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Hi Jenni,
We hope you had a wonderful Independence Day! Although the Fourth of July fireworks and festivities are over, you can keep the fun going with a carousel ride, children's theater performance, a social dance, and more—so many great options!
New dance class alert! Wednesday evening's Introduction to Contra Dance with Penelope Weinberger is a Partnership-presented class that gets you up to speed on all things contra. Build confidence in your contra dancing skills, learn basic moves, etiquette, and how to navigate a dance floor with ease. It's said Contra is one of the easiest forms to learn, and while that's true, this class is for folks who would like a little more intro before a foray out into the Friday night dance with 200 plus attendees. So if you don't know an Allemand from a do si do, this class will be perfect for you. Drop-in to any or all of our Wednesday night classes—starting tomorrow!—or grab the Full Class Series (6 Classes) ticket for a discounted rate!
This Thursday evening brings another FREE Summer Concert—rain or shine—in the open-air, covered Bumper Car Pavilion. This week, we welcome Black Masala, a DC-based brass band who pushes the boundaries between the genres of punk rock, Balkan brass, Indian bhangra and New Orleans funk! 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.
If you need a break from the heat, step inside the Park's Visual Arts Studios & Galleries! Each weekend, the work of local and regional artists is showcased in the three Partnership Galleries and the studios & galleries of our resident visual artists and organizations. This weekend, be sure to stop by artist Charles Warren's Yellow Barn Studio weekend exhibition to browse paintings by a local artist. Plus, you can celebrate the exhibition with an Artist Reception Saturday evening!
Summer Camps are in full swing! 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 >> | | |
Introduction to Contra Dance with Penelope Weinberger
June 9 | 7:00pm - 8:15pm | Ballroom Back Room
See details above under "Featured".
Purchase Tickets >>
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Contra Dance and Occasional Squares* with Friday Night Dancers
July 11 | 7:30pm - 11:00pm | Spanish Ballroom
Contra is a fun and easy dance, and darn it, you need more dancing in your life! No experience needed! Come alone or with friends! The beginner lesson starts at 7:30pm, followed by social dancing from 8:00pm to 11:00pm.
Ben Allbrandt will call to the wall of sound of The Fabulous Glen Echo Open Band, the envy of contra dances across the world, featuring YOU if you bring your instrument and get there by 7pm for soundcheck! Seriously, come join the band!
Purchase Tickets >> | Learn More about the Open Band >>
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Also Check Out this Week ...
International Folk Dance* with Dancing Planet | Blues Dance* with Capital Blues | Balboa DJ Dance*with Gottaswing | Zouk Dance* and Workshop with District Zouk | Swing Dance* with Gottaswing | Second Sunday Barn Dance* with Folklore Society of Greater Washington | Ballroom Dance* with Ballroom Time | Tango/Milonga Dance* with Tango Brillante
*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: July 18 Back Room Salsa Night, July 19 Bachata y más
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 | | | |
A+ Ballroom Dancing
Begins July 15 | Tuesdays @ 7:30pm - 8:30pm | Spanish Ballroom
For students who have completed an ABC's 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 18. 4 sessions.
Learn More & Register >>
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Charcoal Drawing from Photos Workshop
July 19 & July 20 | Saturday & Sunday @ 2:00pm - 6:00pm (two days) | ONLINE
Create a black and white masterpiece in this energetic and satisfying workshop! Students use photographs of their choice to draw luminous and impressive compositions. Discussions and demos on composition, value, and charcoal application. All skill levels.
More info: m.taber.thomas@gmail.com. Minimum age 13. 2 sessions.
Learn More & Register >>
| | | FEATURED CHILDREN & TEEN CLASSES & CAMPS | | |
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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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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!
| | | | FEATURED CHILDREN & TEEN CLASSES & CAMPS | | | |
Wheel Teen Thursday (Ages 13-18) - 7/17
Begins July 17 | Thurdays @ 4:00pm - 6:00pm | Large Pottery Yurt
A basic introduction to the potter’s wheel: wedging, centering, throwing and decorating techniques. Glazed and unglazed formats will be explored. Free expression is encouraged in both functional and nonfunctional ware. This class is for students attending Middle and High School and beginners are welcome. Teen classes do not include open studio hours. Tuition includes tools and supplies.
More info: margetgepottery@gmail.com. 7 sessions.
Learn More & Register >>
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Beginning Irish Dance Camp (Ages 5-10) 7/21 - 7/25
Begins July 21 | Mon Tue Wed Th Fri @ 12:00pm - 4:00pm | Spanish Ballroom
Have fun while learning Irish Dance! It's all about timing, foot placement, movement! Open to new beginners and students up through level 2. We recommend the dancers bring a snack.
More info: sean@culkinschool.com. 301.346.1907. 5 sessions.
Learn More & Register >>
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Praline Cafe
Monday - Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday - Friday: 10am - 4pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10am - midnight
*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. | | | | |
