It’s not just any music festival: it’s supported by award-winning nonprofit theater and educational arts organization Creative Cauldron. Creative Cauldron offers its stage every year to various talented musicians from here, there… almost anywhere in the world. From the Metro DC area to Brazil and France to the Andes and beyond, the audience is exposed to various genres that appeal to any type of music lover. Thanks to WAMMY award-winning artists Ken Avis and Lynn Veronneau, who curated the series, this is a charming festival in a welcoming and intimate environment.
The festival plays through February 2, 2025. DC Theater Arts will be covering many, if not all the shows, and a list of the full schedule is below. In-person and virtual tickets for each show can be purchased online. Running time varies by performance.
Daniela Soledade & Nate Najar in “Love & Bossa Nova” Friday, Jan 10 at 7:30pm
Florida-based musicians Daniela Soledade and Nate Najar were the first to stamp this year’s “Passport to the World of Music.” It was a cold night in the DMV, but this duo warmed up the crowd with songs of Bossa Nova jazz, Samba, and other Brazilian music. Najar was on guitar while Soledade, who’s originally from Rio de Janeiro, provided vocals and rhythm by tapping the head of a tambourine. However, a few songs later she gave the audience a delightful surprise during an instrumental performance where she played a flute and also during a heartfelt solo performance of her singing while playing the guitar. Their setlist — sung in a mix of English and Portuguese — included original songs and beloved, well-known classics like “Doralice” and “The Girl From Ipanema.” The entire time, the two were natural storytellers providing chemistry, love, passion, humor, and fun facts about a few songs to help the audience learn more about Brazilian culture throughout the show.
The Kennedys, Saturday, January 11 at 7:30pm
“Celebrating Simon & Garfunkel” presented by Newmyer Flyer, Sunday, January 12 at 2:00pm & 7:30pm
Cecily in “Soul Music for a Better World” Friday, January 17 at 7:30pm
DC-based singer and songwriter Cecily poured out her heart and soul during her performance. With an ethereal voice that’s as smooth as honey, backed by an energetic band, it felt as though Cecily filled the entire room with joy as soon as while singing the first song of the night, “The Edge of a Dream.” The singer took the crowd on a heartwarming emotional journey with songs of love, hope, anti-war, empowerment, and freedom. Soul music can be considered timeless, and Cecily proved that by mentioning current events while singing nostalgic classics by legendary artists like Minnie Ripperton, Phyllis Hyman, and Stevie Wonder. The setlist also included songs on the funkier side from groups like Earth, Wind & Fire — which got the audience out of their seats to dance. Cecily also performed some of her original songs, including “Acceptance,” which, while listening to it, felt like a warm hug from your favorite person.
Project Locrea, Saturday, January 18 at 7:30pm
Shenandoah Run, Sunday, January 19 at 2:00pm
DC Great Guitars, Sunday, January 19 at 7:30pm
Afrocidade, Friday, Jan 24 at 7:30pm
What’s a better way to understand the deep connection between Washington, DC, and Brazil than through Afrocidade? On Friday night, the multicultural group gave the audience an exhilarating look into the shared culture and history between DC and Salvador Bahia in Brazil through song and dance. The first set of the concert featured Brazilian songs such as “Baianidade Nagô” and “Quilombo, o el Dorado Negro” with the group’s backup singers and featured dancer wearing traditional Bahian attire. The second set involved a wardrobe change that featured modern clothes that pay homage to African American culture in DC. The group also brilliantly demonstrated how popular songs in America — especially in African American culture — like the go-go hit “Sardines” by Junk Yard Band, were influenced by the sounds of Brazilian music through smooth transitions from one song into another. Throughout the concert, Afrocidade encouraged the audience to fully immerse themselves in the experience by dancing, clapping along, and participating in calls and responses during their performances. It was surely a history lesson the crowd will never forget.
Cathy & Marcy with Chao Tian & Snehesh Nag in “From China to Appalachia” Saturday, January 25 at 7:30pm
Grammy Award-winning artists Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer, alongside Chinese yangqin player Chao Tian, showcased the magic of cultural fusion and created an out-of-this-world musical experience. Fink and Marxer brought Appalachian music to life with instruments like the gourd banjo, five-string banjo, and mandolin, which effortlessly paired well with Tian’s yangqin. The trio created Chinese Appalachian versions of songs like “Mary, Don’t You Weep” and “Ruby, Are You Mad at Your Man?” and songs based on Chinese folklore like the Legend of the White Snake. In another highlight, Tian introduced a Chinese instrument called the sibao during another buzz-worthy performance with Fink and Marxer — transporting the audience into a tranquil forest of sound. Sitar player Snehesh Nag also joined the trio for a few songs, offering a solo performance that made it feel like the entire world was at peace.
RAYMI, Sunday, January 26 at 2:00pm
Brad & Ken Kolodner, Sunday, January 26 at 7:30pm
Veronneau, Friday, January 31 at 7:30pm
NEW The theme of Veronneau’s concert was all about togetherness, and the band truly delivered, uniting the audience through a heartfelt blend of multilingual songs celebrating love, peace, and friendship. The ensemble featured lead vocalist Lynn Veronneau, guitarist and vocalist Ken Avis, and violinist Dave Kline — whose solos infused the performance with both energetic bursts and gentle, soothing moments. The crowd was able to sing along to a diverse mix of French classics, American hits, and original compositions by Avis. Lynn Veronneau’s voice transformed many songs, including the iconic “Non, Je ne Regrette Rien” by Édith Piaf, into comforting lullabies. Veronneau also impressed the audience with an unexpected solo whistling performance, producing a sound so pure and melodic it could’ve been plucked straight from a fairy tale. Another standout moment came when Avis and Kline electrified the audience with a guitar-violin duel. Their playful musical exchange created a captivating harmony that had the audience clapping along. In the end, Veronneau left attendees with a lasting sense of camaraderie, warmth, and joy.
Little Red & The Renegades Mardi Gras Passport Finale Party, Saturday, February 1 at 7:30pm
SEE ALSO: Creative Cauldron to welcome the new year with ‘Passport Music Festival’ (news story, December 19, 2024)
