Whether you buy a "real seat" or opt to camp out on the grass with a picnic and a bottle of wine, Wolf Trap is an intimate summertime concert experience and beloved tradition in the DMV.

Here's a sampling of what you're going to want to see at Wolf Trap this summer!

The Beatles | White Album Saturday, June 2 8 p.m.

[caption id="attachment_7924" align="aligncenter" width="680"]Wolf Trap Courtesy wolftrap.org[/caption]
The White Album is “perhaps The Beatles’ most ambitious studio album” (BBC) and features classics including “Blackbird,” “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” and “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da.” Some of the world’s best musicians lay it down, Beatles style, at Wolf Trap.  

Nile Rodgers & CHIC Chaka Khan Tuesday, June 5 8 p.m.

[caption id="attachment_7925" align="aligncenter" width="680"]Wolf Trap Courtesy wolftrap.org[/caption]
"Chaka Khan, Chaka Khan, let me rock ya that's all I wanna do!" I'm down for this soul-pumping Wolf Trap concert featuring the aforementioned Queen of Funk and the co-founder of CHIC, Grammy winner Nile Rodgers. Rodgers pioneered music like chart-topping hits like “Le Freak.” (C'est chic! C'mon, you know the words)!
 

Harry Connick Jr. A New Orleans Tricentennial Celebration Thursday, June 14 8 p.m.

[caption id="attachment_7923" align="aligncenter" width="680"]Wolf Trap Courtesy wolftrap.org[/caption] Ohhh, Harry. (Fans self). I don't care how old he is, Harry's hot, and his voice melts butter. At this special performance, the New Orleans native commemorates his hometown. (He can commemorate me, anytime).  

Steven Tyler and The Loving Mary Band The Sisterhood Band Thursday, June 21 8 p.m.

[caption id="attachment_7922" align="aligncenter" width="680"]Wolf Trap Courtesy wolftrap.org[/caption] "Dream on, dream on, dream on, dream until your dreams [of seeing Steven Tyler in concert] come true!" You know who Steven Tyler is -- I don't have to tell you! "One of the greatest singers of all time" (Rolling Stone) reworks Aerosmith classics, gives the inside scoop on some of the band's most beloved hits, and debuts songs from his solo country album.
 

Indigo Girls Tuesday, July 10 8 p.m.

[caption id="attachment_7921" align="aligncenter" width="680"]Wolf Trap Courtesy wolftrap.org[/caption]
 "How long till my soul gets it right?" Man, those lyrics bring me back. Don't miss the only duo with top 40 titles on the Billboard 200 in the '80s, '90s, '00s, and '10s (who I've personally seen at Wolf Trap three times): folk rock icons Indigo Girls!  

Slightly Stoopid Special Guests Stick Figure and Pepper Thursday, July 12 | 6:30 p.m.

[caption id="attachment_7920" align="aligncenter" width="680"]Wolf Trap Courtesy wolftrap.org[/caption]
I feel slightly stoopid and hopelessly uncool for not knowing who this is. According to Wolf Trap's website, "reggae band Slightly Stoopid, now in their second decade of making music, continues to manufacture an energizing and multifaceted sound that has been described as 'a spiritual bath of positive party energy.'” Sounds good to me -- and not at all stoopid. (Unless stoopid is supposed to mean good, kind of like when the young people say "sick" to mean "cool." To me, it's just a signal to break out the Purell. Anywho, ignore my 40-something-mom ramblings).
 

Boy George & Culture Club The B-52s Thompson Twins' Tom Bailey Wednesday, July 18 7 p.m.

[caption id="attachment_7919" align="aligncenter" width="680"]Wolf Trap Courtesy wolftrap.org[/caption]
"SAY WHAT? Tin roof. Rusted." Boy George & Culture Club shares the Wolf Trap stage with The B-52s and one of the Thompson Twins for a night of carefree '80s and '90s love! I dare you to stay in your seat when Boy George sings "Karma Chameleon."
 

