Beginning in January 2024, join us in the tropical gardens and beat the “winter-blahs” as live, local musicians play blues, bluegrass and ballads from 4:30-6:30pm on select Sundays and Wednesdays. The concerts are free and beer and wine will be available to purchase. No reservations required. These concerts are standing room only. Because of fire code regulations, there are no chairs set-up.
2024 DATES:
Sunday, January 7 – New Riverside Ramblers: Warm up with some high-spirited Cajun dance music. The band covers a spectrum from old-style fiddle tunes, lively two-steps, soulful waltzes, gritty blues to rockin’ honky-tonk sounds.
Sunday, January 14 – Nathan Griner with cellist Matthew Probst – Nathan Griner’s style has a huge range of passion and grit. He also has a very unique show to experience. Nathan has never been an artist that has been boxed into one specific genre. His sound is as raw as Neil Young and as fun and energetic as the Lumineers, mixed into a style all his own. His take on the obscure covers and his songwriting abilities leave audiences wanting to hear more.
Wednesday, January 17 – Roots-rock singer-songwriter Mary Cutrufello has been a mainstay in the Americana scene in Minnesota and in Texas for thirty years. She’s performed on The Tonight Show and Austin City Limits, and toured in all 50 states and several European countries. Hailed by USA Today as “a fierce guitarist with with a blistered-throat voice,” Cutrufello mixes original songs and classics of American music (think Willie Nelson and Steve Earle) into a captivating, heartland-proud musical stew at once timeless and immediate.
Sunday, January 21 – The Bad Companions: a long standing roots-rock quartet featuring two guitars, stand-up bass and drums, with great vocals and vast setlist of rock-a-billy, r & b, country and blues.
Wednesday, January 24 – The Sudden Lovelys – This prolific duo creates a unique and earnest sound that could best be described as “Aggressive Folk.”
Wednesday, January 31 – Mother Banjo – “traditional folk and bluegrass sounds with genuinely poetic lyrics, landing somewhere between Gillian Welch and Lucy Kaplansky” – Chris Riemenschneider, Star Tribune
Sunday, February 4 – Andrea Lyn – Award winning musician, singer and songwriter, Andrea Lyn shares captivating melodies and lyrics stemming from real life. She has shared the stage with legendary artists and performed her songs for thousands. Her passion and love for music shows in each song and every performance. With influences stemming from Sarah McLaughlin, Indigo Girls, Merle Haggard, Gillian Welch, Emmylou Harris, John Prine, Marc Cohn, Bonnie Raitt, Lyn’s performance is calming, real, and engaging.
Wednesday, February 7 – Switchgrass – Their sound has been described as porch music, caffeinated sweet tea, and backwoods bluegrass. All accompanied by the sweet sounds of an accordion.