Go Bananas Dancing

For families in Arlington, Virginia, and throughout the lively communities of Northern Virginia, finding enriching and enjoyable activities for children is a top priority. Look no further than Go Bananas Dancing. This beloved local program, in partnership with Arlington Parks & Recreation, offers "truly wonderful, experienced teachers that create a fun and positive atmosphere for learning," as shared by enthusiastic local parents. Go Bananas Dancing is dedicated to bringing the pure "JOY OF DANCE" to children, fostering a love for movement in a welcoming, non-competitive environment.

In Virginia, we appreciate community-focused initiatives that provide high-quality experiences without breaking the bank. Go Bananas Dancing perfectly aligns with this, offering an "amazing bargain" for the quality of instruction provided through its collaboration with Arlington County Parks & Recreation. This partnership allows them to reach a wide audience, making dance accessible and enjoyable for a diverse group of children.

Whether your child is taking their very first playful steps into dance at age 2, or exploring various styles like Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop, Jazz, or Musical Theater up to age 12, Go Bananas Dancing provides a supportive and inclusive space. Their mission, rooted in "Exercise, Learning and Fun! Body, Mind and Spirit," ensures that every class contributes to a child's holistic development. It's a place where kids "loved every class," eager to embrace the magic of movement right here in our Arlington neighborhood.

Location and Accessibility

Go Bananas Dancing operates its classes primarily through a partnership with Arlington Parks & Recreation, utilizing various community and recreation centers across Arlington, Virginia. The listed address, c/o Arlington Parks & Recreation, 300 N Park Dr, Arlington, VA 22203, USA, refers to the Lubber Run Community Center, which serves as a central registration point and one of the key class locations. However, Go Bananas Dancing offers classes at multiple Arlington Parks & Recreation facilities, including:

• Barcroft Sports & Fitness Center (4200 S Four Mile Run Drive, Arlington VA 22206)
• Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center (333 Long Bridge Drive, Arlington VA 22202)
• Fairlington Community Center (3308 S Stafford Street, Arlington VA 22206)
• Langston-Brown Recreation Center (2121 N Culpeper Street, Arlington VA 22207)
• Walter Reed Community Center (2909 16th Street S, Arlington VA 22204)

This distributed model ensures excellent accessibility for residents across various Arlington neighborhoods, making it convenient for families regardless of where they live within the county. All these locations are well-known community hubs, easily reachable via Arlington's extensive road networks and often accessible by public transport. Ample parking is typically available at these recreation centers, which is a significant convenience for parents during drop-off and pick-up times.

The strategic partnership with Arlington Parks & Recreation not only provides well-maintained and equipped facilities but also leverages the established community infrastructure. This widespread accessibility makes it simpler for busy Virginia families to integrate quality dance instruction into their weekly routines, allowing more time for joyful movement and less time for commuting across the county.

Services Offered

• Creative Movement: Playful classes for boys and girls ages 2 and 3 (with accompanying adult), introducing fundamental movement concepts.
• Pre-Ballet: Gentle introductions to classical ballet for young children in a welcoming environment.
• Ballet: Foundational training in classical ballet technique for various age groups, emphasizing the joy of dance over competition.
• Tap: Classes focusing on rhythmic footwork, musicality, and coordination.
• Hip Hop: Energetic classes exploring contemporary street dance styles.
• Jazz: Dynamic classes that develop strength, flexibility, and expressive movement.
• Musical Theater: Combining dance with elements of acting and performance inspired by Broadway.
• Classes for Ages 2-12: A comprehensive range of programs designed specifically for children within this age bracket.
• Inclusive Environment: Welcome for children with special needs, with close ties to Arlington County's Therapeutic Recreation department.
• School Enrichment Programs: Initially started as programs within local preschools, showcasing their experience with young learners.
• Classes for Boys and Girls: All classes are open and designed for both genders.

Go Bananas Dancing offers a rich and diverse range of dance classes specifically tailored for children aged 2 to 12 years, ensuring that there's a perfect fit for every young aspiring dancer in Arlington. Their programs begin with highly engaging Creative Movement and Pre-Ballet classes for the youngest participants (ages 2-3), often with an accompanying adult, making it a wonderful first introduction to the world of dance in a playful and supportive setting. These classes are foundational, helping children understand rhythm, musicality, and develop large muscle activity, which is crucial for their overall development.

As children grow, Go Bananas Dancing expands its offerings into more specific dance styles. Students can delve into the grace and discipline of Ballet, where the focus remains on the "JOY OF DANCE" rather than a competitive environment. For those who love rhythm, Tap classes are available, while energetic Hip Hop classes allow for modern expression. Jazz classes develop strength and dynamic movement, and Musical Theater provides a fantastic opportunity to combine dance with storytelling and performance, inspired by stage productions.

