• Collage of colorful images of diverse performers at festivals over the past few years - dancers, drummer, singers, etc.

    WASHINGTON FOLK FESTIVAL

    Washington Folk Festival will not be presented in 2024.

    The Washington Folk Festival at Glen Echo Park has been a staple of the region for more than 40 years. Beloved by many, this festival celebrating folk music, dance, and craft has brought thousands of visitors to the Park over the decades. 

    Unfortunately, the Folklore Society of Greater Washington (FSGW) will not present the Festival this year. Despite their best efforts, the FSGW Board was not able to organize the team of volunteers that it takes to produce this very large event with the standard of quality that audiences have come to expect. View the statement from the Folklore Socity of Greater Washington here >> 

    Does this mean Glen Echo Park visitors will miss out on exceptional cultural programming? Definitely not! 

    Diverse programming is a cornerstone of the Partnership’s mission, and we have a rich lineup of events and performances celebrating cultural heritage coming up this spring and summer.

    • Carousel Day on April 27 will feature performers like the West African dance and drumming group Coyaba Dance Theater and the Culkin School of Traditional Irish dance.
    • Our very popular – and free – Summer Concerts series, running June through August, will feature musicians like Pablo Regis playing Brazilian music and Ruthie and the Wranglers playing American country tunes.
    • Enjoy our Art Walk series from May through September on the first Friday of the month, where culturally diverse artists and exhibitions are shown in the Partnership Galleries and visual arts studios throughout the Park.
    • Free dance and music from several cultures will be on offer at the Social Dance Showcase over Labor Day Weekend.
    • Echo Arts Festival will bring in a diverse range of performers we look forward to announcing as October approaches.
    • Diverse Voices: Celebrating Indigenous Cultures will feature the rich history and current traditions of native peoples in November.
    • Beyond these major festivals and concerts, our robust social dance program boasts live music at most dances ranging from Blues to Brazilian Zouk to Contra and more. One-off events like the Viennese Waltz Ball in April and a Hip Hop Cypher in May will bring even more musical styles to the Park.

    We look forward to continuing our commitment to presenting diverse cultural art forms, and look forward to seeing you at the Park this year.

     

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