Folk Music in Washington DC: A Guide
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Looking for the best folk music in Washington DC? Look no further than this guide! We’ll tell you where to find the best folk music venues, festivals, and more.
Overview of the DC Folk Scene
The DC Folk Scene is vibrant and ever-changing, with new venues and performers popping up all the time. Here’s a quick overview of what you can expect to find.
Live music venues in DC range from intimate bars and coffeehouses to large concert halls, and everything in between. There are also a number of festivals and events throughout the year that showcase folk music from around the world.
The DC area is home to a number of excellent folk musicians, many of whom perform regularly at local venues. You can find everything from traditional Folk to Contemporary Folk, Singer-Songwriter, Americana, and more.
If you’re new to the DC folk scene, or just looking for some recommendations, be sure to check out our list of top performers and venues.
Where to Hear Folk Music in DC
Though it might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the nation’s capital, Washington DC has a thriving folk music scene. If you’re in the mood to tap your toes or even learn how to square dance, here are a few of the best places to go.
The Birchmere
The Birchmere is a music club located in Alexandria, Virginia. It features a variety of musical genres including folk, rock, country, and bluegrass. The club has a capacity of 1,400 and hosts about 200 shows per year. The Birchmere is known for its intimate setting and excellent acoustics. It has been voted the “Best Small Concert Venue” in the Washington DC area by the Washington Post nine times.
Jammin’ Java
Jammin’ Java is a great place to enjoy live music in a relaxed and intimate setting. Located in the heart of downtown Vienna, this coffeehouse hosts a variety of local and national acts throughout the week. With a focus on acoustic and Americana music, Jammin’ Java is the perfect spot to enjoy some live folk music in Washington, DC.
IOTA Club and Cafe
IOTA Club and Cafe is a friendly neighborhood bar located in Arlington, Virginia, that has been known for its live music since the day it opened its doors in 1983. IOTA features a diverse array of musical genres on its stage, but is perhaps best known as a hotspot for folk and Americana music in the DC area.
If you’re looking to Tap your feet and sing along to some good old-fashioned folk music, IOTA is the place for you. The club has a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, making it the perfect spot to kick back and enjoy some live music with friends. And, if you get there early enough, you can snag a table for dinner before the show!
The Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center is a world-renowned performing arts complex that attracts some of the biggest names in music, dance, and theater. But did you know that the Kennedy Center is also a great place to catch some folk music?
The Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center is a free performance series that features a wide variety of genres, including folk music. Millennium Stage shows are always free and open to the public, so it’s a great way to catch some Folk music without spending any money.
past performers include Americana artist Josh Ritter, singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco, and alt-country pioneer Steve Earle. The schedule for the Millennium Stage is always changing, so be sure to check the website before you go to see who’s playing.
DC’s Folk Festivals
The area around Washington DC has a large and vibrant folk music scene, with dozens of festivals held throughout the year. These festivals showcase the best local and national talent, and provide a great opportunity to see a wide variety of music. Whether you’re a fan of bluegrass, old-time, or Celtic music, there’s sure to be a festival that’s perfect for you.
The Folklife Festival
The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is an annual event that celebrates the traditional arts and cultures of communities around the world. The festival takes place on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and is produced by the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. Each year, the festival spotlight on the folk traditions of a different region or country. In past years, the festival has featured the folk cultures of Bulgaria, Mali, Romania, Scotland, Senegal, Syria, and many other nations.
The Folklife Festival is free and open to the public. It typically runs for two weeks in late June and early July. During the festival, visitors can watch folk artists demonstrating their crafts, listen to traditional music performances, and sample traditional foods from around the world. The Folklife Festival is a great opportunity to learn about other cultures and celebrate the diversity of human experience.
The Smithsonian Folklife Festival
The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is an annual event that celebrates the traditional and contemporary cultures of countries from around the world. The festival is held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and features music, dance, food, and other cultural exhibits and performances.
The Folklife Festival has been held annually since 1967, and typically takes place in late June or early July. It is one of the largest cultural festivals in the United States, and attracts more than one million visitors each year.
The Folklife Festival is organized by the Smithsonian Institution’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. The festival’s programming is based on themes that represent different aspects of global culture and heritage. Past themes have included “The Silk Road,” “Read All About It! Newspapers in American Life,” and “Brazil: Tradition Meets Innovation.”
Each year, the Folklife Festival features music from a wide variety of genres, including folk, country, bluegrass, gospel, jazz, rock, pop, hip-hop, and classical. The festival also showcases traditional dances from around the world, as well as food demonstrations and tastings.
If you’re interested in attending the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, be sure to check the event website for updates on this year’s programming.
Prominent DC Folk Musicians
The Washington DC folk music scene has produced some of the most talented and influential musicians in the genre. Performers like Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, and Lead Belly all got their start in DC, and the city has continued to produce folk musicians of note in the years since. In this guide, we’ll take a look at some of the most prominent DC folk musicians.
Tom Paxton
Tom Paxton is an American folk singer-songwriter who has had a significant influence on the folk music scene in Washington, DC, and beyond. Born in Chicago in 1937, Paxton began his musical career in the early 1960s in the folk clubs of Greenwich Village. He soon became a prominent figure on the DC folk scene, appearing regularly at venues such as the Folger Coffeehouse and the Crystal Caverns. In 1963, he released his debut album, I Can’t Help but Wonder Where I’m Bound, which featured his signature song “The Last Thing on My Mind.”
Over the next five decades, Paxton released more than three dozen albums, including such classics as Ain’t That News (1964), Ramblin’ Boy (1964), and Whats That I Hear: The Songs of Phil Ochs (1966). He also wrote or co-wrote many iconic folk songs, including “The Marvelous Toy,” “The Ghost of Tom Joad,” and “Bottle of Wine.” In addition to his solo work, Paxton was a member of the groundbreaking folk trio Chad Mitchell Trio from 1961 to 1963. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2009 and the Folk Alliance International Hall of Fame in 2011.
Mary Chapin Carpenter
One of the most prominent folk musicians in Washington, DC is Mary Chapin Carpenter. A five-time Grammy Award winner, Carpenter has released fourteen albums over her career and has sold more than 14 million records worldwide. Her music often addresses social issues, and she has been a strong advocate for gender equality and other progressive causes.
The Nighthawks
Led by singer and guitarist Mark Wenner, the Nighthawks are one of the most prominent folk groups in Washington DC. The band was formed in 1972 and has been performing together for over 40 years. They play a mix of blues, country, folk, and rock music, and their live shows are always high-energy and fun.
The Nighthawks have released 14 studio albums, and their most recent, All You Need, came out in 2015. They tour regularly throughout the United States and Europe, and they always bring the party with them wherever they go. If you’re looking for a fun night out with great music, make sure to catch a Nighthawks show!
Conclusion
In conclusion, there is a lot of great folk music to be enjoyed in Washington DC. Whether you’re looking for a traditional folk sound or something a little more modern, you’re sure to find it in the many venues and festivals around the city. So get out there and enjoy some great music!
