Metro To Laurel produces community-rooted arts and cultural programming in the DC-Maryland corridor. Our first public event, Off The Record, takes place June 13, 2026 in Silver Spring, Maryland — a six-hour showcase built for the next generation of Black and Brown artists, musicians, skaters, and entrepreneurs in the DMV.
The evening centers on a live DJ competition called the Slam Jam, where emerging DJs compete on technique, innovation, and crowd connection. Around that anchor: a curated vendor marketplace for local small businesses and artists, a special guest performance, open skate sessions, and interactive art activations.
At the heart of the event is Migrāre, an immersive installation created by artist Celeste in partnership with CASA. Migrāre brings the emotional reality of immigration into public space, with a live call-to-action for attendees to donate directly to CASA's programs serving immigrant and working-class families across DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
Off The Record also serves as the launch event for Sol*, a collaboratively produced photobook documenting overlooked people and stories from across the DMV. 20% of all Sol* proceeds go directly to CASA.
A live community mural, Tag-A-Wall, invites attendees to collaborate on a large-format graffiti piece during the event. It is preserved after the night as a documentary record of this cultural moment.
Off The Record is the first event in an ongoing programming series. Your donation covers artist fees, installation materials, sound, and production costs that keep this event free or low-cost for the community it was built for.