Music In The Garden 2016

Free “Music in the Garden” concert series at Boxerwood

Music in the Garden Concert Schedule Friday, May 13:                  Leslie Tucker & Friends, original folk Friday, May 27:                   Blazing Saddle Tramps, western swing Friday, June  10:                 John Tracy, Americana mix Friday, June 24:                  Fatty Lumpkin & the Love Hogs, rockin' blues Friday, July 8:                      Baddogs, bluegrass, blues & reggae Friday, July 22:                    Red Hill Band, rock ‘n country *Sunday, August 7:            Central Virginia Blues Society, blues jam Friday, August 12:              Susanne FitzGerald, jazz standards Friday, August 26:              Shester, Datz & Newhall, old-time/bluegrass *Fundraiser for the Boxerwood Education Association (BEA)

Beginning May 13, Boxerwood Nature Center and Woodland Garden will stage its fourth annual “Music in the Garden” series. Eight free concerts are scheduled for the second and fourth Fridays of the month through August, featuring musicians from throughout Central Virginia. Groups will perform from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. on the Meadow Stage.

The annual series draws local music lovers and families, who enjoy the informal, folksiness of the outdoor venue and often arrive early to picnic and socialize before the music begins.

Joe Dinardo, a board member and musician who organizes the series for Boxerwood, is excited about this year’s line-up. “Once again, we’re bringing incredibly talented musicians and a wide range of musical genres to the Boxerwood stage – original folk, western swing, rock'n roll, rock'n country, blue grass, blues, reggae and jazz. It’s great music in one of the most beautiful and idyllic settings in Lexington!”  

First on the 2016 program is singer-songwriter Leslie Tucker, a one-time Rockbridge resident who will perform on May 13 with Rockbridge friends Dan Newhall and Jim Brown.  The May 27^th garden concert will feature the Blazing Saddle Tramps, a five-some who play western swing.

June concerts include singer-songwriter John Tracy from Charlottesville performing an Americana mix on the 10^th, and Rockbridge County’s own rockin' blues band, Fatty Lumpkin & the Love Hogs, on the 24^th.

On July 8, the local Baddogs will offer a mix of bluegrass, blues and reggae. The July 22^nd concert will feature Shenandoah Valley’s Red Hill Band, playing rock ‘n country.

The August concerts showcase more hometown talent.  Jazz vocalist Susanne FitzGerald will perform jazz standards on August 12. She’ll be followed by the old-time/bluegrass trio Shester, Datz & Newhall on the 26^th.

In addition to the Friday evening concerts, the Central Virginia Blues Society will hold a special jam session at Boxerwood on Sunday, August 7 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm as a fundraiser for the nature center.

Backing this year’s line-up of musicians is an even longer line-up of local sponsors, including Azurat Studio, BARC, BB&T, Computer Doctor, Devils Backbone, Kendal, Mariner Media, Southern Girls, Southern Inn, Sweet Treats and Walkabout Outfitters.

“Thanks to these businesses, and to the musicians who all donate their performances, Boxerwood is able to present the Friday concerts for free,” says Dinardo. “Although we don’t sell tickets or suggest donations, we do pass the hat, so those who want to can put in a little something for the performers.”

For all concerts, music-goers are encouraged to bring picnics, lawn chairs or blankets – and kids! In the event of rain, concerts will be canceled. For more information and “iffy” weather updates, visit Boxerwood on Facebook or the Web (www.boxerwood.org) or call 463-2697.

An added feature this year will be the Little Cheerful Food Trailer which was a big hit at our Fairy Forest Festival and will once again bring its delicious delights to Music in the Garden on May 13