Photo courtesy of the NC Arboretum
Sip and stroll through the North Carolina Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists during ArborEvenings. The event, now in its fifth year, runs Thursdays and most Fridays through September 22, from 5:30–8:00 p.m.
“I think live music is such a connector for people,” says the Arboretum’s events coordinator Elaina Busch. “My favorite thing is watching guests sing along with covers that everyone knows or dance on the lawn to music they have never heard before.”
The series includes acts from a variety of genres including Americana, folk, country, bluegrass, blues, jazz, swing, pop and rock. This month’s performances begin Thursday, July 6, with Ryan Furstenberg, a convention-bucking singer/songwriter and accomplished guitar and banjo player. He is also known as half of the Asheville-based indie-folk duo The Moon and You.
Photo courtesy of the NC Arboretum
“I’ve performed at ArborEvenings many times,” says Furstenberg. “It’s a great audience, everyone is so friendly and, with the garden setting, it’s an all-around very pleasant experience.”
Other performances this month include everything from jazz, folk and acoustic rock by Richard Kent Gaudette to songbook swing tunes played on guitar and violin by Steve Trismen and Friends, to dream folk by Madelyn Ilana.
“I’m excited about the variety of very talented musicians that will be performing this year,” says Busch. “We welcome back musical acts that we’ve had in the past, as well as a number of new local musicians.”
Beer, wine and soft drinks will be for sale onsite at the Green Gardener’s Shed from 5:30–8:15 p.m. each night of the event. Though the Bent Creek Bistro will not be open during the event, their dining options are available via pre-order. Orders may be placed online up until 11 a.m. on the date of attendance, then picked up at the Baker Information Desk between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. Outside alcohol is prohibited, but guests are welcome to bring in water or a favorite non-alcoholic beverage, as well as food for picnicking.
There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond the Arboretum’s standard parking fee (starting at $20 per standard vehicle). Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter free (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry).
Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission.
Learn more about ArborEvenings, including the musician schedule and links for online orders, at NCArboretum.org.
