“All I Wanna Do,” “Stop! In the Name of Love,” “Heart of Glass,” “Waterfalls,” “Jack and Diane,” “Work From Home,” “Respect”—all songs you can hear performed live, outdoors and with a libation in your hand this summer.
Wolf Trap has released the first installment of its summer calendar with more performances to be announced April 6. The sonic menu is as eclectic as it is star-studded.
Fans of ’80s and ’90s pop-rock are treated to shows by John Mellencamp, Blondie, Garbage, Elvis Costello, the Goo Goo Dolls and Sheryl Crow. An I Love the ’90s tour will make a stop with TLC, Kid N Play, Montell Jordan, Rob Base, C&C Music Factory and Snap—a Wolf Trap debut for all six groups—on Sept. 3. Nine-time Grammy winner Mary J. Blige hits the stage May 25.
There are also offerings for classical, Broadway and jazz devotees. Catch Puccini’s Tosca on July 14, featuring the Washington Chorus and Children’s Chorus of Washington, and a performance of Orff’s Carmina Burana paired with Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto on July 28. Bernadette Peters will delve into her musical-theater catalog, including interpretations of Stephen Sondheim, on June 3. Jazz vocalist and pianist Diana Krall, last appearing here in 2015, will perform June 24, and the Chick Corea Electric Band will join bluesy Bela Fleck and The Flecktones on stage Aug. 6.
Some of the most popular shows may be those of two superstars who got their commercial start in the 1960s, Aretha Franklin and Diana Ross. “Queen of Soul” Franklin—who was slated to perform at Wolf Trap last year but canceled due to illness—will perform her soulful hits July 29. And Ross will grace the stage July 25 with tunes from her decades-long career.
Wolf Trap is also presenting shows by the singer-songwriter set, including Natalie Merchant, Lyle Lovett, Mary Chapin Carpenter and a joint performance featuring Regina Spektor and Ben Folds.
Other highlights include: the Beach Boys, the flamenco-infused Gipsy Kings, an evening of comedy and banjo music with Steve Martin and Martin Short, contemporary pop quartet Fifth Harmony and a National Symphony Orchestra performance of music from Academy Award-winning La La Land.
Tickets go on sale to the general public March 18 and are available now for select Wolf Trap members.
