Tributo a Hombres G & Enanitos Verdes: A Latin Rock Celebration
2025-07-26 20:00 - 23:00 UTC | Ivy City Smokehouse, 1356 Okie Street NE, Washigton, DC
Tributo a Hombres G & Enanitos Verdes: A Latin Rock Celebration
This special tribute concert honors two iconic Latin rock bands—Hombres G and Enanitos Verdes—with a full live performance by local favorites Zip Code Band, followed by a lively DMV after-party DJ set. A must-attend night for Latin rock lovers and culture enthusiasts alike.
Date: Saturday, July 26, 2025
Doors: 8 PM | Show: 9 PM
Where: The Tavern at Ivy City Smokehouse, 1356 Okie St. NE, DC
Music by: Zip Code Band + After-party DJ Set
Age: 21+

Fridays at the Fountain - National Landing
2025-08-01 17:30 - 20:00 | National Landing Water Park, 1601 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA, 22202
Back for another season, Fridays at the Fountain invites you for free live music at National Landing Water Park, the region’s only outdoor food hall. Hosted by the National Landing BID in partnership with Pipkin Creative.
Guests can grab a drink and a bite to eat from one of National Landing Water Park’s beloved food stalls, bring a lawn chair or blanket, or enjoy the sounds of summer throughout the food hall’s public seating areas.
2025 music lineup:

August 1: Human Country Jukebox (Country)

August 8: Femi and the Foundation (Rock, Funk, Hip-Hop)

August 15: Orquesta Manplesa (Classic Salsa)

August 22: Rock Creek Kings (Rock)

August 29: Ari Voxx (Indie Pop)

WHEN: Every Friday from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
WHERE: National Landing Water Park – 1601 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202. Free parking after 4pm and easily accessible from the Crystal City Metro and bus lines.
HOW: Free admission, open to the public. RSVPs encouraged at Eventbrite.
For real-time event updates and more information on National Landing, please visit www.nationallanding.org/events/calendar or follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Fridays at the Fountain - National Landing
2025-08-08 17:30 - 20:00 | National Landing Water Park, 1601 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA, 22202
Back for another season, Fridays at the Fountain invites you for free live music at National Landing Water Park, the region’s only outdoor food hall. Hosted by the National Landing BID in partnership with Pipkin Creative.
Guests can grab a drink and a bite to eat from one of National Landing Water Park’s beloved food stalls, bring a lawn chair or blanket, or enjoy the sounds of summer throughout the food hall’s public seating areas.
2025 music lineup:

August 8: Femi and the Foundation (Rock, Funk, Hip-Hop)

August 15: Orquesta Manplesa (Classic Salsa)

August 22: Rock Creek Kings (Rock)

August 29: Ari Voxx (Indie Pop)

WHEN: Every Friday from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
WHERE: National Landing Water Park – 1601 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202. Free parking after 4pm and easily accessible from the Crystal City Metro and bus lines.
HOW: Free admission, open to the public. RSVPs encouraged at Eventbrite.
For real-time event updates and more information on National Landing, please visit www.nationallanding.org/events/calendar or follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Fridays at the Fountain - National Landing
2025-08-15 17:30 - 20:00 | National Landing Water Park, 1601 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA, 22202
Back for another season, Fridays at the Fountain invites you for free live music at National Landing Water Park, the region’s only outdoor food hall. Hosted by the National Landing BID in partnership with Pipkin Creative.
Guests can grab a drink and a bite to eat from one of National Landing Water Park’s beloved food stalls, bring a lawn chair or blanket, or enjoy the sounds of summer throughout the food hall’s public seating areas.
2025 music lineup:

August 15: Orquesta Manplesa (Classic Salsa)

August 22: Rock Creek Kings (Rock)

August 29: Ari Voxx (Indie Pop)

