Waltham Common to become open-air disco Friday

Jen Williams grew up in Costa Rica, where neighbors gathered on porches nearly every night to share food and dance to their favorite songs. When she moved to Waltham, she missed it.

Over the years, she set out to rebuild that feeling. Williams learned to work as a DJ, earned certification to teach Zumba and founded House of Glow Studios. Now, she’s persuaded Mayor Jeanette A. McCarthy to sponsor the Watch City Dance Party, which will turn Waltham Common into an open-air disco Friday evening, 6 to 9 p.m.

The event is free, and open to everyone. No dance experience is required.

Waltham’s popular DJ Shaw will spin a mix of music from around the world including Top 40, Latin, country, Afrobeats, reggae and disco. Between sets, short dance experiences will introduce participants to line dancing, salsa and belly dance.

Williams encourages attendees to wear a favorite summer outfit, meet someone new and reconnect with familiar faces. “This isn’t a fitness class,” she said. “It’s a celebration of community, culture, and joy through music and dance.”

For Williams, the point is what happens after the music stops: people leaving with memories and new friends.