DC’s big, fat EDM summer

My Big D.C. Obsession

Once a week, I'll dive into the latest trends in D.C. food and culture, plus whatever's catching my attention online.

Our Big Fat EDM Summer

If you thought Brat summer was crazy, then buckle up. Multiple dance music festivals and a recent resurgence of EDM has D.C. headed for an absolute rager of a summer. I talked with industry long-timers from Transmission, Behta, Project Glow and Black Rave Culture to dig into D.C.’s latest dance craze — and why it's bringing out bigger crowds than ever before.

When Ken Broback entered the DMV club scene in 1995, there was no such thing as Partiful or Shotgun or Resident Advisor. If you wanted to go to a rave, you had to be personally shown one of the few joints in town. Broback would dance with thousands of others until 9 a.m. with no clue where the DJ booth was and with nothing but a disposable camera to prove it.

D.C. has always had a strong underground music scene, but for years, it was seen as a secondary market for electronic music. Now, industry veterans like Broback say the city is entering a new EDM era, with the ability to draw in bigger name acts. New venues like Transmission and Berhta are attracting a wider variety of genres, DJs have fewer barriers to entry, and social media is bringing out bigger audiences. Over one weekend this April, EDM venues hosted three events that collectively drew more than 20,000 people.

While D.C. will never be able to compete with major cities like New York or Los Angeles, it is “facing the next phase in its evolution,” said Broback, a general manager at Transmission, which opened in the old Rock and Roll Hotel space on H St. NE last year. " It comes from people believing in this community and believing in the music, and wanting to provide a place where the music can live.”

This summer is definitely shaping up to be a big one for EDM fans in the city: On May 23, the Capital House Music Festival is coming to Alethia Tanner Park with DJs like Duane Powell and The Illustrious Blacks. From May 30-31, the Project GLOW festival will bring global names to RFK Stadium. With more than 40,000 tickets already sold for each day, this year will be the festival's largest yet and the largest in the mid-Atlantic, according to Heather Church, the festival’s vice president.

In June, Transmission will have a huge Juneteenth celebration and Berhta will host an all day Pride activation on June 20 with The Dare, Yaeji, and the home-grown Rico Nasty. All of this is on top of regular shows at clubs like Echostage (recently ranked by fans as the #6 club in the world by DJ Mag) and Flash, which have served the EDM scene in D.C. for over a decade.

“The biggest difference between now and five years ago is abundance,” said Kabir Khanna, the director of Transmission. “Over the summer, it’s just going to get crazier.”

On My Radar

My singular and opinionated observations of D.C. life, from restaurant openings and viral trends to that one cool bug I saw.

The Theater Is Dead, Long Live the Theater

I shouldn’t have worn black. I was a metaphorical rat amongst peacocks at Monday night’s 42nd annual Helen Hayes awards celebrating the best of D.C.’s theater scene. More than a thousand of D.C.’s most glamorous residents descended on The Anthem to watch winners in over 40 categories — from lighting design to directing — take a bow.

If you've ever used a Lush bath bomb, you’ll have an idea of what the room looked like; hot, bubbly, and so, so much glitter. From my seat, I saw no less than four sequin suits, one 1800s hoop-skirt, and one knight's costume. But I did spot a few suits in the crowd including D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson, Congresswoman Jane Harman, and a handful of ambassadors from Costa Rica, Madagascar, and other countries.

The ceremony took place as the D.C. theater community prepares for the Trump administration's planned shutdown of the Kennedy Center in July. It also comes shortly after the Washington Post laid off one of D.C.’s only full-time theater critics.

But the mood was hopeful, joyful: the ceremony came with its own ensemble cast that broke up the 3-hour-long ceremony with original Broadway-level musical numbers about the D.C. and the awards.

The only allusion to the shuttered Kennedy Center and state of D.C. came from Theatre Washington president Amy Austin during her mid-ceremony remarks.

“Here, in our home, armed soldiers have walked the streets for months now. Institutions and careers we once believed were permanent and critical, have vanished seemingly overnight,” she said. “We feel what’s happening and it’s not something that we will shake off.”

DC, Honestly

Every week, I’ll answer a reader question on how to navigate D.C.’s food and events scene. What do you want to know? Fill out this form to get it answered!

Rachel! I was born to answer this question. Let’s get into it.

I’m a die-hard Jimmy T’s fan and I promise you will be as well. (Don’t look at the reviews, just trust.) It’s a family-run diner on East Capitol St. NE that checks all your boxes. Sit down to coffee with a collectible vintage mug, watch your eggs get fried, and chat with the owner, all for less than $10. Go more than twice and you’ll be a beloved regular. It’s no-frills but the perfect for a weekday vibe-check.

Then there’s Market Lunch inside Eastern Market. It’s a special kind of brunch hell on weekends due to crowds, but it's fairly easy to find a seat on a weekday to snarf down a few of their famous buckwheat pancakes. And if none of that strikes you, why not try out the brand new French cafe in Eastern Market, Boulangerie Saint Georges? Their pastries have been selling out by mid-day, but go early and you should be fine!

Can’t Miss Events This Weekend

My top picks for events in the District this weekend. Become a member to get our full event guide in your inbox every Monday.

🎵 Cap Fest at Alethia Tanner Park

Saturday, May 23 | NoMa | Free

A totally free music festival in the park with world-class artists like The Illustrious Blacks (futuristic funk) and Deborah Bond (R&B). Dance, hang, shop local vendors and remember why D.C. is actually the best.

📚IlluminAsia: BookCon Fair and Disco at the Museum of Asian Art

Saturday, May 23 | National Mall | Free

I'm absolutely psyched for BookCon this weekend. Hear discussions by Asian American authors, sip on Matcha from the KYRU matcha pop-up, then stay for the after-hours disco dance party.

👯 National Tap Dance Day Park Jam in Dupont Circle

Saturday, May 23 | Dupont | Free

I have never been to this, therefore cannot fully endorse it, but I’m very intrigued. This annual tap dance park jam promises a “tap-tastic time” for dancers and spectators alike. It’s also not limited to just tap dancers, any kind of movement is encouraged. But don’t blame me if it’s a train wreck.

🎸 Femi and the Foundation EP Release Show at DC9

Saturday, May 9 | Shaw | $20

Funk/rock band Femi and the Foundation is having their “Feeling Right” EP release show and Rock Creek Kings will be supporting. Their debut album "Wrong Side of the Sun" won the 2026 Wammie Award for Best Rock Album, and, in my opinion, this one is even better.

🎤 Live Karaoke at The Pocket

Sunday, May 24 | Truxton Circle | Free

I won’t be singing but I will support you from the crowd. This karaoke jam has a live band and professional set up. So, no pressure but you better be good.