Previous Performances
2025 Calendar
Saturday, June 14, 2025, 2:00 pm
Lyceum, Alexandria, VA
I'll be playing a few Renaissance tunes on ukulele.
Saturday, May 31, 2025, 7:30 pm
The Clarice at the University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Saturday, May 3, 2025, 7:00 pm
Levine Music's Strathmore Campus, North Bethesda, MD
Round out another season of Levine Presents with Trela, a musical collaboration between faculty member Mark Sylvester and guest artists Spyros Koliavasilis and Cyndy Elliott. With guitar, mandolin, oud, laouto guitar, and bass in hand, Trela will take us on a musical journey across America, the Mediterranean, and beyond with popular tunes by Leonard Cohen and George Harrison alongside tango, Greek folk, and classical Turkish works.
2024 Calendar
Sunday, November 10, 2024, 4:15 pm
AFI Silver, Silver Spring, MD
Wednesday, October 30, 2024, 7:30 pm
The National Museum of American History, Washington, DC
Mark Sylvester: solo acoustic guitar
Friday, October 4, 2024, 8:00-10:00 pm
Three Whistles, Arlington, VA
Trela
Mark Sylvester: solo acoustic guitar
Sunday, September 8, 2024, 2:00-2:50 pm
Takoma Park Folk Festival, Takoma Park, MD
Mark Sylvester: solo acoustic guitar
Thursday, August 8, 2024, 6:00-8:00 pm
Saints Row Brewing, Gaithersburg, MD
Mark Sylvester: solo acoustic guitar
Friday, August 2, 2024, 8:00-10:00 pm
Three Whistles, Arlington, VA
Sunday, July 28, 2024, 5:00 pm
Four Hour Day Lutherie, Baltimore, MD ($20 suggested donation)
Mark Sylvester / Raven Bauer Durham / Nick Schillace
Wednesday, June 19, 2024, 7:00 pm
Rhizome DC, Washington, DC ($10-15)
Mark Sylvester: solo acoustic guitar
Tuesday, June 18, 2024, 7:00 pm
Acoustic Cafe, Arlington, VA
Saturday, June 1, 2024, 7:30 pm
The Clarice at the University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Mark Sylvester: solo acoustic guitar
Saturday, June 1, 2024, 3:00 pm
ESSCAFest at Bump 'n Grind, 923 Gist Ave., Silver Spring, MD
Mark plays banjo and guitar for a live screening
of Buster Keaton's Our Hospitality
with a new score by Andrew Earle Simpson
Mark Sylvester: solo acoustic guitar
Friday, February 23, 2024, 8:00-10:00 pm
Three Whistles, Arlington, VA
2023 Calendar
Mark plays banjo and guitar for a live screening
of Buster Keaton's Our Hospitality
with a new score by Andrew Earle Simpson
Thursday, December 14, 2023, 7:30 pm
The National Museum of American History, Washington, DC
Mark plays banjo with Joe Downer
Thursday, November 30, 2023, 7:30 pm
Jammin Java, Vienna, VA
Solo acoustic guitar instrumental music
Solo acoustic guitar instrumental music
Solo acoustic guitar instrumental music
Solo acoustic guitar instrumental music
Sunday, August 13, 2023, 10:00am-12:00pm
Farragut Farmers Market, Annapolis, MD
Saturday, June 17, 2023, 7:30 pm
The Clarice at the University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Solo acoustic guitar instrumental music
Saturday, May 27, 2023, 2:40 pm
ESSCA Fest, Silver Spring, MD
Solo acoustic guitar instrumental music
Sunday, April 23, 2023, 7:00 pm
Rhizome DC, Washington, DC
2022 Calendar
Thursday, October 13, 2022, 7:30 pm
Lyceum, Alexandria, VA
Friday, June 3, 2022, 7:30 pm
Church of the Ascension and Saint Agnes, Washington, DC
The Music of Clarice Assad
Saturday, April 23, 2022, 7:30 pm
Levine Music, Washington, DC
Saturday, March 5, 2022, 3:00 pm
Takoma Park, MD
2019 Calendar
Saturday, November 9, 16, and 23, 2019, 7:30 pm
Theatre on the Run, Arlington, VA
Friday, November 1, 2019, 7:00 pm
Syriana Cafe, Ellicott City, MD
Saturday, October 26, 2019, 7:30 pm
Epicure Cafe, Fairfax, VA
Thursday, October 10, 2019, 7:30 pm
Bossa, Washington, DC
Ben Tufts & Friends Presents: As Heard on TV
Saturday, September 28, 2019, 7:00 pm (I'll be on later.)
