An Arlington nonprofit that hosts dance lessons and community events plans to celebrate the grand opening of a new dance hall this weekend.
Inspira Dance is opening this Saturday on the second level of Ballston Quarter at 4238 Wilson Blvd, across from Onelife Fitness. The nonprofit — previously operating as an event pop-up at various local businesses — has planned a lineup of dancing activities throughout the night to celebrate the new space, starting with a bachata class at 7 p.m.
“Our whole vision is kind of like bringing back dance hall socialization, where it’s not like your traditional dance studio,” Founder Stephanie Metzger told ARLnow. “We’re more of a dance hall where we have 100 to 300 people a night that come to learn a dance lesson. And honestly, it’s mostly young people in their twenties to thirties, just trying to hang out.”
The nonprofit’s new dance hall spans about 5,000 square feet, with room for more than 300 guests to get their groove on.
Metzger said Inspira plans to host country dance nights and classes for salsa and bachata, as well as genres like reggaeton and hip-hop. Class tickets are available for individual purchase starting at around $10 each, or in packs, starting at $40 for a monthly plan with four classes.
The dance hall’s Saturday grand opening schedule is listed below.
- Bachata class, 7-8 p.m.
- Country swing class, 8-9 p.m.
- Social dancing (Latin and country), 9 p.m. to midnight
Proceeds from the events help benefit dance programs at Title I schools.
For the past three and a half years, Inspira has appeared at venues across Arlington at spots like The Renegade and The Clarendon Ballroom. The idea was born following the pandemic-era shutdowns, as Metzger, a salsa and bachata instructor, said she visited Three Whistles in Clarendon nearly every single day in hopes of having some social interaction.
The connection bloomed from there and soon Metzger began to host small, socially distanced dance classes at the cafe. Eventually, Inspira grew into a nonprofit operation, offering large-scale classes and programs throughout Arlington, as well as at schools throughout the region.
Metzger said she initially never planned for Inspira to become a brick-and-mortar operation. Nevertheless, she said finding a permanent home has been “a dream come true,” with less pressures to raise funds for hosts or share a space with other activities.
She was able to secure the space in part due to an online fundraiser where she raised $15,000. The space is coming together with help from volunteers and its dance teachers, who have helped with tasks like gathering furniture and assisting with construction.
“So many people on the team help make the space, including our community members, so it really does feel like a group project,” Metzger said.
Although Inspira has a new space, its events will still occur at spaces around town. These include Tuesday night country dancing at The Renegade and Latin dance nights at Don Tito.
Inspira Dance’s hours in Ballston will be 8 p.m. to midnight on Thursday and Saturday and 6-9 p.m. on Mondays. Additional hours expected soon.
