EVENT SCHEDULE 2026
SPECIAL GUEST PERFORMANCES AND EVENTS
THE LEGENDARY CARL MALCOLM AND THE POSITIVE VIBRATION BAND
Carl Malcolm is a prominent Jamaican reggae and conscious singer, songwriter and percussionist. Over a career spanning several decades, he has blended smooth vocal delivery with a masterful talent for rhythm. Carl formed the Positive Vibration Band after relocating to the Washington, DC area. They have spent decades touring around the world and keeping classic roots reggae alive in the United States. Come and see this legend at the Marie Reed Field!
FESTIVAL CENTER PRESENTS: MURAL UNVEILING AND COMMUNITY CELEBRATION
Join us during Adams Morgan Day as we unveil our neighborhood’s newest community mural with an afternoon of performances, community speakers, children’s activities, and international food pop-up market. The mural celebrates and highlights the legacies of generations of people power, arts & culture, and grassroots movements here in Adams Morgan and across Ward 1.
Family friendly, all ages welcome!
Hosted by Festival Center, with support from Ward 1 Mutual Aid, Restaurant Opportunities Center-DC, 411 Collective, DC Local2Global
Project sponsored by the DC Commission on Arts and Humanities
FRANKOJAZZ STAGE
FrankoJazz, a Washington DC based musician, and event organizer, will host one of the festival’s largest showcases of karaoke singers, songwriters, musicians, and rising talent!
Bring your own instrument, plug in, and perform one or two short songs—or grab the microphone and sing your heart out! Whether you are an experienced performer or stepping onto the stage for the first time, we want to hear you.
All talent. All styles. All vibes welcome!
SIGN UP, take the stage, and help enrich the cultural energy of Adams Morgan Day. It’s going to be fun, exciting, and unforgettable! You can find us at Marie Reed School Mid-Level Plaza.
OFF THE HILL
Off the Hill is an upcoming scripted comedy series created by writing and directing duo Kendra Pittman and Alyssa Gill. Rather than a traditional feature-length film, the series is a vertical narrative developed specifically for social media, following a group of thirty-somethings as they build community, navigate life, and find their place in Washington, D.C.
A community-centric activation will be implemented that invites attendees to share what being “Off the Hill” means to them. Guests who stop by our booth will be encouraged to:
(1) Write their responses on sticky notes and add them to a communal display, creating a collective reflection of what community, culture, and life beyond the Hill mean to D.C. residents.
(2) Learn about the highlighted local businesses featured in the series,
(3) Engage in the give-away of free tickets to DC Movie Club, Creative Kickback, and our premiere watch party at Shanklin Hall, to further connect attendees with the series and its D.C. community.
IG: @offthehillseries
DC CASINEROS
This premier world-renowned dance group specializes in popular social and folkloric Cuban dance styles. Their mission is to build healthy communities through the art and culture They have performed and taught at several venues locally, nationwide, and abroad, including twice as the opening act for GRAMMY Award-winning Los Van Van and the Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club. Check them out at Marie Reed School.
CIVIL WAR RE-ENACTORS
The Civil War Re-Enactors are dedicated to educating and inspiring audiences by honoring the courage, resilience, and accomplishments of women soldiers who fought for freedom. Through immersive reenactments, dramatic readings, and engaging educational programs, we bring these often-overlooked stories to life and create meaningful opportunities for attendees to connect with this important history. Our programming encourages reflection, learning, and a deeper appreciation for the individuals whose contributions helped shape the nation.
DJ DIVINE SOULFUL HOUSE SESSIONS
DJ Divine brings the spirit, rhythm, and energy of Soulful House music to the airwaves and the community. Known for creating an uplifting musical journey filled with deep grooves, soulful vocals, infectious rhythms, and feel-good energy, DJ Divine celebrates House music as a sound that connects people across generations and cultures.
Through Soulful House Sessions on WPFW 89.3 FM, DJ Divine shares a dynamic blend of Soulful House, Deep House, classics, and contemporary sounds while showcasing the rich musical traditions that influence the genre.
Whether behind the decks, on the radio, or performing before a live audience, DJ Divine creates an atmosphere where music, movement, and community come together.
Come ready to move, groove, and feel the music—DJ Divine’s Soulful House Sessions is more than a set, it’s an experience! You can find DJ Divine at Marie Reed School.
EMINENCE BAND AND SHOW
From neighborhood block parties to major stages, Eminence continues to keep the beat alive, honoring the legacy of Go-Go while creating new memories for the next generation of fans. Eminence is one of the DMV’s exciting Go-Go bands, proudly representing the rich musical tradition that was born in Washington, DC. Known for their high-energy performances, infectious grooves, and crowd interaction, Eminence delivers the unmistakable sound that has made Go-Go the official music of the nation’s Capital. Inspired by the pioneers of the genre, the band blends hard-driving percussion, deep bass lines, soulful vocals, and dynamic call-and-response to create an unforgettable live experience
PRE-FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES
MOVEMENTS BY JAYANTI
“Mindful Movement”(Combines the meditative movements of tai-chi along with the foundational yoga poses) – 10:00 am
I have been teaching yoga for approximately 18 years with 700+ hours of Yoga Alliance registered training and my personal practice spans 30 years. My teaching experience includes studio classes, private clients, kids’ yoga, lead teacher trainer for aspiring yoga instructors and a current adjunct professor of meditation and yoga at George Washington University. Move with Jayanti (that would be me) welcomes students from all walks of life to come as they are with injuries and doubts. I am passionately committed to creating a safe practice for everyone where the student can work according to his/her/their physical and mental capacity in any given moment. My classes combine some slow flow with a lot of holding and aligning in poses to build strength, balance and one pointed mind focus. I encourage students to use props as they make many poses available to those who might need extra support.
CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Mindful Movement. This session will combine the meditative movements of tai chi with foundational yoga poses as we connect the movements with breath. We will conclude with a short meditation. This class is for all levels. We encourage a yoga mat but you will still be able to participate without one. Come learn about the many benefits of these ancient movement arts such as improved strength, balance and nervous system renewal and try it out!
LOCATION:
MARIE REED SCHOOL : 2201 18th Street (where 18th Street and Wyoming Avenue meets (BASKETBALL COURT)
ADAMS MORGAN DAY DEEP HISTORY TOUR BY EDDIE BECKER
Adams Morgan Day Deep History Tour 10:30 am
Join us for a fascinating journey through the rich history of Adams Morgan Deep History Tour in this iconic neighborhood. Stay afterwards to enjoy the Adams Morgan Day festivities. The tour will focus not so much on the rich and famous, hot real estate deals, or the best dive bars, but instead on the history of land struggles, escapes from slavery, and fights for freedom, which carry over to Adams Morgan as a temporary home for revolutions from Central America and the Horn of Africa. Learn about colonial conquest, early indigenous settlements, slavery, and patterns of institutionalized racism and segregation, with continuous fight-backs, escapes, and learning.
LOCATION:
Adams Morgan Plaza Old SunTrust Bank, now Jubilee Housing and Kalorama Citizens Association building, 18th St. and Columbia Rd., NW. End at 18th St. near Columbia Road.
WHO IS EDDIE BECKER
Eddie Becker moved to DC in 1970 and had a dual career as a documentary filmmaker and investigative archivist. He was one of the first people to take the first generation of Sony Portapacks (TV camera and recorder) into the streets of Washington. His documentary work has taken him to conflict zones in the Horn of Africa, Central America, and South America. He also conducts deep research in government archives and libraries on US diplomatic and military policy for historians, documentary filmmakers, and a variety of investigations, including Iran-Contra. One day on a walk, he noticed that the Smithsonian’s National Zoo had relocated its industrial trash dumpsters right next to the neighborhood park. In an effort to get the Smithsonian to be better neighbors, he discovered the forgotten history of slavery, cemeteries, abandoned 18th-century mansions, and Native American campsites. This is where the story begins…
FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES
1800 PLAZA MUSIC STAGE-18th STREET AND COLUMBIA ROAD
DJ Qhill, https://www.qhillbeats.com.
SPONSOR: JUBILEE HOUSING KALORAMA CITIZENS ASSOCIATION
Music at 1800 Plaza will give you a taste of many musical styles, including hip-hop, rap, Go-Go, jazz, and chart-topping pop hits!
Headliner Flex Mathews is no stranger to the stage. His unique style combines clever lyrics, infectious energy, humor, and dynamic stage presence. Flex knows how to connect with an audience and keep the crowd entertained from beginning to end.
Come experience the sounds, energy, and excitement at 1800 Plaza during the Adams Morgan Day Festival. Bring your dancing shoes and get ready for an unforgettable musical celebration!
The live music will resound from the stage at Jubilee Music stage, presenting “Melodies at Jubilee Music Stage” hosted by DJ Qhill, https://www.qhillbeats.com. Sit back, relax, and take in the smooth tunes by some of our local performers. You will experience a diverse line-up to include, Contemporary Jazz, Pop Culture, and Progressive Soul. This segment will run between 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm. Jubilee Music Stage is located at the intersection of 18th Street and Columbia Road.
REGGAE AT MARIE REED FIELD
The legendary Carl Malcolm returns after 41 years! Then and Now!
For decades, this renowned reggae star has captivated audiences with his unforgettable voice, timeless hits, and infectious rhythms. Now, Carl Malcolm and Positive Vibrations are returning live and direct to Adams Morgan Day for an extraordinary performance filled with roots, rock, reggae, and positive vibes!
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience a true reggae legend live on stage!
This Sunday, 9/13 at Marie Reed Field
@highlight
@followers
MUSIC BY DJ GINO
DANCE PLAZA- MARIE REED BASKETBALL COURT
Get ready for an unforgettable ride and let our hostess, Cheryl “Cee-Cee” Hardy, take you on an international journey of dance, fashion, and culture through time, at the International Dance Plaza! Celebrate cultures from around the world through exhilarating dance, vibrant fashion, powerful music, and meaningful cultural expression.
Experience traditions, electrifying rhythms, dazzling costumes, and captivating performances that bring generations and communities together!
Bring your chairs, sit back, and enjoy the show—or join the excitement and participate in fun, interactive dance lessons. Whether you’re dancing along or simply taking in the beauty and greatness of dance and culture, there’s something for everyone!
Then, get ready for an explosive grand finale as the ever-popular Eminence Band and Show takes the stage! Put on your dancing shoes and join us for an unforgettable dance party honoring 50 incredible years of Go-Go—the official music of Washington, D.C.!
Come celebrate the beauty of diversity—one rhythm, one dance, one culture, and one unforgettable moment at a time!
COMMUNITY HISTORY
HUMANITIES UNIVERSITY HUMANITIES TRUCK
Our ever popular arts, culture and history segment of the festival combines the local diversity and richness of the neighborhood’s roots. We will delve into the depths of the Adams Morgan history with our AU Humanities Truck. For several years the AU Humanities Truck has been on the road collecting the diverse experience and perspectives of the community.
VOLO CITY KIDS ZONE
Sports Clinic and workshops – (Noon-2:00 PM
Volo Kids is excited to be back at 2026 Adams Morgan Day hosting a kids sports zone on September 13th from 12 pm – 2:00 pm!