DMV’s Premier Global Music Series Returns with Folk, Jazz, Soul, and World Fusion Curated by Wammie Award Winners Ken Avis and Lynn Veronneau
FALLS CHURCH, VA – Creative Cauldron is proud to announce the return of its popular “Passport Music Festival,” celebrating its 15th year of bringing world-class, diverse musical talent to the heart of Falls Church. Curated by Wammie Award-winning artists Ken Avis and Lynn Veronneau, the festival runs from January 9 through February 1, 2026.
This year’s series features an eclectic lineup of folk, Latin, jazz, soul, blues, and world music. Sponsored by Ken Trotter, JD Realtor TTR Sotheby’s International Realty, the festival provides an intimate setting for audiences to experience legendary “guitar heroes,” international touring acts, and rising stars from the DMV area and beyond.
2026 Festival Lineup
Week 1: Guitar Heroes and Roots Legends
- Fri, Jan 09 (7:30 PM): Dave Chappell & Anthony Pirog – A tribute to the “Guitars of the Anacostia Delta” featuring the styles of Danny Gatton and Roy Buchanan.
- Sat, Jan 10 (7:30 PM): The Kennedys – The beloved folk-pop duo returns for their annual high-energy, harmony-filled performance.
- Sun, Jan 11 (2:00 PM): The Nighthawks – DC’s legendary blues and roots masters, led by harpmaster Mark Wenner.
- Sun, Jan 11 (7:30 PM): The Rock-A-Sonics – A high-octane rock-a-billy celebration for Elvis Presley’s birthday.
Week 2: Global Alchemy and Soulful Tributes
- Fri, Jan 16 (7:30 PM): VERONNEAU – Multilingual “alchemists of cool jazz” featuring vocalist Lynn Veronneau and music from their 2025 chart-topping album Blue Tapestry.
- Sat, Jan 17 (7:30 PM): Cecily – The Wammie-winning soul artist celebrates “The Queens of Disco” with a 70s-inspired dance party.
- Sun, Jan 18 (2:00 PM): Blues Alley Youth Orchestra – DC’s premier youth jazz ensemble performs Big Band classics and small ensemble arrangements.
- Sun, Jan 18 (7:30 PM): Abbie Palmer – A mesmerizing exploration of the harp, spanning Celtic, African, New Age, and Hip-Hop styles.
Week 3: Blues Queens and Heritage Stories
- Fri, Jan 23 (7:30 PM): Carly Harvey – “DC’s Queen of the Blues” and star of The Voice brings her award-winning stage presence to the Cauldron.
- Sat, Jan 24 (7:30 PM): Spyros Koliavasilis – A world music medley blending Greek traditional rebetiko with contemporary ethno-jazz.
- Sun, Jan 25 (2:00 PM): Generations of Vocal Jazz – A unique collaboration between Capital City Voices and the Ballou High School Vocal Ensemble, directed by Alison Crockett and Barry Moton.
- Sun, Jan 25 (7:30 PM): Grey Jacks – An exclusive album fan-release concert exploring Americana, roots, and intergenerational storytelling.
Week 4: The Quiet Storm and Mardi Gras Finale
- Sat, Jan 31 (7:30 PM): IO The Singer – A soulful tribute to the “Quiet Storm” era, featuring hits by Sade, Anita Baker, and Marvin Gaye.
- Sun, Feb 1 (2:00 PM): Raymi – The haunting, traditional sounds of the Andes brought to life with Zampoñas and Quenas.
- Sun, Feb 1 (7:30 PM): Little Red and the Renegades – A high-energy Mardi Gras closing party featuring Zydeco, New Orleans R&B, and accordion-led grooves.
Ticket Information
Tickets for the Passport Music Festival are on sale now.
- Online: creativecauldron.org
- Phone: 703-436-9948
About Creative Cauldron
Creative Cauldron Stage is an award-winning non-profit theater and educational arts organization whose innovative programs in the performing and visual arts embody collaboration, experimentation and community engagement. Creative Cauldron was founded by Founding Artistic Director Laura Connors Hull in 2002. In June of 2009, Creative Cauldron acquired a permanent home in ArtSpace Falls Church, a 3,000 square foot flexible arts space that provides a venue for year-round classes, live performances of theater, music and dance and visual art exhibits. In 2023 Creative Cauldron launched a $500,000 New Home-New Horizon capacity campaign to raise funds for a move into a new theater at the corner of Broad and Washington in Falls Church City.
Programs are presented in part through grants from the Virginia Commission for the Arts, The National Endowment for the Arts, ArtsFairfax, the City of Falls Church, the Little City CATCH Foundation the Ross-Roberts Fund for the Arts, The Shubert Foundation, and the Robert W and Gladys S Meserve Charitable Trust. Generous corporate and individual sponsors also support Creative Cauldron’s programs.
