The DC Traveler

Wolf Trap’s Summer Schedule

by Jon on March 22nd, 2008

Wolf Trap just released its summer 2008 concert schedule. And there’s some of the usual performers that visit just about every summer, along with a few that are first timers.

Sure it’s only March and the overnight temps are still near freezing, but why wait to get your tickets?

From classical symphonies from the National Symphony Orchestra, to country, pop, jazz, blues and rock, Wolf Trap is one of my favorite places to listen to live music under the stars in the Washington, DC area.

I prefer to relax and pack a gourmet picnic, a bottle of wine or champagne and throw down a blanket on the lawn, but reserved seats, under the roof (nice in case it rains), are also available.

Don’t want to hassle with packing a picnic or showing up with a cold Domino’s pizza? Dine before the show at the Ovation Restaurant in the park (reservations strongly recommended) or grab a boxed picnic at the Meals Beneath the Moon booth.

If its rained recently, bring a plastic liner or drop cloth for under your blanket, but chances are, you’ll probably experience the Wolf Trap slide.   But it happens to everyone, so don’t be alarmed.

For the best lawn seats, arrive 15-30 minutes before the park opens and have your picnic before the music starts.

Some of the must-see, always popular or more interesting shows on my list for this season include:

• Riverdance - May 29 - 31
• Gordon Lightfoot - June 14
• The always breezin’ George Benson - June 24
• Motown classics, The Temptations and The Four Tops - June 26
• The always popular Lyle Lovett - July 2
• Disco queen, Donna Summer - July 5
• The National Symphony Orchestra - on evening that looks very fun is the Tcheers for Tchaikovsky! Featuring Tchaikovsky favorites such as the 1812 Overture and Sleeping Beauty Suite - July 10
• Mr. Take Me to the River, Al Green - July 15
• Earth, Wind and Fire - July 16
• Jethro Tull - August 6 (Tull was one of my first big, live concerts I attended as a kid. So I suspect, for nostalgic reasons, I’ll go to reminisce along with songs from Aqualung and Thick as a Brick.)
• The always fun Latin rhythms of the Gypsy Kings - August 7-8 (two shows this year)
• B.B. King and Lucille - August 10
• Los Lonely Boys & Los Lobos - August 12
• Smokey Robinson - August 14
• Kenny Rogers and The Oak Ridge Boys - August 20
• Les Misérables - August 29 - September 7

Wolf Trap 
1551 Trap Road
Vienna, VA 22182 (map it)

Just off the Dulles Tollroad at Exit 15, just 15 minutes outside the Beltway.

Tickets – Lawn ticket average $25.00 with most reserved seating at $42.00, depending on the artist.  Tickets are available online, by phone 877-965-3872 or at the Wolf Trap box office.  Plays and dance performances may be higher.

Dates and Hours – The park open 90 minutes prior to the scheduled show time, with a few exception.

Nearest Metro subway station – take Metro to the West Falls Church station - Orange line, then the Wolf Trap shuttle bus for $5.00 round trip (exact fare required).  Click here for shuttle details. 

Parking – free parking is available, but arrive early to ensure you get a spot at more popular shows. Plan on a bit of a delay getting out of the lot afterwards.

Images - Flickr - Wolf Trap lawn, NSO at Wolf Trap, BB King, Lyle Lovett, Gypsy Kings conga drummer

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POSTED IN: Great Places to Unwind, Music