WASHINGTON — D.C.'s favorite concert series is back! Every Friday, from May 19 through August 4, the National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden will host musical performances spanning a number of genres as part of Jazz in the Garden.
This season captures the breadth of the American musical experience with Latin fusion from ¡Tumbao! on May 26, zydeco from Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas on June 23, Indigenous fusion from D’DAT on June 30, and funk and soul from the 8 Ohms Band on July 28. Another highlight is a special Juneteenth celebration concert with the Muneer Nasser Quintet on June 16, one of seven local acts this year.
Organizers are instituting a free lottery system this year, given the high demand for tickets. That way, anyone interested in seeing a band will have an equal chance to participate.
Each concert will have its own lottery, which will open the week prior on Monday at 10:00 a.m. and close that Friday at noon. Results of each lottery will be emailed to all entrants the week of the concert on Monday at 10:00 a.m. Those selected by the lottery may claim up to four free passes, which are required for all attendees ages 2 and up, organizers said in a press release.
In addition to the passes distributed through the lottery, a few additional passes will be available at all entrance gates starting at 5:00 p.m. Those tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
On concert days, the Sculpture Garden will close from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. Gates will reopen at 5:00 p.m., and concerts will begin at 6:00 p.m.
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.
Mark your calendars now. Here's the full list of performances and lottery dates.
May 26
¡Tumbao!, Latin fusion
Lottery opens: May 15, 10:00 a.m.
Lottery closes: May 19, noon
Results announced: May 22, 10:00 a.m.
June 2
Tobago Bay, Caribbean
Lottery opens: May 22, 10:00 a.m.
Lottery closes: May 26, noon
Results announced: May 29, 10:00 a.m.
June 9
Chelsey Green and the Green Project, contemporary jazz
Lottery opens: May 29, 10:00 a.m.
Lottery closes: June 2, noon
Results announced: June 5, 10:00 a.m.
June 16
The Muneer Nasser Quintet, a Juneteenth celebration
Lottery opens: June 5, 10:00 a.m.
Lottery closes: June 9, noon
Results announced: June 12, 10:00 a.m.
June 23
Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas, zydeco
Lottery opens: June 12, 10:00 a.m.
Lottery closes: June 16, noon
Results announced: June 19, 10:00 a.m.
June 30
D’DAT, Indigenous fusion
Lottery opens: June 19, 10:00 a.m.
Lottery closes: June 23, noon
Results announced: June 26, 10:00 a.m.
July 7
Alex Minasian Quartet, jazz
Lottery opens: June 26, 10:00 a.m.
Lottery closes: June 30, noon
Results announced: July 3, 10:00 a.m.
July 14
Ultrafaux Ensemble with Hot Club of Baltimore, Roma swing
Lottery opens: July 3, 10:00 a.m.
Lottery closes: July 7, noon
Results announced: July 10, 10:00 a.m.
July 21
DuPont Brass, eclectic soul
Lottery opens: July 10, 10:00 a.m.
Lottery closes: July 14, noon
Results announced: July 17, 10:00 a.m.
July 28
The 8 Ohms Band, horn-heavy funk and soul
Lottery opens: July 17, 10:00 a.m.
Lottery closes: July 21, noon
Results announced: July 24, 10:00 a.m.
August 4
The Seldom Scene, bluegrass
Lottery opens: July 24, 10:00 a.m.
Lottery closes: July 28, noon
Results announced: July 31, 10:00 a.m.
For more details, click here.