Dane Dances, a beloved Madison summer tradition, will kick off its 27th season on Friday, Aug. 7, on the rooftop of the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center. Known for its diverse lineup of live music, variety of local food vendors, and welcoming crowds, Dane Dances will take place every Friday in August, rain or shine.
Founded in 1999, Dane Dances held its first concert in the summer of 2000. What began as a modest community event has grown into one of Madison’s signature summer gatherings.
“We started out with 400 people coming to see one band, and we’ve really grown from there,” Dane Dances Board President Al Cooper told Madison365. Cooper, who has served as board president for the past 15 years, credits the event’s staying power to its commitment to bringing people together through music and community.
“It’s been 27 years, and we’re still here and still thriving,” he says.
Dane Dances will feature a different lineup of musical guests each week on the rooftop of the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, showcasing local and regional talent across a wide range of musical genres.
That variety is one of the event’s defining features.
“Over the years, we’ve tried to bring together diverse sectors of the community,” Cooper says. “What we discovered is that the best way to do that is to feature different genres of music and diverse band lineups. We like to have women and people from different ethnic backgrounds represented in the groups whenever possible, and we want the music to be diverse, too. Even if someone comes to see an R&B band, they might hear pop or other styles mixed in. That helps everyone in the audience feel like there’s something for them. We try to find groups that can play a variety of genres, not just one.”
This year’s season opens Friday, Aug. 7, with the theme “From the Heart of Latin America to Motown Magic.” The evening will feature Latin band La Obra at 6 p.m., followed by the R&B group The Voices at 8 p.m.
The Friday, Aug. 14, event, “Latin Vibes & Slick Dance Grooves,” will feature Junior Rivera and the disco-funk sounds of VO5.
The season continues Friday, Aug. 21, with “A Funky Soul Dance Party,” featuring the R&B/funk band Slave and the R&B, funk and pop sounds of Klymaxx featuring Joyce Irby.
Cooper said Dane Dances is especially excited to welcome Joyce “Fenderella” Irby, the original lead singer and bassist of the platinum-selling all-female band Klymaxx. Irby performed on three of the group’s four biggest hits, including its chart-topping ballad “I Miss You.”
“She’s new to Dane Dances, and she’s very, very good,” Cooper says. “Klymaxx was an awesome band, and they had some great platinum records. We’re talking about somebody who is incredibly multi-talented. Not only is she a performer, but she’s also a songwriter and producer.”
Cooper notes that Irby also wrote “Mr. DJ,” a Billboard No. 1 urban radio hit recorded by Dougie Fresh.
Dane Dances will wrap up its 27th season on Friday, Aug. 28, with Cold Sweat & The Brew City Horns taking the stage at 6 p.m., followed by the Latin fusion sounds of Orquesta Salsoul Del Mad at 8 p.m.
One of Cooper’s biggest responsibilities each year is recruiting the bands that take the Dane Dances stage. He works closely with promoters and producers, primarily in Chicago, but also in cities such as Philadelphia and New York, to identify talented acts that fit the event’s mission and budget. He also spends countless hours watching performances online to evaluate potential performers.
“I work with promoters and producers, mostly out of Chicago, but I’ve also worked with people in Philadelphia, New York and other places to learn about different bands,” Cooper says. “I spend a lot of time on YouTube evaluating bands and looking at potential groups that we can afford.”
The scouting process has changed dramatically over the years, he adds.
“We used to do a lot of live scouting, but now we do most of it on YouTube,” Cooper says. “Rarely do we scout bands in person anymore. My challenge, after doing this for so many years, is finding the right bands that fit the vision I have for Dane Dances.”
As board president, Cooper also leads the organization’s fundraising efforts, giving him firsthand knowledge of how sponsorships affect the entertainment lineup.
“I know what money and resources we have to put on the stage,” he said. “That’s why sponsorships and donations are so critical. They give me more options when it comes to the quality and caliber of bands we can bring to Dane Dances.”
Planning for future Dane Dances seasons begins long before the current one ends.
“Even though we’re in this season right now, I’m already talking with promoters about bands for next season,” Cooper said. “You’ve got to plan ahead.”
Each Friday throughout August, attendees can also enjoy food from a variety of local vendors, including Lake Vista Café, La Taguara, Melly Mells Catering and Kipp’s Kitchen.
As Dane Dances prepares for another season, Cooper said the organization is still looking for volunteers and sponsors to help make the event possible.
“We can always use more volunteers,” Cooper said. “It’s become harder and harder to get people to step up, but we always welcome anyone who wants to help.”
Although organizing Dane Dances is a significant undertaking, Cooper says the work is rewarding.
“I enjoy doing what I do every year, but it’s detailed work that consumes a lot of time,” he said. “When you’re not as tech-savvy, and you do things the old-fashioned way, it can take a little longer.”
Dane Dances takes place on the rooftop of the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, 1 John Nolen Drive.
“We like to say we bring a really diverse audience to our event,” Cooper says. “It’s a beautiful setting, and we try to bring the community together so everyone can have fun and feel like they’re an integral part of the community.
“Young people, older adults, children, families — everybody is welcome at Dane Dances.”
