Events

Are you musically curious? Musicians and those who are interested in listening are invited to Brentwood Arts Exchange’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. Please bring copies of sheet music if you have it (e.g. if you’re doing a jazz standard), as it helps a lot. Percussionists, please bring along something to play on (we do not have a drum kit). If we aren’t able to accompany you, you are welcome to play solo! This is a judgement-free zone.

In addition to “open mic” time, each monthly jam will also feature a special segment, the world music group jam. We’ll 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 with all the musicians there playing together! No knowledge of Indian music required; we’ll have handouts in Western notation.

Come join the world space party that is Yuri’s Night, a celebration of humankind’s first entry into space by Yuri Gagarin on April 12, 1961, and the first Space Shuttle launch on April 12, 1981. Yuri’s Night aims to use space to bring the world together, to empower the greatest parts of who we are, and give vision to where we are going. Multi-instrumentalist improviser and composer Sarah Marie Hughes will join experimental electronic musician Pat Cain for a collaborative imagination of music from space, spacey sounds, and alien imaginings.

Karen Lovejoy is the vocalist and bandleader of the Lovejoy Group. She migrated from the Midwest where she began singing contemporary ballads, R&B, and top 40. However, when she discovered jazz, she found a home. The freedom to reinterpret music on a whim, turning a tune inside out, and choosing generous lyrics, appealed to her expansive spirit.

Dynamic bassist and composer Mark Wade returns to Montpelier Arts Center for a night of exciting jazz music. Called one of the preeminent musicians of his generation (UK Vibe Magazine), Wade has been acclaimed for his distinctive writing and arranging style. Wade and his bandmates, Tim Harrison on piano and Scott Neumann on drums, will perform two sets of music featuring Wade’s award-winning original tunes, as well as well-known jazz standards. Throughout his career, Wade has played with jazz notables such as James Spaulding, Eddie Palmieri, Conrad Herwig, and Jimmy Heath. Don’t miss this New York-based, internationally recognized jazz trio for this limited-area engagement!

Davey Yarborough and Esther Williams take listeners on a journey through many musical genres, infusing themselves into the music with Yarborough’s captivating woodwinds and Williams’ soulful vocals. Together, they lay the foundation for a jazz performance you won’t forget.

Just in time for Earth Day, this play follows “Gus” (a giant dog puppet) who leads audiences on a STEM-inspired adventure around the globe. He uses clever resources to find creative solutions for a thirsty man in the desert, a wacky inventor, a toy maker and one very funny bug. Volunteers join Gus on stage to engineer a device for gathering water, build a unique toy from recycled materials and more! By the end of the play Gus and his friends use Science, Technology, Engineering and Math to find smart solutions to real-life issues. This show is designed to encourage young people to help the Earth through recycling, energy conservation, and creative thinking. The educational content in this show is recommended for Grades 2-6 (Ages 7-11). PLEASE NOTE: this show is replacing the previously scheduled “We Can Do It.”

Just in time for Earth Day, this play follows “Gus” (a giant dog puppet) who leads audiences on a STEM-inspired adventure around the globe. He uses clever resources to find creative solutions for a thirsty man in the desert, a wacky inventor, a toy maker and one very funny bug. Volunteers join Gus on stage to engineer a device for gathering water, build a unique toy from recycled materials and more! By the end of the play Gus and his friends use Science, Technology, Engineering and Math to find smart solutions to real-life issues. This show is designed to encourage young people to help the Earth through recycling, energy conservation, and creative thinking. The educational content in this show is recommended for Grades 2-6 (Ages 7-11). PLEASE NOTE: this show is replacing the previously scheduled “We Can Do It.”

Starpower is the stage where performers of all ages and levels, across the globe showcase their talent. For more information visit the Starpower National Talent Competition website! 

Olivia Kellett is an operatic soprano with a passion for creating classical music experiences that can be enjoyed by everybody. She has portrayed roles such as Giulietta in I Capuleti e i Montecchi, Donna Anna in Don Giovanni, and Erste Dame in The Magic Flute. Additionally, she has had the pleasure of serving as soprano soloist in a variety of choral engagements, such as Vivaldi’s Gloria, Handel’s Messiah and Rutter’s Requiem. One of her most exciting choir experiences was performing in Disneyland’s Candlelight with Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Where Voices collide and Dreams Take Flight:Come Enjoy The Teen Vocal Showcase!

Purchase your tickets today! Visit pgparksdirect.com and enter ticket code PGPP-SPEC-GA-20240427 in the search box.

Stacy Brooks took a deep dive into the blues, and she was quickly dubbed  “D.C. Queen of the Blues” by her peers and fans in the area. However, she doesn’t just perform in D.C., she is known internationally. Brooks started singing at the age of five in Zweibrucken, Germany at an Army show where she received a standing ovation and was on her way! With a diverse background, she brings toe tapping, head bobbing, “feel good” music that crosses all barriers. She collaborates with other musicians bridging the age gap on the blues circuit and engaging fans of other genres.

