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Hi Jenni,
Today, Glen Echo Park is a thriving arts and culture center that welcomes all visitors, dancers, artists, and students. But in the days when this site was the privately-owned Glen Echo Amusement Park, brave protestors had to fight for desegregation during the summer of 1960. This Saturday, in recognition of the 65th anniversary of the 1960 Summer of Protest at Glen Echo Amusement Park, the Partnership is pleased to present FREE carousel rides (June 28 only), a History & Civil Rights Tour with an NPS Ranger, a Civil Rights Protests Photo Exhibition, and film screenings of Ain't No Back to a Merry-Go-Round as part of Montgomery County Heritage Days. All three film screenings are full at this time, but a limited number of seats may be available for walk-ins 15 minutes prior to each screening. Visitors may also enjoy the carousel, photo exhibition, and history tour! And keep an eye on the film's upcoming screenings page to find a showing near you!
This Thursday evening brings another FREE Summer Concert —rain or shine—in the open-air, covered Bumper Car Pavilion. This week, we welcome The U.S. Marine Band's popular music ensemble Free Country performing pop, folk, rock, and country music selections from the 1960s through today. Beer, wine, soft drinks, and snacks will be for sale, courtesy of Praline; bringing your own alcohol is not permitted. Limited seating is available, so feel free to bring folding chairs, or get up on your feet and dance! Dancing is always encouraged at Summer Concerts.
The Lightning Thief opens on Friday at Adventure Theatre MTC! This dynamic, Greek mythology musical is an adaptation of Rick Riordan’s bestselling book. When teenager Percy Jackson discovers he’s a demigod, he and his friends embark on an epic journey to find Zeus’ missing lightning bolt and prevent a war among the gods.
Saturday evening, it's time for another Bachata y más! We're thrilled to announce that Bachata y más is now happening once a month for the rest of the year! Whether you're a seasoned pro or taking your first Latin Dance steps, we're ready to celebrate and dance the night away together. At each Bachata y más, we start off with lessons in rotating styles, so you learn new skills every month. This Saturday, get moving with a lesson in Merengue.
This weekend, check out two new exhibitions in the Park's Visual Arts Studios & Galleries. Saturday evening, we hope you'll be our guest at an Opening Reception & Dedication honoring Frank “Tico” Herrera, a founding member of Photoworks, the Park's resident photography studio. The Frank "Tico" Herrera Memorial Exhibition highlights Tico's discerning eye for creating images globally and in his home state, West Virginia. Plus, be sure to stop by artist Aletha Kuschan's Yellow Barn Studio weekend exhibition to browse painting and drawing works by a local artist, open this Saturday and Sunday only! The exhibition also features art demos, with light refreshments available.
Summer Camps had a great first week (watch the video!)—with more to come! Each week from June 16 - August 22, we have new creative camps in visual arts, music, theater, puppetry, and nature & aquatic life. So if you haven't already registered your Happy Camper, don't worry!—you still can! Most camps run 9am – 3pm, with After Camp available to extend your camper's day until 6pm. Browse the camps catalog to find the perfect fit.
Read on for more of this week's happenings, 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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SPRING/SUMMER
CLASSES & CAMPS
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! | | | | | | |
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.
| | We were thrilled to have our social dance program featured in a wonderful piece about dancing in the DMV by WAMU's Matt Blitz, and we heartily agree that "[Glen Echo Park is] a haven for the performing arts." (and visual arts, too!) Listen to it here >> | | |
Ballroom Time A+ Intermediate Level Workshop
June 29 | 2:30pm - 5:30pm | Ballroom Back Room
Intermediate-level ballroom dancers! Join Ballroom Time for an A+ Workshop on Sunday afternoon June 29, 2025 from 2:30 to 4:30 pm, followed by a full hour of supervised practice from 4:30 until 5:30. This special workshop will take place in the air-conditioned Ballroom Back Room. No partner is required, singles are encouraged to attend. Children under 18 should be accompanied by a parent.
Learn More >>
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Waltz Dance* with Waltz Time
June 29 | 6:00pm - 9:00pm | Spanish Ballroom
Waltz Time presents a "COOL OF THE EVENING" waltz in the Spanish Ballroom. WALTZ SISTERS (TRIO) with Tina Chancey (fiddle), Paul Oorts (accordion, mandolin, banjo, guitar, concertina), Liz Donaldson (piano). Admission costs $15 per person, $5 for #Dance attendees, students, and children over 5 years. We accept cash and checks (no credit cards). All tickets purchased at the door.
Learn More >>
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Tango/Milonga Dance*with Tango Brillante
June 29 | 6:30pm - 11:00pm | Ballroom Back Room
Join Tango Brillante for Tango & Milonga lessons and a Social Dance! The evening starts off with a Tango lesson at 6:30pm, followed by a Milonga lesson at 7:30pm. Enjoy a lively Social Dance from 8:30 to 11:00pm.
Learn More >>
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Also Check Out this Week ...
Ballroom Time ABC's Workshop | International Folk Dance* with Dancing Planet | Blues Dance* with Capital Blues | Contra Dance and Occasional Squares* with Friday Night Dancers | Brazilian Zouk Dance* with District Zouk | Bachata y más (Bachata & more) Dance* | Swing Dance* with Gottaswing
*Includes beginner lesson & social dance
View the full dance calendar >>
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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!