WHEN: Every Friday from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
WHERE: National Landing Water Park – 1601 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202. Free parking after 4pm and easily accessible from the Crystal City Metro and bus lines.
HOW: Free admission, open to the public. RSVPs encouraged at Eventbrite.
For real-time event updates and more information on National Landing, please visit www.nationallanding.org/events/calendar or follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Fridays at the Fountain - National Landing
2025-08-22 17:30 - 20:00 | National Landing Water Park, 1601 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA, 22202
Back for another season, Fridays at the Fountain invites you for free live music at National Landing Water Park, the region’s only outdoor food hall. Hosted by the National Landing BID in partnership with Pipkin Creative.
Guests can grab a drink and a bite to eat from one of National Landing Water Park’s beloved food stalls, bring a lawn chair or blanket, or enjoy the sounds of summer throughout the food hall’s public seating areas.
2025 music lineup:

August 22: Rock Creek Kings (Rock)

August 29: Ari Voxx (Indie Pop)

WHEN: Every Friday from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
WHERE: National Landing Water Park – 1601 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202. Free parking after 4pm and easily accessible from the Crystal City Metro and bus lines.
HOW: Free admission, open to the public. RSVPs encouraged at Eventbrite.
For real-time event updates and more information on National Landing, please visit www.nationallanding.org/events/calendar or follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Fridays at the Fountain - National Landing
2025-08-29 17:30 - 20:00 | National Landing Water Park, 1601 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA, 22202
Back for another season, Fridays at the Fountain invites you for free live music at National Landing Water Park, the region’s only outdoor food hall. Hosted by the National Landing BID in partnership with Pipkin Creative.
Guests can grab a drink and a bite to eat from one of National Landing Water Park’s beloved food stalls, bring a lawn chair or blanket, or enjoy the sounds of summer throughout the food hall’s public seating areas.
2025 music lineup:

August 29: Ari Voxx (Indie Pop)

WHEN: Every Friday from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
WHERE: National Landing Water Park – 1601 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202. Free parking after 4pm and easily accessible from the Crystal City Metro and bus lines.
HOW: Free admission, open to the public. RSVPs encouraged at Eventbrite.
For real-time event updates and more information on National Landing, please visit www.nationallanding.org/events/calendar or follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Jazz in the Gardens | A Tribute to Quincy Jones
2025-09-03 17:30 - 20:00 | Hillwood Museum & Gardens, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20008
Jazz in the Gardens | A Tribute to Quincy Jones
Wednesday, September 3, 2025, 5:30-8 p.m.
Enjoy an outdoor evening concert on Hillwood’s Lunar Lawn celebrating the iconic music of Quincy Jones, performed by Marshall Keys and local D.C. musicians.
www.HillwoodMuseum.org
4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008

Jazz in the Garden
2025-09-03 17:30 - 20:00 | Hillwood Museum & Gardens, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20008
Spend an evening in the gardens, and enjoy an outdoor concert performed by D.C.’s Marshall Keys and local musicians and presented by executive producer Donna Limerick.

A Tribute to Quincy Jones
Wednesday, September 3, 2025, 5:30-8 p.m.
Concert begins at 6:30 p.m.
Celebrate the iconic music of Quincy Jones, an American record producer, composer, arranger, trumpet player, bandleader, and conductor.

Register

Prior to the performance, enjoy Hillwood’s mansion, gardens, the special exhibition From Exile to Avant-Garde: The Life of Princess Natalie Paley, greenhouse, museum shop, and a delightful selection of food and drinks from Merriweather To Go.

Rare Essence @ Ivy City Smokehouse
2025-09-07 18:00 - 23:00 | Ivy City Smokehouse, 1356 Okie Street NE, Washigton, DC
Rare Essence, Washington’s premier Go-Go band and a DC institution for over four decades, will be performing live on Sunday, September 7, 2025 at Ivy City Smokehouse. This is more than just a concert—it’s a full-on celebration of DC’s indigenous sound and cultural roots.
Rare Essence, affectionately known as “the Wickedest Band Alive,” has drawn multigenerational crowds since the ‘70s, and this event promises that same energy with a modern twist.
Event Highlights:

Live performance by Rare Essence from 6PM to 11PM
Award-winning food available—come early to dine in!
Standing-room-only vibe in the event space for max energy
Exclusive Bottle Service tables available (Limited! $250 deposit goes toward final tab)

Early access to tickets are live HERE.