The Kennedys are vocalists/guitarists Pete and Maura Kennedy. A husband-and-wife duo, they set out on the road together in the early 90s as members of Nanci Griffith’s Blue Moon Orchestra, and since striking out on their own, they have traveled the U.S., Canada, and Europe for three decades as a two-person band. Higher energy than a folk act, but not as loud as a rock band, they mix passionate songwriting with a flair for entertainment and a repertoire of classic songs. Think of a song by Buddy Holly, the Everly Brothers, or the Beatles, and that smile on your face is the same smile you’ll be wearing when The Kennedys hit the stage.

Ari Voxx is Washington, D.C.’s Dreamy Pop Princess. Wellversed in many different music worlds, she focuses on writingmusic that is eclectic and authentically her transcending genres. Voxx’s sound is heavily inspired by the moods and vibes of ‘80s/’90s new-wave and pop artists, with influences ranging from Cocteau Twins, Kate Bush, and The Cure to The Eurythmics, Soundgarden, and Imogen Heap.

Silk Soul is a soulful R&B group that hails from the nation’s capital. Members, Janet Perry, Joseph Tatum, Tyrone Crayton, and Shedrick Reamer are all native Washingtonians and have been performing together for over 25 years. Their harmonies and melodic singing are entertaining to all audiences.

Pianist Minna Sungmin Han and violinist Jiyun Lee formed a duo in Maryland in 2007 and have amazed audiences at many prestigious venues. The duo plays with superb musicianship and a passionate performance style.

Kevin So has garnered the attention and respect of five-time Grammy award winner Keb’ Mo’, singer/activist Billy Bragg, and Tony Award-winning playwright David Henry Hwang, and has built a loyal fan base around the world for the past 30 years. He has performed at Carnegie Hall, as well as Hollywood Bowl, Wiltern Theatre, and The Ryman in Nashville. In 2007, So was a proud recipient of the NYC International Fringe Festival Award (Best Music & Lyrics) for “Great Wall” – a musical loosely based on his life and times. So has also served as multi-instrumentalist (keyboards, guitar, harmonica, mandolin) in the Keb’ Mo’ Band for the past 15 years. His songs have been recorded by India Arie (Crush on You), Keb’ Mo’ (Talk), Ana Popovic (Slow Dance), Ronnie Baker Brooks (Wham Bam Thank You Sam), and Shemekia Copeland (Sounds Like the Devil). So resides in Massachusetts. He is currently completing his next album, titled “TERESA” – an interpretation and musical exploration of the songs of legendary singer Teresa Teng. He is Americana, soul, and blues in its finest blend.

Olivia Currier is a mezzo-soprano from Albuquerque, New Mexico. She holds a degree from Texas Tech University under the mentorship of Dr. Rebecca Hays and Dr. William Averill. She has performed in outreach projects for the Amarillo Opera and as an Apprentice Artist with the Sarasota Opera. She has sung previously with Quintessence: A Community of Singers as a Choral Scholar, alongside the Voces8 US Scholars, as the alto soloist for Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb with the Lubbock Chorale, and as a guest singer with the Hungarian chamber choir Ars Nova Énekegyüttes.

Enchantment’s music is soulful, smooth, romantic, and melodious with loving lyrics, and understanding. The golden sound of Enchantment was formed in 1967 at Pershing High School in Detroit. In 1976, the charismatic showmen received national acclaim with the release of their second single Gloria. Written and arranged by dynamic lead singer E.J. Johnson, Gloria became a smash hit. They followed it with another smash hit, “Sunshine,” from the same album. They recorded their second album in 1977 and came up with their third consecutive number-one single, It’s You That I Need, which reigned at #1 for four weeks. They continued their hit making ways with top ten singles If You’re Ready (Here It Comes), Where Do We Go From Here, Forever More, Enchanted Lady, and many more. Enchantment’s longevity is attributed to their vitality and the dedication they have for their craft. The group continues to impressively demonstrate their quality golden sound at concerts and events around the country.

