Public Enemy, The Roots will help open national black history museum with special concert

WASHINGTON (AP) — A festival featuring workshops, storytelling and performances including concerts with bands such as Public Enemy and The Roots will celebrate the opening of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture this month.

The Smithsonian announced Wednesday that the three-day festival, “Freedom Sounds: A Community Celebration,” on the Washington Monument grounds kicks off Friday, Sept. 23.

There will be music and dance performances, spoken word, oral-history activities and two evening concerts. The festival will highlight music traditions such as jazz, R&B, gospel, folk, classical, New Orleans brass band, Afro-Latin jazz and hip-hop.

The lineup for Saturday evening’s concert includes Living Colour, Public Enemy and The Roots. On Sunday evening, the lineup includes singer-songwriter Meshell Ndegeocello and Washington, D.C.-based go-go band Experience Unlimited.

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