Jazz in the Gardens | An Evening of Afro-Caribbean Jazz
2025-09-17 05:30 - 20:00 | Hillwood Museum & Gardens, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20008
Jazz in the Gardens | An Evening of Afro-Caribbean Jazz
Wednesday, September 17, 2025, 5:30-8 p.m.
Enjoy an outdoor evening concert on Hillwood’s Lunar Lawn and be transported by the sound of the steel pan, with a performance featuring Marshall Keys and some of the finest jazz musicians in the D.C. area.
www.HillwoodMuseum.org
4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008

Jazz in the Garden
2025-09-17 17:30 - 20:00 | Hillwood Museum & Gardens, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20008
Spend an evening in the gardens, and enjoy an outdoor concert performed by D.C.’s Marshall Keys and local musicians and presented by executive producer Donna Limerick.

An Evening of Afro-Caribbean Jazz
Wednesday, September 17, 2025, 5:30-8 p.m.
Concert begins at 6:30 p.m.
Delight in the unique melodies of Afro-Caribbean jazz and be transported by the sound of the steel pan.

Register

Prior to the performance, enjoy Hillwood’s mansion, gardens, the special exhibition From Exile to Avant-Garde: The Life of Princess Natalie Paley, greenhouse, museum shop, and a delightful selection of food and drinks from Merriweather To Go.

NaLa Noches Latin Music Series @ National Landing
2025-09-18 17:00 - 19:00 | Metropolitan Park, 1330 S Fair Street, Arlington, VA, 22202
Introducing NaLa Noches, a new Latin music series this fall in National Landing’s Metropolitan Park. Hosted by the National Landing BID and sponsored by Amazon—with a stellar lineup curated by DC trumpet legend Joe Herrera—the free live music series kicks off Thursday, September 18 (5:00 – 7:00 p.m.) with a performance by Max Rosado, a powerhouse vocalist known for his salsa and tropical rhythms. Concurrent with Hispanic Heritage Month, NaLa Noches celebrates the broader diaspora of Latin music with weekly performances showcasing Venezuelan jazz, Boleros, and more, concluding with the popular salsa band, Bio Ritmo. For more info, visit www.nationallanding.org/NaLaNoches.

Guests are invited to grab a bite from local restaurants in Met Park including Taqueria Xochi, Peruvian Brothers and more, enjoy free Topo Chico (while supplies last) and dive into hands-on art activities hosted on-site by the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington. Plus, stop by the National Landing BID tent for giveaways!

2025 NaLa Noches music and art lineup:

September 18: Max Rosado (Salsa)

On-site art activity: Create Caracas-inspired prints with artist Ana Chabela

September 25: Gigi MacLaughlin (Brazilian music)

On-site art activity: Color Papel Amate-inspired prints designed by artist David Amoroso

October 2: Miramar (Boleros)

On-site art activity: Make tissue paper marigolds and flowers

October 29: Fran Vielma (Venezuela jazz)

On-site art activity: Make Folklórico crafts with artist David Amoroso

October 16: Alfredo Mojica (Salsa)

On-site art activity: Mold plasticine clay figurines

October 23: Bio Ritmo (Psychedelic Salsa)

On-site art activity: Paint watercolor prints of fall fruits and vegetables

WHEN: Every Thursday from September 18 to October 23 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: Metropolitan Park (1330 S Fair Street, Arlington, VA 22202)

HOW: The event is free; however, RSVPs are encouraged via Eventbrite.

GETTING THERE: Metropolitan Park is easily accessible by rail and approximately a 7-minute walk from Pentagon City Metro, or a 10-minute walk from Crystal City Metro Station. Capital Bikeshare stations are within a short walk and limited bike parking is also available. For those driving, there are ample parking options in the vicinity.

NaLa Noches Latin Music Series @ National Landing
2025-09-25 17:00 - 19:00 | Metropolitan Park, 1330 S Fair Street, Arlington, VA, 22202
Introducing NaLa Noches, a new Latin music series this fall in National Landing’s Metropolitan Park. Hosted by the National Landing BID and sponsored by Amazon—with a stellar lineup curated by DC trumpet legend Joe Herrera—the free live music series kicks off Thursday, September 18 (5:00 – 7:00 p.m.) with a performance by Max Rosado, a powerhouse vocalist known for his salsa and tropical rhythms. Concurrent with Hispanic Heritage Month, NaLa Noches celebrates the broader diaspora of Latin music with weekly performances showcasing Venezuelan jazz, Boleros, and more, concluding with the popular salsa band, Bio Ritmo. For more info, visit www.nationallanding.org/NaLaNoches.

