|
Greetings!
Summer is coming to a close, but the fun doesn't stop at Glen Echo Park! There are still two weekends left to grab a ride on our historic Dentzel carousel before it closes for the 2026 season, with the last rides of the year during Echo Arts Festival on Sunday, September 27. Save the date for this FREE fall celebration of visual and performing arts at the Park. But before we move into the fall festivities, we've got a full week of events to fill you in on!
Washington Revels invites you to An Evening with Washington Revels, a benefit performance by featured performers in 2026 Winter Revels: An American Celebration. This benefit performance will take place Thursday evening, OFFSITE.
Saturday morning, Photoworks will host their first Digital Dialogue! On the third Saturday of each month, this free, 2-hour get-together is a space for photographers who are interested in discussing a wide variety of topics specific to digital photography. For the first session only, please email asislen@glenechophotoworks.org to RSVP.
So many ways to get up and dance! This week, social dance opportunities include a ¡Música! Latin Dance Social! with Moxie Movement Dance Company, a Sarau de Samba with EducArte (table reservations available!), and a Waltz Dance with Waltz Time. Dance for PD® (Dance for Parkinson's Disease) continues, with free classes meeting each Wednesday in the Arcade Building. Next week, DanceFit returns with Saturday morning drop-in Shake Your Soul classes!
It's the final weekend to catch Little Red Riding Hood and the 3 Little Pigs at the Puppet Co. Closing Sunday, this production asks the question: "What if the Wolf isn’t so big or so bad?"
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!
| |
|
|
|
STEP RIGHT UP....
Help us reach our goal! We're looking for 1,000 fans of Glen Echo Park to donate $10 more in support of FREE programs at the Park.
|
| | |
|
|
FALL/WINTER
CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
Register Today!
Visit our website for information on registering. Learn more >>
|
|
| | |
|
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!
| | | | | | | |
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.
| | |
¡MÚSICA! LATIN DANCE SOCIAL! with Moxie Movement Dance Company
September 18 | 7:30pm - 12:30am | Ballroom Back Room
¡Música! Latin Dance Social! is a social dance focusing on salsa and bachata. Two lessons are offered by instructor Amber Logan prior to the social: a sensational salsa lesson from 7:30pm to 8:15pm and a fiery bachata lesson from 8:15pm to 9:00pm. All levels are welcome. The social, where everyone dances together, starts after the two 45-minute lessons at 9:00pm, with DJ Sidekick spinning the best salsa and bachata songs until 12:30am!
Learn More >> | Purchase Tickets >>
| |
SARAU DE SAMBA with EducArte
September 20 | 2:00pm - 6:00pm | Bumper Car Pavilion
Co-presented by the Glen Echo Park Partnership and EducArte, Sarau de Samba is an authentic samba de mesa or samba de roda (jam session). The event features a dynamic ensemble of musicians and dancers, showcasing everything from Golden Age samba classics and choro to modern pagode and high-energy carnival beats. We kick off with a beginner-friendly dance lesson, so everyone can join the fun—no partner nor experience required. Grab a general admission ticket, or reserve a table for your group!
Learn More >> | Purchase Tickets >>
| |
WALTZ DANCE with Waltz Time
September 20 | 2:45pm - 6:00pm | Spanish Ballroom
Enjoy a summer afternoon with waltzing and more in the Spanish Ballroom. Live music by HANDSPRING with Carrie Rose (flute), Alexander Mitchell (violin/viola), Owen Morrison (guitar, piano). Beginner Social Waltz lesson starts at 2:45pm, included with admission. No partner required, participants are encouraged to rotate so everyone can learn and practice the moves. Live music for dancing - waltz mostly, with polka, schottische, tango, swing and more - from 3:30pm - 6:00pm.
Learn More >> | Purchase Tickets >>
| | |
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 | LATIN DANCE* (¡Música! Latin Dance Social!) | BALLROOM WORKSHOP with Ballroom Time | SWING DANCE* with Gottaswing | SARAU DE SAMBA* with EducArte | WALTZ DANCE* with Waltz 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 >>
| | | |
| |
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 >>
| | | |
|
|
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Interested in presenting your program at Glen Echo Park in 2027?
