Fête de la Musique – World Music Day

Each year, over 1,000 cities around the world throw city-wide music celebrations on June 21. It all started 41 years ago in France. In 1982, France’s Ministry of Culture dreamed up an idea for a new kind of musical holiday. They imagined a day where free live music would be everywhere: street corners and parks, rooftops and gardens, and store fronts and mountaintops. And, unlike a typical music festival, anyone and everyone would be invited to join and play music or host performances. It is called Fête de la Musique. In French, the name means both “festival of music” and “make music!”

Four decades later, the holiday has spread throughout the world and is now celebrated in more than 120 countries. In the same way that the French Fête de la Musique celebrates the start of the summer season, this World Music Day extends an invitation to celebrate across the United States and promotes artists of all genres and backgrounds in the process.

This year in Washington, D.C., the Cultural Services of the French Embassy – Villa Albertine is partnering with the Georgetown Business Improvement District (BID) to host concerts throughout the commercial district of Georgetown, DC’s historic neighborhood,  as well as at La Maison Française. Alongside French and local musicians, we are pleased to welcome programming students from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, cultural partners, and our neighbors from Georgetown.

The 2024 D.C. Edition

In three different stages, the Embassy of France will host a variety of locals, and international artists that will present music from all genres from 5:00pm until 10:00pm. Join us to enjoy, sing, dance, have a drink, and live the real “Fête de la Musique,” as if you were in France!

Save the date through Eventbrite here. 

We are pleased to announce the full program:

At La Maison Française – French Embassy – 4101 Reservoir Rd NW, Washington, DC 20007 

Auditorium 

• 5pm – 5:45pm: Choir of the French Embassy and French Choir of Washington 

Come and discover our 38 chorists from the French Embassy Choir of DC and the French Choir of Washington. 

• 6pm- 6:30 pm: Levine Music Students 

Levine Music Students will showcase classics with Yuhan Li performing Francis Poulenc’s “Napoli Suite, III. Caprice Italien” and Anne Valerie presenting Frederic Chopin’s “Etude Op. 10 No. 5” along with Franz Liszt’s “Liebestraume No. 3.” 

• 7pm – 7:45pm: Crawdad 

Crawdad is a band whose authentic music, imbued with blued nuances and vocal harmonies will instantly transport you to the heart of original Americana. 

• 8:30pm – 9:15pm : Christian Benning 

Experience the dynamic artistry of Christian Benning, a German percussionist renowned for his worldwide performances and versatile mastery across classical, jazz, and Latin genres. 

Ballroom  

• 5:30pm – 6:15pm: The Caroline Park Quartet 

Step into the world of The Caroline Park Quartet, where an eclectic and fun mix of music awaits. With their fusion of jazz, folk, bluegrass, and more, this ensemble encapsulates the essence of Americana, inviting audiences on a delightful musical journey. 

• 6:30pm – 7:15pm: Magnolia Hungarian Folk Band 

Discover the rich tradition of Magnolia Hungarian Folk Band, renowned for their authentic renditions of traditional Hungarian village music. With their captivating performances, this ensemble brings the vibrant spirit of folk and world music to life. 

• 7:30pm – 8:15pm: Baltimore Swing Drop 

Experience the enchanting sound of Baltimore Swing Drop, masters of acoustic Gypsy/European jazz, epitomizing the essence of Jazz Manouche. 

• 8:45pm – 9:30pm: Embassy of Japan Band 

Get ready to groove with the Embassy of Japan Band, serving up electrifying performances rooted in the vibrant realms of J-pop and J-Rock. 

Place Charles de Gaulle

• 5pm – 5:45pm: Lexeme / Sid Trover

Lexeme / Sid Trover is a dynamic electro-pop funk band blending catchy melodies with pulsating beats in their pop/funk electro sound. 

• 6pm – 7pm: Euroblend 

Euroblend is composed of musicians from various cultures and horizons and covers the best of European pop/rock music in French, English and Spanish. 