UPCOMING DATES: June 28 Bachata y más, July 18 Back Room Salsa Night
To volunteer, please send an email to volunteer@glenechopark.org.
| | | | | 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 | | | |
Portraying Animals
Begins July 7 | Mondays @ 4:00pm - 6:30pm | Yellow Barn Studio
Want to get better at drawing your pet? Class is focused entirely on animal art: subjects like dogs, ducks, other domestic or wildlife. Draw in black & white or color pencil, pastel, watercolor, or oil paint. If using watercolor or oils, best if student has some prior experience. All levels.
More info & supplies: modernamericanartist@gmail.com. Minimum age 14. 4 sessions.
Learn More & Register >>
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Exploring Pastels
Begins July 7 | Mondays @ 1:00pm - 3:30pm | Yellow Barn Studio
Explore the magical medium of chalk pastels. Participants will work from their own photo references of any subject. Class will include critiques, discussions of pastel masters and demonstrations. All levels are welcomed.
More info: annwallaceart@aol.com. Minimum age 16. 5 sessions.
Learn More & Register >>
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CALL FOR ENTRIES
54th Annual Labor Day Art Show
Deadline for entry is August 4, 2025
We are now inviting artists to submit entries for the 54th Annual Labor Day Art Show, a Glen Echo Park tradition that features a wide range of local artists and brings thousands of art enthusiasts to the Park every year.
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2025 SUMMER CAMPS
Registration is open and ongoing!
Let your child spark their creativity and develop their artistic skills in a fun, non-competitive environment with classes in:
Aquatic Life & Nature | Arts & Media | Dance & Movement | Drawing, Painting & Crafts | Fused Glass | Music | Theater | & More!
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Tiny Tots
Ongoing | the Puppet Co.
Designed for children 18 months to 4 years old, ongoing Tiny Tots shows offer a viewing atmosphere especially suited for young theatre patrons. All Tiny Tots shows feature: 30 minute runtime, no dark room, no loud noises, and open theater doors.
Purchase Tickets >>
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Twisted Tales: The Three Goldilocks Gruff
June 7 - June 29 | the Puppet Co.
This summer, dive into a whirlwind of imagination with Twisted Tales—a magical, mischievous play where sibling rivalry meets fairy tale mayhem! When siblings Bailey and Frank spend the summer at the theater with their eccentric Aunt Ingrid, they must learn to work together to bring their hilariously twisted versions of classic tales to life. From grumpy goats to plucky pigs, nothing goes according to the storybooks in this laugh-out-loud adventure full of heart, humor, and handmade chaos brought to you by the creative team at the Puppet Co.!
Purchase Tickets >>
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The Lightning Thief
June 27 – August 17 | Adventure Theatre MTC
This dynamic musical adaptation of Rick Riordan’s bestselling book opened on Broadway in 2019. When teenager Percy Jackson discovers he’s a demigod, he and his friends embark on an epic journey to find Zeus’ missing lightning bolt and prevent a war among the gods.
Purchase Tickets >>
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Great Lakes National Puppet Theater presents: The Frog Prince
July 5 - July 20 | the Puppet Co.
Great Lakes National Puppet Theater presents another classic fairytale. “The Frog Prince”, was first published in Germany, in 1812 by the Brothers Grimm. It is the story of a prince, who is placed under a spell by a wicked witch and can only be restored by the kiss of a beautiful princess. Performed using brilliantly crafted marionettes, as well as theatrical lighting and special effects, this production is perfect for school, library, theaters, and family series programming.
Purchase Tickets >>
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| 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!
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Cinderella Puppet Camp with Beale Street Puppets (Ages 5-12)
Begins July 7 | Mon Tue Wed Th Fri @ 9:00am - 3:00pm | the Puppet Co.
A fast-paced introduction to the puppetry arts, presented in collaboration with Beale Street Puppets. This camp will cover all aspects of theatre crafts, including performing with puppets! Working with the classic fairytale of Cinderella, campers will make a wide variety of hand puppets, rod puppets, marionettes, props and stage backgrounds. The camp culminates in a bright, funny, rousing performance by the campers for their family and friends.
Participants not only take everything they've created home with them- they also receive an Honorary Certificate in Puppetry!
More info: box.office@thepuppetco.org. 5 sessions.
Learn More & Register >>
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Digital Photography & Photoshop Camp (Ages 11-13) 7/7-7/11
Begins July 7 | Mon Tue Wed Th Fri @ 1:00pm - 3:00pm | Photoworks Studio
A comprehensive introduction to traditional black-and-white photography. Students will shoot film and develop film, create darkroom prints, and learn other photo techniques. By week’s end, they’ll have mastered the basics and presented their work. Ideal for beginners, this course fosters both technical skill-building and creative exploration.
More info: vivian_wingard@mcpsmd.org. 4 sessions.
Learn More & Register >>
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Praline Cafe
Monday - Friday: Closed
Saturday & Sunday: 11am - 7pm
*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. | | | | |
