It is safe to say that the Mobtown Ballroom in Baltimore’s Pigtown neighborhood will provide any Hopkins student with one of the most fun Friday nights of his or her college career.
Venture out downtown, and along a dark street will emerge an unassuming-yet-fabulous 1870s church complete with ornate stone masonry and Gothic arches.
Enter inside with a group of friends, and, for an inexpensive entry fee, open up the doors to a colorful, dynamic and plain old fun environment completely dedicated to dance.
Friday nights, in particular, are the best times to come out to Mobtown. These are its nights reserved for swing dancing, the zany and crazy fun dance of the 1940s that moves to energetic, big band jazz music.
This neighborhood institution is a magnet for everyone from beginners to young swing dance enthusiasts to senior citizens looking to relive their youths through swing.
For only $10, students new to the dance can take both an hour-long beginners class that teaches the basic steps of swing. Then, after an hour, students can swing the night away with the general public for as long as is wanted.
If people only want to come for the open dance portion of the evening, the fee is $7.
Swing dancing at the Mobtown Ballroom is a really great way to meet new people in a very casual setting. People can go with friends for a fun group activity or simply meet new people from the area.
Some swing dance clubs from area universities come to Mobtown specifically to practice their moves in a “real world” setting.
Everyone there clearly has a common interest in swing dance; the small bar for those of age offers a location for conversation; and the dancing is fantastic.
Even beginners find themselves getting the hang of the steps after a while. They can even do some improvising if they get really lost, which is both funny and very cool.
Most nights, a deejay (situated in was probably once a priest’s lectern) is playing forties tunes from a computer, but a live band is sometimes in the house on a small stage, supposedly the church’s former altar.
Even the band members get in the spirit, dressing in authentic forties garb.
There is just something about swing music that injects an irresistible energy into the crowd and makes everyone want to throw their hands up and get their feet moving.
An incredible sense of community is created around a core of music and dance. What a wonderful way to cap off a busy week of school or work!
Swing dancing is not the only type of dance offered at Mobtown. In addition to reviving this Baltimore mainstay, its staff also teaches belly dancing, blues, and other genres that allow for self-expression, fitness, social time and welcome respites from the grind of daily life.
Although it has not been in operation for very long, Mobtown has attracted a cult following among its regulars.
Additionally, interested parties can rent the versatile space for private events. The huge dance floor, mixed drinks and live DJ are sure to please any crowd.
It has even inspired a documentary film to be released soon.
In the years to come, if it keeps up the galloping momentum it has now, it will become a permanent and irresistible fixture in Baltimore, strengthening its already close-knit community bonds.
