On Saturday, June 21, Georgetown, D.C., joined over 1,000 cities around the world in celebrating Fête de la Musique, also known as World Music Day, coinciding with the Summer Solstice. This lively festival of free music was inspired by an initiative launched by France’s Ministry of Culture in 1982, promoting accessibility to music in public spaces.
The Georgetown Business Improvement District (BID) and Georgetown Heritage collaborated with the French Embassy-Villa Albertine to bring this eclectic musical celebration to local streets. The event featured performances in various settings from parks to rooftops, ensuring that music filled the air throughout the historic neighborhood.
Nancy Miyahira, the director of arts and culture at Georgetown Heritage, stated that the event aimed to highlight Georgetown’s rich musical history while fostering a welcoming atmosphere for musicians from diverse backgrounds.
“We really wanted to bring free live music to people of all cultures, ages, races, and genres—to really just give them a place to play and then let people enjoy free music in Georgetown,” said Miyahira.
Georgetown Heritage reviewed nearly 70 applications from performers, matching them with appropriate venues across the area, including the French Embassy. Musicians presented an impressive array of genres during the festival, ranging from Afropop to acoustic folk.
One popular location was the lawn of Grace Episcopal Church, where concertgoers enjoyed the lively sounds of Conta Ponte Forro, who introduced the crowd to the rhythms of Northeastern Brazilian dance music. Just down the road at the busy intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and M Street, Corazon delivered a captivating set packed with international grooves, evoking a Caribbean atmosphere and enticing passersby to stop and listen.
Nearby, outside of Clyde’s, singer-songwriter Brent Peterson performed a blend of Americana tunes, showcasing the fusion of pop, rock, country, and reggae in his acoustic vibrations. Meanwhile, Creekview Blues enchanted an audience gathered in front of L.A. Burdick chocolates with a series of soulful Delta Blues melodies.
Jazz artist Jude the Obscure entertained listeners outside of Maman Bakery, characterizing the Fête de la Musique as a unique opportunity for a genuine expression of street music.
“Just the fact that it’s on the outside of enclaves and that people are moving around—there’s something fluid and wonderful about that,” Jude commented. “I was playing Caribbean-based music which is very much about being out in the great outdoors, because the basis of that music is it’s so social.”
Attendee Richard Mosier shared his enjoyment of the jazzy set, recalling a spontaneous moment during Jude’s performance.
“He was encouraging people to play the steel drum or the bongos and literally almost pulled me by the elbow,” Mosier recounted. “And so, I got to have my first experience playing the accompaniment on the bongos with Mr. Obscure.”
As the street performances concluded by 7:00 pm, concertgoers had the option of continuing the musical festivities at the French Embassy or the waterfront.
At the waterfront, the celebration escalated into a lively Latin and African dance party, highlighted by the electrifying beats spun by DJ Dola. Simultaneously, La Maison Française at the French Embassy hosted an array of concerts open to the public, showcasing a diverse lineup that included talented students from Duke Ellington School of Arts, located in Georgetown.
The evening began with a performance by the Choir of the French Embassy and the French Choir of Washington, drawing crowds into the auditorium. In the ballroom, the Embassy of Japan band entertained attendees with a lively fusion of J-Pop and J-Rock.
The night culminated in the Place Charles de Gaulle, where French-born DJ Escandeleux filled the space with vibrant French electronic music until 10:00 p.m.
The Fête de la Musique event not only celebrated the richness of global music but also marked the beginning of the summer season, drawing a diverse audience from across the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) area. This transformative event demonstrated how music can unite people, foster community spirit, and celebrate cultural diversity.
image source from：georgetowner
