Washington DC Jazz Festival – June 1-13, 2010

The summer music festival season marches on, and today we’re leaving the Windy City and marching on Washington D.C. The DC Jazz Festival is the largest music festival in our Nation’s Capital, incorporating 20-plus venues and more than 100 performances into just under two weeks of fun-lovin’, toe-tappin’ good times.

(You fans may know it as the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival.)

The DC Jazz Festival is an odd bird. Scattered like chicken feed by date, venue, time and price, you couldn’t be blamed for saying it’s a bit all over the place. Confounding the issue, all of the events are organized into their own sponsored cubbies. You can actually attend several shows without ever getting a larger sense of “The DC Jazz Festival”.

And you know what? That’s fine! Just do a little pre-trip planning, and you’re bound to enjoy yourself. My recommendation, head to the home page and start feeling your way through the options.

Jazz In The ‘Hoods is a festival signature and lies at the heart of the sprawl. Major D.C. neighborhoods and areas like Georgetown, Woodley Park and Capitol Hill are highlighted with packed shows at local venues. Take the opportunity a couple ways: see a show close by, or relish an excuse to explore this exciting city like never before. See a full list of shows here.

Jazz at the Lisner is the closest thing the 2010 DC Jazz Festival has to a traditional festival. This one-day-only, single-venue event features free and ticketed concerts. Formerly a National Mall favorite, the show has been moved to the Lisner Auditorium at George Washington University. More info.

Let’s face it: kids don’t like jazz. But, you can plant the seeds of an adulthood fan at the Jazz N’ Families Fun Day. This two-day weekend event presents fabulous performances, both jazz and art, but more importantly, it offers a place for children to experience both art and music together in a fun educational environment. Plus, it’s free. More.

The last I’ll mention is Jazz Under the Stars. Located at the Carter Barron Amphitheatre in beautiful Rock Creek Park, this starry showcase of Latin jazz is one of the DC Jazz Festival’s most popular ticketed events. You can still make it, though, because tickets just went on sale TODAY! Get them here.

We’ve barely scratched the surface of all there is to do throughout the thirteen days of the DC Jazz Festival 2010. The festival will be held in Washington D.C. from June 1-13, 2010. Performances vary by time, date and price. Visit the Web site for more information.

Have fun at the 2010 Washington DC Jazz Festival.

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