DC STEAM Expo
Additional Programs
Throughout this semester, fourth-grade students across DC Public Schools are challenged to identify issues affecting their neighborhoods, apply STEAM concepts in developing creative solutions, and build upon their personal experiences within their communities. The project culminates in the first-ever DC STEAM Expo, a poster-based science fair organized by the National Children’s Museum and hosted in the National Museum of American History’s Coulter Plaza.
Stage: National Museum of American History (Coulter Plaza). Folklife Categories: Demonstration. Categories: Kids & Families.
Saturday, June 6, 2026, 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM.
For more info visit nationalchildrensmuseum.org. Sing Democracy 250 Signature Concert
Additional Programs
Sing Democracy 250 is a stirring musical odyssey commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, with performances by choirs across the United States in 2026. Through exciting new music, the performance brings people together to reflect on American history and our responsibilities to each other and our country. Sing Democracy 250 believes that music holds the power to transcend divisions, affirm diversity, and inspire hope and harmony for our nation, so that our democracy is not just remembered but renewed for the next 250 years. The power of democracy is in the voice of its people, and every voice matters.
This concert will feature Together In Hope Choir, the Congressional Chorus, the National Children's Chorus - Scholars Washington, D.C. and the Main Line Symphony Orchestra, with a cameo appearance by Denyce Graves.
Tickets are available for purchase.
Additional program support comes from the Charles F. Kettering Foundation.
Stage: DAR Constitution Hall. Folklife Categories: Performance. Categories: Performances.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
For more info visit www.singdemocracy250.org. Everyday Herbalism and Modern-Day Pickling
Juneteenth
Explore the cultural significance of herbs and preserve traditions in this hands-on workshop with Derek Thomas and Madea Allen of Organic Soul Chef Community Garden. Participants will learn about the role of herbalism and tinctures in the African American experience, examine the rise of fresh pickling compared to traditional methods, and gain practical skills by creating herb-infused vinegars, making tinctures, and pickling fresh vegetables to take home.
Stage: Anacostia Community Museum (Community Garden). Folklife Categories: Workshop. Categories: Workshops. Interactivity Level: High (direct participation is encouraged).
Friday, June 19, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Main Stage Performances
Juneteenth
Stage: Anacostia Community Museum (Main Stage). Folklife Categories: Performance. Categories: Performances. Interactivity Level: Low (direct participation is not expected).
Friday, June 19, 2026, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Rooted Recipes
Juneteenth
Celebrate the rich tapestry of culinary heritage in this interactive recipe exchange. Participants are invited to leave a recipe and take a recipe, sharing personal or family dishes that carry cultural significance and stories of resilience, migration, and tradition. Through storytelling, conversation, and communal reflection, explore how food preserves history, connects generations, and shape's identity. Come honor your roots and walk away with new flavors and stories to pass down. Grab recipes from Smithsonian staff members and Juneteenth talent.
Stage: Anacostia Community Museum (Plaza). Folklife Categories: Demonstration. Categories: Demonstrations. Interactivity Level: High (direct participation is encouraged).
Friday, June 19, 2026, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. The Art of Roller Skating: “Style” Roller Skating as American Folk Art
Juneteenth
The art of roller skating positions Black roller skating as a vibrant American folk art tradition, deeply rooted in regional innovation and intergenerational kinship networks. This session draws from the National African American Roller Skate Archive to present a compelling mix of historical research, archival images, cultural analysis, and short-form documentary footage. Central to the presentation is “Style,” a tempo-based genre of roller skating created and sustained by Black skaters across distinct regional communities.
Tasha Klusmann, founder of the National African American Roller Skate Archive, moderates the conversation.
Stage: Anacostia Community Museum (Program Room). Folklife Categories: Narrative Session. Categories: Lectures & Discussions. Interactivity Level: Medium (direct participation is possible and invited but not required).
Friday, June 19, 2026, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. What’s Cracking: History and Culture of the Black Community and Shellfish
Juneteenth
Explore the deep-rooted connection between Black communities and the shellfish culture of the Chesapeake Bay and beyond. This fireside chat dives into the untold history of how African Americans shaped the shellfish industry while working the waterways, innovating culinary techniques, and turning the blue crab and oyster into a beloved symbol of celebration and regional pride. Through storytelling, historical context and food tradition, this talk highlights the economic, cultural, and social impacts of shellfish in Black history and how it continues to influence cuisine today.
Speakers:
Ricardo Brannum, owner, Who Wants Smoke Charbroiled Oyster
Imani Black, founder, Minorities in Aquaculture
Adrian Miller, James Beard Award-winning author (moderator).
Stage: Anacostia Community Museum (Program Room). Folklife Categories: Narrative Session. Categories: Lectures & Discussions. Interactivity Level: Medium (direct participation is possible and invited but not required).
Friday, June 19, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Imagination Station
Juneteenth
Enjoy facepainting and airbrushed tattoos for the youth and those young at heart.
Stage: Anacostia Community Museum. Folklife Categories: Demonstration. Categories: Kids & Families. Interactivity Level: Medium (direct participation is possible and invited but not required).
Friday, June 19, 2026, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. “We Hold These Truths” with Smithsonian Folklife
Juneteenth
Stage: Anacostia Community Museum (Program Room). Folklife Categories: Narrative Session. Categories: Lectures & Discussions. Interactivity Level: High (direct participation is encouraged).
Friday, June 19, 2026, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Late Skate with DJ B Sharp
Juneteenth
Glide into the night at the Juneteenth Late Skate! After the Main Stage winds down, the celebration keeps rolling with a high-energy skating experience in the parking lot. Under the evening sky, DJ B Sharp spins the perfect soundtrack for a vibrant, feel-good vibe.
Stage: Anacostia Community Museum. Folklife Categories: Performance. Categories: Kids & Families. Interactivity Level: Medium (direct participation is possible and invited but not required).
Friday, June 19, 2026, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. These Truths, with Smithsonian Folklife
Juneteenth
Hear poetic reflections on people’s connections to place, culture, and history, including Juneteenth.
Stage: Anacostia Community Museum (Program Room). Folklife Categories: Performance. Categories: Performances. Interactivity Level: Low (direct participation is not expected).
Friday, June 19, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com.