Lubber Run Amphitheater – Free Concert Series

Chris Pierce
Internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter Chris Pierce opens the 2021 Lubber Run Summer Concert Series on Fri, July 9.

Lubber Run Summer Concert Series

Since the construction of the first permanent stage in 1969, generations of Arlingtonians have enjoyed free summer cultural events at the sylvan venue nestled two blocks off Route 50, ranging from Arlington Children’s Theater to bands like Raul Midón, Eddie from Ohio and superstar Ritchie Havens.

The Lubber Run Summer Concert series features free performances from a variety of genres including big band, blues, soul and orchestral music as well as cabaret to the Lubber Run Amphitheater. Working in partnership with the Lubber Run Amphitheater Foundation which funds four family-friendly shows at the end of the season, we bring the very best of DC metro area arts to the heart of Arlington.

The series will run Friday, July 9 through August 15, 2021, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 11am.

Are you looking for the Lubber Run Spotlight Series running this fall? Read more about the residences celebrating Arlington's ensembles that runs September 10 through October 1, 2021.

LRA will refer to VDH/CDC recommendations for preserving public health. Access to the event space is first come, first served and may be restricted due to capacity. A face covering is recommended for all unvaccinated patrons. Patrons who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear a face covering when outdoors.

If you have COVID-19, are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, know you have been exposed to COVID-19, or are feeling sick, please stay home.

We appreciate everyone’s cooperation to preserve the good health of our community.

Download full schedule here.(PDF, 728KB)

2021 Lubber Run Summer Concert Schedule

Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 11am

View our events on Facebook to share or save to your calendar.

Chris Pierce - Fri, July 9, 2021, 8pm

Aired on multiple episodes of the NBC primetime series “This is Us”, Chris Pierce’s hit co-write "We Can Always Come Back to This" introduced millions to his ability to engage the listener to confront uncomfortable truths that have been at the forefront of our society over the last several years. “…Each song that Chris Pierce sings, is a multi-layered, complex part of a greater picture,” observed Folk Horror. “All this combines to give voice to the unquestionably dire situation that faces some of us in the 21st Century.” “We Can Always Come Back To This” went on to peak at #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart, #12 on iTunes Top 100, and garner nominations for "Best Song/Recording Created for Television” from The Guild of Music Supervisors and The Jerry Goldsmith Awards. Pierce’s new album AMERICAN SILENCE continues to establish Pierce at the forefront of socially-conscious music, with glowing reviews from NPR Music, No Depression, Rolling Stone, Acoustic Guitar, Sirius XM and many more. 2021 has brought more acclaim via his acoustic version of "No One" from the hit ABC television series "A Million Little Things". Pierce’s collaboration with artist Sunny War in Americana duo WAR & PIERCE yielded the hit single “Amen”. “Amen” was featured on NPR’s WORLD CAFE, aired on 250 AAA / NonComm stations and has racked up over 2 million spins on Spotify. More  

Veronneau - Sat, July 10, 2021, 8pm

With awards for Best Jazz Group, Best Jazz Vocals, and Best Jazz Recording and three chart topping, critically acclaimed albums under their belt, VERONNEAU have captivated audiences in , concert halls, festivals and jazz clubs all over the world. VERONNEAU’s repertoire, performed in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish, includes samba, bossa nova, swing, jazz and French chanson blended with their original compositions. More  

Encore Stage & Studio (Family Performance) - Sun, July 11, 2021, 11am

Encore Stage & Studio presents Voyager's Compass By Xander Tilock. Enjoy a quest unlike any other! Join eccentric creatures on their epic mission to explore the seven skies. Can Seven, a powerful, magical being living in exile, defeat the evil Anvors and find her way home? Written and directed by high school student Xander Tilock and performed by Encore's young actors, your family will be transported on an out of this world journey! More    

Avant Bard - Fri, July 16, 2021, 8pm

The Gospel at Colonus, a soaring celebration of transcendence and the fragility of life. The Gospel at Colonus transforms Sophocles' timeless tale of the last days of Oedipus into a parable for our times. With its epic poetry and magnificent score, The Gospel at Colonus reminds us that out of the deepest sorrows, the highest and most uplifting hope can emerge. More    

JoGo Project - Sat, July 17, 2021, 8pm

The JoGo Project is a fusion ensemble with Jazz and Go-Go at the core. Founded in 2014 by DC native Elijah Jamal Balbed, the band is dedicated to keeping Go-Go music alive while also exploring new sounds. Elijah performed with the late Chuck Brown (The Godfather of Go-Go) for the last year of Mr. Brown’s life. That year instilled in Elijah a new-found love for Go-Go music, which would forever influence his sound and approach to music. When it was time for Elijah to start a band of his own - he knew it had to be something bringing his Jazz and Go-Go worlds together. Hence, The JoGo Project. More  

