The Alden Presents Eight, Free Outdoor Concerts That Everyone Can Enjoy

The Alden at the McLean Community Center’s 2018 Summer Sunday Concerts in the Park expand this year to include a “welcome, summer” concert on Sunday, June 24, and then seven concerts from July 1 through August 12. These free concerts will begin at 5 p.m. in McLean Central Park, 1468 Dolley Madison Blvd. Free parking is available at Dolley Madison Library, which is located at 1244 Oak Ridge Ave.

“It’s our aim to create inclusive and accessible performing arts experiences, and expanding this summer concerts series both in the number of concerts presented and the range of offerings brings us closer to our vision,” said Sarah Schallern, the McLean Community Center’s Performing Arts Director. “‘Family concert’ doesn’t mean ‘just for little kids.’ In fact, after our first-ever Kids’ Takeover concert last August an older gentleman told me that Big Bang Boom was even more fun than the concerts for adults.”

“We want to create more opportunities for families to get off their screens and enjoy time together,” Danielle Van Hook, the Director of Youth Theatre Programs for the McLean Community Center, shared. “Since our Jammin’ Juniors concerts were on weekday afternoons, a lot of working parents and children in daycare or school were unable to participate. Our expanded series, especially the concerts in August, are still great for the littlest audience members, but now siblings, parents, grandparents and friends can join in on the fun.”

Schedule

(Subject to change)

“Welcome, Summer” Family Concert!
Tim Kubart and the Space Cadets

Sunday, June 24, 5 p.m.

Tim Kubart and the Space Cadets are helping The Alden welcome summer back to McLean! Their Grammy^® award-winning album, “Home,” weaves together childhood memories with textured pop tunes, which is sure to turn the park’s gazebo into a dance party. When he’s not touring, Kubart performs every weekday morning on NBC Universal’s Sprout Channel in the only live morning show for preschoolers or as the “tambourine guy” with Postmodern Jukebox.

Black Masala

Sunday, July 1, 5 p.m.

DC’s own Balkan and funk-music inspired brass band dishes out a heaping helping of dance grooves with multicultural influences. The award-winning group will have the audience dancing to the beat.

Backtrack (Family Friendly)

Sunday, July 8, 5 p.m.

Known for pushing the limits of a cappella, Backtrack’s repertoire spans past and present pop covers to classical and electronic music. The whole family will be dancing along to their unique vocal arrangements and world-class beatboxing. It’s going to be Aca-mazing!

Oh He Dead

Sunday, July 15, 5 p.m.

Perhaps best described as “rock and soul,” Oh He Dead mixes in healthy doses of classic R&B, funk and folk with deliciously addictive songwriting. Led by the stirring harmonies of Cynthia Johnson and Andy Valenti, the group’s Motown influences and poignant lyrics will move both soul and feet, and even teenagers will secretly love this concert.

Hip-Hop Meets the Music of India (Family Friendly)

Sunday, July 22, 5 p.m.

Indian Violinist Nistha Raj and Grammy-nominated progressive hip-hop artist Christylez Bacon present a collaboration that mixes genres of music native to each of their cultural upbringings, Hindustani Classical music and acoustic Hip-Hop and D.C.’s Go-Go.

The English Channel

Sunday, July 29, 5 p.m.

This British Invasion recreation is always a favorite with McLean! Come hear the sounds of the ’60s and ’70s by The Beatles, The Stones, The Who, The Kinks and others. This Richmond-based band has a local connection: lead singer Julie Quarles grew up in the DMV to a musical family—her brother is WAMMIE award-winner Billy Coulter.

Kara and Matty D (Family Friendly)

Sunday, Aug. 5, 5 p.m.

One of our favorite summer bands is back, but this time they are performing for the kiddos!

Morgan Taylor’s “Music of Gustafer Yellowgold” (Family Friendly)

Sunday, Aug. 12, 5 p.m.

Two-time Grammy^® award nominee Morgan Taylor and his band will play perennial favorites and dig deep into the wild and hip back catalogue for this rare, non-video version of his nationally-heralded Gustafer Yellowgold show. Tasteful, smart and FUN songs for everyone!

For more information, visit: www.aldentheatre.org.

About The Alden

Built in 1975, the 383-seat Robert Ames Alden Theatre, “The Alden,” is a cultural resource for the citizens of McLean and the Washington Metropolitan area that presents a full professional season of interdisciplinary and high-quality performances, lectures and educational programs for audiences of all ages. The Alden is ADA-compliant and will make arrangements for accommodations. To request this information in an alternate format, call 703-790-0123, TTY: 711, or visit: www.aldentheatre.org.