Visitors to Denver Botanic Gardens stroll the grounds during Evenings al Fresco, summer 2020. Evenings al Fresco returns to the Gardens for 20 evenings in 2021. Photo by Scott Dressel-Martin
Denver Botanic Gardens is proud to announce the return of Evenings al Fresco Presented by UMB Bank to its York Street location over 20 evenings this summer.
Unlike at a traditional concert, during Evenings al Fresco visitors stroll through the Gardens and encounter small, socially distanced ensembles or musicians performing works designed to underscore and bring delight to their evening visit.
COMPLETE DETAILS: Learn more about Evenings al Fresco
This collaborative series at the York Street urban oasis enhances the beauty of the Gardens with musical performances, providing respite and renewal in nature. Performers include Front Range artists and groups like Patrick Dethlefs, Sugar Moon, Los Mochochetes (Trio), Matt Skellenger, Andrew Sturtz and Courtlyn Carpenter, Antonio Lopez, Bret Billings and Greg Schochet, Chandler Holt and Eric Wiggs, Barry Osborne and Olivia Shaw, and more.
Timed tickets for Evenings al Fresco must be purchased in advance and go on sale Thursday, May 20. Tickets are limited in each 30-minute time slot. Timed entry begins at 4:30 p.m., music begins at 5:30 p.m.
Admission is $20 for Denver Botanic Gardens Members, $30 for non-members, admission for children 2 and under is free and they do not require a ticket. For complete details on how to enter the event, mask requirements, and more, visit the FAQ at the bottom of the event page.
The Hive Garden Bistro will be open until 8 p.m., with in-person and online ordering available. Limited deck seating is available. Guests are welcome to eat at benches and chairs throughout the Gardens and may bring picnic blankets.
Evenings al Fresco is produced in partnership with Swallow Hill Music.
Swallow Hill Instructor and Denver musician Casey Cormier performs at Evening al Fresco at Denver Botanic Gardens in 2020. Photo by Scott Dressel-Martin
Evenings al Fresco Presented by UMB Bank at Denver Botanic Gardens
Wednesday, June 2
Matt Skellenger – Jazz bass
Spencer Crawford – Americana multi-instrumentalist
Sugar Moon – Bluegrass duo
Patrick Dethlefs – Western-inspired singer-songwriter
Los Mochochetes – Latin grooves
Monday, June 7
Star Edwards – Celtic harp
Chris McGarry – Roots and Americana
Andrew Sturtz and Courtlyn Carpenter – Singer-songwriter
Deborah Solo and Kari Clifton – Indie folk on guitar and cello
Bret Billings and Greg Schochet – Honky Tonk Americana
Wednesday, June 9
Teresa Suydam – Indie singer-songwriter on keyboard
Jen Hitt – Americana singer-songwriter on guitar
Roma Ransom – Eclectic bohemian world folk on fiddle and guitar
Miguel Espinoza & Dianne Betkowski – Flamenco fusion on guitar and cello
Ivy Street Ensemble – Chamber music on violin, viola, and flute
Monday, June 21
Anna Leavitt – Contemporary and classical cello
Aaron McCloskey – Americana and bluegrass
Barry Osborne and Olivia Shaw – Americana on banjo and fiddle
Felix Ayodele ft. Troy Robey – Multi-instrumental sound paintings
David Lawrence & the Spoonful – Americana and Gypsy-infused jazz guitar
Wednesday, June 23
Caitlin Gilmore – Postmodern pop
Liat Arochas – Singer-songwriter
Eric Wiggs – Americana
LEMONT – Americana
Don Chicharrón – Chicha (Peruvian cumbia)
Monday, June 28
The Council – progressive acoustic trio
Joshua Lee Fenner – Guitar and fiddle looping jams
Istari Duo (Chad and Ed) – World percussion
