Five Howard students broke barriers in the summer of 1960 by riding the whites-only carousel at Glen Echo Amusement Park. Their protest sparked an unprecedented alliance with the local white community, drawing national attention, union support, and eventually producing ten 1961 Freedom Riders, including Stokely Carmichael, and a Supreme Court case.

“Ain’t No Back to a Merry-Go-Round,” directed by Emmy winner Ilana Trachtman, brings this untold story to life with never-before-seen footage and voices by Jeffrey Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Bob Balaban, Lee Grant, Peter Gallagher, Dominique Thorne, Alysia Reiner and Tracie Thoms.

Stay afterward for a discussion with director Ilana Trachtman.

Tickets for the 2025/2026 Professional Touring Artists Series go on sale to Reston residents and employees of Reston businesses on Friday, August 1, in person or by phone through the RCC Box Office. The RCC Box Office will be open Friday, August 1, 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Sales to the public and online open on Friday, August 8 at 9:00 a.m.