Area residents have grabbed a blanket or lawn chair and a picnic basket and headed to local venues for a free spring or summer night of music for generations.
Augusta’s Evenings in the Appleby in the Gardens Series is celebrating its 70th season, opening on Tuesday, June 4, and the Hopelands Concert Series in Aiken marks its 50th season opening Monday, April 15. North Augusta’s outdoor concert series begins Thursday, May 9.
The Wayne Hoey Big Band opens for the Hopelands series at 7 p.m. Monday. Eighteen performers led by Hoey and featuring singer Sherri Smith will present a variety of songs from the 1940s big band era to current popular tunes.
Other events in the Hopelands series include the Southern Elite Cloggers, at 6:30 p.m, April 22, 2024; the SureFires (Jaycie Ward and Brooke Lundy) at 7 p.m. April 29; The Aiken Concert Band at 7 p.m. May 6; Preston & Weston at 7 p.m. May 13; Savannah River Winds at 7 p.m., May 20; the Aiken Civic Ballet Co at 7 p.m. May 27; the Aiken Brass Band at 7 p.m. June 3; Heart & Soul at 7 p.m. June 10; and The Experiment & the I-20 Horn at 7 p.m., June 17.
The Parris Island Marine Band, a staple of the series for more than 30 years, will end the series with patriotic pieces at 7 p.m. June 24.
Handicapped parking is available at the Rye Patch at 100 Berrie Rd. All other attendees should park at the Green Boundary Club at 780 Whiskey Rd. In case of inclement weather, performances are moved indoors. For more information, call (803)-642-7631.
Presented by the North Augusta Cultural Arts Council, the Music in the Park series features weekly concerts at Maude Edenfield Park. The free concerts are held at 7 p.m. Thursdays May 9 though June 27
Swing Shift will kick off the series with beach music on May 9; Wayne Hoey Big Band will be May 16; the North Augusta High School wind ensemble will be May 23; Gift of Dance May 30; Over The Hill Gang will play 60s and 70s favorites June 6: Matthew Dickerson on dulcimer on June 13; Keith Gregory on June 20; and Savannah River Brass Works on June 27.
The Evenings at the Appleby Garden Concert Series is set to run on Tuesday June 4-25 and July 9. Only one performer has been confirmed as of April 13, according to the library website. The Brownstown Gritty will perform on June 4 at the library at 2260 Walton Way.
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