Antonio Lopez – Singer-songwriter
Cheri & Ben from COLOR – Soul
Wednesday, June 30
Ryan Fiegl – Ambient guitar
Lily Primus – Classical harp
Jubilant Bridge – Harmony-driven acoustic guitar and dulcimer
Daniella Katzir Duo – Songwriter-sass and jazzy swing
Ensemble Faucheux – Dynamic string quartet
Monday, July 12
Roy Willey – Transportive vocal looping
Vamos Al Parque – Fun pop duo
Lewis and Short – Bluegrassy Americana
Tim Ostdiek & Jenny Balagna – Singer-songwriter
Hunter Stone – Singer-songwriter
Wednesday, July 14
Grant Sabin – Acoustic Blues
Jacy James Anderson – Indie-folk Singer-songwriter
Jackson Emmer – Singer-songwriter
Grace Clark & Summers Baker – Folk
Blackbird and the Storm – Avian inspired folk
Monday, July 19
Nic Clark – Bluesy Americana on harmonica and guitar
Wade Krauss – Singer-songwriter
Violamore – Classical viola duo
Adam Agee & Jon Sousa – Traditional Irish music on fiddle, guitar, and tenor banjo
Connect Four – Contemporary folk and Americana
Wednesday, July 21
Biff Gore – Soul
Spencer LaJoye – Folk pop
Carolyn Hunter and Julian Peterson – Indie folk
Sharpe & Dion – Mile high Americana
Lionel Young Duo – Violin-centric Blues
Monday, July 26
Kristi Stice – Vocal standards
Rare Birds – Vocal Trio
Half Pint and the Growler – Swing duo
Jobi Riccio – Singer-songwriter
The Delta Sonics Duo – Blues
Wednesday, July 28
Martin Gilmore – Americana singer-songwriter
Sawyer Ward – Folk, blues, country, pop and jazz
Dollhouse Thieves – Jazz-inflected neo-rock and indie-folk
Patterson-Sutton Duo – Chamber music on cello and guitar
The Cody Sisters – Americana, folk, and bluegrass
Monday, August 2
Shanna In A Dress – Quirky folk pop
Sam Armstrong-Zickefoose – Eclectic banjo
Resonant Rogues – Bluegrass
Stef Kull & Paul Trunko – Rock and pop hits
The Burney Sisters – Indie folk
Wednesday, August 4
Alexa Wildish – Progressive folk
Sebastian Andrews and Jack Kuelling – Jazz piano-guitar duo
Nico Martinez Trio – Latin fusion
Elyse Jeanette accompanied by Gil Clark and Dylan Streight – Guitar, piano, and vocal genre mash-up
Hazel Miller Trio – Jazz, blues and R&B icon!
Monday, August 9
Ernie Martinez & Patty Jackson – Americana duo
Citrus Sauthoff Duo – Rock-influenced fusion
Sister Neapolitan – Indie folk
Ivalas Quartet – Classical with violin, viola, and cello
El Javi – Post modern flamenco guitar exploration
Wednesday, August 11
Joe Johnson – Alt Country
Paul DeHaven – Singer-songwriter
Mason Taylee – Bluegrass
Rob Drabkin – Musical smiles
Sandra Wong & Joy Adams – Dueling cellos
Monday, August 16
Thomas Jennings – Jazz guitar
Virginia Lynn & Emily Rose – Americana
Follow The Fox – Honest acoustics
Skean Dubh – Modern and traditional Celtic
Liv Luma – Electric dreamscapes via fiddle and poetry
Wednesday, August 18
Perc Ens – Marimba and loop pedal
Jeremy Facknitz – Jazz-infused folk-rock
Hall & Hewitt – American old time music on banjo and fiddle
Anya Hinkle with Troy Robey – Appalachian-influenced Americana
Avourneen – Irish and Celtic folk music
August 30
Erinn Peet-Lukes of Thunder and Rain – Americana singer-songwriter
Matt Hoffman – Americana singer-songwriter
Greg Schochet – Bluegrass, country, and swing
Taarka – Indie folk, Gypsy jazz and chamber rock
Noor Quartet – Chamber music
Due to continued COVID-19-related restrictions, and out of an abundance of caution the 2021 Denver Botanic Gardens Summer Concert Series has been postponed. Information about the series in 2022 will be shared when those plans are finalized.