PASSPORT TO THE WORLD OF MUSIC

Sponsored by  ​KEN TROTTER, J.D., REALTOR® at TTR Sotheby's International Realty

Featuring some of the most talented and diverse musicians in the metro area and beyond, this annual series, now in its 13th year, is one of the most popular events of the Creative Cauldron season. Curated by Ken Avis and Lynn Veronneau from the WAMMIE award-winning jazz samba group Veronneau, the concert series offers musical styles for every taste: latin, jazz, blues, folk and world music. Presented in a cozy club format that has been described by one of our frequent performers musicians as “one of the best listening venues in the DMV.”
Want to purchase a table(s) with an Ultimate Flex Pass? Contact the Box Office (703) 436-9948
GA $30, Streaming $15, Table for 2 with Wine 2 Glasses of wine $90, Table for 4 with 4 glasses of wine $180
Want a FREE ticket? Click Here

Buy Multiple Tickets

WEEK FIVE
Big Bang Finale!

Munit Mesfin Sings Roberta Flack
Friday, February 3, 7:30 PM

 Did you know Roberta Flack comes from Arlington? We’ll be celebrating the music of the Grammy-winning artist with Munit Mesfin and her band. You might have heard the Ethiopian vocalist with the warm voice and big heart performing at Passport with Project Locrea. A long-time fan of Roberta Flack, Munit is bringing her music to life for this premiere performance. Learn more at munitmesfin.com

Veronneau
Saturday, February 4, 7:30 PM

 It wouldn’t be the Passport without the acclaimed and ever-popular VERONNEAU. In recent years the band led by Quebecoise vocalist Lynn Veronneau and guitarist Ken Avis have presented jazz, French-chanson, Bossa Nova, and last year’s Blue Tapestry reflecting on the music of Joni Mitchell and Carol King. Veronneau close out Passport 2023, it will be delicious, heart-warming, beautiful and fun. Get your tickets, they go fast and you don’t want to be disappointed! Learn more: veronneaumusic.com

WEEK ONE
Leap Into the New Year! Traditions Young and Old.

Seán Heely's Big Celtic Show
Friday, January 6, 7:30 PM

Ring in the new year and the 2023 Passport festival with multi-instrumentalists Sean Heely and friends. Champion Celtic musicians and dancers will be celebrating Hogmany in fine style. Their Burns Night shows at the Cauldron have been sell-outs - join us to start a new tradition! Learn more: seanheely.com  

Chao Tian's "Unheard Sounds"
Saturday, January 7, 7:30 PM

If you’ve seen Chao at the Passport Festival with Project Locrea and the Dave Kline band, you’ve experienced her musical and visual virtuosity playing the Chinese Dulcimer, an extraordinary instrument played by a master. Following her recent performances in Europe and the Middle East, Chao brings her own presentation to the Cauldron Unheard Sounds an exploration grounded in immigrant artist's self-expression…get ready to be amazed and intrigued. Learn more: chaotianmusic.com

Shenandoah Run
Sunday, January 8, 2:00 PM

​Always a Cauldron favorite, the eight member ensemble presents traditional and contemporary folk music, along with a wide selection of Americana from the acoustic 60's and 70's in a manner that delights a diverse mix of music lovers of all ages. shenandoahrun.com

Griefcat
Sunday, January 8, 7:00 PM

The wittiest, wisest, wise-cracking-ist songwriting duo return! Irreverent, poignant, spirited, stylish, glamorous…oh the adjectives! Griefcat's songs range from hilarious to sincere with a unique sound akin to Flight of the Conchords, mixed with a little Dolly Parton and an indie flair.  Griefcat entertains with music about the trials, joys, and tribulations of modern life. Their recent song Revolution (Poop at Work) is currently blowing up Instagram with thousands of views and likes.  Learn more: griefcat.com

WEEK TWO
DC WOMEN IN MUSIC

The Honey Larks
Saturday, January 14, 7:30 PM

Roots music with fabulous vocal harmonies and uncensored girl chat in between. In the 2020 lockdown, three best friends came together and from a one off jam session grew a female blues super group of Carly Harvey (DC'S Queen of Blues) Jenny Langer (Blues Hall of Fame) and Holly Montgomery (Blue Elan Records). This show is intended as a safe space for all blues lovers. Learn more: thehoneylarks.com

The Songwriters: Local Cream South
January 15, 2:00 PM

The monthly songwriter showcase Local Cream is coming south to the Creative Cauldron for a second year. Founder Annette Wasilik, brings some of the creamiest award-winning songwriters and performers for the Passport show.  Kipyn Martin, Jillian Matundan, Heather Aubrey Lloyd (of the band ilyAIMY).

