Home Rule Music Festival 2025 - June 13 – “Rooted in Rhythm”

Spotlighting D.C.'s Next Generation

Rooted in Rhythm: A Youth Showcase

Join us for an unforgettable evening as the 2025 Home Rule Music Festival kicks off with Rooted in Rhythm: A Youth Showcase—a high-energy celebration of homegrown talent. Held at the iconic Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, this powerful event highlights D.C.’s rising stars in music and performance, amplifying the voices shaping the city’s cultural future.

Showcase Starts In:

Rooted In Rhythm: Youth Showcase Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company 641 D St NW, Washington, D.C. Friday, June 13, 2025 - 6–9PM

Guided by the legendary Charles “Shorty” Garris of Rare Essence—our Go-Go Legend-in-Residence—young artists will share their voices and rhythms through electrifying solo and group performances. Featuring talent from Girls Rock! DC, Let’s Go-Go Band, Soul of SEED, and the Washington Youth Choir, the night crescendos in a powerful, collaborative finale you won’t want to miss.

But the spotlight isn’t just on the stage. Behind the scenes, students from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts’ Technical Production & Design Department will take the reins of event production—gaining real-world experience in sound, lighting, event management, and film. It’s art in action, and a full-circle learning experience. Rooted in the rhythm of DC, this showcase is more than a concert—it’s a movement. A platform for youth expression. A bridge between generations. A space to grow, collaborate, and amplify the sounds of tomorrow.

Come through. Feel the pulse. Witness the future.

Artist Lineup

Youth Showcase Participants

Girls Rock DC

Loud. Proud. Empowered.

Young women and non-binary youth take the stage with bold, empowering performances shaped through the transformative power of rock music.

Let's GoGo Band

Learning the Beat of D.C.

Feel the beat of D.C. with a high-energy set that immerses audiences in the rich cultural legacy of Go-Go music.

Soul of SEED

Where Talent Meets Tradition.

The talented ensemble from SEED Public Charter School delivers dynamic performances full of passion, rhythm, and heart.

Washington Youth Choir

Voices of Power and Promise.

This powerhouse group inspires with soulful harmonies and uplifting energy, showcasing the next generation of vocal excellence.

Duke Ellington High School – Tech Team

Crafting the Magic Behind the Scenes.

The behind-the-scenes brilliance is brought to life by the students of Duke Ellington’s Technical Design & Production program—making the magic happen.

Don't Miss out!

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Rooted in Rhythm: Youth Showcase

June 13

641 D St NW, D.C. 10:10 - 12.00 Am

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Support the Festival – As a Vendor, Sponsor, or Volunteer

Be a part of something bigger! Whether you’re showcasing your goods as a vendor, supporting our mission as a sponsor, or lending a hand as a volunteer, your involvement fuels the celebration of Black culture, music, and community. Join us in creating meaningful moments and unforgettable experiences for all.

June 13 - Rooted In Rhythm: A Youth Showcase June 21 - The Parks At Walter Reed October 04 - Alethia Tanner Park