- Social Dance
- Live Music Events
- Educational Dance or Movement Programs
- Health and Wellness Activities
- Pop-up Events
Due Friday, October 2, 2026 at 5pm EST
|
| | | | | | 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 | | |
|
Drawing the Model
Begins September 21 | Mondays @ 4:00pm - 6:30pm | Yellow Barn Studio
Draw the model using pencils, watercolor, and charcoal. All levels. Model fees extra.
More info/supply list: alexeyz@hotmail.com. Minimum age 18. 10 sessions.
Learn More & Register >>
| | | |
Beginning Glassblowing
Begins September 22 | Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 1:00pm - 4:00pm | Glassworks Studio
An introduction into the world of glassblowing with studio owner Paul Swartwood. This small and concentrated class will focus on learning through doing. Paul will explain the studio equipment, demonstrate the processes and work individually with students to explore how to use color while employing teamwork throughout the sessions. No prerequisites. Wear cotton clothing (no synthetics).
More info: paul@glenechoglassworks.com. Minimum age 15. 4 sessions.
Learn More & Register >>
| | | |
Flowing Watercolor
Begins September 23 | Wednesdays @ 1:00pm - 3:30pm | Yellow Barn Studio
Create dynamic compositions with strong values, color harmony, and movement as we interpret still life, landscape, and figure. Demonstrations of color mixing, dropping/spattering, wet on wet, gesture, and other loose approaches. Individual styles encouraged through ongoing critique. All level students welcome. Students under 18 welcome but you and your parent/guardian must obtain instructor permission prior to enrollment.
More info: bonnylundyart@gmail.com. Minimum age 15. 9 sessions.
Learn More & Register >>
| | | |
Beginner: Color Film Developing Workshop
September 27 (one day) | Sunday @ 10:00am - 12:00pm | Photoworks Studio
Students will learn the basics of color film developing, including helpful techniques. This is a hands-on workshop where students can develop their own roll of color film. Students must supply an exposed roll of color film, or they can observe and take notes. No previous darkroom experience is necessary. Lab fee of $5 payable to instructor at class.
More info: ellielevesque123@gmail.com. Minimum age 14. 1 session.
Learn More & Register >>
| | | |
See Children’s Programs section below for Featured Children & Teen Classes and Workshops.
Children's Classes >>
| | |
|
Ride the Dentzel carousel
$2.00 per ride | $5.00 for an all-day pass
Join us for a ride on one of the greater Washington area’s true treasures! Tickets are available for purchase in person at the box office across from the carousel and online. It's a piece of art you can ride!
|
|
| | | |
Let your child spark their creativity and develop their artistic skills in a fun, non-competitive environment!
Learn More About Children's Classes >>
| |
Working with Clay the Basics (Ages 6-12)
Begins September 23 | Wednesdays @ 4:30pm -6:00pm | Crystal Pool Studio
Enjoy an after-school clay class. Explore various techniques of hand building clay, including slab, pinch and coil construction. $20 supplies and firing fee payable to instructor at first class.
More info: 301.980.1538; andrle@youngcreativespirit.org. 5 sessions.
Learn More & Register >>
| |
Paint, Plant & Grow: Parent & Child Garden Art Workshop (Ages 5-10)
September 28 (one day) | Monday @ 4:30pm - 6:00pm | Arcade Building Room 201
Celebrate the fall harvest season with a fun, hands-on art and nature experience. This workshop begins with a short, engaging story introducing the themes of the harvest season, inspired by the festival of Sukkot. Participants will then paint their own flower pots and plant flowers to take home, combining creativity with nature and seasonal growth. We’ll wrap up with a light group activity to bring everyone together. All materials included. Tuition covers one pair.
More info: Devoraberlin@gmail.com. 1 session.
Learn More & Register >>
| |
Paint, Plant & Grow: Parent & Child Garden Art Workshop (Ages 5-10)
September 29 (one day) | Tuesday @ 4:30pm - 6:00pm | Arcade Building Room 201
Celebrate the fall harvest season with a fun, hands-on art and nature experience. This workshop begins with a short, engaging story introducing the themes of the harvest season, inspired by the festival of Sukkot. Participants will then paint their own flower pots and plant flowers to take home, combining creativity with nature and seasonal growth. We’ll wrap up with a light group activity to bring everyone together. All materials included. Tuition covers one pair.
More info: Devoraberlin@gmail.com. 1 session.
Learn More & Register >>
| | |
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. | | | | |
