Wheaton TGIF Summer Concert Series Continues

Soul of ‘Gordon Sterling and the People’ on Friday, Aug. 9

The soulful sounds of Gordon Sterling and the People will highlight the music as the Wheaton Arts & Entertainment District’s TGIF Summer Friday Concert Series continues at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 9, at Marian Fryer Town Plaza in Downtown Wheaton.

The series this summer has again teamed up with the iconic Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center. The weekly series will continue through Aug. 30.

Gordon Sterling and The People are a jam, rock and soul ensemble who have carved a prominent presence, regularly captivating audiences with sold-out performances.

Central to their music is Gordon's effervescent energy and deeply introspective songwriting, crafting waves of awareness around the lived experiences and perspectives of being Black in America.

Jamaican American Gordon Sterling's music venture has spanned more than 25 years, establishing his prowess as a revered singer, songwriter and guitarist.

The band's debut album, "Truth," unveiled in September 2022, is a treasure trove of musical diversity, oscillating between soulful serenades and high-energy explorations. The album's standout track, also titled “Truth,” was hailed as the best Funk/Blues song at the 2023 Washington, D.C. Wammie Awards.

Marian Fryer Town Plaza is adjacent to the Wheaton Business Triangle. Chuck Levin’s has carefully curated a mix of artists for the summer series.

The TGIF parties begin on the plaza at 6 p.m. with a happy hour DJ set followed by a live concert at 7 p.m. Beverages will be available for purchase from Twin Valley Distillers. The weekly after-party will rotate to nearby local bars from 8-9 p.m. Parking is available in the building at 2425 Reedie Dr.
The schedule for the remainder of the series:

• Aug. 9: Gordon Sterling and The People
• Aug. 16: Guys in Thin Ties
• Aug. 23: The Nighthawks
• Aug. 30: Chopteeth

The Wheaton Arts & Entertainment District has collaborated with Chuck Levin since the district’s inception in 2016. The district has become known for its cultural diversity, including people and music, traditional art forms and culinary experiences.

Chuck Levin’s is an iconic Downtown Wheaton business that has been a staple in the DMV and the music industry. Opened in 1958 in Washington, D.C., and relocated to Wheaton in 1968, Chuck Levin’s has become a cultural landmark where musicians of all levels congregate to buy, browse and rent equipment.

The story of Chuck Levin’s includes some of the biggest names in music. It supplied D.C.’s Godfather of Go-Go, Chuck Brown, with his first Gibson guitar. Stevie Wonder has been a regular visitor. Guitar manufacturing legend Paul Reed Smith honed his skills in its repair shop. Drummer Chris Culos of the rock band O.A.R. got his start at Chuck’s after his father worked in Pro Audio for more than 30 years.

In its seventh decade, the store remains focused on the everyday player. Customers still include elementary school students picking up their first instrument, bedroom hobbyists and professional musicians.

For updated information on the concert series, click here.

This is a Montgomery County, Maryland announcement.

Gazania, Kentlands Photowalk, Gaithersburg, Maryland USA IMG 4746
Canon PowerShot G11 Camera
Photograph by Roy Kelley
Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs