Washington DC’s summer concert series, the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden is soon set to come alive with 10 musical performances including jazz, Afro-Latin fusion and more.
In a press statement, National Gallery of Art says that concerts will run on Fridays from May 31 through August 9, with a mid-season break on July 5.
The statement adds that Washington DC‘s iconic National Gallery of Art plays host to this concert series every year, where the attendees can get to listen to groovy jazz tunes while surrounded by lovely art.
The season kicks off with Zydeco from Grammy-nominated Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas on May 31. Other highlights include a Juneteenth celebration concert with The Muneer Nasser Quintet on June 21, Caribbean steelpan from award-winning musician Josanne Francis on June 28, and contemporary jazz from award-winning saxophonist Brent Birckhead on July 26.
The board says that due to the popularity of Jazz in the Garden, and to give everyone an equal chance of attending, NGA will offer registration through a lottery system, taking place the week before each event.
In addition to the passes distributed through lottery, a few additional passes will be available at all entrance gate, first-come, first-served.
The NGA authorities say that it will offer rain dates for registrants whose concerts are cancelled due to weather. It will contact registrants who are affected directly.
The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden is located on the north side of the National Mall. Entrances are located at 7th Street NW, 9th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, and 9th Street and Madison Drive NW.
Scheduled Performances and Lottery Dates :
May 31
Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas, zydeco
Lottery opens: May 20 at 10:00.
Lottery closes: May 24 at 12:00.
Results announced: May 27 at 10:00.
June 7
Anderson Quartet, Indigenous fusion
Lottery opens: May 27 at 10:00.
Lottery closes: May 31 at 12:00.
Results announced: June 3 at 10:00.
June 14
8 Ohms Band, horn-heavy funk and soul
Lottery opens: June 3 at 10:00.
Lottery closes: June 7 at 12:00.
Results announced: June 10 at 10:00.
June 21
Muneer Nasser Quintet, a Juneteenth celebration
Lottery opens: June 10 at 10:00.
Lottery closes: June 14 at 12:00.
Results announced: June 17 at 10:00.
June 28
Josanne Francis, Caribbean steelpan
Lottery opens: June 17 at 10:00.
Lottery closes: June 21 at 12:00.
Results announced: June 24 at 10:00.
July 12
US Air Force Band’s Airmen of Note, Big Band jazz
Lottery opens: July 1 at 10:00.
Lottery closes: July 5 at 12:00.
Results announced: July 8 at 10:00.
July 19
Jake Blount, Afrofuturist roots
Lottery opens: Monday, July 8 at 10:00.
Lottery closes: Friday, July 12, noon
Results announced: Monday, July 15, 10:00 am.
July 26
Brent Birckhead, contemporary jazz
Lottery opens: July 15 at 10:00 am.
Lottery closes: July 19 at 12:00.
Results announced: July 22 at 10:00.
August 2
Plena Libre, Afro-Latin fusion
Lottery opens: July 22 at 10:00.
Lottery closes: July 26 at 12:00.
Results announced: July 29 at 10:00.
August 9
Leigh Pilzer’s Seven Pointed Star, jazz septet
Lottery opens: July 29 at 10:00.
Lottery closes: August 2 at 12:00.
Results announced: August 5 at 10:00.