Fête de la Musique – World Music Day 2025
Villa Albertine is partnering with Georgetown Heritage and the Georgetown Business Improvement District (BID) to host multiple musical acts across the Georgetown neighborhood and at La Maison Française.
Each year, over 1,000 cities around the world threw city-wide music celebrations on June 21. It all started 41 years ago in France. In 1982, France’s Ministry of Culture came up with an idea for a new kind of musical holiday, where free live music would be everywhere from street corners and parks, rooftops and gardens, to 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 all music lovers to celebrate across the United States and promotes artists of all genres and backgrounds in the process.
This year, in Washington, D.C., Villa Albertine, the French Institute for Culture and Education partnered again with Georgetown Heritage and the Georgetown Business Improvement District (BID) in hosting concerts throughout the commercial district of Georgetown, DC’s historic neighborhood as well as at La Maison Française.
THE 2025 EDITION
The Embassy of France hosted, across three different stages (and more!), a vibrant lineup of local and international artists who performed jazz, rock, classical, soul, electro, and choral music from 6:00pm to 10:00pm. Guests came to enjoy, sing, dance, have a drink, and experience the true spirit of the “Fête de la Musique”—just like in France!
PHOTO GALLERY
LINE UP
- 3:00 to 7:00 PM throughout Georgetown’s commercial district. Discover their schedule here.
- 6:00 to 10:00 PM on three stages at the French Embassy’s La Maison Française. Discover our schedule below.
Click on the artist’s name for more information.
FOUNTAIN’S HILL
5:45 – 6:30pm FRANK PLUMER – Accordion & Vocals
Frank Plumer is a versatile and experienced musician based in Washington D.C., known for his performances on accordion, piano, and vocals. Over the years, he has played for diverse audiences both locally and internationally, including for Stevie Wonder and Michelle Obama. His rich and eclectic repertoire spans classical, jazz, and popular music, with a special focus on French and French-American songs.
6:45- 7:30pm WICKED GAME – Rock
Wicked Game is an acoustic guitar duo performing rock hits from the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s. Christina Sevilla and Jack Doll have played embassies, the Kennedy Center, bars, and music festivals for over 15 years.
8:00 – 8:15pm JESSICA YERGIN – Classical
Jessica Yergin is a flutist and the co-founder of Tails of Connection, an online dog training community with over 95,000 followers on Instagram. A former director of digital content and television producer turned creative entrepreneur, she recently returned to her roots in classical music and now studies with acclaimed Polish soloist Zofia Neugebauer. For Fête de la Musique, Jessica will perform Debussy’s haunting Syrinx, along with other lyrical solo works that showcase the expressive color, breath, and beauty of the flute.
AUDITORIUM
6 – 6:30pm CHOIR OF THE FRENCH EMBASSY – French and International Songs
The Choir of the French Embassy performs a vibrant repertoire of French and international songs, gathering voices from the embassy community and beyond.
6:30 – 7pm THE FRENCH CHOIR OF WASHINGTON – French and International Songs
Based in Bethesda since 2022, the French Choir of Washington is made of amateur choristers united by the pleasure of singing in a friendly atmosphere, with weekly rehearsals in the French language on Tuesday evenings, under the direction of Artistic Director Simon Charette.
7:15 – 8pm TANYA ANISIMOVA – Classical & Improvisation
Tanya Anisimova is a cello virtuoso and award-winning composer, celebrated for her bold interpretations, deep mastery of Bach, and spontaneous, audience-inspired improvisations. Her program, “Cello – The Magician,” is an exceptionally entertaining and emotionally charged journey through works by Marin Marais, J.S. Bach, Franz Schubert, Ernst Bloch, and Peter Tchaikovsky, alongside Anisimova’s own compositions and improvisations — often enriched with her unique vocal accompaniment.