A significant aspect of their services, highly valued by the Arlington community, is their commitment to inclusivity. Go Bananas Dancing welcomes all children, including those with special needs, and maintains a close relationship with Arlington County's Therapeutic Recreation department to provide additional support when required. With over 40 dance classes offered per week through their partnerships with Arlington Parks & Recreation and other local recreation departments, they make quality dance education accessible and joyful for a wide array of children across Northern Virginia.

Features / Highlights

• Partnership with Arlington Parks & Recreation (and other local recreation departments), ensuring widespread accessibility and quality facilities.
• "Truly wonderful, experienced teachers" who create a fun and positive learning atmosphere.
• Strong emphasis on the "JOY OF DANCE" in a non-competitive environment.
• Classes are an "amazing bargain" for the quality of instruction.
• Inclusion is a core value: all children are treated fairly and equally, with special needs welcome.
• Founder/Executive Director Susannah Keefe's passion for teaching joyful dance.
• Focus on "Exercise, Learning and Fun! Body, Mind and Spirit" in all classes.
• Helps students understand rhythm, musicality, and practice life skills like following directions.
• Strong positive feedback from parents praising teacher quality and engagement with young kids.
• Offers over 40 dance classes per week across multiple locations.
• History of starting as successful school enrichment programs.

Go Bananas Dancing distinguishes itself with several key features that make it a highly desirable choice for families in Arlington, Virginia. A primary highlight is its strong and effective partnership with Arlington Parks & Recreation. This collaboration allows Go Bananas Dancing to utilize numerous well-maintained community centers across the county, making their high-quality dance programs incredibly accessible and convenient for a broad range of local residents.

Another standout feature, consistently praised by parents, is the exceptional quality of their instructional staff. Reviewers describe the teachers as "truly wonderful, experienced," and possessing an "impressive talent for engaging and working with preschool aged kids." This dedication and ability to create a "fun and positive atmosphere for learning" are central to the Go Bananas Dancing experience, ensuring that children not only learn dance but also enjoy every moment of it.

Furthermore, the philosophy of Go Bananas Dancing centers around the "JOY OF DANCE" in a non-competitive environment. This approach is highly valued by parents seeking a nurturing space where their children can explore movement, build confidence, and develop a love for the arts without the pressures often associated with highly competitive dance studios. The commitment to inclusion, ensuring that "everyone is treated fairly and equally" and that children with special needs are welcomed, further underscores their community-minded approach. This combination of quality instruction, accessibility, a positive environment, and affordability (being an "amazing bargain") makes Go Bananas Dancing a truly unique and cherished resource for youth dance in Arlington.

Contact Information

For families in Arlington, Virginia, and the surrounding areas eager to enroll their children in Go Bananas Dancing classes, direct contact is available, but registration is handled through Arlington Parks & Recreation. Here's how to connect:

To reach Susannah Keefe, Executive Director of Go Bananas Dancing LLC:

Phone: (703) 407-5521 (Call or Text)

Email: susannah@gobananasdancing.com

For Class Registration (through Arlington Parks & Recreation):

Website: registration.arlingtonva.us (Click on "Register" next to "ENJOY Classes", then select "Dance" in the Activity Search)

Phone: (703) 228-4747 (Arlington Parks & Recreation's Registration Office - Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm, extended hours until 7pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays)

In-Person Registration: Arlington Parks & Recreation at the Lubber Run Community Center, 300 N. Park Drive, Arlington, VA 22203.

This dual contact system ensures that while Go Bananas Dancing maintains a direct line for program-specific inquiries, the robust infrastructure of Arlington Parks & Recreation handles all registration processes. This simplifies enrollment for local Virginia residents who are already familiar with the county's recreation services. It is recommended to check the Go Bananas Dancing website for the most up-to-date class schedules and registration opening dates, as classes can fill quickly. Financial assistance is also available through Arlington Parks & Recreation for those experiencing hardship, further enhancing accessibility for the community.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For the residents of Arlington, Virginia, Go Bananas Dancing stands as an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended local resource for children's dance education. Its strong partnership with Arlington Parks & Recreation ensures widespread accessibility across multiple well-maintained community centers, making it incredibly convenient for families no matter where they are located in the county.

What truly makes Go Bananas Dancing ideal for locals is its unique philosophy of fostering the "JOY OF DANCE" in a non-competitive, positive, and inclusive environment. The "truly wonderful, experienced teachers" are consistently praised for their ability to engage young children and create a fun atmosphere that builds confidence and a genuine love for movement. This approach resonates deeply with Virginia families seeking enriching activities that prioritize holistic child development over intense competition.

Furthermore, the affordability of these high-quality classes, facilitated by the partnership with the county, makes dance accessible to a wider demographic. The explicit welcome for children with special needs, backed by collaboration with Therapeutic Recreation, underscores a commitment to serving the entire community. Go Bananas Dancing is more than just a dance program; it's a vibrant local institution that enriches the lives of children, fosters artistic expression, and strengthens community bonds, making it an invaluable asset for families across Arlington.

Go Bananas Dancing

c/o Arlington Parks & Recreation, 300 N Park Dr, Arlington, VA 22203, USA