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Greetings!
Though summer camps have finished and the school year is starting back up again, family fun at the Park doesn't stop! From carousel rides to puppet shows, there's plenty to choose from this week when you visit. Plus, we're looking ahead to next week's Labor Day Weekend activities, featuring one of the largest art exhibitions in the DMV— our 55th annual Labor Day Art Show—and Global Rhythms, a FREE showcase of music, dance, and storytelling from around the world.
But first, back to this week ... Check out Little Red Riding Hood and the 3 Little Pigs for some puppet fun! This Puppet Co. production asks: What if the Big Bad Wolf isn’t so big or so bad? Catch a show Thursday through Sunday. (Sunday's 11:30am show is a special Sensory Friendly Performance. An ASL Interpreted Performance will be presented on Sunday, September 13.)
Put on your dancing shoes! We've got another wonderful dance lineup, including a Ballroom Dance with Ballroom Time and a Viennese Waltz Workshop with DanceSport Endurance. Dance for PD® (Dance for Parkinson's Disease) continues, with free classes meeting each Wednesday in the Ballroom Back Room. Keep an eye on our dance calendar to find even more social dance options.
Opening Saturday in the Photoworks Gallery is TIMELESS ‘26, an exhibition of historic process images made by the Handmade Photo Group. An Opening Reception and Gallery Talk will take place Saturday afternoon, offering visitors an opportunity to meet participating artists and hear insights about the work on view.
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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BEST OF BETHESDA
Polls are open!
Voting ends September 7
Cast your vote for Glen Echo Park in KIDS & SCHOOLS, WEDDINGS & EVENTS, and THINGS TO DO! We were a multi-category winner last year, so let's keep the momentum going!
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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.
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FALL/WINTER
CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
Register Today!
Visit our website for information on registering. Learn more >>
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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
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Sensory-Friendly Hours
at the Dentzel carousel
Weekly on Wednesdays | 10am - 11am
Plus Select Weekend Dates | 11am - 1pm
No lights, recorded music at a lower volume, slower AND shorter rides, more time between rides, doors open 15 minutes early.
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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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VIENNESE WALTZ WORKSHOP with DanceSport Endurance
August 29 | 2:30pm - 5:00pm | Spanish Ballroom
Learn the basics of social Viennese Waltz in this workshop with Todd and Migle of DanceSport Endurance which includes lessons and supervised and assisted dancing. Schedule: 2:30pm - 2:45pm Warm-up | 2:45pm - 4:15pm Lesson | 4:15pm - 5:00pm Social Viennese Waltz Dancing.
Learn More >> | Purchase Tickets >>
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BALLROOM DANCE with Ballroom Time
August 30 | 2:45pm - 6:00pm | Ballroom Back Room
Ballroom Time presents a ballroom dance in the Ballroom Back Room on Sunday afternoon, August 30, 2026. A beginner lesson in Merengue starts at 2:45pm, followed by 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 | KPOP POP-UP SUMMER SESSION | BLUES DANCE* with Capital Blues | CONTRA DANCE & OCCASIONAL SQUARES* with Friday Night Dancers | VIENNESE WALTZ WORKSHOP with DanceSport Endurance | TWO-STEP DANCE* with DC Rawhides | SWING DANCE* with Gottaswing | 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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Music Appreciation
Begins September 6 | Sundays @ 2:00pm - 3:00pm | Washington Conservatory of Music
This course offers an engaging introduction to the history of music and how it reflects different cultures, ideas, and time periods. Focusing primarily on Western classical music—from the medieval era to the present—students will explore major composers, musical styles, and cultural contexts, with some inclusion of global and popular traditions. Through guided listening, discussion, and exploration of key musical works, students will learn how to talk and think about music with greater clarity and confidence.
More info: washingtonconservatory.org 301.634.2550. Instructor email jpbesingrand@gmail.com. Minimum age 16. 10 sessions.
Learn More & Register >>
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Wheel Wednesday AM: Intermediate to Advanced
Begins September 9 | Wednesdays @ 9:00am - 1:00pm | Large Pottery Yurt
This class allows students to throw at their own skill level and evolve at their own rate. Emphasis is on shape, function, and surface decoration. All students must have previous wheel throwing experience. The course includes demonstrations and critiques. Clay fees and firing fees are NOT included in tuition price.
More info: marget@glenechopottery.org. Minimum age 18. 8 sessions.
Learn More & Register >>
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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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55th Annual Labor Day Art Show
September 5 - 7, 2026 | 12pm - 6pm
Opening Reception: September 4 | 7pm - 9pm
Join us for one of the largest art shows in the Washington D.C. area, featuring the work of more than 400 artists from the mid-Atlantic region. For more than half a century the Labor Day Art Show has been enjoyed by thousands, from art collectors to casual viewers. Don't miss this amazing show!
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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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Conservatory Kids Level 1 (Ages 1-3 years)
Begins September 5 | Saturdays @ 10:00am - 10:45am | Washington Conservatory of Music
Introduce your little one to the joy of music! This engaging early childhood music class provides a fun and nurturing environment where young children (ages 1–3) explore rhythm, movement, and singing through playful activities. Led by professional early childhood music educator Ernesto Lima Parets, this class lays the foundation for future musical learning in a supportive and interactive setting.
More info: 301.634.2550; washingtonconservatory.org. Minimum age 1 year. 15 sessions.
Learn More & Register >>
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Conservatory Kids Level 2 (Ages 18 months - 5 years)
Begins September 5 | Saturdays @ 11:00am - 12:00pm | Washington Conservatory of Music
Designed for children ages 18 months to 5 years, this mixed-level early childhood music class fosters a love of music through movement, singing, and hands-on exploration. Led by experienced educator Ernesto Lima Parets, children will build fundamental musical skills while developing coordination, listening, and social interaction in a fun and engaging environment. Perfect for siblings or friends of different ages to enjoy together!
More info: 301.634.2550; washingtonconservatory.org. Minimum age 18 months. 15 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. | | | | |
