|
Greetings!
Happy 4th of July! On this holiday weekend and 250th Anniversary of the country, visit the Park to learn more about its history and experience the vibrant arts and cultural programs available today. The whole family will love riding our historic Dentzel carousel, enjoying the magic of children's theater, or visiting creatures of the Chesapeake Bay at the aquarium. Plus, you can express yourself creatively by trying a social dance, visiting open studios & galleries, or taking a class or workshop!
On Independence Day (July 4), the Dentzel carousel will be open 10am – 2pm. The Stone Tower Gallery and Popcorn Gallery will be open 12pm - 4pm and the Park View Gallery/Partnership Office will be closed.
We are proud to be part of NBC4's America 250 series, "Beyond the Marble." Watch an interview with Tina Clarke and Edith Bryant Shorts, two of the original protesters who fought for the integration of the privately-owned Glen Echo Amusement Park during the summer of 1960. The story will air twice tomorrow, July 1: during the 11am news hour and during the evening newscast at 4:45pm. On Friday, July 3, the interview will air again at 7:30pm, as part of an A250 special. Thank you to Tommy McFly and the team at NBC4 for highlighting this important part of local history. And thank you to Tina Clarke and Edith Bryant Shorts for changing history and continuing to share their story.
This Independence Day, join the parade or watch from the audience as Washington Revels bring their “Dragon-palooza” to the OFFSITE Takoma Park July 4th Parade! Revelers of all ages are invited to join the fun. No experience is necessary to participate in this colorful and lively parade.
This week's Summer Concert on Thursday, July 2, is cancelled due to the heat advisory. We hope you will join us again next week on Thursday, July 9, for Natty Beaux.
It's once again time for a first Friday of the month Art Walk in the Park! Visit open artist studios, learn more about the Park's visual art programs, check out exhibitions on view, and browse and buy handmade artwork. In July, join us for three opening receptions in the Partnership Galleries: Power of Place: Art and the Semi-Quincentennial; Bettina Ammann, Meg Dickerson, and Barbara Stauffer, Confluence and Connections; and Joy Nutt, Common Thread. In Bloom: The Work of Evelyn Johns will be open in the Stone Tower Studio during Art Walk and will also have an opening reception Sunday evening. Plus, the Washington Conservatory Jazz Players will present a free performance in the Cuddle Up Pavilion. Spend your evening exploring open studios & galleries and enjoying jazz at at the Park!
On the first Sunday of each month during carousel season, the carousel building will open 30 minutes early to give visitors a chance to see the Park's Wurlitzer 165 Military Style band organ up close. This historic instrument was installed in 1926, so we're celebrating its 100th birthday this year! Join us for "Meet the Band Organ" this Sunday!
Join the National Park Service for a live, interactive performance, Sunday afternoon in the Bumper Car Pavilion, starting at 1pm. Award-winning actress Mary Ann Jung offers an exciting and personal window into one of history’s most important women, Clara Barton.
Be sure to catch the Puppet Co.'s production of The Little Prince before it closes on Sunday! Stranded in the Sahara Desert, a plane-wrecked aviator meets a child that reminds us all how to see the world like a kid again. Come see why this beloved story is the most translated work of fiction in history.
Glen Echo Park is your dance partner! We've got another wonderful dance lineup this week, including a Zouk Dance with District Zouk and a Bumper Car Squares dance with caller Caroline Barnes leading a rousing square dance to live music from Strings on Wings.
DanceFit for Body & Mind is taking a break for the summer. Stay tuned for more information about DanceFit classes returning in the fall.
Check our website for updates related to cancellations or venues changing due to the heat advisory. Please be mindful of temperatures when visiting the Park. Stay hydrated and take breaks from the heat in the Arcade Building Lobby or another air-conditioned building.
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!
| |
|
|
SPRING/SUMMER
CLASSES & CAMPS
Register Today!
