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WALTZ TIME NEWSLETTER  September/October 2014
There are shortcuts to happiness, and dancing is one of them.
Vicki Baum
Greetings from Waltz Time! This newsletter offers a calendar of upcoming waltz dances and workshops, dance community news and informative articles.
Our newsletter is sent every two months and offers a calendar of waltz dances and workshops, dance community news and informative articles. We encourage your articles for our newsletter. Or tell us what would you like to know! Please send your story or suggestions for topics to staff@waltztimedances.org.
Waltz Time is an all-volunteer committee that produces the twice-monthly Sunday afternoon waltz dances and the Annual Strauss Ball at Glen Echo Park's Spanish Ballroom. View Waltz Time's entire 2014 calendar on our web site.
We hope you enjoy our newsletter. At the end of this page, there are additional links that you can use to forward this newsletter to a friend or to unsubscribe.
From all of us at Waltz Time
DID YOU KNOW?
HENRY FORD (yes, the Henry Ford) was a true believer in the benefits and power of music and dancing. He and his wife, Clara Bryant, loved dance, particularly square dancing. But they also enjoyed "old-fashioned" quadrilles, two-steps and waltzes, as well. Wanting a place to dance near his home, Ford in 1937 built the lavish Lovett Hall in Michigan.
The dance floor was made of Burmese teakwood with a specially designed spring board floor. Square dancing, along with other dances, became a part of life for Ford, his employees and even school children. Ford believed square dancing taught social training, courtesy and good citizenship -- along with rhythm, of course.
JORGE MARIO BERGOGLIO, the first Argentine to ascend the throne of St. Peter, has said he loves tango and danced to the passionate music when he was young. The man now known as Pope Francis was a fan of tango singers Carlos Gardel and Julio Sosa and the early 20th-century orchestra of Juan D'Arienzo. He also admired Astor Piazzolla, the Argentine composer and master of the bandoneon.
Though he danced the tango as a young man, Francis said he preferred the milonga. He and his then-girlfriend often went dancing with a group of friends, but the romance ended "when I discovered my religious vocation."
DANCING was a major part of the life of heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post. The beautiful Pavilion at her Hillwood Estate in Washington, DC, was often used for dances.
On a regular basis, the furniture was removed to make room for square dancing (and other types). To protect the antique English wood floor, the staff provided rubber tips for the women's high-heeled shoes.
Labor Day Weekend Festivities at Glen Echo Park
Here are three GREAT activities at Glen Echo Park that you can enjoy this weekend that encompass all of the best things in life: art appreciation, music and dance performances and participatory workshops - see it all below...
Irish Music & Dance Showcase - Free! Gas prices keeping you local over the Labor Day weekend? Airfares keeping you from a transatlantic vacation? Well, you can take an in-town trip to Ireland thanks to the Irish Music & Dance Showcase at Glen Echo Park, Saturday, August 30 through Monday, September 1 in the Bumper Car Pavilion.
The festivities are free and open to the public. Enjoy music and dancing by our local Irish community, experts in their craft. You can DOWNLOAD the weekend's schedule to see all the performers and times.
The 44th Annual Labor Day Art Show
Along with the Irish festivities, visitors can browse the 44th Annual Labor Day Art Show in the Spanish Ballroom, beginning Friday, August 29 with the Opening Reception from 7:30 - 9 pm, and continuing Saturday through Monday, 12 - 6 pm each day. You can see over 560 pieces of artwork including sculpture, paintings, ceramics, glass, jewelry, photography, pottery, fabrics, furniture, and more. It's fun to just browse this beautiful exhibition, but bring your checkbook in case you see something you really like - most of the artwork is for sale. Visit Glen Echo Park's Website for more information.
Open House for Classes
While you visit the Art Show and enjoy the Irish festivities, be sure to also join the Open House for Classes to learn more about our resident artists and their classes for all ages at Glen Echo Park. Visit resident artist studios, meet instructors, see visual arts and dance demonstrations and participate in free classes. The Open House is free and open to the public from 12 - 4 pm on Saturday, August 30. Details at glenechopark.org. All Labor Day weekend activities are presented by the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture, Inc. The Irish Music & Dance Showcase is also co-sponsored by the Irish Inn at Glen Echo.
Then & Wow is Fun and Historical!
Learn about Glen Echo Park - Come to Then & Wow!
Sunday, September 28, 11 am - 5 pm
Then & Wow! is an annual celebration of the Park's past and present - a great outing for children with their families or grandparents! Enjoy a combination of historical exhibits, bumper cars, kiddie-rides, arcade games, vintage car exhibition, juggling, magic shows and more!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Please help us present a fun day for everyone, adults and children alike! Being a facepainter is a real hoot, the kids are so cute, and you do NOT have to be an artist to decorate their little faces. We have a sample book that shows lots of images for simple designs - hearts, rainbows, and smiley faces are easy - YOU CAN DO THIS!
Other volunteer spots include managing the ballroom, teaching visitors how to make a balloon animal (we will train you!), handling the prize table, and more. To volunteer, email Donna at dbarker@glenechopark.org. The festival is open to the public, free admission. Rides and some activities require ticket purchase ($1.25 each or 10 tickets for $10).
Presented by the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture. Call (301) 634-2222 for more information or visit www.glenechopark.org.
Upcoming Sunday Afternoon Waltzes in 2014
Sunday Afternoon Waltzes begin with an introductory waltz lesson from 2:45 - 3:30 pm, followed by dancing to live music until 6 pm. Cost is $10, including the lesson. Dances are held in the Spanish Ballroom unless otherwise noted. Visit WALTZ TIME'S WEBSITE for the complete 2014 schedule of waltzes.
All events are held at the Spanish Ballroom (or Bumper Car Pavilion where noted), Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD and sponsored in cooperation with the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture, Inc., the National Park Service and Montgomery County, Maryland.
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