• 7:15pm – 8pm: Duke Ellington School of the Arts Students 

The Duke Ellington School of the Arts presents Xavier Golden, Tyson Femister, Caleb Jonhson, Kevin Kearney, Nathaniel and Orrin Gillian, Chris Sellers and Mayah Dukes with interpretive dancer Sol Harris, Locke Randall, and Jabril Abanti, each bringing their unique styles and talents to the stage. 

• 8:15pm – 9pm: Smooth City 

Enter the world of Smooth City, a DMV alternative-pop band known for vibrant vocals, heartfelt harmonies, and intoxicating instrumentals. With a repertoire spanning pop, pop rock, alternative pop, R&B, and rock, this versatile ensemble delivers captivating performances of both covers and original music. 

• 9:15pm – 10pm: DJ Escandaleux 

Experience the beats of DJ Escandaleux, a French-born, DC-based DJ specializing in French electronic music. 

For the full schedule of 40+ musical acts performing in 30 locations throughout Georgetown’s commercial district, visit Georgetown BID’s dedicated webpage. Location highlights include: 

Georgetown Waterfront Park (Wisconsin & Water St NW) 

• 5pm: Dancing on the Waterfront 

Morris Jackson will teach you how to salsa with the Potomac as your backdrop, while a DJ spins a mix of music perfect for dancing the night away. 

• 6pm – 8pm: Max Rosado and the 7th Street Band 

Max Rosado is an award-winning professional vocalist born and raised in Puerto Rico. The 7th St. Band has more than 25 years of experience working, recording, and performing with different artists in salsa, merengue, jazz, Top 40, and more. 

• 8pm – 9pm: Dancing on the Waterfront is back for an encore! 

Grace Church Lawn (1041 Wisconsin Ave NW) 

• 5pm: MacArthur High School Go-Go Band 

This young, talented band incorporates drums, the piano, tambourine, timbales, congas, guitar and more to perform go-go – a style of music that originated in DC. 

• 6pm: Blues Alley Youth Quartet 

Accomplished student musicians perform jazz music, with the mission to preserve and promote the big band jazz art form. 

• 7pm: The Experience Band & Show 

“The People’s Band” of seven talented musicians plays jazz, funk, and go-go with rock, pop, and R&B infusions. They use their platform to effect positive change and empower communities through music and art. 

• 5pm – 8:30pm: DJs Sam and Patrick playing in between sets. 

Georgetown Lutheran Church (1556 Wisconsin Ave) 

• 6pm: Swingville 

Lively acoustic swing and gypsy jazz. 

• 7pm: The Hot Lanes with Bobby Jasinski 

Check out the jazz orchestra featuring original compositions and arrangements. 

Book Hill Park at Library Stairs (Wisconsin Ave & Reservoir Rd) 

• 5pm: Lulu and the Blue Bouffants 

Enjoy acoustic rock arrangements featuring percussion, guitar, bass, keyboard, the accordion, and more. 

• 6pm: Capital Blend A Cappella 

These versatile upper voices perform everything from pop to rock and soul. 

Sandlot Georgetown (M St & Pennsylvania Ave NW) 

• 5pm – 10 pm: Hoya Amapiano 

Head to this outdoor shipping container bar and cultural event space for a South African sound experience featuring DJ Mobu & Amapiano DMV. 

Atop the C&O Canal Boat (Lock 4 along the Canal, near 1061 31st St NW) 

• 6pm: Joe Brotherton’s NOLA Trio 

The trumpeter has been a staple of the DC jazz scene since the ‘90s, performing music that is influenced by everything from New Orleans jazz to hip-hop. 

Admission

Signing up through Eventbrite does not ensure priority entrance. Admission is based on arrival time, and if the French Embassy reaches full capacity, for security reasons, we will need to temporarily limit entrance until the capacity allows more visitors. Registering through Eventbrite helps the organizers to communicate with registrants in case of schedule changes, cancellations, or any unforeseen alterations. We invite attendees to arrive well in advance and factor in some lines at the entrance. From 5pm to 8pm, there will be a series of other concerts taking place throughout the Georgetown neighborhood too.