Visit our website for information on registering. Learn more >>
|
|
| | |
|
|
Sensory-Friendly Hours
at the Dentzel carousel
Weekly on Wednesdays | 10am - 11pm
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.
|
| | | |
|
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.
| | |
ZOUK DANCE with District Zouk
July 3 | 6:30pm - 12:30am | Ballroom Back Room
Join us for a District Zouk social at the Park!
As usual, we'll have an open level beginner-friendly class followed by social dancing. We'll also have a lambada practica before the class so our lambada students and dancers can practice together. Come get your dance on!
Learn More >> | Purchase Tickets >>
| | |
THIS WEEK: AT-A-GLANCE
DANCE FOR PD® | FOLK DANCE* with Dancing Planet | BLUES DANCE* with Capital Blues | ZOUK DANCE* with District Zouk | CONTRA DANCE & OCCASIONAL SQUARES* with Friday Night Dancers | SQUARE DANCE* (Bumper Car Squares) | 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 >>
| | | |
|
Dancers are always welcome to get up out of their seats and move to the incredible music at our Thurday-night Summer Concert Series! Learn More >>
We are looking for volunteers to assist with set-up and break down of seating for each of our summer concerts. SSL hours available! Volunteer >>
| | | | | | 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 | | |
|
A+ Ballroom Dancing
Begins July 14 | Tuesdays @ 8:00pm - 9:00pm | Ballroom Back Room
For students who have completed an ABCs of Ballroom Dancing course, this A+ course will review steps already learned and add some advanced figures. No partner required. Drop-ins welcome: $20.
More info: ballroomtime.org. Minimum age: 15. 5 sessions.
Learn More & Register >>
| | | |
Drawing Seascapes in Colored Pencil Workshop
Begins July 15 | Wednesdays @ 5:00pm -7:00pm | ONLINE
Water fascinates us, whether it’s in the form of rivers, seas or lakes. Learn to portray the magical properties of water with the realism achieved with colored pencils! Learn vital techniques in the use of colored pencils. You will benefit whether beginner or advanced. Critique & demos included. Classes recorded for you to re-watch. All levels.
More info: liszadravec@gmail.com. Minimum age 16. 2 sessions.
Learn More & Register >>
| | | CHILDREN & TEEN CLASSES & CAMPS | | |
|
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!
|
|
| | |
|
|
|
CALL FOR ENTRIES
55th Annual Labor Day Art Show
Deadline for entry is August 3, 2026
We are now inviting artists to submit entries for the 55th 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.
| | | | |
Let your child spark their creativity and develop their artistic skills in a fun, non-competitive environment!
Learn More About Camps >> | Learn More About Children's Classes >>
| |
Budding Artist Discovery Camp (Ages 5-7)
Begins July 6 | Mon Tue Wed Th @ 9:00am - 3:00pm | Arcade Building Room 302
This camp guides campers in exploring various art materials to create awesome abstract art. Crumpling, tossing, folding, dropping, wetting, rolling, rubbing, turning inside out and upside down are just some of the ways we will manipulate materials. We will also use our hands to make art– campers should wear clothes they won’t mind getting paint on or bring an apron. This camp places emphasis on process, allowing young makers to become confident in the basics of composition while reinforcing motor skills. We will also add some dance sessions as part of the art -making process! All supplies included. Tuition includes a $50 non-refundable deposit.
More info: kmacyshyn@gmail.com. 5 sessions.
Learn More & Register >>
| |
Cartooning Camp (Ages 10-14)
Begins July 20 | Mon Tue Wed Th @ 9:30am - 11:30am | Arcade Building Room 202
Create your own original characters, caricatures, one-panel gag cartoons and comic strips. Experiment with pen-and-ink techniques, create flip-books and play around with all the elements of a cartoon: figure and background drawing, perspective, lighting, lettering, composition and dialogue. Supplies are provided by the instructor. Tuition includes a $50 non-refundable deposit.
More info: leilacabib.com. 5 sessions.
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. | | | | |
