Who: The Roots, H.E.R., Roddy Ricch, Lil Baby, SZA, Kirk Franklin, Snoh Aalegra, Earthgang, G Herbo, Polo G, D Nice, Musiq Soulchild, Michelle Obama, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Chris Paul, Tom Hanks, Liza Koshy, Kerry Washington, Tracee Ellis Ross, Janelle Monáe, Elaine Welteroth, Deon Cole, Coach K, Wallo267, Ghetto Gastro
What: Thirteenth annual Roots Picnic
Where: The Roots YouTube
When: Saturday, June 27, free with RSVP, 8:00
Why: If you’ve never attended one of the Roots’ annual picnic extravaganzas, now’s your chance. The thirteenth annual party hosted by the Philly hip-hop band founded in 1987 by Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter and Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson goes virtual on June 27 with a stellar lineup chiming in from wherever they are sheltering in place. There will be performances by H.E.R., Roddy Ricch, Lil Baby, SZA, Kirk Franklin, Snoh Aalegra, Earthgang, G Herbo, Polo G, D Nice, and Musiq Soulchild along with appearances by Michelle Obama, Common, Lin Manuel Miranda, Chris Paul, Tom Hanks, Liza Koshy, Kerry Washington, Tracee Ellis Ross, Janelle Monáe, Deon Cole, Coach K, Wallo267, Ghetto Gastro, and Elaine Welteroth. The event is being held in conjunction with When We All Vote, “a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that is on a mission to increase participation in every election and close the race and age voting gap by changing the culture around voting, harnessing grassroots energy, and through strategic partnerships to reach every American.” When We All Vote was founded in 2018 by cochairs Obama, Hanks, Miranda, Monae, Paul, Faith Hill, and Tim McGraw. We all might not be gathering at the Mann at Fairmount Park this year, but we still can have quite a virtual party with some amazing guests, all for a cause that should be close to the heart of all Americans but unfortunately doesn’t appear to be. If you haven’t registered to vote yet, what are you waiting for?