Events

With intriguing soundscapes and dazzling visuals, Sonic Frontiers presents eclectic, improvisatory experiences with live electronic music and projection art. With a focus on community engagement, members of The DC Modular Collective will host fall and spring mini-electronic music festivals at Brentwood Arts Exchange, presenting featured headliners, inviting drop-in performances, and offering hands-on education, demonstrations, and insight into this unique art form.

An afternoon of entertainment with jazz and pop vocalist Janet Paulsen is always a joyful, swinging, and deeply thoughtful occasion. With her sparkling stage persona and warm, welcoming style, she brings her heart and soul to every performance. This show will feature beloved songs by Doris Day, Dinah Shore, and Ella Fitzgerald, from albums they recorded with conductor and pianist Andre Previn.

Idol Beings is the musical partnership of vocalist Akua Allrich and bassist/producer Kris Funn. Born and raised in the DMV, the two have a philosophy about their creative process: “It is in moments of idleness that nodes of the brain that don’t usually communicate with each other spark connections. We created this project to express our art outside of our normal thought process — not for the sake of not being idle, but to become idols.”

An ex-pageant queen fronts a rock ‘n’ roll band? Cinema Hearts has a pulsing passion for days gone by. It’s the sparkling indie rock project of Washington, D.C. singer-songwriter and former Miss America contender Caroline Weinroth, whose music captivates audiences around the world with playful lyricism, moody guitar riffs, retro song references, and dramatic pageantry. Cinema Hearts has shared the stage with Hozier, Bartees Strange, La Luz, The Ventures, Dengue Fever, and more.  While husband and wife bluegrass duo Gabby & Nick each have their own unique creative songwriting projects, the pair unites in performance for deep love and reverence for bluegrass songs. The folk duo interprets traditional bluegrass songs through contemporary folk harmonies and feel. The couple joins forces in song to celebrate the rich canons of Standard American Vernacular music.

L.T.D. (which stands for Love, Togetherness, and Devotion) was formed in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1968, and is best known for hits like “Back in Love Again” and “Holding On,” as well as their soulful ballads such as “Love Ballad” and “Where Did We Go Wrong.” This tribute promises to take you back to the days of sweet love ballads with the music of Jeffrey Osborne and L.T.D.

Daniela Soledade and Nate Najar’s captivating Bossa Nova performances have resonated in jazz-loving capitals like Paris and London, blending English and Portuguese songs with tender beauty and syncopated rhythms. Rooted in a pandemic-era livestream series, their repertoire spans generations, showcasing Daniela’s Brazilian music heritage and celebrating the genre romantically. With Soledade’s soulful vocals and Najar’s guitar virtuosity, their performance promises an unforgettable journey into love and tradition. It’s a unique fusion of irresistible voice, guitar prowess, and deep affection—an homage to venerable music.

Are you musically curious? Musicians and those who are interested in listening are invited to BAE’s monthly Curiosity Jam! We welcome singers and instrumentalists from any culture in the world. Our goal is to share music and encourage cross-cultural collaboration. World music band Kundalika is the house backing band, with sitar-guitar, acoustic guitar, upright bass and djembe on hand. In addition to “open mic” time, each monthly jam will also feature a special segment, the world music group jam. We will teach folks how to play the basic outline of an Indian classical music scale on their own instrument (or sing it vocally). Then we’ll lay down a groove and do a jam will all the musicians there playing together! No knowledge of Indian music required; we will have handouts in Western notation.

Dancers learn a mixture of regional dances of Africa from the professionals of the Dallas Black Dance Theatre. Women/girls can wear a “lappa” (2 yards of African print fabric to be wrapped around the waist). Spaces are limited; advance registration is recommended. For ages 15 and up.

Dancers learn praise choreography from the professionals of the Dallas Black Dance Theatre. Spaces are limited; advance registration is recommended. For ages 15 and up.

Penelope Shvarts has played both classical and flamenco guitar since she was five years old and is currently studying at the Peabody Institute, where she was given an award to continue her research into non-male composers and their works for guitar. She hopes to diversify the standard classical guitar repertoire and make music more inclusive.

Join us for an electrifying Tribute Concert celebrating the timeless hits of two iconic R&B groups: Switch and DeBarge. From the infectious grooves of Switch to the soulful melodies of DeBarge, this event promises an unforgettable journey through decades of classic music. From chart-topping hits like “There’ll Never Be,” “I Call Your Name,” and “Rhythm of the Night” to romantic ballads such as “All This Love,” their music continues to resonate with audiences worldwide. This tribute promises to transport you back in time.

