Anacostia River & Jazz Festival

On April 28th, the Smithsonian celebrates Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) with a free concert featuring performances by Frédéric Yonnet, Marcus Johnson and Alejandro Lucini’s Origem.  The Anacostia River & Jazz Festival features live, world-class performances in one of the crown jewels of the Anacostia region– Anacostia Park.

Festivities begin at 10:00 a.m. with an open house that highlights the National Park sites, partners, and numerous stakeholders that preserve and protect the Anacostia region. Beginning at noon, you’re invited to groove to the Brazilian rhythms of Origem, experience the funky sounds of urban jazz harmonicist Frédéric Yonnet, and rock with Washington D.C.’s own Marcus Johnson. Additional performances by The East of the River Boys and Girls Steel Band, Jazz Tales and Traditions with Victor Provost, and Tony Small and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington Teen Arts Performance Troupe.

Enjoy canoe rides, fishing and bicycling demonstrations, musical workshops, and much more. Bring your harmonica or buy one on the spot as Yonnet will host a harmonica workshop for youth in the afternoon and perform on the main stage at 3:00 PM. Yonnet returns to the stage with Marcus Johnson’s show for a  finale.

The event, sponsored by National Capital Parks-East, a unit of the National Park Service, and the Smithsonian Institution Jazz Appreciation Month program,  blends jazz, art, nature, culture, and recreation. The festival  provides an opportunity to connect audiences with the natural, cultural and recreational treasures found throughout the Anacostia region. “There will be something for people of all ages and interests,”said Park Superintendent Alex Romero. “I invite everyone to learn more about all that the Anacostia region has to offer. Take some time to experience this little-explored gem,” he added.

The event is free and open to the public. Free! Rain or Shine!  To learn more, visit www.nps.gov/anac and www.smithsonianjazz.org.

Main Stage:
2PM – Alejandro Lucini
3PM – Frédéric Yonnet
4PM- Marcus Johnson
5PM – Finale ft/  Marcus Johnson and Frédéric Yonnet

Anacostia River and Jazz Festival
April 28, 2012
Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion
1900 Anacostia Drive Southeast
Washington, District of Columbia