We’re still waiting for an official “Song of the Summer” for 2013, but the can’t-miss event of the summer is, for the 17th year in a row, the City of Cambridge’s annual dance party. If you’ve attended in the past, then you already know that the event is a fantastic way to meet your neighbors, hear some great music, and see City Hall as you’ve never seen it before. If you’ve never been to the City’s dance party, clear your schedule, find a babysitter, dust off your dancin’ shoes, and come join us!

I’m the first to admit that the phrases “city-sponsored” and “awesome dance party” don’t usually go hand-in-hand. But Cambridge is unique in a lot of ways, and there are few better examples of how we do things differently—and for the better—than our annual dance party. From 7pm-11pm, the stretch of Mass. Ave. between Inman and Bigelow streets will be closed to traffic and turned into an enormous dance floor. How enormous? Big enough to accommodate several thousand people, as you can see in this video from 2011’s party.

I don’t want to overhype what you’ll find in Central Square on the evening of June 28, but it really is a fun event for people of all ages and all walks of life. The event is free, open to the public, and unless truly severe weather rolls in, the DJs will spin rain or shine. One request: will someone please, finally, teach me how to Dougie?

Who: You and all your friends and family

What: The City of Cambridge’s 17th Annual Dance Party

When: Friday, June 28, 7pm-11pm

Where: Central Square (Mass. Ave. between Inman & Bigelow)

Why: Why not?

How: Red Line will run without interruptions; MBTA #1 bus will terminate service in Central Square at 6pm and resume service at 11:30pm