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Greetings!
Every week at the Park, a plethora of visual and performing arts classes and summer camps are underway, from photography camps to swing dance classes. Browse our Spring/Summer Classes & Events digital catalog and find the perfect creative outlet. Plus, stay tuned for a preview of the Fall & Winter 2026-27 Classes & Events Catalog, coming next week. Online registration for Fall & Winter classes & workshops will open Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 10:00am EST, so mark your calendars!
Enjoy a FREE, Thursday-night summer concert with the James Bazen Big Band, an 18-piece big band that plays a wide variety of energetic jazz and swing. In addition to originals, the orchestra plays innovative compositions from 1930 to the present including Stan Kenton, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Gordon Goodwin, Bob Mintzer, Buddy Rich and more.
This Friday, get out on the dance floor and join us for an evening of wonderful music and community connection at a Honky Tonk Dance with Karen Collins & the Backroads Band. One of the DC area's top honky-tonk groups, Karen Collins & the Backroads Band play real Classic Country & Rockabilly from the 1940s -1970s. They have an authentic vintage sound that includes shuffles, two-steps, and buckle-polishing slow tunes with some early rockabilly songs mixed in. Grab advance discounted tickets or go for the dual dance deal, which lets you attend two Honky Tonk Dances at a $14 discount!
Join us for a Saturday morning online discussion with Mary Proenza, presented by Stone Tower Studio's Art Clinic Online. Proenza combines perception and other visual sources with memory, imagination, and narrative, working back and forth between drawing, painting, printmaking, and writing.
Opening in the Photoworks Gallery is Summer School 2026, an exhibition juried by Gayle Rothschild highlighting the eclectic artistic voices that make Photoworks such a dynamic creative community. The exhibition reflects a broad spectrum of photographic styles, techniques, and personal expression, offering visitors an engaging look at contemporary photography created by emerging and accomplished artists alike. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet many of the exhibiting artists and learn more about the inspiration behind their work at an opening reception and gallery talk Saturday afternoon.
Catch an OFFSITE performance by the Washington Revels' Heritage Voices ensemble at LibraryFest in Arlington on Saturday. All are invited to a community festival celebrating the best of what libraries offer: a public square of inspiration, reflection and family-friendly, fun activities.
Saturday and Sunday, the Art Glass Center at Glen Echo will participate in American Craft Council's National Craft Open Studios Weekend, the first nationwide open studios event for craft. Stop by the Art Glass Center to learn more about kiln formed glass work created at the Park!
This week brings another full dance lineup, including a Friday night ¡Música! Latin Dance Social! with Moxie Movement Dance Company and a Sunday evening Waltz Dance with Waltz Time. Plus, Dance for PD® (Dance for Parkinson's Disease) continues, with free classes meeting each Wednesday in the Ballroom Back Room. We hope you'll join us for some dance fun at the Park!
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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SPRING/SUMMER
CLASSES & CAMPS
Register Today!
Visit our website for information on registering. Learn more >>
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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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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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LATIN DANCE* (¡Música! Latin Dance Social!) with Moxie Movement Dance Company
July 17 | 7:30pm - 12:30am | Ballroom Back Room
We hope you'll join us for ¡Música! Latin Dance Social!, formerly Salsa & Bachata y más! Two lessons are offered by instructor Amber Logan prior to the social: a fiery salsa class from 7:30pm to 8:15pm and a sensational 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 >>
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WALTZ DANCE with Waltz Time
July 19 | 6:15pm - 9:30pm | Bumper Car Pavilion
Enjoy a summer evening with waltzing and more in the breezy Bumper Car Pavilion. Live music by PHOENIX with Steve Hickman (fiddle, harmonica, vocals), Marty Taylor (winds, concertina), Bobby LaRose (piano). Beginner Social Waltz lesson starts at 6:15pm, 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 7:00pm - 9:30pm.
Learn More >> | Purchase Tickets >>
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THIS WEEK: AT-A-GLANCE
DANCE FOR PD® | FOLK DANCE* with Dancing Planet | ROBIN'S/FOLLOW'S TOOLBOX: SOCIAL DANCE WORKSHOP | BLUES DANCE* with Capital Blues | CONTRA DANCE & OCCASIONAL SQUARES* with Friday Night Dancers | LATIN DANCE* (¡Música! Latin Dance Social!) with Moxie Movement Dance Company | HONKY TONK DANCE* with Karen Collins & the Backroads Band | SWING DANCE* with Gottaswing | 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 >>
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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 >>
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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 | | |
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Master Mixing Colors Workshop
July 25 & 26 (two days) | Saturday & Sunday @ 9:30am - 4:00pm | Yellow Barn Studio
Hands-on color mixing with 10 oil paint colors across four panels. Master hue, value, and intensity while creating your own reference guide for confident, precise color for every painting. No more guessing and wasting paint. All levels. Supply list upon registration.
More info: elisabethvismans.com; 443-520-2033. Minimum age 18. 2 sessions.
Learn More & Register >>
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Encaustic & Mixed Media Painting Workshop
July 26 (one day) | Sunday @ 12:00pm - 5:00pm | Arcade Building Rooms 202 & 203
Painting and collage with wax, fusing, carving, and experimenting with techniques. Bring wood support (cut to size; max 14”). Option: Up-cycle art (drawings, prints, photos). Supply fee ($35) payable to instructor. All skill levels.
More info: marcieplusart@gmail.com. Minimum age 16. 1 session.
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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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.
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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 >>
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Story, Puppet, Play Camp (Ages 6-12)
Begins August 3 | Mon Tue Wed Th Fri @ 9:00am - 12:00pm | the Puppet Co.
This camp is the perfect introduction to the world of puppetry! Learn about how puppets are made and operated, then use them to tell a story. All materials will be provided by the Puppet Co. and students will receive a puppetry certificate at the end of the week.
More info: box.office@thepuppetco.org. 5 sessions.
Learn More & Register >>
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Digital Photography & Photoshop Camp (Ages 9-13)
Begins August 3 | Mon Tue Wed Th Fri @ 1:00pm - 3:30pm | Photoworks Studio
Get ready for a fun and impactful educational experience from behind the camera to in front of the computer! Using an iPhone, point and shoot, or DSLR, students will learn to create stunning digital photography and enhanced imagery in Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. First learn the fundamentals of the medium, such as composition, exposure, light & shadow, and depth of field, then transition to developing their software and editing skills. By the end of the course, students will have tangible printed evidence of their newly honed talent. Bring your camera. Other materials included.
More info: soradevore@gmail.com. 5 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. | | | | |
