World-Folk Fusion of ‘Project Locrea’ Will Highlight Wheaton TGIF Free Friday Concert Series on Aug. 4

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, August 2, 2023

The Wheaton Arts & Entertainment District has teamed up with the iconic Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center for this year’s TGIF Summer Concert Series, offering after-work celebrations on Friday evenings. The world-folk fusion of Project Locrea will highlight the series on Friday, Aug. 4.

The concerts will be at the Marian Fryer Town Plaza, adjacent to the Wheaton Business Triangle and near the Wheaton Metro Station. The events will feature live artist demonstrations and beverages from Twin Valley Distillers.

Each TGIF party will begin on the Plaza at 5 p.m. with a DJ set followed by a live concert at 6 p.m. The weekly after-party will rotate to nearby local bars from 8-9 p.m. Parking is available in the building at 2425 Reedie Dr.

“We are very appreciative of Chuck Levin’s Music for its sponsorship of this concert series and thank it for 65 years of service to the music and arts of our County and the DMV,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “These concerts are fun and free gatherings that allow residents and visitors to enjoy the cultures, foods and sounds of our diverse Wheaton community. Please join us in Wheaton on a Friday evening this summer.” 

Project Locrea (from LO-ve and CREA-tivity) is a world-folk fusion ensemble created by flutist Yana Nikol. It is dedicated to creating and performing original compositions and contemporary arrangements inspired by folk music of different countries. Combining sound and instrumentation of world folk traditions with classical, jazz and contemporary music conventions, the project’s focus is to bring a better understanding and deeper connection between cultures in current days.  

In 2021, the ensemble released its eponymous first album. The group was nominated and won two 2022 WAMMIEs  (Washington Area Music Awards) in the categories of “Best World Music Group” and” Best World Music Song” for its rendition of the Ethiopian folk song "Abet, Abet" featuring Munit Mesfin.

Project Locrea has performed at AMP by Strathmore (Bethesda), Blues Alley (District of Columbia), Creative Cauldron (Falls Church,), Atlas Performing Arts Center (District of Columbia)), Levine School of Music, Casa Phoenix (District of Columbia) and Culture Center at the Opera House (Havre de Grace). It has performed at the MACAO Youth Music Festival in Macao, China.

The Wheaton TGIF series will continue into fall. The remaining schedule for August includes:

• Aug. 4: Project Locrea
• Aug. 11: Bobby Thompson’s Blues City Shakedown
• Aug. 18: Quimbao
• Aug. 25: Jah Works

The concert series this year will celebrate the 65th anniversary of Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center, which is an iconic Downtown Wheaton business.

Chuck Levin’s has been a staple in the DMV and the music industry. Opened in 1958 in Washington, D.C., and relocated to Wheaton in 1968, Chuck Levin’s has become a cultural landmark where musicians of all levels congregate to buy, browse and rent equipment. This year’s concert series will celebrate the acclaimed history of the store by showcasing a wide range of regional talent.

Chuck Levin’s has had a collaborative relationship with the Wheaton Arts & Entertainment District since the district’s inception in 2016. The Wheaton Arts & Entertainment District has become known for its cultural diversity—in people and music, traditional art forms and culinary experiences.

For updated information on the concert series, go to https://www.wheatonmd.org/.

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Release ID: 23-341
Media Contact: Neil H. Greenberger 240-205-1915