Guests are invited to grab a bite from local restaurants in Met Park including Taqueria Xochi, Peruvian Brothers and more, enjoy free Topo Chico (while supplies last) and dive into hands-on art activities hosted on-site by the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington. Plus, stop by the National Landing BID tent for giveaways!

2025 NaLa Noches music and art lineup:

September 25: Gigi MacLaughlin (Brazilian music)

On-site art activity: Color Papel Amate-inspired prints designed by artist David Amoroso

October 2: Miramar (Boleros)

On-site art activity: Make tissue paper marigolds and flowers

October 29: Fran Vielma (Venezuela jazz)

On-site art activity: Make Folklórico crafts with artist David Amoroso

October 16: Alfredo Mojica (Salsa)

On-site art activity: Mold plasticine clay figurines

October 23: Bio Ritmo (Psychedelic Salsa)

On-site art activity: Paint watercolor prints of fall fruits and vegetables

WHEN: Every Thursday from September 18 to October 23 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: Metropolitan Park (1330 S Fair Street, Arlington, VA 22202)

HOW: The event is free; however, RSVPs are encouraged via Eventbrite.

GETTING THERE: Metropolitan Park is easily accessible by rail and approximately a 7-minute walk from Pentagon City Metro, or a 10-minute walk from Crystal City Metro Station. Capital Bikeshare stations are within a short walk and limited bike parking is also available. For those driving, there are ample parking options in the vicinity.

NaLa Noches Latin Music Series @ National Landing
2025-10-02 17:00 - 19:00 | Metropolitan Park, 1330 S Fair Street, Arlington, VA, 22202
Introducing NaLa Noches, a new Latin music series this fall in National Landing’s Metropolitan Park. Hosted by the National Landing BID and sponsored by Amazon—with a stellar lineup curated by DC trumpet legend Joe Herrera—the free live music series kicks off Thursday, September 18 (5:00 – 7:00 p.m.) with a performance by Max Rosado, a powerhouse vocalist known for his salsa and tropical rhythms. Concurrent with Hispanic Heritage Month, NaLa Noches celebrates the broader diaspora of Latin music with weekly performances showcasing Venezuelan jazz, Boleros, and more, concluding with the popular salsa band, Bio Ritmo. For more info, visit www.nationallanding.org/NaLaNoches.

Guests are invited to grab a bite from local restaurants in Met Park including Taqueria Xochi, Peruvian Brothers and more, enjoy free Topo Chico (while supplies last) and dive into hands-on art activities hosted on-site by the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington. Plus, stop by the National Landing BID tent for giveaways!

2025 NaLa Noches music and art lineup:

October 2: Miramar (Boleros)

On-site art activity: Make tissue paper marigolds and flowers

October 29: Fran Vielma (Venezuela jazz)

On-site art activity: Make Folklórico crafts with artist David Amoroso

October 16: Alfredo Mojica (Salsa)

On-site art activity: Mold plasticine clay figurines

October 23: Bio Ritmo (Psychedelic Salsa)

On-site art activity: Paint watercolor prints of fall fruits and vegetables

WHEN: Every Thursday from September 18 to October 23 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: Metropolitan Park (1330 S Fair Street, Arlington, VA 22202)

HOW: The event is free; however, RSVPs are encouraged via Eventbrite.

GETTING THERE: Metropolitan Park is easily accessible by rail and approximately a 7-minute walk from Pentagon City Metro, or a 10-minute walk from Crystal City Metro Station. Capital Bikeshare stations are within a short walk and limited bike parking is also available. For those driving, there are ample parking options in the vicinity.

NaLa Noches Latin Music Series @ National Landing
2025-10-09 05:00 - 19:00 | Metropolitan Park, 1330 S Fair Street, Arlington, VA, 22202
Introducing NaLa Noches, a new Latin music series this fall in National Landing’s Metropolitan Park. Hosted by the National Landing BID and sponsored by Amazon—with a stellar lineup curated by DC trumpet legend Joe Herrera—the free live music series kicks off Thursday, September 18 (5:00 – 7:00 p.m.) with a performance by Max Rosado, a powerhouse vocalist known for his salsa and tropical rhythms. Concurrent with Hispanic Heritage Month, NaLa Noches celebrates the broader diaspora of Latin music with weekly performances showcasing Venezuelan jazz, Boleros, and more, concluding with the popular salsa band, Bio Ritmo. For more info, visit www.nationallanding.org/NaLaNoches.