Jammin Java, Vienna, VA
Saturday, September 28, 2019, 7:00 pm
Syriana Cafe, Ellicott City, MD
Sunday, September 22, 2019, 7:00 pm
Bossa, Washington, DC
Saturday, August 24, 2019, 7:30 pm
Epicure Cafe, Fairfax, VA
Tuesday, August 13, 2019, 7:00 pm
The Pub and the People, Washington, DC
Wednesday, May 8, 2019, 7:00 pm
Christ Church, Alexandria, VA
Sunday, May 5, 2019, 6:00 pm
Hard Rock Cafe, Washington, DC
Thursday, April 18, 2019, 7:30 pm
Bossa, Washington, DC
March 23, 2019 at 8:00 pm; March 24, 2019 at 4:00 pm
Church of the Epiphany, Washington, DC
Thursday, January 24, 2019, 7:30 pm
Bossa, Washington, DC
2018 Calendar
Thursday, September 27, 2018, 7:30 pm
The Lyceum, Alexandria, VA
Saturday, September 22 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, September 23 at 3 p.m.
Friday, September 28 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, September 29 at 8 p.m.
Atlas Performing Arts Center, Washington, DC
Monday, July 23, 2018, 7:00 pm
Teavolve, Baltimore, MD
Mark is this evening's featured performer.
Saturday, July 7 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, July 8 at 2 p.m.
Friday, July 13 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, July 14 at 8 p.m.
Signature Theatre, Arlington, VA
Saturday, June 16, 2018, 7:00 pm
Epicure Cafe, Fairfax, VA
"Gobs of music."
Mark will be performing with 3 of the 9 acts:
- with Selling Fairfax by the Pound
- with Jason Mendelson / MetroSongs
- a solo set
Saturday, May 5, 2018, 7:00 pm
Bar Vasquez, Baltimore, MD
Saturday, April 28, 2018, 7:00 pm
Bar Vasquez, Baltimore, MD
Wednesday, April 11, 2018, 7:30 pm
Epicure Cafe, Fairfax, VA
Mark is this evening's featured performer.
Thursday, March 29, 2018, 8:00 pm
Rhizome DC, Washington, DC
This will be a set of improv-based instrumentals.
Saturday, March 26, 2018, 7:30 pm
Asbury Methodist Village, Gaithersburg, MD
Friday, March 9, 2018, 9:3s0 pm
The Ugly Mug, Washington, DC
Saturday, March 3, 2018, 8:30 pm
Gypsysally's, Washington, DC
Thursday, January 25, 2018, 7:00 pm
The Lyceum, Alexandria, VA
Sunday, January 21, 2018, 7:00 pm
Rhizome DC, Washington, DC
2017 Calendar
Tuesday, November 7, 2017, 7:00 pm
The Lyceum, Alexandria, VA
Saturday, September 30, 2017, 1:45 pm
National Mall, Washington, DC
Friday, September 15, 2017, 7:30 pm
Bump 'n Grind, Silver Spring, MD
Mark is this evening's featured performer.
Sunday, September 3, 2017, 7:30 pm
Epicure Cafe, Fairfax, VA
Saturday, July 15, 2017, 7:30 pm
Epicure Cafe, Fairfax, VA
Performing complete albums:
- Mark Sylvester as Nick Drake (Pink Moon)
- The Nobody People as David Bowie (Ziggy Stardust)
- Selling Fairfax by the Pound as Genesis (Foxtrot)
Sunday, July 9, 2017, 3:00 pm
Rockville United Church, Rockville, MD
with Wolf Trap Opera and Halcyon Stage
June 17, 2017, 8:00 pm
Dock 5 at Union Market, Washington DC
Solo
Sunday, May 21, 2017, 6:00 pm
Jane Franklin Dance Annual Gala, Arlington, VA
Taught the Band to Play: The Sgt. Pepper Project
March 16 - 18, 2017 at 8:00 pm; March 19, 2017 at 4:00 pm
Atlas Performing Arts Center, Washington, DC
Saturday, February 11, 2017, 9:00 pm
Acre 121, Washington, DC
Monday, January 9, 2017, 9:00 pm
Galaxy Hut, Arlington, VA
2016 Calendar
Sunday, November 27, 2016, 7:30 pm
Airshow Mastering, Takoma Park, MD
November 19, 2016 at 7:30 pm
Church of The Epiphany, Washington, DC
Friday, October 21, 2016, 9:00 pm
Acre 121, Washington, DC
Saturday, July 23, 2016, 10:00 pm
Roofers Union, Washington, DC
Solo
Saturday, June 18, 2016, 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Cabin John Shopping Center, Potomac, MD
June 4, 2016, 7:30 pm
National City Christian Church, Washington, DC
Tuesday, May 3, 2016, 7:00 pm
New Deal Cafe, Greenbelt, MD
Saturday, April 23, 2016, 8:00 pm
Epicure Cafe, Fairfax, VA
March 17 - 19, 2016 at 8:00 pm; March 20, 2016 at 4:00 pm
Atlas Performing Arts Center, Washington, DC
Saturday, February 27, 2016, 8:00 pm
Iota Club and Cafe, Arlington, VA
Saturday, January 9, 2016, 8:00 pm
New Music Gathering, Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
2015 Calendar
Solo
Thursday, November 5, 2015, 9:00 pm
Kramerbooks, Washington, DC
Solo
Thursday, October 8, 2015, 9:00 pm
Kramerbooks, Washington, DC
Solo
Thursday, September 10, 2015, 9:00 pm
Kramerbooks, Washington, DC
Solo
Thursday, August 27, 2015, 9:00 pm
Kramerbooks, Washington, DC
Solo
Thursday, July 16, 2015, 9:00 pm
Kramerbooks, Washington, DC
Saturday, June 25, 2015, 7:30 pm
Takoma Park Community Center, Takoma Park, MD
Saturday, May 30, 2015, 3:00 pm
Washington Folk Festival, Glen Echo Park, Crystal Pool Stage
Solo
Thursday, May 28, 2015, 9:00 pm
Kramerbooks, Washington, DC
Friday, May 22, 2015, 8:00 pm
Ebenezers Coffeehouse, Washington, DC
Saturday, April 25, 2015, 8:00 pm
Epicure Cafe, Fairfax, VA
Solo
Thursday, April 2, 2015, 9:00 pm
Kramerbooks, Washington, DC
March 26 - 28, 2015 at 8:00 pm; March 29, 2015 at 4:00 pm
Atlas Performing Arts Center, Washington, DC
Solo
Thursday, March 5, 2015, 9:00 pm
Kramerbooks, Washington, DC
Niche finds an ordinary and unremarkable couple on their honest search for a place called "home." Boy meets girl and one thing follows the next. An unsettling group of passersby, vintage technology, innovative movement and text bring the situation into focus. Recycled materials are contributed by UpCycle, an Alexandria-based creative reuse center. Handmade 2-D cut-outs and transparencies move the story forward via an "old school" overhead projector and slide projector. Dance and theatre combines with live music by Mark Sylvester.