Levine School of Music (Family Performance) - Sun, July 18, 2021, 11am

Join the First Music faculty for a morning of music and fun for the whole family. The First Music faculty are both accomplished musicians and early childhood specialists who emphasize learning through play. Through First Music, they combine the best of early childhood music education practices with fun, dynamic, and creative programs to deliver the DC region’s most engaging musical learning experiences for children ages 4 months through 8 years and their families. More  

Akua Allrich - Fri, July 23, 8pm Canceled

Jazz vocalist and DC-native Akua Allrich has proven herself to be a musician of extraordinary talent and crowd-moving passion. With finesse and charisma, this vocalist, composer and teacher, has successfully etched out a place for her unique musical expression, electrifying audiences in and around the nation’s capital with sold-out performances. More      

King Soul - Sat, July 24, 2021, 8pm

Born of a mutual passion for the deep, down home sounds of an earlier time, eight-piece band King Soul is bringing the excitement of real Southern Soul to a new audience. Featuring original songs, powerful vocals, soaring horn work and driving rhythms, King Soul has become a top draw at area clubs and events. The all-star band includes members of the Slickee Boys, the Rhodes Tavern Troubadours, the Recliners, the Grandsons, the Hula Monsters the Thangs and the J Street Jumpers. King Soul’s membership holds more than 30 Washington Area Music Association Wammies and Austin Music Awards to its credit. King Soul’s new self-titled album on Austin’s Freedom label was recorded live in the studio and features nine new original tunes that sound like lost Muscle Shoals sessions. “We are proud to play the music the way it is meant to be played – with energy and conviction,” says lead vocalist Tom Clifford. “We believe that our original songs and stage show uphold and add to this great tradition.” Adds guitarist/vocalist Jake Flack “King Soul reflects the love each of us holds for playing music. We like to say that King Soul is the sound in your mind. King Soul is Washington music.” More  

Encore Stage & Studio (Family Performance) - Sun, July 25, 2021, 11am

Encore Stage & Studio presents The Big Bad Musical by Alec Strum Music and Lyrics by Bill Francoeur. You must decide the outcome of the biggest trial ever in the fairy-tale world! The notorious Big Bad Wolf is being slapped with a class-action lawsuit by storybooks of quirky characters who want to get even: Little Red Riding Hood, her Grandmother, the Three Little Pigs, and the Shepherd in charge of the Boy Who Cried Wolf. With Sydney Grimm as the commentator on live Court TV, the two greatest legal minds in the Enchanted Forest — the Evil Stepmother and the Fairy Godmother — clash in a trial that will be remembered forever after. More  

Nkula - Fri, July 30, 2021, 8pm

Boasting all the key ingredients of a complete reggae outfit, Nkula brings a heavyweight sound to the stage, most notably flaunting a three-piece horn section that breathes life into a set of uniquely African-influenced reggae rhythms. Nkula released its debut EP “Zion Rock” in January 2021, consisting of five original compositions focused on personal empowerment, self-reflection, and spreading a message of peace, love and unity. Fellow D.C. reggae legend Jim Fox teamed up with the band to produce the album, and Ryan Berty of two-time Grammy nominated SOJA directed the music video for Nkula's first single “Judgment Day.” It’s clear they have the chops, and for this reason Nkula has gotten the nod to perform on some rather grandiose stages including Wolf Trap, The Lincoln Theatre, The Kennedy Center, The Freeman Stage, and The Sprint Pavilion. They’ve also had the distinct pleasure of opening the stage for major international reggae acts such as UB40, Shaggy, SOJA, Steel Pulse, and Anthony B. Stay tuned as Nkula is on a mission and already cranking out its second album with the intent of releasing it before the end of 2021. More  

19th Street Band - Sat, July 31, 2021, 8pm

Characterized by high energy and strong vocal harmonies, The 19th Street Band brings together a constellation of Americana, country and rock with a taste of punk. They ignite an audience with their passion for music, their magnetic presence and enthusiasm. Bridging the musical traditions of bluegrass and roots from Ireland to the Appalachian, their eclectic gypsy-rock spirit literally leaps from the stage and engages the crowd in the music. More  

Mr. Jon & Friends (Family Performance) - Sun, August 1, 2021, 11am

Mr. Jon & Friends makes music for kids and their families that inspire fun, laughter, and dancing. Sometimes with a band, sometimes as a duo, and sometimes solo, the music of Mr. Jon & Friends is sure to bring a smile to your face! More        

La Marvela - Fri, August 6, 2021, 8pm

All-women music band that plays and highlights the richness of rhythms from the Colombian Caribbean region rooted in African, Indigenous and European influences. The group was formed in an effort to provide a learning space and honor Colombian ancestral music from a female perspective. More    