Ray “Apollo” Allen is a songwriter, composer, and powerhouse performer who masters the genres of blues, R&B, and gospel. Formerly of the Apollo Brothers, a group Ray formed with his brother Butch and friend Jackie Love in the 1960s, Allen went solo in 1985. He has shared the stage with legends such as The Drifters, The Teenagers, The Chantels, Sam & Dave, The Jones Girls, Chuck Brown, and Motown’s The Funk Brothers, and performed at The Kennedy Center, Wolf Trap, Smithsonian Folklife Festival, and Constitution Hall.

Zawadi Elaine Carroll is a singer, songwriter, and creative director from Washington, DC. Zawadi’s music is a reflection of her life’s vast experiences. Her lyrics embrace the power of feminine energy, and her music possesses a calm and glamorous aura. Zawadi began her journey as a musician while attending The University of Wisconsin-Madison on a full tuition scholarship. From there she brought her creative talents back to the East Coast where she built the House of Ethereal Realness, a femme-based arts collective committed to providing intentional and safe spaces that foster radical joy and love.

Shelton Cornelius Price, a phenomenal male artist, hails from Washington, DC. As a dedicated healthcare provider and military veteran, he discovered his passion for singing during active duty. Inspired by Motown legends like Marvin Gaye, Shelton’s silky-smooth voice has taken him worldwide. His sold-out shows, including performances at The Blue Dolphin Seafood Bar & Grill, Bethesda Blues, and Jazz Supper Club, and City Winery Philadelphia, offer an unforgettable “REMEMBERING MARVIN” experience. With a unique ability to captivate audiences, especially the ladies, Shelton’s artistry ensures lasting memories.

Drawing inspiration from legends like Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Carmen McRae, as well as modern greats such as Anita O’Day and Annie Ross, Christina Drapkin delivers soulful ballads and scat improvisations with unparalleled depth and artistry. Her rich tradition of jazz standards, honed in New Orleans and New York, showcases improvisation and harmonic development reminiscent of bebop legends like Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. With multiple acclaimed albums, including “Songs About You,” Drapkin continues to captivate audiences with her enchanting voice and innovative vision.

Hsiang-Hsin Ching is a passionate and committed Taiwanese violist and recording engineer currently attending the Peabody Institute and pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Recording Arts and Viola Performance. Dedicated to her craft, Hsiang-Hsin has played viola since age 13 and graced stages across Europe, Asia, and the U.S. with chamber music and orchestra performances.

Dancers representing countries from across the globe get together to showcase their talent in this interactive and immersive dance experience. Enjoy a live DJ spinning the latest international dance tracks and learn a few new moves to celebrate diversity in our community. Space is limited; advance registration is recommended.

Hiroya Tsukamoto’s blend of masterful fingerstyle guitar and evocative storytelling transcends cultural barriers. Recognized for his soulful performances that create an orchestra at his fingertips, Tsukamoto draws audiences into his world of musical exploration. This is a rare opportunity to witness a performer celebrated for his ability to take listeners on an “impressionistic journey” (Boston Herald) that will resonate long after the final note is played.

Grammy Award winners Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer are master musicians whose superb harmonies are backed by instrumental virtuosity on the guitar, five-string banjo, ukulele, mandolin, cello-banjo, and more. Cathy & Marcy’s Old Time Coalition, featuring Rachel Eddy (fiddle) and Becky Hill (percussive dancer), has grown out of a mutual love of Appalachian music and dance. They take the passion of a late-night porch jam session and put it on stage.

Pedrito Martinez is a Cuban percussionist, drummer, singer, songwriter, and composer originally from Havana, Cuba. A consummate master of Afro-Cuban folkloric music and the batá drum, he is also the world’s first call rumbero—playing, singing, and dancing with dozens of Cuban rumba groups. Pedrito was a founding member of the highly successful, Afro-Cuban/Afro-Beat band, Yerba Buena, with which he recorded two albums and toured the world in the mid- to late-90’s. “The Pedrito Martinez Group is writing a new chapter in Cuban music history.” -NPR All Things Considered

Sy Smith is heralded as one of the hardest working women in soul music. But she’s also one of the smartest… She has a career that spans two decades and now has 6 albums under her belt. She’s toured with some of the heaviest hitters in the industry (Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, and Chris Botti, to name a few). If you’ve never been to a Sy Smith show, prepare to be entertained – not only by her multi-layered vocal virtuosity, but also by her storytelling. Funk, glamour, soul, and jams. Sy brings it all to the stage and leaves it there.