in hip-hop and commercial styles, offering a creative outlet for dancers looking to train or perform in more urban genres. Their showcases are community highlights that attract large, energetic crowds.

The Latin Ballet of Virginia, based at the Cultural Arts Center, blends classical ballet with Latin dance forms, offering both performances and community education. Their programs highlight cultural history, storytelling, and inclusivity, and they regularly collaborate with schools and nonprofits.

The Nightlife Scene

While Richmond’s studio and cultural dance scenes are robust, nightlife-based dancing is more hit or miss. Ember Music Hall is one of the more promising newer venues—hosting live acts, DJ sets, and large open dance floors in a stylish atmosphere. Places like Havana ’59 and Babes of Carytown remain nightlife staples, while Godfrey’s and Fallout offer queer-friendly dance nights and drag events that bring real energy to the floor.

Other clubs, including Papi’s, the Tobacco Company, and Southern Railway Taphouse, host occasional themed dance nights. New York Deli and Bandito’s have both been known to draw crowds depending on the night. While Richmond still lacks a dedicated house music venue with a mature dance crowd, pop-up events and DJ-led underground dance nights are gaining momentum. Following local DJs on platforms like Instagram — such as @tommy2600_— is often the best way to discover where the real dancing is happening.

A Community in Motion

Richmond’s dance culture is deeply collaborative. From outdoor festivals to pop-up performances, dance in this city spills outside the studio and into the streets. Events like the Richmond Dance Festival and performances from the Latin Ballet of Virginia draw audiences across cultures and generations.

Dance is also used as a form of activism, healing, and community building in Richmond. Workshops focused on accessibility, trauma-informed movement, and racial equity through the arts are gaining momentum alongside traditional performance. Many local organizations now offer dance as a wellness practice, with somatic movement, dance therapy, and even yoga-dance fusion classes becoming more common.

Who's Dancing?

Everyone. You’ll find kids in tutu classes, college students freestyling in parking lots, retirees returning to their love of swing, and professionals in pre-show warmups at the Richmond Ballet. There are opportunities for wedding dance prep, dance fitness, and themed dance nights with live bands. Whether you dance once a year or every night of the week, Richmond has a space for you.

Whether you're lacing up your tap shoes or stepping onto the floor for the first time, Richmond’s dance scene is ready to welcome you. It’s not just a place to move—it's a place to connect, learn, celebrate culture, and express yourself.