Registration now closed

Imagine Our City's Next 250 Years

With a Community Songwriting Program

As our nation prepares for its 250th birthday, DCPL is giving you the chance to imagine our city's next 250 years with a community songwriting program!

What do you hope for Washington, DC in the next 250 years?

As our nation prepares for its 250th birthday, DCPL is giving you the chance to imagine our city's next 250 years with a community songwriting program! 

Join us on Saturday, January 31, at 12pm at the Woodridge Neighborhood Library where musicians will work with attendees to collaborate on and then record a song of hope and inspiration for our city's future. Attendees will work together to pick a topic for the song, write song lyrics, and assist the musicians perform their song.

We will record one song at a DCPL location in each quadrant and then provide our residents with a 'The Next 250' mixtape to enjoy and the mixtape will be part of our America 250 celebrations. 

The Northwest and Southeast quadrants have already recorded amazing songs! Come represent the Northeast quadrant and share your ideas and your voice about our city's future.

All are welcome to attend. Registration is recommended, but not required. Snacks will be provided.

About the Presenters

 Jason Holt was born and raised in Washington, D.C. where he began his music career at the early age   of 9 years old. He attended Archbishop John Carroll SHS where he was the drum captain. Holt began   his career with recording artist Mya in early 2000. After touring with Mya, he joined with J Records   Artist Mario where he has credits as an international recording Drummer on the Mario “GO” European   release album. After recording the “Go” album Jason continued his career with national recording   artist, Marcus Johnson where he recorded three albums. 

Holt played with fourteen time Grammy Nominee Ledisi for two years. Holt then became the drummer for soul artist Allen Stone and performed with the band for 10 years. He performed worldwide with Allen Stone at various venues, including The South African Cape Town Jazz Festival, The Vogue Theatre in Vancouver Canada, and La Maroquinerie in Paris France. Jason’s television appearances include The ESPY Awards, Late Night with Conan Obrien, Jimmy Kimmel Live and The Late Show with David Letterman. 

 YahZarah is a District of Columbia born Ghanian singer and songwriter hero perfect for the times.   She   possesses the ability to move mountains with her music. Her voice has been recognized in   groundbreaking musical compositions with Erykah Badu. Performed her music live on stage with “The   Roots” and traveled the world as a member of rock icon Lenny Kravitz’s band and was a featured   vocalist in his documentary “Just Let Go”(2015). And most recently, YahZarah has released four   fulfilling solo album projects including "Hear Me" , “Black Star”, “The Prelude”. And, “The Ballad of   Purple St. James” which was considered for a Grammy in 6 categories. Her single “Running” was also   featured in episode 8 of Spike Lee’s “She’s Gotta Have It”.

Upcoming events