Rare Essence Brings Go-Go to BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown Dec 6
Written by Kiss Media on 10 November 2026
Rare Essence Closes Out 50th Anniversary Year in Germantown
The legendary DMV go-go band Rare Essence closes out its historic 50th Anniversary year on Sunday, December 6, 2026, from 5:00 to 9:00 PM at BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Dr in Germantown, Maryland. The show marks the official celebration of Rare Essence Day in Germantown, a homecoming honor for a band that has carried the DMV sound around the world.
Formed in 1976, Rare Essence is one of the pioneering bands of go-go, the funk-driven sound born in Washington, D.C., built on driving congas, call-and-response vocals and grooves that never let up. Over five decades, the band has become one of the most popular and influential go-go acts, keeping the music alive for generations of fans across the region and beyond.
Expect a high-energy night of go-go classics and crowd favorites, with the band’s signature percussion and call-and-response keeping the room moving from the first song to the last. The evening runs from 5:00 to 9:00 PM, giving fans a full night to celebrate the band’s milestone year, and it is a night for longtime fans and new listeners alike to share in the sound of the DMV.
Tickets are available from $49.77, with standing room at $50 and reserved seating at $66.
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rare-essence-tickets-1996163097560
Got a go-go favorite you want to hear on Kiss 101.7? Call in your request at +1 302-357-9831 and let us know what you want to hear.
