Members of Congress – the exact lineup remains under wraps – are set to take the stage and show off their chops on Sept. 17 on Capitol Hill for an evening of music and celebration of the unifying power of the arts.
It’s all set to happen at the first annual “Congressional Record” celebration hosted by some of the biggest names in town – including Kennedy Center, Roll Call, Library of Congress, and the Recording Academy – in collaboration with the Congressional Musicians Caucus and the Congressional Arts Caucus.
Sponsors of the Congressional Record event, including ServiceNow and Fidelity, said that the bipartisan event aims to support the positive impact that access to arts education has on communities across the nation.
Geoff Browning, a Capitol Hill veteran who works in global government relations for ServiceNow, and Kevin Canafax whose daytime gig is at Fidelity Investments, said that working on organizing the first annual Congressional Record event “is an immense privilege.”
“Music is a perfect platform to support creativity not only in Congress, but across the nation,” the organizers said.
The Congressional Record event is drawing plenty of support from heavy hitters on Capitol Hill who recognize the importance of arts education in bridging divides and fostering collaboration. Here’s just a sampling of that support:
“Music is a universal language that unites, comforts, and inspires us,” said Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, who is co-chair of the Congressional Musicians Caucus. “I’m pleased to work alongside passionate advocates to ensure communities nationwide can access robust arts education programs that foster creativity and inclusion.”
“As the representative of Music City USA and co-chair of the Musicians Caucus, I am proud to co-host Congressional Record with Rep. Lloyd Doggett,” said Rep. Mark Green. “This is a night for lawmakers and the music industry to come together to celebrate the incredible impact of the arts and art education,” Rep. Green said. “At a time when tensions are running high throughout the country, I am grateful that we have something to bring us together – music.”
On the Senate side, Sen. Mark Warner said, “art brings Americans together across partisan, racial, ethnic, and religious identities, and it forms a key part of our American story and culture.”
“It’s great to spend an evening in celebration of that unifying power and the tremendous importance of arts education,” the senator said. “I’m glad to be a part of the Congressional Record Celebration, and I only wish I had Sen. Kaine’s harmonica talents so I could contribute in a more melodic way!”
Is that one hint about the lawmaker musical lineup for Sept. 17? There’s no telling yet.
The best way to keep track of the Congressional Record event – and perhaps to score one of the very limited number of tickets – is to visit www.congressionalrecord.net and maybe start humming a few bars.