Swing Sisters
Sunday, January 15, 7:00 PM

Grammy winning musicians Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer join forces with gypsy jazz violinist Nataly Merezhuk and upright bassist Zoë Jorgenson  and special guest Myrna Sislen, Tap Dance, to perform swing music of every description. From the luscious vocal harmonies of the Boswell Sisters to genre bending Western Swing to Les Paul & Mary Ford classics, and the fiery hot licks of Django Reinhardt, The Swing Sisters will swing, rock and knock your socks off!

WEEK THREE
LATIN AMERICAN FIESTA

Trio Caliente
Friday, January 20, 7:30 PM

Soulful Sounds. Flamenco Fire. Trio Caliente unites and inspires audiences around the globe with their inimitable blend of Flamenco, Pop, and Latin Dance Music, enjoyed by political luminaries stateside and abroad, and venerated international organizations, festivals and concert venues around the world. Featuring Amilcar on guitar, Deborah on percussion and vocals, and Miguel on guitar and vocals. Think: Rodrigo y Gabriela, the Gipsy Kings, Pink Martini, the Buena Vista Social Club and Ottmar Liebert meets  Shakira, Celia Cruz, Camila Cabello, Aretha Franklin, and Gloria Estefan. Learn more: triocaliente.com

Rose Moraes - Jobim and Beyond
Saturday, January 21, 7:30 PM

Back by popular demand, Brazilian vocalist Rose Moraes takes us on a journey through time and space, showcasing the music of Brazil. Rose’s authentic and high energy vocals match her personality as she performs the classic samba and bossa nova of Brazil in Portuguese and English, with her high octane band.   Learn more: rosemoraesmusic.com.

RAYMI
Sunday, January 22, 2:00 PM

The band RAYMI was formed in 1996 by a group of young musicians from Peru and Bolivia to bring the haunting sounds and mystic power of the Andes to the rest of the world. RAYMI’s passion for its Andean roots is reflected in its music, which combines traditional Peruvian instruments, such as zampoñas, mosceños, quenas, and tarkas, with contemporary instruments, like drums and guitars. Featuring long time friend and Creative Cauldron collaborator Juan Cayrampoma.
Learn more: www.raymimusic.com

QuinTango SOLD OUT
Sunday, January 22, 7:00 PM

Hear the heartbeat of classical Argentinian tango performed by a quintet of top-notch female chamber musicians and their crackerjack bandoneon player. Tango like you’ve never imagined it: classical chops, jazz harmonies, and intimate arrangements. Over its 20-year history, QuinTango have performed around the world at festivals and venues, including the White House, and Kennedy Center.  Learn more: on our blog, or at  quintango.com.

Bobby Thompson Acoustic Blues Trio
Friday, January 27, 7:30 PM

In 2018, Bobby won a WAMMIE (Washington Area Music Association) award for 2018 best blues album, and although there are strong overtones of the blues in his writing, he sees himself essentially as a folk-blues singer-songwriter. Songwriting, blues elements, and great guitar merge in this one time concert.  Known for rarely slowing down, Bobby's fronted bands like Blueheart Revivial and Revelator Hill, and been a sideman for artists such as Justin Jones (930 Club Records), Laura Tsaggaris, and he once even toured with SOJA for three months back in 2009. Learn more: www.bobbytmusic.net.

Hot Club of Baltimore w. Alexis Tantau
Saturday, January 28, 7:30 PM

"These musicians can handle the complexities and breakneck speeds of Roma swing." -Tom Cole, WPFW Pacifica Radio, NPR.  The Hot Club of Baltimore performs inspired arrangements of the Django Reinhardt repertoire, French waltzes, and Trad Jazz. The ensemble boasts a variety of configurations including an instrumental trio of two guitars and upright bass, a classic quintet with violin, a late 40's instrumentation adding piano, drums, and horns, and a Django Big Band, which emulates the sound of the early 50's when Reinhardt performed with Duke Ellington.

DC Guitar Greats
Sunday, January 29, 3:30 PM*

A One Time Only, One-Set Show with three Guitar Greats!
Three of the finest jazz guitarists you’ll find anywhere, Steve Abshire,
Steve Herberman, and Jan Knutson, performing together without drums, without bass….just guitars, the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth! They swing, you’ll swoon as they perform everything from the swinging bop to the sultry ballads and blues.

Anthony Pirog w. Janel Leppin
Sunday, January 29, 7:30 PM*

 One Set Show
 Guitarist, composer and loops magician Anthony Pirog has helped expand the possibilities of jazz, rock and experimentalism with his fearsome chops and a keen ear for odd beauty. Together with Janel Leppin, a composer and cellist who’s honed a singular synthesis of composition, orchestration and improvisation paired with an exquisite voice. Learn more: cuneiformrecords.bandcamp.com