About

Chicago serves as the lead chapter of the cult phenomenon known as Dance Dance Party Party™ (DDPP™). Unlike typical workout or dance classes, Dance Dance Party Party™ has no instructors, no fitness goals, and nothing to prove. There are only three rules in the room – no boys, no booze, and no judgment. This event is for cis and trans women, as well as nonbinary people who are comfortable in a space that centers the experiences of women.

Begun in 2006, DDPP™ is the creation of New York City residents Glennis McMurray and Marcy Girt. The two friends loved dancing at the clubs with their pals, but loathed cover charges, getting hit on, and reeking of alcohol and cigarettes the next day.

The set-up is simple: an hour of booty-busting tunes, a dance studio or other room with the lights turned low, and a group of dancers willing to let go.

Although McMurray and Girt began the class on a whim, they found it struck an unexpected chord. “DDPP started as a way to work out and have fun without the conformity of a gym – how often have you heard your favorite song while you’re on the treadmill and wanted to hop off to do a real running man?” said McMurray. “But it has morphed into this amazing revolution of sorts where [dancers] come to find that little [kid] inside us all who just wants to have fun!”

Musically speaking, anything and everything goes–from Broadway to hip-hop to ’80s hits, along with a warm-up song at the start and a cool-down song at the end. DDPP attendees can sign up as “guest DJs,” give themselves killer DJ names, and put together a playlist of 15 or so songs that will get everyone up and moving.

Through word of mouth alone, over a dozen DDPP™ chapters have cropped up all over the USA and internationally. Dancers around the world are responding to this liberating atmosphere where they are free to goof around, shake their bodies without objectification, and feel good about who they are. You can read all about them at the main Dance Dance Party Party website, find (or start!) a chapter near you, and see for yourself why Chicago Tribune reporter Monica Eng calls DDPP “the funkiest weekly dance party/exercise class this city has ever seen” and “a buttload of fun.”

DDPP Chicago currently meets on the second and fourth Sunday of every month, at The Hive (4706 N. Ravenswood Ave.)

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Den Fam reserves the right to cap attendance or cancel; please sign up in advance so we can stay in touch.

Your dance ticket costs $7. Bring cash or be prepared to pay @DDPPChicago on Venmo.

Proof of vaccination is required, masks are optional.

Shoes must be rubber-soled athletic shoes. You may also dance barefoot!

Please arrive through the yellow door a few minutes early, dancing starts promptly on the hour.

Register in advance on Jotform!

If you have more questions – email us at ddppchicago[at]gmail[dot]com