.jpg)
Boxerwood’s Music in the Garden outdoor concert series kicks off its 10th season on Friday, May 26, with the Late Night Stumblers, one of eight local bands that will take the meadow stage this summer.
Twilight concerts are scheduled for the second and fourth Fridays of the month through Sept. 8. The series showcases local musicians performing in a variety of genres and styles.
Music starts at 6:30 and ends at 8 p.m., as the sun goes down. The gate opens at 5:30 p.m. so that early arrivers can meet up with friends to picnic, socialize, and explore the woodland garden.
Admission to each concert is free for current Boxerwood members, $5 per adult for non-members. Youths (under age 18) and meadow parking are free.
“We’re excited to be hosting another exceptional lineup as we mark our 10-year anniversary of Music in the Garden,” said concert organizer Blake Shester. “Last year, we broke our own attendance records, averaging more than 300 guests at every show.”
This year’s lineup features all local bands, said Shester, “including some notable new faces as well as our tried-andtrue Boxerwood favorites!”
Making their Boxerwood debut on May 26, the Late Night Stumblers play a mix of country, Americana and rock. They will be followed on June 9 by the popular trio Shester, Datz & Newhall performing traditional, contemporary, and progressive bluegrass.
The band originally scheduled to play on June 23 has cancelled, so an alternate will be announced next month. The July 14 concert will feature another group new to Boxerwood: The Pick-Up Band, performing classic rock, southern rock and country.The July 28 concert will feature another Boxerwood regular, Honest Labor, singing the blues. They will be followed on Aug. 11 by Caravan of Fools, an acoustic quartet from Rockbridge who play folk and country music.
The Aug. 25 concert features yet another band new to Boxerwood, So Diverse, whose name well describes their music – a wide array of genres including country, southern rock, rock, alternative and folk.
The season will close on Sept. 8 with a concert by The Ruckus Bluegrass Band, returning to play their signature blend of traditional and contemporary bluegrass.
Emily Kohl, executive director of Boxerwood, looks forward to welcoming musicgoers back to the nature center for Music in the Garden: “It’s always been one of our most popular events, and we’re excited to offer our community the chance to enjoy live music in a beautiful outdoor setting,” she said.
Guests are encouraged to bring picnics and lawn chairs. A food truck will be parked in the field at all performances. “Boxerwood promotes zero waste,” noted Kohl, “so please be mindful and pack out your trash.”
In the event of rain, concerts will be canceled and rescheduled. For more information, including “iffy” weather updates, visit Boxerwood on Facebook, @loveboxerwood, or www.boxerwood.org, or call (540) 463-2697.