Presented as part of INTERSECTIONS at the Atlas Performing Arts Center - eight days of performing arts that celebrate the diversity, energy and excellence of artists and audiences from DC and beyond. Feb 20 - Mar 7, 2015.
2014 Calendar
The program includes my Banjo Chamber Concerto.
Solo
Thursday, November 20, 2014, 9:00 pm
Kramerbooks, Washington, DC
Solo
Thursday, November 13, 2014, 9:00 pm
Kramerbooks, Washington, DC
Monday, November 3, 2014, 8:00 pm
Iota Club and Cafe, Arlington, VA
Solo
Thursday, October 30, 2014, 9:00 pm
Kramerbooks, Washington, DC
Saturday, October 18, 2014, 8:00 - 11:00 pm
Epicure Cafe, Fairfax, VA
Solo
Sunday, October 5, 2014, 8:00 pm
Iota Club and Cafe, Arlington, VA
Friday, September 26, 2014, 8:00 pm
Empire, Springfield, VA
Saturday, September 13, 2014, 7:00 pm
Church of St. Clement, Alexandria, VA
Monday, September 8, 2014, 8:00 pm
Iota Club and Cafe, Arlington, VA
Solo
Thursday, September 4, 2014, 9:00 pm
Kramerbooks, Washington, DC
Tuesday, September 2, 2014, 7:00 pm
New Deal Cafe, Greenbelt, MD
Solo
Thursday, July 17, 2014, 9:00 pm
Kramerbooks, Washington, DC
Monday, July 14, 2014, 8:00 pm
Iota Club and Cafe, Arlington, VA
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Iota Club and Cafe, Arlington, VA
Performing as part of the Classic Albums 1973 lineup, Selling Fairfax by the Pound will play selections from Selling England By The Pound.
Solo
Thursday, July 10, 2014, 9:00 pm
Kramerbooks, Washington, DC
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Bang on a Can Marathon, Winter Garden, New York, NY
House Concert in Takoma Park, MD
Saturday, May 17, 2014, 8:00pm
with cellist Natalie Spehar and guitarist Erik Sharar.
Thursday, May 1, 2014, 7:30 pm
The 8 X 10, Baltimore, MD
Solo
Thursday, April 24, 2014, 9:00 pm
Kramerbooks, Washington, DC
A Festival Honoring Louis Andriessen at 75
Great Noise Ensemble performs Andriessen's Grawemeyer Award-winning opera, La Commedia.
March 20 - 22, 2014 at 8:00 pm; March 23, 2014 at 4:00 pm
Atlas Performing Arts Center, Washington, DC
Last year, INTERSECTIONS 2013 audiences heard my "Banjo Chamber Concerto" performed by Great Noise Ensemble. This year, cellist Natalie Spehar (of Great Noise Ensemble and Primitivity) and I perform my latest compositions and arrangements for cello and guitar/banjo/mandolin/ukulele.
After the concert, at 5:30, I will be part of a Composer Conversation forum (free). Stick around for some composer conversation and Q&A.
Presented as part of INTERSECTIONS at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, Feb 21 - Mar 8, 2014. The INTERSECTIONS festival is an intense three weeks with many amazing DC-area performers. I'd like to draw your attention to two groups in particular.
Solo
Thursday, January 16, 2014, 9:00 pm
Kramerbooks, Washington, DC
Preview of New Duets, with cellist Natalie Spehar
At the kick-off party for the 2014 INTERSECTIONS Festival, Natalie and I preview some music from our March 1st INTERSECTIONS show.
Solo
Thursday, January 9, 2014, 9:00 pm
Kramerbooks, Washington, DC 20036
