The Long Branch Festival is a collaborative partnership of the Long Branch Business League, Montgomery Housing Partnership, Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation and the Department of Housing and Community Development, with substantial support from Montgomery Parks and Purple Line Transit Partners.

The purpose of the Long Branch Festival is to celebrate the dynamic neighborhood, businesses and culture of Long Branch. Our goal is to bring communities together and celebrate our diversity, expand understanding of the crucial role of shared public spaces and highlight the value of locally-owned stores.

An additional goal is to help our community reimagine a future that includes both the current community and future changes.

The festival is also an experiment in placemaking - the process of adding small interventions to the built environment to make areas feel more walkable, accessible, and friendly. We want community members to start seeing the places they already use in a different light: maybe there are ways to increase support to local business by adding more seating in a certain area, or create more spaces for people to gather.

One of the several inspirations for this event came from a Montgomery Planning initiative in White Flint. We also want to reimagine the look and feel of Long Branch with a people-centered approach to the planning, design and management of public spaces while supporting the people and businesses who have called Long Branch home for many years.

Schedule:

Friday, September 8, 2023

5:00 pm: Loteria

A Long Branch Festival family favorite! Be sure to plan dinner and Loteria in the park with the kids. Thank us later.

6:00 pm: Taisha Estrada

Rooted in the traditions of Latin and American jazz, Puerto Rican born Taisha Estrada is a compelling songwriter and storyteller who engages audiences through her lyrics and dynamic stage performance. Her musical projects have been featured in the Washington Post and NPR’s Tiny Desk show, and she has performed at such venues as Blues Alley, Strathmore, Songbyrd and Union Stage.

7:00 pm: DC Casineros

DC Casineros is a world-renowned dance company that performs Cuban dance styles, including Rueda de Casino, Afro-Cuban Rumba, Cha Cha Chá, Mambo, Danzón, and Yoruba Orisha dance. DC Casineros has superb instructors that offer weekly Rueda de Casino classes at Dance Place in Northeast DC.

8:00 pm: Dupont Brass

DuPont Brass is a one-of-a-kind, brass-driven supergroup from the D.C. Metropolitan Area. Originally composed of five music majors from Howard University trying to raise money for tuition during the Christmas season, they have grown to a 9-piece ensemble consisting of brass, a rhythm section, and vocalists. DuPont Brass has had the opportunity to perform in conjunction with the D.C. Jazz Festival, The Washington Performing Arts Society, The Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, and The National Cannabis Festival. DuPont Brass has developed a sound they’ve coined “Eclectic Soul” that mixes varied genres of music, including jazz, hip-hop, and R&B. In their latest effort, Music Education, DuPont Brass shows us why they are qualified to excel in both the education and performance arenas of the music industry.

Saturday, September 9, 2023

11:00 am: Zumba Moves W/ Melanie

Start your Saturday off right and get your groove on with local Zumba expert, Melanie.

12:00 pm: Ms. Teresa

Songs for kids in English and Spanish.

Canciones en inglés y español para niños.

1:00 pm: Proverbs Reggae

Proverbs Reggae is a positive, unique, rootz reggae band utilizing strong lyrical content and musical expressions to uplift Rasta-livity. Specializing in social consciousness, the band endeavors to promote ancient wisdom through the art of music, word, power, and sound.  Proverbs Reggae Band offers fans of all socioeconomic and racial backgrounds a brand of musical poetry that compels you to get on your feet and dance when the rhythm hits.

2:00 pm: Blues City Shakedown

Born from the blues, and grown from the seeds of jam bands, Blues City Shakedown from Washington, DC will have you jammin’ and groovin’.

3:00 pm: Zip Code Band

This 5 member alternative rock band will rock your world in Spanish and English! They came together to give the best of music to their audience.

Esta banda de rock alternativo de 5 miembros sacudirá tu mundo en español e inglés. Se unieron para dar lo mejor de la música a su público.

4:00 pm: Elikeh

Elikeh mixes Afro-beat with traditional Togolese polyrhythms to produce captivating tunes that are as listenable as they are danceable! Elikeh’s music has no borders, exploring global themes and personal odysseys. The group’s leader, Massama Dogo, was born in Togo and developed his singing and songwriting ability performing with several local bands.

5:00 pm: Eric Energy

Eric Energy offers live, interactive, hands-on science shows that will blow minds- (kiddos and adults alike)! The wide range of educational topics includes air, matter, sound, electricity, and more!

6:00 pm: Chanchona 503

La Chanchona 503 is the most requested Salvadorean Campirano band in the DMV! They have a track record of successes and international praise with millions of views on youtube!

La Chanchona 503 es una agrupación de música campirana con Raíces Salvadoreñas. En 5 años de existencia es el grupo Campirano mas solicitado por toda el área Metropolitana y fue del DMV nuestros integrantes todos son de Raices salvadoreña.

7:00 pm: Acosta Canta Banda

Jonathan Acosta, renowned Venezuelan singer-songwriter, is known for having composed the musical work #ANIMOVENEZUELA which translates to “Encourage Venezuela”, which later became a motivational campaign inside and outside Venezuela. Johnathan’s unique charisma and distinctive interpretation of traditional Latin and Hispanic music has brought about diverse, successful shows at places like the iconic Kennedy Center!

8:00 pm: Batala Drummers

Batalá Drummers are back to conclude Long Branch Fest and they are TRULY a magical sight to behold! Their mission is to empower women through drumming and expose people to Brazil’s dynamic Afro¬ Bahian culture and Samba ¬Reggae music.

Date:
September 8-9, 2023

Hours:
Friday: 5-9pm
Saturday: 11am - 9pm

Location:
8746 Flower Avenue,
Silver Spring, MD 20901.

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