Lake Arbor Jazz Festival Gets Re-Born with a Live Intimate Summer Concert Series at National Harbor
The Prince Georges Cultural Arts Foundation, a registered 501(c)3, in partnership with National Harbor, and a variety of returning sponsors led by Xfinity, announced plans to bring back one of the DMV’s top live performance music events, the Lake Arbor Jazz Festival. The format of the LAJF, a historic festival now in its 11th year, will be modified to a summer outdoor concert series. This concert series has been formatted to reflect music lovers’ appetite to slowly return to live performances in an intimate, safe environment at one of the most accessible, family-friendly and popular entertainment destinations in the region.
Hosted again by seasoned DMV broadcast personality Tony Richards, this much anticipated Summer Concert Series will be held over a five-week period beginning on Thursday, July 1, 2021 through Sunday, August 1 from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at National Harbor’s majestic outdoor venue, Southpointe (701 National Harbor Blvd.) Under a covered tent overlooking the National Harbor Marina, this year’s performers are a who’s who of smooth jazz and R&B that include Najee, Avery Sunshine, Jeff Bradshaw, Maysa, Nick Collione, Gerald Albright, Norman Brown along with DMV region favorites Brian Lenair, the String Queens, Pink Palish and Phaze II.
After a challenging year of pivoting, planning and prayer, LAJF, along with our like-minded community partners, wanted to play a leading role in carefully shepherding our residents and music enthusiasts across the region, back into a welcoming and safe setting to relax and allow the power of music to bring us all back to a place of healing, joy and peace, said Kevin Alexander, LAJF founder and president of the Prince Georges Cultural Arts Foundation.
We’re very excited to have this great musical lineup at National Harbor to enhance our summer of music, said Jackie Saunders, AVP of marketing for National Harbor. Guests can pair a concert with dining, shopping and all of the other attractions around National Harbor to make it a full summer getaway experience. And it couldn’t be better timing with Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center re-opening July 1—right next door to the concert venue. National Harbor has a variety of overnight packages and offers.
For over a decade, LAJF has become the region’s preferred jazz destination featuring noted national jazz recording artists along with some of the region’s most accomplished musicians. Since its inception in 2010, LAJF has drawn over 50,000 attendees and awarded more than $40,000 in educational scholarships to deserving Prince George’s County students pursuing college education in the visual and performing arts. This one-of-a-kind event brings together a diverse audience of contemporary and traditional jazz music lovers, young and old, for an unforgettable music experience with fans coming from as far away as New York and North Carolina.
Event sponsors to date include the Lake Arbor Foundation, Wellspring Manor & Spa and Prince George’s Arts & Humanities Council. For information on performances, dates, times and ticket information, please visit Lake Arbor Jazz’s website.
About Lake Arbor Jazz and the Prince Georges Cultural Arts Foundation
The Prince Georges Cultural Arts Foundation, a nonprofit, volunteer-led organization supports the growth and enrichment of arts and culture in Prince George’s County, Md., through the development of collaborative programs and community partnerships that promote music, drama, the fine arts, entertainment, sports, recreation and other activities. The Lake Arbor Jazz Summer Concert Series is a program of the Prince Georges Cultural Arts Foundation. For more information, visit their website.
About National Harbor
Situated on the banks of the historic Potomac River and just minutes from the nation’s capital, National Harbor is a waterfront resort destination unlike any other. National Harbor is home to eight hotels including two of Maryland’s Four Diamond rated hotels—Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center and MGM National Harbor. Also within National Harbor is Tanger Outlets’ 85 designer brands. The vibrant Waterfront District at National Harbor features boutique shops, restaurants and entertainment options along picturesque promenades as well as the iconic Capital Wheel, a 180-ft observation wheel and the Guide by Cell outdoor art gallery tour. National Harbor typically welcomes more than 14 million visitors a year. For more information, visit their website.
