Augusta's going alfresco -- bring your own picnic
Evenings in late spring and early summer can be magical in Augusta. This is the best time of year to be outdoors, so pull out the lawn chairs and old quilts, grab the kids and the bug spray, and enjoy some of our local and regional cultural riches. There’s plenty being offered.
EVENINGS IN THE APPLEBY GARDEN
Concerts begin at 8 p.m. on the back lawn of the Appleby library, 2260 Walton Way at Johns Road. This Tuesday-night series dates back more than half a century and now draws several generations of concertgoers. If it rains, the audience simply moves up onto the porch and the show goes on. Concerts are free. There’s a donation box if you feel inclined to show support.
May 27 – Harry O’Donoghue, Irish folksinger
June 3 – Georgia’s 3 Tenors: Arthur Wilson, John Greene, Bart Black
June 10 – Savannah River Grass bluegrass band
June 17 – Kari Gaffney Quartet, jazz vocals
June 24 – Larry Millen, piano; Elizabeth Grant, soprano; Carl Purdy, viola
July 1 – Signal Corps Crooked River Dixieland Band
MOONLIGHT MUSIC CANAL CRUISES
The popular Petersburg boat tour features a variety of music most Friday nights, with the spring season extending through June. Now in its third year, the music cruise begins at 7 p.m. lasts an hour and a half to two hours. Patrons may bring refreshments of their choice. Tickets are $24 and seating is limited to 35. Call (706) 823-0440 for reservations or more information.
May 30 – Henry Wynn, old-time instrumentals June 6 – Not Gaddy’s IDrum2U
June 13 – Mason Douglas, country music
June 20 – Alex Wilds, Delta blues and harmonica
June 27 – Amy Coccia, cross-genre singer/songwriter
MUSIC IN THE PARK, NORTH AUGUSTA
The Maude Edenfield Park is on the grounds of the North Augusta Community Center at 495 Brookside Drive. This Thursday-night series offers concertgoers a convenient setting for enjoying a picnic supper and free music. Bring your own food, drink and lawn chairs. If it rains, the program moves indoors.
May 29 – Solstice, featuring Lillie Morris, Mike Hay and Norton Wade with Irish Dancers of Augusta
June 5 – North Augusta Idol Show winners with Ryan Abel
June 12 – Shameless Dave and the Miracle Whips
June 19 – Packaway Handle
June 26 – Flashback
July 3 – no concert
July 10 – A Step Up
July 17 – Carey Murdock
July 24 – Savannah River Stringband
July 31 – Fort Gordon Signal Corps Band
HOPELAND GARDENS SERIES, AIKEN
The 34th season of the Hopeland Gardens concert series in Aiken, S.C., opened May 5 with the dedication of the new Windham Performing Arts Stage. Concerts continue every Monday night throughout the summer. Gather friends, family and a blanket or lawn chairs for seating, and a picnic if you like. Admission is free.
May 26 – Aiken Civic Ballet
June 2 – Carolina Rebels
June 9 – Fort Gordon Concert Band
June 16 – Maureen Simpson and Friends with Aiken Choral Society
June 23 – Preston and Weston featuring Sandra Simmons
June 30 – DePriest Trio
July 7 – U.S. Marine Corp Band, Parris Island
July 14 – Chris Mangelly
July 21 – Alyssa Smith
July 28 – Aiken Brass
August 4 – Fort Gordon Dixieland Band
August 11 – Fabio Mann and Friends
August 18 – Southern Nights
August 25 – Aiken Community Band (6:30 p.m.)
DOWN BY THE RIVER
On Sunday nights, the Candlelight Jazz Series at Riverwalk presents local and regional jazz artists at the Eighth Street bulkhead. Music begins at 9:30 and admission is $6. Bring blankets, chairs and picnics. Quiet dogs and children are welcome. www.gardencityjazz.com.
May 25 – quietSTORM
June 1 – Jazz Collective
June 8 – Preston & Weston
June 15 – Kemba Cofield (Atlanta)
June 22 – Mace Hibbard (Atlanta)
June 29 – Sounds Unlimited
July 6 – Christian Sands
July 13 – Alabaster Radio
July 20 – Sherry Wine
July 27 – tba
August 3 – Mike Frost (Aiken)
August 10 – A Step Up
August 17 – LouJams (Columbia)
August 24 – After the Storm
May 29, the Lunch at the Park series offers free live musical entertainment from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Common. Bring your own lunch or takeout from nearby restaurants and cafes. For more information on all Riverwalk events, call (706) 821-1754.
BACK INDOORS
Atlanta-based singer/songwriter Caroline Herring will be featured in the Music at the Morris concert series May 25. Refreshments and conversation with the artist will follow the 2 p.m. performance. Her music encompasses a variety of traditional styles from acoustic folk to bluegrass and old-time country, and her new CD was produced by Rich Brotherton, Augusta native and lead guitarist for Robert Earl Keen. The concert is free, and since it’s on Sunday, museum admission is free too, so enjoy all the art on the second floor as well. www.themorris.org
The Morris’s Summer Music Series begins June 29 with Doug and the Henrys, followed by the Kari Gaffney Trio on July 20 and the Unmentionables on August 17. All three performances are Sunday afternoons at 2 p.m. and they’re free.
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