Music in D.C.: Wolf Trap #1

In northern Virginia, not far from D.C., is the Wolf Trap National for the Performing Arts, opened in 1971.  Wolf Trap is one of the performance venues for open air concerts during summer.   The property is sprawling and was once a farm dating from the 1700's, when wolves were trapped in the area.   

  

The farm was donated to the National Park Service by then owner Catherine Filene Shouse.  If the middle name seems familiar, then you won't be surprised that Catherine Filene Shouse was heir to Abraham Lincoln Filene, co-owner of Filene's department store based in Boston.  Catherine also donated money to build the main stage at Wolf Trap (pictured below).  She named it The Filene Center in honor of her parents.

The Filene Center at Wolf Trap (July 2018), viewed from the top of the lawn,looking toward the stage

We selected a performance at The Filene Center that transported us back to the 1980's.  On the bill were Tom Bailey of the Thompson Twins, the B-52's and Culture Club with Boy George.  

Although 30+ years have passed, the songs were fresh and the performances were strong.  The audience stood and danced for most of the night.  It was a very good time.  

Cindy, Fred and Kate of The B-52's performing Love Shack

Boy George and Culture Club performing Karma Chameleon

Greg especially enjoyed the songs performed by Tom Bailey of The Thompson Twins.  Click here for a sample of a recent performance. 

Thanks for visiting Wolf Trap with us.

P.S.  No wolves were harmed in the making of this blog post.