Bloom at Good Hope: Elijah Balbed and the JoGo Project

Bloom at Good Hope brings a free, family-friendly holiday concert to Silver Spring with Elijah Balbed and the JoGo Project, a Washington, D.C.–bred ensemble that puts a go-go beat on seasonal music. The performance blends festive classics and original tunes with the signature groove of go-go, offering a distinctly local twist on holiday cheer. Founded by D.C. native Elijah Jamal Balbed during his time as a 2014 Strathmore Artist in Residence, the group grew out of his work with the late Chuck Brown, the Godfather of Go-Go, and has since become a Wammie Award–winning mainstay in the District’s music scene. The JoGo Project has released original music, collaborated with Sugar Bear, and made history as the first go-go band to perform in Russia. In 2022, Balbed expanded the lineup to add three saxophones, trumpets, and trombones, fusing the power of a big band with jazz and the spirit of D.C. go-go. The concert is part of the Bloom by Strathmore concert series, which aims to build community and broaden access to the arts, and takes place at the Good Hope Neighborhood Recreation Center.

When: Saturday, December 12, 2026, at 5pm.

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

Tickets: Free, with RSVP required to manage capacity. RSVPs are “pay what you can,” and guests may enter $0 for free admission. Walkups are admitted on a space-available basis.

Reservations: RSVP online or by phone through Strathmore's Ticket Office at 301.581.5100 during hours of operation.

Show length: 60 minutes.

Lineup: Elijah Balbed and the JoGo Project, with Elijah Jamal Balbed leading a jazz-infused go-go big band featuring saxophones, trumpets, and trombones.

Ages: This is a family-friendly event.

Accessibility: The Good Hope Neighborhood Recreation Center is ADA-accessible. For accessibility needs or questions, email Ma’Lisa Easterling at Malisa.Easterling@montgomerycountymd.gov.

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

Getting there: The recreation center is on Good Hope Road, halfway between the intersection of New Hampshire Avenue and Briggs Chaney Road.

Note: No pets, please. The concert is part of the Bloom at Good Hope Concert Series presented by Strathmore.