8:15 -9pm FRANK PLUMER – Piano & Vocals
Frank Plumer is a versatile and experienced musician based in Washington D.C., known for his performances on accordion, piano, and vocals. Over the years, he has played for diverse audiences both locally and internationally, including for Stevie Wonder and Michelle Obama. His rich and eclectic repertoire spans classical, jazz, and popular music, with a special focus on French and French-American songs. After performing earlier on the accordion, he will now take the stage on piano.
BALLROOM
6:45 – 7:30pm LANAH KOELLE TRIO – Jazz & Pop
The Lanah Koelle Trio brings swinging jazz standards and eclectic selections from the world of American popular music.
7:45 – 8:30pm SOROCHE – Cumbia Punk
Soroche blends cumbia, punk, folk, and more into a genre-defying, danceable fusion that ignites dance floors across cultures.
8:45 – 9:30pm BOB GIBSON BIG BAND – Vintage to Modern Jazz
From vintage swing to modern jazz masterpieces, the Bob Gibson Big Band brings the full spectrum of big band jazz to life, with musicians united by a shared passion for this timeless genre.
PLACE CHARLES DE GAULLE
6:15 – 7pm SURFTREK – Rock
SurfTrek is a local instrumental band from Arlington and D.C. playing surf rock classics from the ’50s and ’60s, including hits by The Ventures, Dick Dale, and The Surfaris.
7:15 – 8pm SÜPER TUESDAY – Soul, Funk & Rock
Rooted in the American South and South America, Süper Tuesday blends soul with rock, bossa nova, funk, grunge, and pop to create genre-fluid, emotionally charged performances. Formed in 2023 and led by Nicholas Batman (vocals), Josh Cergas (bass), Schimon Dieseler (drums), and Ebenezer Ademola (guitar), the band has played packed venues across D.C. and New York, including Madams Organ, Death Punch, and Connolly’s in Times Square. Their debut single, “Sick on You,” sparked their rise, followed by “Grudge” in May 2025. Their first East Coast tour is planned for this fall.
8:15 – 9pm DESA JAZZ ENSEMBLE – Jazz
The Duke Ellington School of the Arts (DESA) Jazz Ensemble bring youthful energy and vibrant performances to every concert. They have performed at numerous prestigious venues, including the French Embassy and the Kennedy Center. The group features Kendyll Melton (vocals), Miles Sam (guitar), Jonathan Stiff (bass), Marcus Campbell (drums), and Kidus Yohanness (keyboard).
9:15 – 9:45pm ONE4U – House/Electro
A resident DJ at Eaton Radio and Opaline, One4u spins funky beats from top French electronic music labels for a vibrant, danceable set.
9:45 – 10:30pm MASGALLO – French Touch / French Electronic
MasGallo is a Franco-American DJ known for crafting immersive sets that blend French house classics from the ’90s and 2000s with the freshest electronic sounds
GRASS LAWN
6:15 – 7 pm DESA VOCALS – Vocals 5
Duke Ellington School of the arts presents an award-winning artists, Layla Bunch, Eva Quiroz, Krithi Santhanam, and Layla Eisenberg heading to France for the Chartres 1000th Celebration.
Important Information
This event is free and open to all, but donations are encouraged to support future cultural programming.
- Doors open at 5:30 PM. Last entry at 9:00 PM.
- Entry is first-come, first-served. Please note that Eventbrite registration does not guarantee priority access. If the venue reaches capacity, entry may be paused temporarily for security reasons.
There will be no formal check-in or ID verification at the entrance. Registration mainly allows us to share important updates, including any last-minute changes or cancellations.
To ensure a smooth experience, we recommend arriving early and planning for possible wait times at the entrance.
Security:
All guests will pass through security screening. For security reason large bags, backpacks, animals, liquids, blunt objects, helmets, and any other items deemed dangerous by the Embassy’s security staff are prohibited and will be subject to confiscation.
Parking:
There is no on-site parking. Metered parking is available on Reservoir Road at $2.30/hour (max 4h until 10pm). Garage parking is available at Georgetown MedStar Health (Entrance #2, 2800 Reservoir Road NW), approx. $25 for up to 3 hours.