Dane Dances, one of Madison’s most diverse, family-friendly summertime events, will kick off its 25th season on Friday, Aug. 2 and will be held for five Fridays in August at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center Rooftop.

DJ Francis Medrano will engage the audience at 5:30 p.m. each week and there will be free dance lessons for attendees. Food and drinks will be available from a variety of vendors.

Dane Dances is in need of sponsors and volunteers for this 25th anniversary season. To sponsor, click here. To volunteer, click here. Dane Dances will feature a different lineup of musical guests each week on the Monona Terrace Convention Center rooftop including:

• Week 1: Dane Dances opens the 25th season on Aug. 2 with a Nepali Dance by the Nepali American Friendship Association of Madison. That will be followed by two of the Midwest’s best diverse dance bands from Milwaukee and the Chicagoland area. Montage will get the night going with their high-energy smooth dance jams at 6 p.m. and the funk/R&B band Slave will perform at 8 p.m.
• Week 2: Dane Dances will celebrate its 25th Anniversary Special Night on Aug. 9 with a worldwide entertainer Lusito Rosario at 6 p.m. Madison’s favorite dance band VO5 will take the stage at 8 p.m.
• Week 3: August 16th – Get together with The Funkee JBeez on Aug. 16  at 6 p.m. They are best known for their high-energy Clyde Stubblefield tribute band led by Madison’s own award-winning drummer Joey B. Banks. At 8 p.m., Madison’s premiere Latin-Soul Band, Orquesta Salsoul Del Mad, will perform.
• Week 4: Grupo Candela will bring the best of Latin music from around the world to the rooftop on Aug. 23, 6 p.m. They will be followed by the Eddie Butts Band.
• Week 5: On the final night of Dane Dances, Chicago’s Aniba and The Sol Starz will perform soulful funk rock music on Aug. 30 at 6 p.m. One of Madison’s new, hot Latin jazz groups, Rebulu Group, will perform at 8 p.m.