Guests are invited to grab a bite from local restaurants in Met Park including Taqueria Xochi, Peruvian Brothers and more, enjoy free Topo Chico (while supplies last) and dive into hands-on art activities hosted on-site by the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington. Plus, stop by the National Landing BID tent for giveaways!

2025 NaLa Noches music and art lineup:

October 9: Fran Vielma (Venezuela jazz)

On-site art activity: Make Folklórico crafts with artist David Amoroso

October 16: Alfredo Mojica (Salsa)

On-site art activity: Mold plasticine clay figurines

October 23: Bio Ritmo (Psychedelic Salsa)

On-site art activity: Paint watercolor prints of fall fruits and vegetables

WHEN: Every Thursday from September 18 to October 23 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: Metropolitan Park (1330 S Fair Street, Arlington, VA 22202)

HOW: The event is free; however, RSVPs are encouraged via Eventbrite.

GETTING THERE: Metropolitan Park is easily accessible by rail and approximately a 7-minute walk from Pentagon City Metro, or a 10-minute walk from Crystal City Metro Station. Capital Bikeshare stations are within a short walk and limited bike parking is also available. For those driving, there are ample parking options in the vicinity.

NaLa Noches Latin Music Series @ National Landing
2025-10-16 17:00 - 19:00 | Metropolitan Park, 1330 S Fair Street, Arlington, VA, 22202
Introducing NaLa Noches, a new Latin music series this fall in National Landing’s Metropolitan Park. Hosted by the National Landing BID and sponsored by Amazon—with a stellar lineup curated by DC trumpet legend Joe Herrera—the free live music series kicks off Thursday, September 18 (5:00 – 7:00 p.m.) with a performance by Max Rosado, a powerhouse vocalist known for his salsa and tropical rhythms. Concurrent with Hispanic Heritage Month, NaLa Noches celebrates the broader diaspora of Latin music with weekly performances showcasing Venezuelan jazz, Boleros, and more, concluding with the popular salsa band, Bio Ritmo. For more info, visit www.nationallanding.org/NaLaNoches.

Guests are invited to grab a bite from local restaurants in Met Park including Taqueria Xochi, Peruvian Brothers and more, enjoy free Topo Chico (while supplies last) and dive into hands-on art activities hosted on-site by the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington. Plus, stop by the National Landing BID tent for giveaways!

2025 NaLa Noches music and art lineup:

October 16: Alfredo Mojica (Salsa)

On-site art activity: Mold plasticine clay figurines

October 23: Bio Ritmo (Psychedelic Salsa)

On-site art activity: Paint watercolor prints of fall fruits and vegetables

WHEN: Every Thursday from September 18 to October 23 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: Metropolitan Park (1330 S Fair Street, Arlington, VA 22202)

HOW: The event is free; however, RSVPs are encouraged via Eventbrite.

GETTING THERE: Metropolitan Park is easily accessible by rail and approximately a 7-minute walk from Pentagon City Metro, or a 10-minute walk from Crystal City Metro Station. Capital Bikeshare stations are within a short walk and limited bike parking is also available. For those driving, there are ample parking options in the vicinity.

naLa Noches Latin Music Series @National Landing
2025-10-23 17:00 - 19:00 | Metropolitan Park, 1330 S Fair Street, Arlington, VA, 22202
Introducing NaLa Noches, a new Latin music series this fall in National Landing’s Metropolitan Park. Hosted by the National Landing BID and sponsored by Amazon—with a stellar lineup curated by DC trumpet legend Joe Herrera—the free live music series kicks off Thursday, September 18 (5:00 – 7:00 p.m.) with a performance by Max Rosado, a powerhouse vocalist known for his salsa and tropical rhythms. Concurrent with Hispanic Heritage Month, NaLa Noches celebrates the broader diaspora of Latin music with weekly performances showcasing Venezuelan jazz, Boleros, and more, concluding with the popular salsa band, Bio Ritmo. For more info, visit www.nationallanding.org/NaLaNoches.

