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Chucho Valdés - Photo: Courtesy of Strathmore
The North Bethesda performing arts center just announced its lineup for the coming year—and it is a global music masterclass, packed with cross-cultural collaboration, and genre-defying brilliance.
Strathmore’s 2026–2027 season begins September 17 and runs through next summer. It is a multidimensional creative anchor in the DMV-area, bringing together world-class headliners, regional talent, and vibrant visual artistry.
Here is a preview of some of the most compelling artists on the schedule—a handful of names that connect the global African diaspora, the rhythm of the Caribbean, and the unexpected meeting points of folk traditions.
Sona Jobarteh: Africa's First Female Griot Virtuoso
March 26, 2027 | Music Center
Sona Jobarteh is a vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer from the Gambia. She was born in 1983 into one of the five principal kora-playing Griot families from West Africa—she is the first female professional kora player to come from a Griot family. The Guardian called her "Africa's first female griot kora virtuoso," praising her ability to blend traditional music, blues, and Afropop to impressive effect.
Her music carries the weight of centuries. The kora is a 21-string harp-lute, and in her hands, it becomes a vessel for stories of resilience, identity, and the unbroken line between past and present. She performs at the Music Center on Friday, March 26, 2027.
Germán López: The Timple Meets the World
November 22, 2026 | The Mansion
Germán López is a virtuosic timple player and composer from the Canary Islands. The timple is a small, five-string guitar native to the Canaries—and López has turned it into a vehicle for global conversation. His music melds the rich musical traditions of the Canary Islands with jazz and West African rhythms.
Two performances are scheduled on Sunday, November 22, 2026, at 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM in The Mansion at Strathmore. This is an intimate setting, and tickets are available at an early bird price of $39.
Chucho Valdés: An 85th Birthday Celebration
October 18, 2026 | Music Center
Chucho Valdés is a legend. The Cuban pianist, composer, and arranger is one of the most influential figures in modern Afro-Cuban jazz. His band Irakere revolutionized Latin jazz in the early 1970s, fusing Afro-Cuban ritual music, popular styles, jazz, rock, and classical elements.
He marks his 85th birthday with a performance at the Music Center on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at 7:30 PM. Special guests Joe Lovano and Etienne Charles will join him. This is not a concert. It is a milestone.
Fabiana Cozza: Samba, Soul, and Storytelling
April 11, 2027 | The Mansion
Fabiana Cozza is a Brazilian singer, writer, researcher, and interpreter. She is considered one of the "best of her generation" and "the best Brazilian performer of today," compared to Elis Regina, Elizeth Cardoso, and Clara Nunes.
Her music channels Afro-Brazilian roots through powerful storytelling and transformative samba. In 2026, she celebrates 50 years of life and music with a series of releases, including her tenth album. She performs at The Mansion on April 11, 2027.
Las Migas: Flamenco, Reimagined
November 8, 2026 | Music Center
Las Migas is a powerhouse all-women quartet that fuses traditional flamenco with bold contemporary sensibilities. The group formed in Barcelona in 2004 and has built a reputation for soaring vocals, fierce guitar work, propulsive percussion, and a stage presence that fills every inch of the room.
They perform at the Music Center on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at 7:00 PM.
Afro-Cuban All Stars: A Multigenerational Orchestra
October 29, 2026 | Music Center
The Afro-Cuban All Stars is a Grammy-nominated orchestra that celebrates the full range of Cuban music, bringing together musicians across styles and eras. Their performances are exhilarating, high-energy celebrations of tradition and innovation.
They perform at the Music Center on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at 8:00 PM.
Coming Soon: Part 2
This is just the first look. Next Sunday, July 26, we will dive deeper into Strathmore's season with a second preview—featuring more artists, more genres, and more reasons to clear your calendar.
On the Radar: Marcella Simien
A quick programming note: Wednesday, July 29, we will have a full feature on Marcella Simien, the ninth-generation Creole artist from Louisiana who brings soul, blues, jazz, and American roots music to Strathmore's free Live from the Lawn series. Stay tuned.
Five Hashtags: #StrathmoreSeason #SonaJobarteh #ChuchoValdes #LasMigas #DMVArts
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- Damn Tall Buildings at Strathmore: Folk-Bluegrass on the Lawn - July 22. Brooklyn folk-bluegrass trio Damn Tall Buildings plays Strathmore's free lawn concert tomorrow night—rain or shine, bring a blanket and enjoy the fiddle-led acoustic sound.
- Flight of Wonder: Inside The Butterfly Experience at Brookside Gardens Hundreds of live butterflies from around the world flutter through Brookside Gardens' tropical conservatory daily through September 7—with wood-fired pizza and ice cream nearby.
