Most of these concert series run from June through August 2010. All are free and open to the public. Except for the Carter Barron concerts, none require tickets. All are outdoor concerts except for those on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage. For performances held in grassy areas (Fort Dupont, Washington National Zoo, National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden), concert-goers may want to bring blankets or lawn chairs. Check websites for updated schedules.
Jazz in the Garden at the National Gallery of Art
Fridays, 5:00–8:30 p.m. National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, on the National Mall at 7th St. and Constitution Ave. NW. Metro: Archives. (202) 289-3360.
- June 18: Ron and Ryan Diehl (Father’s Day tribute)
- June 25: Nattybeaux (jump swing band)
- July 2: Bio Ritmo (hot salsa)
- July 9: Daysahead (jazz and R&B)
- July 16: Incendio (Latino jazz)
- July 23: Young Lions (fusion rock/jazz)
- July 30: John Jensen (jazz trombonist)
- Aug. 6: Bjorn Solli (Norwegian jazz guitarist)
- Aug. 13: Carsten Boe Trio (Django jazz)
- Aug. 20: Pete BarenBregge (ensemble avant-garde)
- Aug. 27: Miles Stiebel (jazz violinist)
- Sept. 3: Josh Bayer (jazz guitar)
- Sept. 10: Bruce Swaim (jazz saxophone)
Carter Barron Free Concerts
All concerts start at 7:30 p.m. Carter Barron Amphitheatre in Rock Creek Park, 16th St. and Colorado Ave. NW. Free tickets are distributed on the day of performance at the Carter Barron box office, beginning at noon, or at the Washington Post building, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Maximum four tickets per adult. (202) 426-0486.
- June 18: Jazz Night with Frédéric Yonnet and Nasar Abadey & Supernova
- June 25: Reggae Night with Strykers Posse, Yawd Lynk and Tony Roy, and Proverbs Reggae Band
- July 9: Neo Soul Night with V. Rich, Maimouna Youssef, and Afi Soul
- July 16: International Beat Night with Chopteeth, Sin Miedo, and Funk Ark
- Aug. 13: 8th Annual Metro DC Dances
- Aug. 14: Culture Shock East Coast Dance Concert 2010
- Aug. 15: Joint Service Jazz with U.S. Army Blues, U.S. Navy Commodores, and Airmen of Note
Fort Dupont Summer Concerts
Saturdays at 8 p.m. Fort Dupont Park near Randle Circle and Minnesota Ave. SE. (202) 426-7723.
- July 10: Jazzin’ with Boys and Girls Clubs and Julliard
- July 17: Kindred the Family Soul
- July 24: Roy Ayers
- July 31: Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes
- Aug. 7: Sugarfoot’s Ohio Players
- Aug. 14: Midnight Starr
- Aug. 21: SOS Band
Sunset Serenades at the Washington National Zoo
Thursdays, 6:30–8:00 p.m. Lion/Tiger Hill at the National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW. Metro: Cleveland Park or Woodley Park-Zoo. Bring a picnic or buy food, beer and wine from zoo vendors.
- July 22: Steve Scott Project (jazz, reggae, calypso, R&B)
- July 29: GHZ [Gigahertz] Band and Show (rock)
- Aug. 5: The Grandsons (roots rock)
United States Air Force Band Summer Concerts
Tuesdays, 8 p.m., West Steps of the U.S. Capitol Building. Metro: Union Station or Capitol South. Wednesdays and Fridays, 8 p.m., Air Force Memorial. Metro: Pentagon City or Arlington Cemetery. (202) 767-5658. The Air Force Band also offers four Independence Day concerts:
- July 3 and July 4, 1 p.m.: Airmen of Note, at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Metro: Gallery Place.
- July 4, 6 p.m.: Max Impact, at the National Air & Space Museum. Metro: Smithsonian.
- July 4, 8 p.m.: Concert Band & Singing Sergeants, at the Air Force Memorial.
United States Navy Band Summer Concerts
Tuesdays, 8:00 p.m. U.S. Navy Memorial, 701 Pennsylvania Ave, NW. Classical orchestral works, current pop, patriotic marches. Includes the Commodores, the Navy’s jazz ensemble; the Country Current, the Navy’s country-bluegrass group; and the Sea Chanters chorus.
Golden Triangle Summer Concerts
Thursdays, 5:30–7:30 p.m. Farragut Square Park, 17th and K Streets NW. Metro: Farragut North or Farragut West.
- June 17: Lloyd Dobler Effect
- June 24: Road Soda
- July 1: Cazhmiere
- July 8: Sin Miedo
- July 15: Crowded Streets
Lunchtime Concerts
Woodrow Wilson Plaza, weekdays, noon–1:30 pm. Jazz, blues, dance, salsa, classical, folk. 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Metro: Federal Triangle.
Capitol Riverfront, Wednesdays, noon–2:00 p.m. Rock, reggae, blues, soul. Tingey Plaza, 100 Tingey St. SE. Metro: Navy Yard.
Kennedy Center Millennium Stage
The Kennedy Center continues its year-round program of free performances at 6:00 p.m. most days. No tickets are required. Some highlights of the summer 2010 schedule include performances by the Fairfax Wind Symphony, Jazzdanz/dc, Dance Box Theater, Lesole’s Dance Project, Deviated Theatre, Nrityanjali Performance Ensemble, Marta Gómez, Los Angeles Police Concert Band, Marce Lacouture, Virginia Virtuosi, Pasatono Orquesta, Hamac Caziim, Son de Madera Trio, and Los Verdaderos Caporales de Apatzingán. For a complete listing visit the Millennium Stage website. 800-444-1324 or 202-467-4600.
See also:
Free Outdoor Movies in Washington, DC — Summer 2010
The Smithsonian Folklife Festival 2010
