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Greetings!
Attend a summer concert, take a class, ride the carousel—there's all this and so much more to do at the Park! Summer is a fun-filled time at Glen Echo Park with wonderful ongoing events like weekly social dances and open studios and galleries that we don't always get a chance to talk about in this weekly newsletter. When you visit the Park, be sure to view our full events calendar to find out what's going on that day!
Thursday night, U.S. Marine Big Band joins us for a FREE Summer Concert—rain or shine—in the open-air, covered Bumper Car Pavilion. The Marine Big Band ensemble performs big band jazz, swing, and other popular styles, with selections from artists such as Count Basie, John Coltrane, Glen Miller Orchestra, Duke Ellington, and more!
Our affordable and friendly social dances welcome all experience levels, and you never need to bring a partner—so come dance with us every week! This week, dances include a Saturday-evening Brazilian Zouk Social and a Sunday-evening Waltz Dance. Dance for PD® (Dance for Parkinson's Disease) continues, with free classes meeting each Wednesday in the Ballroom Back Room. So many opportunities to put on your dancing shoes!
Saturday morning, check out an ACO Artist Discussio with Ashleigh D. Coren, a content strategist, educator, and curator based in the Washington, D.C. area. Presented by Stone Tower Studio, the Art Clinic Online creates dialogue, relationships, and community among artists working in the DMV area. Every other Saturday, a featured artist showcases their work and takes questions from participants.
Be sure to stop by the Yellow Barn Gallery to view an International Workshop Paintings Show open Saturday & Sunday only! Celebrate this wonderful exhibition with a reception Saturday evening.
While there are still plenty of upcoming summer events & activities at the Park, we're also looking ahead to the fall & winter months! Registration for Fall & Winter 2026- 2027 classes is open and ongoing. Browse the digital catalog to find classes & workshops for all ages that spark creativity and nourish lifelong passions.
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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We know you love the wonderful programs available at Glen Echo Park. Will you show your support by taking a moment to vote for the Park in the following categories in the Bethesda Magazine Readers' Poll?
KIDS & SCHOOLS—Art Classes, Children's Theater, Music Classes, Place for Kids Parties, Summer Arts Camp (Day)
WEDDINGS & EVENTS—Place for a Wedding Reception, Bar/Bat Mitzvah or Special Event
THINGS TO DO—Art Gallery/Museum, Annual Festival, Live Music Venue, Performing Arts Theater/Venue
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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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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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FALL/WINTER
CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
Register Today!
Visit our website for information on registering. Learn more >>
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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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WALTZ DANCE with Waltz Time
August 16 | 6:15pm - 9:30pm | Bumper Car Pavilion
Enjoy a summer evening with waltzing and more in the breezy Bumper Car Pavilion. Live music by GYRATIONS with David Knight (fiddle), Carrie Rose (flute), and Liz Donaldson (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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ZOUK DANCE with District Zouk
August 15 | 7:00pm - 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 >>
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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 | BALBOA DANCE* with Gottaswing | SWING DANCE* with Gottaswing | ZOUK DANCE* with District Zouk | 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 >>
| | | | | | 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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Romantics: Wire Weaving Ring Workshop
August 15 (one day) | Saturday @ 10:30am - 1:30pm | SilverWorks Studio 2
Weaving wire creates a lovely metal “fabric” to incorporate into your jewelry designs. In this workshop, learn a basic wire weave and how to solder the weave to make a ring. Must have completed Beginning Silversmithing or equivalent.
More info: silverworksglenechopark.com. Minimum age 13. 1 session.
Learn More & Register >>
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Paint the Chesapeake on Tilghman Island Workshop
August 21 - 23 (three days) | Fri Sat Sun @ 10:00am - 5:00pm | OFFSITE
Join Walt Bartman at his studio on Tilghman Island for an inspirational plein air painting weekend. Lectures on drawing, color and composition, critiques, and demos will be included daily. This workshop is for all levels of students and mediums.
More info on lodging: walt@yellowbarnstudio.net. Minimum age 16, accompanied by a parent. 3 sessions.
Learn More & Register >>
| | | CHILDREN & TEEN CLASSES & CAMPS | | |
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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 Camps >> | Learn More About Children's Classes >>
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Movie Sing Along Camp (Ages 7-12)
Begins August 17 | Mon Tue Wed Th Fri @ 9:00am - 3:00pm | Washington Conservatory of Music
Lights, camera, sing! Kids jump into the spotlight, singing their favorite tunes from today’s most-loved movies. Learn how to protect your young voice while belting out songs like a true movie star. Each day is packed with imaginative musical games and creative crafts that bring the magic of movies to life. The week ends with a star-studded performance for family and caregivers! More info 301-634-2250; washingtonconservatory.org. 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. | | | | |