Guests are invited to grab a bite from local restaurants in Met Park including Taqueria Xochi, Peruvian Brothers and more, enjoy free Topo Chico (while supplies last) and dive into hands-on art activities hosted on-site by the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington. Plus, stop by the National Landing BID tent for giveaways!

2025 NaLa Noches music and art lineup:

October 23: Bio Ritmo (Psychedelic Salsa)

On-site art activity: Paint watercolor prints of fall fruits and vegetables

WHEN: Every Thursday from September 18 to October 23 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: Metropolitan Park (1330 S Fair Street, Arlington, VA 22202)

HOW: The event is free; however, RSVPs are encouraged via Eventbrite.

GETTING THERE: Metropolitan Park is easily accessible by rail and approximately a 7-minute walk from Pentagon City Metro, or a 10-minute walk from Crystal City Metro Station. Capital Bikeshare stations are within a short walk and limited bike parking is also available. For those driving, there are ample parking options in the vicinity.

Violinist Kristin Lee and Pianist Jun Cho Perform American Sketches
2025-10-26 16:00 - 18:00 | Phillips Collection, 1600 21st Street NW, Washington, DC
On Sunday, October 26, 2025 at 4pm, violinist Kristin Lee – praised in The Strad for her “elegance” and “vivacity and electric energy” – will perform with pianist Jun Cho in a concert presented by The Phillips Collection (1600 21st Street NW). Coinciding with The Phillips Collection’s exhibition Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection (November 8, 2025-February 15, 2026), the program features music from Kristin Lee’s debut solo album, American Sketches, released on First Hand Records last year.
Out of Many tells a dynamic story of how artists have imagined and depicted American identity. Like the exhibition, American Sketches presents a panoramic view of America’s musical landscape, reflecting the distinct and recognizable sound of American music and its rich history. The album and concert program also encompass Lee’s journey as an American as well as the journeys of the composers she has selected. The concert is part of Phillips Music, the museum’s renowned Sunday Concerts series, now in its 85th season. For over 80 years, Phillips Music has presented exceptional young musicians alongside an international roster of acclaimed performers in the intimate, art-filled setting of the museum’s Music Room. A cornerstone of Washington, DC’s classical music scene, the series continues to champion both classic repertoire and innovative new works.
A violinist of remarkable versatility and impeccable technique, Kristin Lee enjoys a vibrant career as a soloist, chamber musician, educator, and artistic director. “Her technique is flawless, and she has a sense of melodic shaping that reflects an artistic maturity,” writes the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and The Strad reports, “She seems entirely comfortable with stylistic diversity, which is one criterion that separates the run-of-the-mill instrumentalists from true artists.”
For her American Sketches program at The Phillips Collection, Kristin Lee will perform Four Southland Sketches by H.T. Burleigh (1866-1949); Non-Poem 4 by Jonathan Ragonese (b.1989); Sonata No. 2 “Poeme Mystique” by Ernst Bloch (1880-1959); But Not For Me (arr. Jeremy Jordan) by George Gershwin (1898-1937); Lament (arr. Jeremy Jordan) by J.J. Johnson (1924-2001); The Entertainer (arr. Jeremy Jordan); by Scott Joplin (1868-1917); Romance by Amy Beach (1867-1944) and Fantasy on Themes from Porgy and Bess (arr. Frolov) by George Gershwin (1898-1937).
American Sketches embraces the beauty of cultural diversity in the U.S. The album has a personal resonance for Lee. A native of Seoul, Korea, she emigrated to the U.S. at the age of seven. During her childhood, playing the violin was a refuge from bullying and racism for Kristin – she moved to the U.S. not speaking any English, and felt the violin became her voice. As a foreign-born citizen of the U.S., Lee was compelled to select repertoire for the album that would express her pride in the country she now calls her own.
Performing on a violin crafted in Italy in 1759 by Gennaro Gagliano, in addition to her solo appearances, Kristin Lee tours throughout the world as a member of New York’s Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, including in Italy, Croatia, Germany, Taiwan, and across the U.S. Always up for adventure, at the Moab Music Festival in Utah, Lee has performed in such unexpected places as rafting down the Colorado River, in a natural rock grotto, and in the magical landscape of the red rock canyons of the area.
As a soloist, Kristin Lee has appeared with leading orchestras including The Philadelphia Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, New Jersey Symphony, Hawai’i Symphony, Hong Kong Philharmonic, Ural Philharmonic of Russia, Korean Broadcasting Symphony, Guiyang Symphony Orchestra of China, and Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional of Dominican Republic. She has performed on the world’s finest concert stages, including Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, the Kennedy Center, Kimmel Center, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Ravinia Festival, the Louvre Museum, the Phillips Collection, and Korea’s Kumho Art Gallery. In 2026, she makes her solo recital debut at Carnegie Hall performing her program American Sketches with pianist John Novacek. An accomplished chamber musician, Kristin Lee is a member of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, performing regularly in New York at Lincoln Center and on tour.
In addition to her prolific performance career, Lee is a devoted educator. She has served on the faculty of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and she has also been in residence with the Singapore National Youth Orchestra, the El Sistema Chamber Music Festival of Venezuela, and is a summer faculty member at Music@Menlo’s Chamber Music Institute. Lee is also the founding artistic director of Emerald City Music (ECM), a chamber music series that presents authentically unique concert experiences and bridges the divide between the highest caliber classical music and the many diverse communities of the Puget Sound region of Washington State.
Kristin Lee’s honors include an Avery Fisher Career Grant, top prizes in the Walter W. Naumburg Competition and the Astral Artists National Auditions, and awards from the Trondheim Chamber Music Competition, Trio di Trieste Premio International Competition, the SYLFF Fellowship, Dorothy DeLay Scholarship, the Aspen Music Festival’s Violin Competition, the New Jersey Young Artists’ Competition, and the Salon de Virtuosi Scholarship Foundation.
Born in Seoul, Lee moved to the United States and studied under prestigious teachers including Sonja Foster, Catherine Cho, Dorothy DeLay, Donald Weilerstein, and Itzhak Perlman. Lee holds a Master’s degree from The Juilliard School. Lee’s violin was crafted in Naples, Italy in 1759 by Gennaro Gagliano and is generously loaned to her by Paul & Linda Gridley. For more information, visit www.violinistkristinlee.com.

