Bloom at Good Hope: Elijah Balbed and the JoGo Project

Elijah Balbed and the JoGo Project bring a high-energy holiday concert to Good Hope Neighborhood Recreation Center as part of Strathmore’s Bloom concert series. The program combines festive classics and original music with the distinctive rhythm of Washington, DC go-go.

Founded by DC native Elijah Jamal Balbed during his 2014 Strathmore Artist in Residence period, the Wammie Award–winning JoGo Project is a jazz-infused go-go band shaped in part by Balbed’s work with the late Chuck Brown. The group has collaborated with Sugar Bear, released original music, and become the first go-go band to perform in Russia. Since 2022, its expanded lineup has incorporated three saxophones, trumpets, and trombones, bringing the force of a traditional big band together with jazz and DC go-go.

When: Saturday, December 12, 2026

Showtime: 5 p.m.

Run time: 60 minutes

Lineup: Elijah Balbed and the JoGo Project, presented as the JoGo Big Band Holiday Show

Tickets: Free / pay what you can. RSVPs are priced on a pay-what-you-can basis, and guests may enter $0 to attend for free.

RSVP: RSVPs are required to help manage capacity. Walk-ups may be admitted if space is available. Phone RSVPs are available through Strathmore’s Ticket Office at 301-581-5100 during its hours of operation.

Venue: Good Hope Neighborhood Recreation Center, 14715 Good Hope Road, Silver Spring, MD 20905

Parking: Free parking is available on a space-available basis.

Accessibility: The recreation center is ADA-accessible. Guests with accessibility needs or questions can contact Ma’Lisa Easterling at Malisa.Easterling@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Arrival information: The center is on Good Hope Road, about halfway between New Hampshire Avenue and Briggs Chaney Road.

Note: No pets are permitted.