by Cesse Ip

The National Symphony Orchestra is getting back at it and is going to be in Petworth at various locations for in September. These performances are FREE and showcase different instruments, ensembles and genres.

All concerts are free to the public with first-come, first-served seating. Face masks are required for all indoor performances.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11

La Coop Coffee Company
3–4 pm, 5505 1st St NW
Outdoor Chamber Performance

With deep roots in the Guatamalan coffee industry, La Coop Coffee Company is a family-owned and operated business from the beginning of the value chain in Union Cantinil, Huehuetenango, Guatemala, to the end in Washington, D.C. La Coop Coffee prides themselves on using the business to foster community in this uptown neighborhood of Brightwood Park. Join members of the NSO for an outdoor concert in the backyard of this home-style coffee shop. Bringing your own blankets and chairs are encouraged.

The Parks at Walter Reed
6–7 pm, 1010 Butternut St NW
Outdoor Chamber Performance

The Parks at Walter Reed is a vibrant community of mixed-use development spaces on 66 acres of land, formerly known as the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. This NSO string quartet performance will take place on the Great Lawn, prior to a screening of Disney Pixar’s Soul. Bringing your own blankets and chairs are encouraged. There will be a food truck, beverages and more available for purchase on-site (unrelated to NSO).

Steve Honigberg String Quartet: Peiming Lin (violin), Angelia Cho (violin), Mahoko Eguchi (viola), and Steve Honigberg (cello).

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

Rock Creek Nature Park Center
12–1 pm, 5200 Glover Rd NW
Outdoor Chamber Performance

Rock Creek Nature Park consists of 1,754 acres of lush greenery. The Nature Park Center serves as the hub, where park ranger-led programs meet and numerous trails begin. This chamber concert will take place outdoors in front of the center, accompanied by the quiet bustling sounds of nature.

Leah Arsenault Barrick (Flute), Jamie Roberts (Oboe), Kristin Bowers (Clarinet), Robert Rearden (Horn), Sam Blair (Bassoon)

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

Roosevelt High School
4:30–5:30 pm, 4301 13th St NW
Outdoor Chamber Performance

This string trio performance welcomes students, teachers, staff and the local Roosevelt High School community back to campus with an outdoor celebratory performance on the front steps. Seats are first-come-first serve.

Heather Green (violin), Jennifer Mondie (viola), Britton Riley (cello)

Fort Slocum Park Picnic Pavilion
5:30–6:30 pm, 5800 Kansas Ave NW
Outdoor Chamber Performance

Fort Slocum Park is a historic site and marker honoring Civil War History. Together with the Rock Creek Conservatory, the National Parks Service led a restoration project of the Picnic Pavilion, which was just completed in September 2020. This performance will celebrate this neighborhood park with an NSO winds and brass quintet.

Leah Arsenault Barrick (Flute), Jamie Roberts (Oboe), Kristin Bowers (Clarinet), Robert Rearden (Horn), Sam Blair (Bassoon)

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

Emery Recreation Center
5701 Georgia Ave NW

5:30–7:15pm
IYN Mural Painting

In partnership with DCPS, this year’s pre-concert live mural painting activity will be led by students from Coolidge High School, and will be presented during the full orchestra concert that evening.