Simone Dinnerstein, Jennifer Johnson Cano, Katherine Needleman, and Baroklyn
2025-10-29 20:00 - 22:00 | Library of Congress, 10 1st Street SE, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
On Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at 8pm, GRAMMY®-nominated pianist Simone Dinnerstein – described by The New York Times as “colorful and idiosyncratic” – performs with Baroklyn, the string ensemble she founded and directs, in music from their recent Bach album Complicité.
Presented by Library of Congress in the Thomas Jefferson Building – Coolidge Auditorium (10 1st Street SE) Washington D.C., the concert also features mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnson Cano and oboist Katherine Needleman with Dinnerstein and Baroklyn
Simone Dinnerstein is well known for her distinctive musical voice and for her expressive performances of music by J.S. Bach. She first came to wider public attention in 2007 through her recording of Bach’s Goldberg Variations, reflecting an aesthetic that was both deeply rooted in the score and profoundly idiosyncratic. She is, wrote The New York Times, “a unique voice in the forest of Bach interpretation.”
For her most recent performance at the Library of Congress in February 2024, Dinnerstein celebrated the 100th anniversary of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with the U.S. Air Force Band. Her October 29 performance commemorates the centennial anniversary of the Library of Congress’s Concert Series. In celebration of the milestone, Dinnerstein will begin the concert program performing a solo piano arrangement of Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr, the same chorale that opened the LOC’s concert series in October 1925, when it was performed on the organ. In a special letter to organist Lynnwood Farnam–the first musician to play in the Coolidge Auditorium–that the Library of Congress shared with Dinnerstein, the message describes an approach to programming that is very similar to that which Dinnerstein applies to her performances – thinking of a concert feeling like a “service” (as it’s put in the letter), with one piece continuing into the next without applause. Dinnerstein and Baroklyn’s performance thoughtfully connects the concert series’ past with the present.
Letter from the Library of Congress written by Music Division Chief Carl Engel
Following the opening of the concert, the program will feature music from Complicité, including Dinnerstein and Baroklyn’s arrangement of Bach’s chorale Herr Gott, nun schleuß den Himmel auf, BWV 617; Bach’s Keyboard Concerto in E Major, BWV 1053; J.S. Bach: Der Leib war in der Erden, BWV 161 (arr. Simone Dinnerstein and Baroklyn); Bach’s Cantata 170, Vergnügte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust with continuo realization by Philip Lasser; and In the Air, Lasser’s recomposition of Bach’s Air on the G String.
The deeply felt recording has been warmly-received by listeners – Complicité has already been streamed over 1 million times. Gramophone describes Dinnerstein’s performance as “full of life, engagement and detail.” Of the new album, Textura writes: “Not only are the performances terrific, the music impresses for being more than faithful replications of existing scores but instead arresting re-imaginings that take Bach’s pieces into dynamic new realms.” Read the album press release here and listen here.
Dinnerstein says of her group Baroklyn, “Baroklyn is a group of string players which I lead from the piano. We’re a community that shares the artistic vision that is most important to me, that music should be creative and new. Rehearsal is important to us, and I’ve been influenced by theater practice in which we listen to each other and pass musical ideas and phrases within the group. We rehearse and perform in a semi-circle around the piano and I rearrange parts to emphasize lines, voices and imitative qualities to create a sense of dialogue.” The ensemble’s name is a portmanteau of Baroque and Brooklyn, Dinnerstein’s home borough.
Coinciding with the album’s release, Dinnerstein spoke with NPR’s Morning Edition about the project, as well as about her experience with performance anxiety and the way that playing with the sheet music on an iPad has resolved this for her. Of her work with Baroklyn, she said, “It’s like a sharing circle, and you hear everybody’s individuality, their individual sound as it gets passed around.” Listen to the NPR interview here.
Of the album’s title, Dinnerstein says, “Complicité is a term that I first heard from my son, who studied the teachings of the French theatre practitioner, Jacques Lecoq. Three important ideas that Lecoq communicated to his students were le jeu (playfulness), complicité (togetherness), and disponsibilité (openness). I was so intrigued by these ideas, and the different exercises that my son learned in order to cultivate these skills within ensemble acting, that I decided to try a Lecoq approach with my own musical ensemble, Baroklyn.”