This evening is certainly going to get your toes tapping, showcasing the world-renowned tap dancer Baakari Wilder performing with some of the finest musicians in the DMV area. Wilder has made guest appearances at the Kennedy Center since the age of 12. He starred in the Broadway musical Bring in Da Noise Bring In Da Funk, where he received a Bessie Award for originating the role of “Uncle Huck-a-Buck.” He has performed all over the world in places such as Japan, Africa, Germany, France, and Russia. In 2014 he received the Pola Nireńska Award for dance, and the 2021 Hoofer Award from the American Tap Dance Foundation. Joining Wilder in this performance are dancers Brinae Ali, Joseph Webb, and Cartier Williams.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Division presents Shakespeare in the Parks: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by newly appointed Artistic Director Randy Snight. This 90-mintue production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a delightful comedy weaving together the stories of four young lovers, amateur actresses, and mischievous fairies. Set in an enchanted forest near the fictional town of Athens, Maryland, the play explores themes of love, illusion, and the unpredictable nature of desire. Bring your lawn chair, a picnic, and enjoy the Bard under the stars.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Division presents Shakespeare in the Parks: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by newly appointed Artistic Director Randy Snight. This 90-mintue production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a delightful comedy weaving together the stories of four young lovers, amateur actresses, and mischievous fairies. Set in an enchanted forest near the fictional town of Athens, Maryland, the play explores themes of love, illusion, and the unpredictable nature of desire. Bring your lawn chair, a picnic, and enjoy the Bard under the stars.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Division presents Shakespeare in the Parks: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by newly appointed Artistic Director Randy Snight. This 90-mintue production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a delightful comedy weaving together the stories of four young lovers, amateur actresses, and mischievous fairies. Set in an enchanted forest near the fictional town of Athens, Maryland, the play explores themes of love, illusion, and the unpredictable nature of desire. Bring your lawn chair, a picnic, and enjoy the Bard under the stars.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Division presents Shakespeare in the Parks: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by newly appointed Artistic Director Randy Snight. This 90-mintue production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a delightful comedy weaving together the stories of four young lovers, amateur actresses, and mischievous fairies. Set in an enchanted forest near the fictional town of Athens, Maryland, the play explores themes of love, illusion, and the unpredictable nature of desire. Bring your lawn chair, a picnic, and enjoy the Bard under the stars.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Division presents Shakespeare in the Parks: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by newly appointed Artistic Director Randy Snight. This 90-mintue production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a delightful comedy weaving together the stories of four young lovers, amateur actresses, and mischievous fairies. Set in an enchanted forest near the fictional town of Athens, Maryland, the play explores themes of love, illusion, and the unpredictable nature of desire. Bring your lawn chair, a picnic, and enjoy the Bard under the stars.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Division presents Shakespeare in the Parks: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by newly appointed Artistic Director Randy Snight. This 90-mintue production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a delightful comedy weaving together the stories of four young lovers, amateur actresses, and mischievous fairies. Set in an enchanted forest near the fictional town of Athens, Maryland, the play explores themes of love, illusion, and the unpredictable nature of desire. Bring your lawn chair, a picnic, and enjoy the Bard under the stars.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Division presents Shakespeare in the Parks: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by newly appointed Artistic Director Randy Snight. This 90-mintue production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a delightful comedy weaving together the stories of four young lovers, amateur actresses, and mischievous fairies. Set in an enchanted forest near the fictional town of Athens, Maryland, the play explores themes of love, illusion, and the unpredictable nature of desire. Bring your lawn chair, a picnic, and enjoy the Bard under the stars.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Division presents Shakespeare in the Parks: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by newly appointed Artistic Director Randy Snight. This 90-mintue production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a delightful comedy weaving together the stories of four young lovers, amateur actresses, and mischievous fairies. Set in an enchanted forest near the fictional town of Athens, Maryland, the play explores themes of love, illusion, and the unpredictable nature of desire. Bring your lawn chair, a picnic, and enjoy the Bard under the stars.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Division presents Shakespeare in the Parks: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by newly appointed Artistic Director Randy Snight. This 90-mintue production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a delightful comedy weaving together the stories of four young lovers, amateur actresses, and mischievous fairies. Set in an enchanted forest near the fictional town of Athens, Maryland, the play explores themes of love, illusion, and the unpredictable nature of desire. Bring your lawn chair, a picnic, and enjoy the Bard under the stars.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Division presents Shakespeare in the Parks: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by newly appointed Artistic Director Randy Snight. This 90-mintue production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a delightful comedy weaving together the stories of four young lovers, amateur actresses, and mischievous fairies. Set in an enchanted forest near the fictional town of Athens, Maryland, the play explores themes of love, illusion, and the unpredictable nature of desire. Bring your lawn chair, a picnic, and enjoy the Bard under the stars.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Division presents Shakespeare in the Parks: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by newly appointed Artistic Director Randy Snight. This 90-mintue production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a delightful comedy weaving together the stories of four young lovers, amateur actresses, and mischievous fairies. Set in an enchanted forest near the fictional town of Athens, Maryland, the play explores themes of love, illusion, and the unpredictable nature of desire. Bring your lawn chair, a picnic, and enjoy the Bard under the stars.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Division presents Shakespeare in the Parks: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by newly appointed Artistic Director Randy Snight. This 90-mintue production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a delightful comedy weaving together the stories of four young lovers, amateur actresses, and mischievous fairies. Set in an enchanted forest near the fictional town of Athens, Maryland, the play explores themes of love, illusion, and the unpredictable nature of desire. Bring your lawn chair, a picnic, and enjoy the Bard under the stars.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Division presents Shakespeare in the Parks: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by newly appointed Artistic Director Randy Snight. This 90-mintue production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a delightful comedy weaving together the stories of four young lovers, amateur actresses, and mischievous fairies. Set in an enchanted forest near the fictional town of Athens, Maryland, the play explores themes of love, illusion, and the unpredictable nature of desire. Bring your lawn chair, a picnic, and enjoy the Bard under the stars.