Bobby Thompson - Sat, August 7, 2021, 8pm

Bobby Thompson, an Arlington native, has released 7 albums over the past ten years and is about to release his 8th, which will be his first full-length acoustic-based record. Building a career based on his guitar skill, Bobby has not only developed his vocal performance, and bandleading skills, but he has also dug deep for the song, putting the craft of songwriting as equal to his guitar prowess. With him at Lubber Run will be an experienced band including Deren Blessman (drums), Christopher Brown (bass), and Ben Tufts (percussion, backing vocals). The group will perform versions of some of Bobby's newest material from his new album 'Old Home', along with crowd favorites such as 'Good Things That We Have' and 'My Everything'. More  

Mr. Gabe and the Circle Time All-Stars (Family Performance) - Sun, August 8, 2021, 11am

Mr. Gabe is a former stay-at-home dad turned children’s entertainer. He and his band, the Circle Time All-Stars, have been delighting young audiences throughout the DC area for over five years. Featuring electric guitar, bass and drums, they perform a rockin’ ‘n’ rollin’ mix of traditional favorites, family-friendly rock and pop songs, and witty originals from Mr. Gabe’s two award-winning CDs. “Listening to Mr. Gabe sing is like hearing an old friend telling stories on the front porch swing.” — Ashley Jo Farmer, Parents’ Choice Foundation. More  

The Grandsons - Fri, August 13, 2021, 8pm

The Grandsons have been standing astride the world of roots rock and roll for over three decades, beguiling audiences with performances both in the U.S. and abroad. The four-piece group is delighted to bring their saxophone-driven, genre-inclusive, Americana sound to their favorite audience in their home base of Arlington, VA. Be prepared for a night of catchy tunes and danceable rhythms. More    

National Chamber Ensemble - Sat, August 14, 2021, 8pm

National Chamber Ensemble's internationally-acclaimed musicians and visiting guest artists provide outstanding performances of chamber music in an intimate setting. The Ensemble brings together composers, musicians, performers, and audiences to create an environment that is fun, welcoming, and engaging, and offers the connoisseur, as well as the first-time concertgoer, an exciting musical experience. More  

Rainbow Rock Band (Family Performance) - Sun, August 15, 2021, 11am

Are you ready to rock the rainbow?? Join the Rainbow Rock Band as they entertain your little dudes with tunes, laughs and more! Winners of a Parents’ Choice Fun Stuff Award for their debut CD, “Meet the Rainbow,” and a 2018 Family Choice Award for their newest release “Total Eclipse of the Rainbow,” they provide an absolute mix of musical genres from folk, pop rock to rockabilly, all the while being EDUCATIONAL and FUN!! Your child will learn about shapes, colors, movement, and more! The Rainbow Rock Band encourages all rainbow rockers to participate in the show on the microphone or at their seat, either way your little one is sure to have fun! More

Summer 2021 Policies

Admission to Lubber Run Amphitheater remains FREE.

LRA will refer to VDH/CDC recommendations for preserving public health. Access to the event space is first come, first served and may be restricted due to capacity. A face covering is recommended for all unvaccinated patrons. Patrons who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear a face covering when outdoors.

If you have COVID-19, are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, know you have been exposed to COVID-19, or are feeling sick, please stay home.

We appreciate everyone’s cooperation to preserve the good health of our community.

Lubber Run Amphitheater events are suitable for the entire family, unless noted. While ‘sensible cancelations’ in extreme weather should be anticipated (driving-rain, lightning, tropical storm warnings, etc.), in the case of drizzle or intermittent rain, the decision to cancel is made at the last possible moment. The information will be posted on our social media channels: Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Due to the packed performance schedules of area bands, canceled performances cannot be rescheduled. For ‘Day of Event’ info, call 703-228-1850 or visit our webpage. Bring a picnic, but alcohol is prohibited in all Arlington public parks! Smoking is discouraged. 

Getting There

Address:
North Columbus Street & 2nd Street North (two blocks north of Rt. 50)
Arlington, Virginia 22203
Google Maps

By Metro Bus  – Take Bus # 4B or 4E to Park Dr. and N 2nd St

Bookings

For details about performing at Lubber Run Amphitheater, please view our Lubber Run Amphitheater Digital Brochure.

The Lubber Run Summer Concert Series programming begins in mid-January. We recommend that performers interested in being considered for the upcoming Lubber Run season email links to sample recordings/videos starting January 1. Please understand that we endeavor to create a diverse and fresh range of offerings each season, and submission of your materials for consideration does not guarantee a booking. Please email them to: Josh Stoltzfus, Cultural Development Director at jstoltzfus@arlingtonva.us

       

 


The Lubber Run Summer Concert Series is produced by Arlington Arts, the presenting arm of Arlington Cultural Affairs Division, in collaboration with the Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation, and with the cooperation of the Lubber Run Amphitheater Foundation.