A Capitol Fourth airs, and is available to stream on our homepage, at 7:00 pm on July 4, and is rebroadcast at 8:30 pm.
In case it's too hot to enjoy local fireworks, A Capitol Fourth offers a more-than-suitable alternative. (How well do you know your fireworks? Can you guess the names of different types?) Not only do you get a fantastic fireworks show live from Washington, D.C., you also get to celebrate with music from The Beach Boys, Renée Fleming, Pentatonix, and more, all hosted by John Stamos. Meet the performers here.
Jimmy Buffett and the Broadway cast of Escape to Margaritaville
Jimmy Buffett. Photo: Julie Skarratt
You don't have to be a Parrot Head to know and love Jimmy Buffett and his classic, relaxed songs like "Margaritaville" and "Cheeseburger in Paradise." He's not just a musician, but also a popular author and now the creator of a Broadway musical. He's joined by the cast of the show for A Capitol Fourth.
The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys
Like Buffett, they're both irrefutably icons and perfect for the summer. More than 50 years after their debut, Mike Love is still at it with sunny songs like "Surfin' U.S.A.," "Kokomo," and "God Only Knows."
Pentatonix
Pentatonix. Photo: Jiro Schneider
After winning the TV competition show The Sing-Off in 2011, this five-piece a cappella group has become global phenomenon, especially owing to their Christmas albums. Try listening to them on another holiday, during the summer instead of winter.
The Temptations
The Temptations
The Beach Boys aren't the only classics still around – The Temptations are also celebrating some five decades of performing and defining the Motown sound, and they still retain a founding member in Otis Williams. Here's hoping they sing "My Girl."
Renée Fleming
Renée Fleming. Photo: Andrew Eccles
When she announced that she would be semi-retiring from opera last year, the opera world mourned the loss of one of its greatest talents (though she has certainly not stopped performing). Fleming has long broken boundaries, crossing over into other genres in inventive ways and serving as impresario as well, as at Chicago's Lyric Opera.
Luke Combs
Luke Combs. Photo: Jim Wright
On the opposite end of the historical spectrum from The Temptatiosn and The Beach Boys, the country star Luke Combs is only 28 and released his debut album last year, but is already making big waves with his songs.
Lauren Alaina
Lauren Alaina
Alaina is even younger than Combs, at 23 years old, and she achieved fame even earlier, as the runner-up on American Idol in 2011. She released a country album that year, and returned last year with another.
CeCe Winans
CeCe Winans
She's the most-awarded female gospel artist of all time who became popular through both solo recordings and in duets with her brother BeBe. It's only fitting that gospel, that quintessentially American music, be present during a concert on the Fourth.
Joshua Bell with the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jack Everly
Joshua Bell. Photo: Lisa Marie Mazzucco
A talented violinist who has managed to become popular with multiple audiences, Bell is one of the most recognized and well-known classical musicians, even outside of classical music. He joins D.C.'s National Symphony under the assured baton of pops conductor Jack Everly.
