Summer Concerts Return to Bartlett Arboretum

For over ten years, summers at have been a time for music wafting through the gardens and people coming together to enjoy the warm weather and beautiful scenery. The evening concerts run from 5—7 pm each Sunday and are the perfect way to conclude a summer weekend and start the week off right.

“It’s lively,” Barbara Rossi, Director of Marketing at Bartlett Arboretum told Patch. “Adults put down chairs, kids run around and play. I just met with one of the band members from Zoot Planet [the swing group performing on July 3], they’re hoping to get everyone up and dancing.”

Radon Love, a Stamford-based pop/rock band made up for seven friends — Kent Eby, Will Fulton, Bob Heuman, Jim Todd,  Jean Madar, and Ruedi Millisits, will be opening the Summer Concert Series on June 26. This is their third summer performing at Bartlett Arboretum.

“It’s a great family place,” Madar, drummer for Radon Love, said. “It's great for us because we play music for all ages — from oldies to modern stuff, get-up-and-dance music to sing-along.”

“They always get a great crowd,” Rossi said. “They’re very eclectic and a lot of fun.”

Following Radon Love and Zoot Planet, Richard “Cookie” Thomas will perform on July 10, TrueGrass on July 17, Ellen Woloshin on July 24, Orrin Star & the Sultans of String on July 31, and Katie Wilson and the Two Time String Band on August 7,

The line-up is a mix of repeat performers and some that are new to the Arboretum, many are local, and all are anticipating a great night of outdoor music.

“It’s a magical place,” Madar said. “It’s been great for us.”

Evening concerts are $5 for members and $10 for non-members, with children under 12 admitted for free. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own chairs, blankets, and refreshments.

In addition to the Sunday evening concerts, this is the seventh year that the Arboretum will feature a series of Sunday morning classical music performances. Students from the Yale School of Music will perform in the gardens on Sunday mornings from 10—11 am starting this weekend. The first week’s performer is a guitarist and the second week is a harpist.

“They often perform on the terrace or in one of the gardens, they find their own spot,” Rossi said. “It’s extremely relaxed — people bring their chairs, their newspaper, their coffee.”

The morning concerts are free to members and free with regular gate admission to everyone.