Dancing (and more) at Glen Echo Park

Glen Echo Park is situated on the Potomac palisades near Bethesda, Maryland. Originally a Chautauqua retreat, then an amusement park, this National Park is now host to a variety of arts, environmental and history programs.Take a class in pottery, painting, photography, or glass art. Enjoy a puppet show or theater performance with your family and ride the carousel. Dance in our exquisite ballroom or refine your steps in one of our dance classes. Learn more about the environment while you play, or take a ranger-guided historic tour. The park offers regular social dance events and classes in waltz, swing, contra, salsa, and more. Dances take place in the historic Spanish Ballroom and Bumper Car Pavilion.

All social dances are open to the public, for all ages, with no prior experience or partner required. Most of the dances offer an introductory lesson and live music. Tickets are $5 - $20 and are sold at the door. They cannot be purchased in advance. Alcohol is prohibited on park grounds, and smoking is prohibited in all buildings. Dress is casual, and "layers" are recommended, because the dance halls are neither heated nor air-conditioned.

This Saturday, August 9 - Swing Dance in the Spanish Ballroom! 8:00 p.m. - Midnight Admission: $13 A beginning Swing lesson from 8 to 9 p.m. with Marc Shepanek and Ellen Engle is followed by dancing from 9 p.m. to midnight.