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Greetings!
Looking for a creative activity this fall? Stop by Glen Echo Park to catch a children's theater show, attend a social dance, visit a gallery, or take a class. Let's connect with the arts this autumn!
Tomorrow night, enjoy a free concert with the Washington Conservatory Jazz Players OFFSITE at American Legion Post 139. This evening performance features saxophonist and ensemble leader Marty Nau (WCM Saxophone and Clarinet Faculty), jazz pianist Robert Redd (WCM Jazz Piano Faculty), and upright bassist Tommy Cecil.
Glen Echo Park is your dance partner! This weekend, dance your way into a Ballroom Dance with Ballroom Time on Sunday. Dance for PD® (Dance for Parkinson's Disease) continues, with free classes meeting each Wednesday in the Arcade Building. Plus, DanceFit Saturday morning drop-in classes are underway with DanceFit: Shake Your Soul at 9:30am and DanceFit: Folk Dances of India at 11:15am.
This weekend also brings two new exhibitions to the Park. Saturday evening, the Photoworks Gallery hosts an Opening Reception and Gallery Talk for Mary West Quin's Evidence of Grace. In the Yellow Barn Gallery, visit a weekend exhibition by artists L. Oblitas, F. Latapie, and A. Covindassamy, open Saturday and Sunday only.
Saturday morning, check out an ACO Artist Discussion with Alex and Olmsted (Alex Vernon and Sarah Olmsted Thomas), an internationally acclaimed puppet theater and filmmaking company based in Baltimore. Presented by Stone Tower Studio, the Art Clinic Online creates dialogue, relationships, and community among artists working in the DMV area.
History hikes are back! Saturday morning, you can join a Park Ranger for National Parks Along the Potomac: a four-mile guided history hike starting at our Carousel and stopping at the C&O Canal National Historical Park, Union Arch Bridge, and Clara Barton House.
Montgomery History presents a free anniversary bash for Montgomery County this Saturday in the Spanish Ballroom. Enjoy games, music, dancing, cake, and light refreshments to celebrate 250 years of our county. With special guests Ben Franklin, members of the Old Line Fife and Drum Corps, and the Washington Revels, this is one party 250 years in the making!
Read on for more details about these events plus other happenings this week, including upcoming classes, exhibitions, and social dances. We can't wait to see you at the Park soon, and as always, we appreciate your support!
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October 8 is Donor Advised Fund Day, a national giving day created to help donors put their Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) to work for causes they care about.
We are so grateful that many of you choose to support us through your DAFs. If you hold a DAF, you might consider making a gift on October 8, when thousands of donors unite in support of nonprofits close to their hearts. If you have any questions about how to make a grant to us through your DAF, please email development@glenechopark.org. Thank you for supporting us on Donor Advised Fund Day, October 8.
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Support our year-end fundraising campaign by sponsoring a match! This opportunity is open to companies and individuals, and starts at $400. Your match supports the Park you love while incentivizing donors! Email development@glenechopark.org for more information. |
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FALL/WINTER
CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
Register Today!
Visit our website for information on registering. Learn more >>
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PRIVATE RENTALS
at Glen Echo Park
Host your next corporate gathering, wedding, bar or bat mitzvah, birthday celebration, retirement party, or family reunion at Glen Echo Park!
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Our fun and affordable social dances are open to the public with no prior experience or partner required. When we say we offer something for everyone, we're not kidding! Styles range from folk, blues, and contra to waltz, swing, tango and ballroom ... and more!
New dancers are always welcome, and a pre-dance, introductory lesson is included with admission. Most dances feature live music by renowned local and national bands.
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BALLROOM DANCE with Ballroom Time
October 11 | 2:45pm - 6:00pm | Ballroom Back Room
Ballroom Time presents a ballroom dance in the Ballroom Back Room on Sunday afternoon, October 11, 2026. A beginner lesson in Ballroom-style Tango will take place at 2:45pm. Music by DJ Broomtime (our volunteers) from 3:30pm until 6:00pm.
Learn More >> | Purchase Tickets >>
View upcoming Ballroom Workshops >>
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THIS WEEK: AT-A-GLANCE
DANCE FOR PD® | FOLK DANCE* with Dancing Planet | BLUES DANCE* with Capital Blues | CONTRA DANCE & OCCASIONAL SQUARES* with Friday Night Dancers | BALBOA DANCE* with Gottaswing | DANCEFIT: SHAKE YOUR SOUL | DANCEFIT: FOLK DANCES OF INDIA | SWING DANCE* with Gottaswing | BARN DANCE* with Folklore Society of Greater Washington | BALLROOM DANCE* with Ballroom Time | TANGO DANCE* with Tango Brillante
*Includes beginner lesson & social dance
KEY:
bold = Partnership-presented social dance or class/workshop
italics = Dance class/workshop (no social dance)
underline= Free for all ages or free for kids
View the full dance calendar >>
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Want to dance for FREE?
Volunteer for Partnership Dances!
