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Greetings!
Find out "What's Happening with Glen Echo Park!" Even if you've been coming to the Park for years, you might not know about all the activities available here. This week, we were featured on the What's Happening Moco podcast, where host Derrick Kenny sat down with our Chief Program Officer, Ama Mills-Robertson, for an informal, introductory conversation about the arts programming available year-round at the Park. Watch the conversation on YouTube or listen to the episode on Apple, TuneIn, or Spotify.
Thursday night, The U.S. Marine Band's Latin Jazz Ensemble joins us for a FREE Summer Concert—rain or shine—in the open-air, covered Bumper Car Pavilion. This band performs a mix of classic and contemporary Latin jazz hits that will keep hands clapping, feet tapping, and the dance floor hopping! 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.
On Saturday morning, take a journey through time with a Glen Echo Park Civil Rights and History Tour. Join a National Park Service ranger on a free 45-minute walking tour and hear stories from the Park's history, including the 1960 civil rights protests to desegregate Glen Echo Amusement Park. No registration required, just meet at the Dentzel carousel at 10:00am.
Saturday also brings two opportunities to connect with local artists! In the morning, you can tune in to an ACO Artist Discussion with Terence Nicholson, a multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans visual art, music, and Chinese martial arts. In the afternoon, join artists Bettina Ammann, Meg Dickerson, and Barbara Stauffer in the Stone Tower Gallery for a closing reception of their exhibition Confluence and Connections.
Each week, our fun and affordable social dances are open to the public with no prior experience and no partner required. This Saturday, District Zouk presents a Beginner Bootcamp, Lambada Bootcamp, and Social Dance in Brazilian Zouk. Dance for PD® (Dance for Parkinson's Disease) continues, with free classes meeting each Wednesday in the Ballroom Back Room. Plus, so much more! Keep an eye on our dance calendar or sign up for our social dance email list to stay up to date with all the dancing at the Park.
This weekend brings two Partnership-presented dances to the Park! Saturday evening, AllStars Big Band will swing the night away in the Spanish Ballroom! A beginner lesson (free with the price of admission) will be taught by Ellen Engle & Marc Shepanek of Flying Feet Enterprises. AllStars Big Band is a Washington, DC ensemble made up of veteran big‑band musicians. Sunday afternoon, swing your partner at a Bumper Car Squares dance in the climate-controlled Ballroom Back Room! Let's have a grand old time at a rousing square dance invigorated by music from Jump Fingers with caller Dave Hauver. Kids 12 & under get in free!
Looking for kid-friendly activities? You can grab tickets to a children's theater show book an aquarium visit, or ride the carousel throughout the week. Plus, some summer camp spots are still available, with new camps starting up each week until August 21!
Don't miss the deadline! There's less than a week left to submit your entries for the Labor Day Art Show. Artists in the DMV region are invited to submit entries before Monday, August 3, 2026 at 11:59pm EST.
Be ready when online registration for Fall & Winter 2026-2027 classes & workshops opens Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 10:00am EST. Browse the fall & winter digital catalog to see the exciting offerings available!
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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ZOUK DANCE with District Zouk
August 1 | 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. Earlier in the afternoon, we have a Brazilian zouk beginner bootcamp (1:00pm - 4:00pm), so those new to this dance can learn the basics, and a lambada bootcamp (4:30pm - 7:00pm), so those familiar with Brazilian zouk can learn the technique and most important principles of lambada. Come get your dance on!
Learn More >> | Social Dance Tickets >>
Beginner Bootcamp Tickets >> | Lambada Bootcamp Tickets >>
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THIS WEEK: AT-A-GLANCE
DANCE FOR PD® | FOLK DANCE* with Dancing Planet | BLUES DANCE* with Capital Blues | CONTRA DANCE & OCCASIONAL SQUARES* with Friday Night Dancers | ZOUK WORKSHOPS with District Zouk | SWING DANCE* with AllStars Big Band | ZOUK DANCE* with District Zouk | 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 >>
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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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Landscape in August
Begins August 6 | Thursdays @ 1:00pm - 3:30pm | Yellow Barn Studio
Draw and paint landscape in the studio and/or outdoors (weather permitting) using thumbnail sketches, small painted or drawn studies and by means of the creative, interpretive use of reference photos as needed. All levels.
More info & supply list: modernamericanartist@gmail.com. Minimum age 14. 4 sessions.
Learn More & Register >>
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Gallery Standards: Preparing for Professional Venues Workshop
August 10 -12 (three days) | Mon Tue Wed @ 6:30pm - 8:30pm | Online
Learn the essentials for successfully exhibiting your work. We cover gallery types, submission avenues (from open calls to networking), and how to approach them. Develop your complete professional foundation: artist statements, bio, portfolio, digital presence, and inventory, to become a prepared, market-ready professional.
More info: kim@lockhousegallery.com. Minimum age 16. 3 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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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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Refabulous Runway Foundations in Fashion Camp (Ages 12 – 15)
Begins August 10 | Mon Tue Wed Th Fri @ 9:00am - 3:00pm | Arcade Building Rooms 202 & 203
Unleash your inner fashionista. Professional designer/branding processes used. Create logo, solidify your style, then up-cycle. From sketchbook to runway, transform existing garments from home and a few supplied by the instructor. You will learn tried and true techniques to create wearable garments that are YOU. Use paint, dye, bling, cutouts, patch, stencil in individual and group challenges. Bring your sewing kit or use our supplies. Machine-sew at home or our assistant will sew in class. Campers produce a Friday fashion show open to family attendance. Mandatory everyday dress over swimwear or bike shorts for ease in trying on clothes. Supply fee of $50 payable to instructor. Tuition includes $50 non-refundable deposit.
More info: inklinginstalana@yahoo.com. 5 sessions.
Learn More & Register >>
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Fantasy City: Create Your Own City Camp (Ages 5-10)
Begins August 17 | Mon Tue Wed Th Fri @ 9:00am - 3:00pm | Arcade Building Room 202
Campers will create their own fantasy cities using various materials by imagining and designing the city they would love to live in. Through hands-on projects, both individual and collaborative, campers will experiment with art materials, share ideas, and bring their visions to life. Each day campers will create a 2D sample, and at the end of the week they will take home a 3D model of their very own fantasy city. This camp will help campers build important skills such as empathy, collaboration, and self-expression in a supportive and playful environment. All supplies are included. Tuition includes a $50 non-refundable deposit.
More info: Aprendemosconlatierra@proton.me. 5 sessions.
Learn More & Register >>
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After Camp (ages 5-12) is available to extend your camper's day until 6pm! After Camp has weekly registration and meets Monday – Friday* after your child's camp from 2pm - 6pm. Spots fill up quickly, so be sure to register in advance!
August 3 - 7 >> | August 10 - 14 >>
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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. | | | | |
