After a decade-long silence, the Carter Barron Amphitheatre in Northwest Washington, D.C., is set to host live performances again this August, reviving a historic venue long cherished by local audiences. The amphitheatre, located in Rock Creek Park, was closed in 2017 when it was deemed structurally unsafe, with an estimated $40 million needed for full restoration and reconstruction.

From August 20 to 22, the venue will feature a series of concerts as part of the Summer in the Parks festival, marking the return of live music to the site for the first time since its closure. The lineup includes a jazz performance by saxophonist Paul Carr and the Jazz DC All-Stars, a set by Sylver Logan Sharp—best known as the lead vocalist of the band Chic—and a combined show featuring the go-go and rock fusion band Black Alley alongside gospel ensemble Chester Burke Jr. & Company.

The event stems from renewed community interest following Carter Barron’s 75th anniversary celebration last August. Dan Puskar, executive director of the Rock Creek Conservancy, a nonprofit supporting the park, said the anniversary event demonstrated significant local enthusiasm despite ongoing challenges at the site. “The reception, the desire to get back there was so palpable,” he remarked, noting that substantial work remains before the amphitheatre can fully reclaim its former status.

Due to safety concerns with the original stage—built in 1950—organizers will install a temporary stage over seating aisles, limiting capacity and amenities. Regular restrooms are not currently operational, so portable facilities will be provided, and concertgoers are advised to bring their own food, as concession options may be limited. Certain items, including alcoholic beverages, glass bottles, and coolers, will be prohibited.

The Summer in the Parks concerts are a collaborative effort among the Rock Creek Conservancy, the National Park Service, the D.C. Jazz Festival, and Washington Performing Arts, with the latter two organizations being part of the Carter Barron Alliance. This group of arts organizations advocates for the venue’s restoration. The festival series takes inspiration from the National Park Service’s original Summer in the Parks program, initiated in 1968 to foster community healing in Washington after spring riots.

Since its opening as the Sesquicentennial Amphitheatre in 1950, the venue has hosted a wide array of events, from outdoor drama and ballet to concerts featuring notable artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Harry Belafonte, and Richard Pryor. Its integrated setting and unique woodland ambiance made it a beloved Washington cultural site. From 1991 to 2009, it also served as the home for free Shakespeare performances by the Shakespeare Theatre Company, drawing tens of thousands of attendees.

Members of Black Alley, who performed at Carter Barron in 2014, described their return as a milestone, reflecting on how the venue helped shape their career. “Performing at the Carter Barron again makes it full circle,” said drummer Danny “Animal” Henderson.

Though the upcoming series is limited to three nights and operates on a smaller scale than historic programs, organizers hope it will pave the way for more consistent programming in the future. Puskar emphasized the importance of maintaining public engagement as restoration efforts continue. “We hope that by creating more Carter Barron experiences, we’ll keep that passion alive for this place,” he said.

Tickets for the August concerts are currently available, with gates opening at 5 p.m. and performances running from 6 to 9 p.m. nightly. The amphitheatre’s entrance is located at 4850 Colorado Avenue NW. Children under age two may attend without a ticket but must sit on an adult’s lap.