We need volunteers at many of our dances! Volunteer for one hour, to either help set up or break down for a dance or event, and gain free admission to the dance or event! To volunteer, please send an email to volunteer@glenechopark.org | Learn More >>
| | | | | | Glen Echo Park is your go-to place for classes & camps in visual arts, dance, music, and more! We offer a wide array of classes and workshops for children, teens, and adults, as well as camps for children & teens. We also present nature & aquatic life programs for kids. | | FEATURED ADULT & TEEN CLASSES | | |
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Wooly Sheep Needle Felting Workshop
October 21 (one day) | Wednesday @ 1:00pm - 4:00pm | Arcade Building Room 201
Join us in making some fun and fuzzy needle felted sheep! Needle felting uses a barbed “needle” to felt loose wool into any shape you want. The samples are about 2” in height. Instructor will provide take-home kits, with all tools and materials needed. This class is designed for participants of all levels, from absolute beginners to experienced makers. Due to the nature of the craft, hand dexterity is required. $25 materials fee due at workshop.
More info: ShannonWestrum@gmail.com; Jessewestrum@gmail.com. Minimum age 14. 1 session.
Learn More & Register >>
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Josephine Knot Basket Workshop
October 22 (one day) | Thursdays @ 10:00am - 4:00pm | Arcade Building Rooms 202 & 203
Discover the art of traditional weaving in this hands-on workshop. You’ll be guided through the process of creating a Knot Basket from start to finish, blending timeless
craftsmanship with practical utility. Learn the techniques to build a sturdy, beautiful basket from the top down. These baskets feature an elegant design and versatile size (approximately 10” wide x 8” deep). This workshop is designed for weavers of all levels, from absolute beginners to experienced makers. Due to the nature of the craft, hand dexterity is required. We provide all tools and materials – just bring yourself! $25 materials fee due at workshop.
More info: ShannonWestrum@gmail.com; Jessewestrum@gmail.com. Minimum age 14. 1 session.
Learn More & Register >>
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Appalachian Clogging
Begins October 23 | Fridays @ 7:00pm - 8:00pm | Ballroom Back Room
Join Footworks’ Director, Marsha Searle, for a class rooted in the rich traditions of the Appalachian Mountains with this uniquely American percussive dance. No prior knowledge required. Skill level: Beginning/Intermediate. Leather soled shoes recommended. After Clogging, you can head right over to the Contra Dance with the Friday Night Dancers, where you can show off your new steps!
More Info: office@footworks.org. Minimum age 15. 3 sessions.
Learn More & Register >>
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Business of Art 2.0: Scaling Your Creative Career Workshop
October 23 (one day) | Friday @ 1:00pm - 4:00pm | Arcade Building Room 303
This advanced workshop is tailored for established artists who have a website, have sold work, and are ready to become more confident, organized, and strategic in the business side of their practice. In this hands-on session, the artist will develop a realistic financial plan, identify profitable revenue streams, strengthen bookkeeping habits, and review contracts. Sales strategies, creating artful products, and building a personalized year-end plan to maximize the holiday season will also be examined.
More info: jen@jkb-art.com. Minimum age 18. 1 session.
Learn More & Register >>
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See Children’s Programs section below for Featured Children & Teen Classes and Workshops.
Children's Classes >>
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Let your child spark their creativity and develop their artistic skills in a fun, non-competitive environment!
Learn More About Children's Classes >>
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Spooky Spiders, Bats & Spirits - Parent & Child Workshop (Ages 5-12)
October 18 (one day) | Sunday @ 1:00pm - 3:00pm | Crystal Pool Studio
What would Halloween be without a few spiders and spirits? Both the parent and child will create long-lasting 3-D characters that hang and crawl to surprise your guests on Halloween. Tuition covers one adult/child pair. $20 supply fee payable to the instructor at the workshop. Additional participant registration is $50 with a $10 supply fee. Please contact the registrar’s office at 301.634.2255 to register an additional participant.
More info: 301.980.1538; andrle@youngcreativespirit.org. 1 session.
Learn More & Register >>
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Wheel Teen Tuesday (Ages 13-18)
Begins October 27 | Tuesdays @ 4:00pm - 6:0pm | Large Pottery Yurt
A basic introduction to the potter’s wheel: wedging, centering, throwing and decorating techniques. Glazed and unglazed formats will be explored. Free expression is encouraged in both functional and nonfunctional ware. This class is for students attending Middle and High School and beginners are welcome. Teen classes do not include open studio hours. Tuition includes tools and supplies.
More info: margetgepottery@gmail.com. Minimum age 13. 6 sessions.
Learn More & Register >>
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Praline Cafe
Monday - Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday - Friday: 10:00am - 4:00pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10:00am - 7:00pm
*open for dances and special events beyond these hours*
Stop by Praline, located in the Spanish Ballroom wing closest to the playground, for sandwiches, pastries, snacks, and drinks! More Information >>
| | | The Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council (msac.org) and also by funding from the Montgomery County government and the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County (creativemoco.com). All programs are produced in cooperation with the National Park Service and Montgomery County, Maryland. | | | | |