FEEL THE BEAT OF HISTORY!

Experience an epic musical journey through time brought to you by the Doughboy Foundation.  From the battlefield to the Broadway stage, to jazz and swing, hear the songs that shaped history.  

All concerts are held at the National World War I Memorial located on Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 14th and 15th Streets near Pershing Park.

COMPLIMENTARY AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

FREE MINI AMERICAN FLAG TO THE FIRST 100 GUESTS

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2026 Summer Concerts

JUNE 25 |  250 YEARS OF AMERICAN MUSIC

We are proud to present a special concert celebrating 250 years of American music, highlighting the nation’s rich history through sound as we approach the semiquincentennial of the United States of America.  Join us at the Memorial for an evening of music in a truly historic setting.

We will take you and your family through a journey of American music from the Revolutionary War to battle hymns to the Raiders March and modern patriotic favorites.

🎺 Who Is Performing
Doughboy Foundation's American Expeditionary Forces Headquarters Band:  This award-winning globally famous group has entertained crowds in the U.S.A. and across Europe.
The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps:  This elite group comes from the Military District of Washington. They bring history alive with incredible traditional sounds.

The 8th Green Machine Regiment Band:  This unique historical brass ensemble based at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia brings 19th-century American band music to life using period-accurate instruments, over-the-shoulder bells, and authentic mouthpieces.

❤️ Honoring the USO
Our June opening concert proudly honors the USO.  We give a special salute to their amazing staff, supporters, and volunteers.  They work hard every day to support our military families.

JULY 23  |  FROM THE TRENCHES TO BROADWAY

We are proud to present From the Trenches to Broadway!  Experience the show-stopping tunes of Irving Berlin, George M. Cohan, and others in a high-energy tribute to the legends of the stage.

🎺 Who Is Performing
Doughboy Foundation's American Expeditionary Forces Headquarters Band:  This award-winning globally famous group has entertained crowds in the U.S.A. and across Europe.
Keenan McCarter:  A professional baritone vocalist and musical theatre actor based in the Washington, DC area. Keenan performs in local theatrical productions at Signature Theatre and Arena Stage.  In addition to his concert and operatic work, Keenan has made a mark in musical theatre.  He has performed in The Color Purple, Ragtime, and Hair at Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA as well as Shout Sister Shout at Ford's Theatre in Washington, DC

Alexus Monroe:  Alexus is an alto and has been a singer since a young age. She attended both the LaVilla School and The Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in Jacksonville, FL

Honoring the Washington Stage Guild 
Our July concert proudly honors the Washington Stage Guild.  We recognize the theater company's outstanding commitment to teaching history through the arts, specifically through their engaging, narrative-driven productions that bring the realities and human stories of WWI to life.  The Washington Stage Guild has a rich history of examining conflict, war, and the home front, notably through the works of their most frequently produced playwright, George Bernard Shaw.

AUGUST 27  |  A WORLD UNITED - CANCELED DUE TO TRAFFIC CLOSURES

 

CANCELLATION NOTICE:  Please note that the Summer Concert: "A World United," originally scheduled for Thursday, August 27, 2026, has been canceled. Due to extensive road closures, severe traffic disruptions, and ongoing cleanup operations from Freedom 250th Grand Prix in Washington D.C., it is logistically impossible to guarantee safe transit and access for our performers, staff, and guests. While the August concert is cancelled, the sounding of daily Taps at 5:00 PM will still proceed. We apologize for the inconvenience and invite you to join us for our upcoming autumn finale concert on September 18.

SEPTEMBER 18  |  FROM RAGTIME TO SWING

We are proud to present From Ragtime to Swing, America Finds its Rhythm! Get ready to move! You’ll be dancing in the park to the rhythms of jazz legends and swing classics.

Honoring the legacy of James Reese Europe and the Harlem Hellfighters.  This finale showcases the evolution of jazz and community dance.

🎺 Who Is Performing
Doughboy Foundation's American Expeditionary Forces Headquarters Band:  This award-winning globally famous group has entertained crowds in the U.S.A. and across Europe.
Keenan McCarter:  A professional baritone vocalist and musical theatre actor based in the Washington, DC area. Keenan performs in local theatrical productions at Signature Theatre and Arena Stage.  In addition to his concert and operatic work, Keenan has made a mark in musical theatre.  He has performed in The Color Purple, Ragtime, and Hair at Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA as well as Shout Sister Shout at Ford's Theatre in Washington, DC

 💃🕺Featured Dancers

Bob & Debbie Lew, GottaSwing Dance Club: We are thrilled to welcome our good friends Bob and Debbie Lew from the fantastic GottaSwing Dance Group, who will be tearing up the dance floor right in the audience!

TicketsPrice

JUNE 25 | 250 YEARS OF AMERICAN MUSIC - ADMISSION

Admission is FREE. Kindly RSVP so we know you are coming.

$0.00

JULY 23 | FROM THE TRENCHES TO BROADWAY - ADMISSION

Admission is FREE. Kindly RSVP so we know you are coming.

$0.00

AUGUST 27 | A WORLD UNITED - ADMISSION

Admission is FREE. Kindly RSVP so we know you are coming.

$0.00

SEPTEMBER 18 | RAGTIME TO SWING - ADMISSION

Admission is FREE. Kindly RSVP so we know you are coming.

$0.00
Total: $0.00

Can you make a donation to our program?

The Doughboy Foundation Summer Concert Series thrives on the spirit of our community. Your optional gift helps us keep the music playing and brings the joy of live performances to even more people.  

DONATE AT DOUGHBOY.ORG

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Location Information

  • National World War I Memorial
  • 1400 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20004 US
  • Google, Bing, MapQuest

🚇 Metro Stations

The Summer Concert Series at the National World War I Memorial is held at Pershing Park (Pennsylvania Ave NW Between 14th & 15th Streets).
  • Federal Triangle (Blue, Orange, Silver lines): Closest station; roughly a 5-minute walk.
  • Metro Center (Red, Blue, Orange, Silver lines): Roughly a 7-minute walk; best if arriving via the Red line. 

💡 Pro Tip: Use the WMATA Trip Planner

♿ Mobility Access

National WWI Memorial: All areas of the park, including the Belvedere viewing area and pathways around the memorial wall, are wheelchair accessible

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