HANSON STRING THEORY National Symphony Orchestra (Emil de Cou, conductor) Saturday, August 4 8:15 p.m.

[caption id="attachment_7918" align="aligncenter" width="680"]wolf trap Courtesy wolftrap.org[/caption] Doo-wopping to "MMMBop" with a full symphony orchestra? Now I've heard of everything! Pop rock trio Hanson has been entertaining audiences for more than 25 years. The trio of brothers jam on some orchestraic (if that's not a word, it should be) beats with their greatest hits.  

Disney's Beauty and the Beast In Concert Film with Live Orchestra & Singers Wednesday, August 8 8 p.m. Thursday, August 9 8 p.m.

[caption id="attachment_7917" align="aligncenter" width="680"]wolf trap Courtesy wolftrap.org [/caption] OK, all you Disney princesses! And I'm not talking to the four-year-olds. I'm talking to their 44-year-old moms, who will dress to match their little girls and look like Belle exploded in a yellow ribbon factory. (Don't mind me, I'm just bitter that I have no daughters). Performed live by the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra, with a celebrity cast performing select title roles, the cast will perform beloved songs from the Oscar- and Grammy-winning score. The film will play on movie screens in the background--don't miss it!
 

Gladys Knight & The O'Jays Wednesday, Aug 15 8 p.m.

[caption id="attachment_7916" align="aligncenter" width="680"]wolf trap Courtesy wolftrap.org[/caption]
"Midnight Train to Georgia?!" THAT'S MAH JAM, ya'll! The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame R&B trio, The O’Jays, of “Love Train” fame is joined by seven-time Grammy winner, Gladys Knight, who originally did "Midnight Train" with The Pips! Pips, O'Jays, who cares? It'll sound great, and you can still mimic a train conductor pulling on the choo-choo whistle on all the "woo woo" parts.  

Michael McDonald and Peter Cetera Wednesday, August 22 8 p.m.

[caption id="attachment_7913" align="aligncenter" width="680"]wolf trap Courtesy wolftrap.org[/caption]

No matter how old you've gotten, if you grew up with Michael McDonald ("I keep forgettin' we're not in love anymore / I keep forgettin' things will never be the same again") and Peter Cetera of Chicago ("Just like a knight shining armor from a long time ago / Just in time I'll save the day / Take you to my castle far awayyyyy"), you feel young again. I, for one, don't miss any opportunity to guzzle the Fountain of Youth! I may even bring a beer bong.

 

Ziggy Marley Steel Pulse Tribal Seeds Saturday, September 1 7 p.m.

[caption id="attachment_7910" align="aligncenter" width="680"]wolf trap Courtesy wolftrap.org[/caption]
I had no idea that Ziggy Marley is an eight-time Grammy winner, Emmy winner, humanitarian, singer, songwriter, and producer, making him one of the most successful reggae artists ever. Joining the Z-man is one of Dad's (Bob Marley’s) favorite bands, Steel Pulse.  

Alanis Morissette Thursday, September 6 8 p.m.

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"I want YOU to know, that I'm HAPPY for you [if you get to go to this concert]." The singer of one of my favorite breakup songs EVER has won seven Grammy Awards, 14 Canadian Juno Awards, and an induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Now that's something to "ehh" about!
There's much more at Wolf Trap coming this summer -- this is just a sampling! Go check out the upcoming events and buy your tickets now! Are you going to Wolf Trap this summer? Got any favorite memories to share of Wolf Trap summers gone by? Stroll down memory lane in our comment section!

If you need a place to cool off this summer, check out one of these 12 free spraygrounds in Northern Virginia!

Ashley Allen
Ashley has lived in Northern Virginia for more than 20 years -- first as a single IT professional and now as a blogging, freelance-writing, married mom of three boys. She has been published in The Huffington Post, Today Parents, and Scary Mommy, and is a lover of chardonnay, Doritos, and every kind of cheese known to woman.
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