National Chamber Ensemble Season Opener
2025-11-08 19:30 - 22:00 | Gunston Arts Center, 2700 S. Lang Street, Arlington, VA, 22206
The National Chamber Ensemble (NCE) launches its 2025–2026 season with Parisian Dreams: Ravel and Saint-Saëns on Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 7:30 PM at the Gunston Arts Center – Theater 1. This elegant evening transports audiences to the glamour and charm of turn-of-the-century Paris in a program celebrating French sophistication, lyricism, and
innovation.
The concert pays tribute to the 150th birthday of Maurice Ravel, featuring some of his most beloved and exotic works, including the sensual Habanera, the stately Pavane, the sparkling Le Tombeau de Couperin, and the brilliant Alborada del gracioso for solo piano. Completing the program is the passionate Piano Quartet in B-flat Major by Camille Saint-Saëns, showcasing French romanticism at its most dazzling.
The evening opens with the lively Rondeau by Cécile Chaminade, the first woman composer awarded the Legion d’Honneur, whose music embodies both charm and brilliance. Together, these works create an immersive journey through the lush textures and emotional depth of French impressionism and romanticism.
Performing are acclaimed NCE musicians:
 Carlos César Rodríguez, piano
 Leo Sushansky, violin & artistic director
 Uri Wassertzug, viola
 Steven Honigberg, cello
“
We are thrilled to begin our 19th season with music that captures the essence of Parisian
elegance and imagination,” says Artistic Director Leo Sushansky. “It is a celebration of timeless
artistry, beauty, and innovation that continues to inspire.”
Tickets and more info is available now through the National Chamber Ensemble’s website:
www.NationalChamberEnsemble.org
Tickets: Gen admission $45, student $25, Season ticket $169: Tickets
Venue Address: Gunston Arts Center – Theater 1
2700 S. Lang Street
Arlington, VA 22206 (Free parking)
Info: (703)685-8690
