Is there a better way to welcome summer in the city than to mention the words “outdoor concert” and “free” in the same sentence? Now is the time to grab a calendar, start marking it up and plan your workweek around “hump day!”
Wednesday evenings spent at the Gudelsky Concert Gazebo on the grounds of the Music Center at Strathmore will fast become the place to meet and be entertained by an eclectic mix of genres — from jazz to hybrid hip-hop, rockabilly, country, Caribbean and, finally, Strathmore’s anticipated summer tradition, UkeFest.
“The Free Outdoor Concert Series is celebrating its 27thyear at Strathmore,” noted Georgina Javor, Strathmore’s director of programming. “While last year’s series really focused on international music, we decided to shift this year’s programming to present artists with roots in D.C., including Elijah Balbed, Incwell, Cake for Dinner featuring the frontmen from Scythian and Marti Brom.”
“The season also features the tremendous French guitarist Stephane Wrembel, Dominican musician Joan Soriano and up-and-coming Nashville country singer Lyndsey Highlander,” Javor continued.
Guitarist Stephen Wrembel performs on Wednesday, June 27, followed by Incwell on July 11, Elijah Balbed Quintet on July 18 and Lindsey Highlander on July 25.
August 1 features the Bachata Legends: Joan Soriano, followed by Marti Brom on August 8.
“And we close the summer with our annual UkeFest event, which drew over 2,500 people last year,” said Javor about the quirky ensemble of local strummers who will gather on August 15.
This year, Strathmore introduces the new, four-day Uke and Guitar Summit for all players to hone their skills before UkeFest and its signature strum-along.
“The summer concerts provide a way for family and friends to get together and enjoy an evening of great music,” Javor remarked.
