Gigs in the Garden returns for its spring edition in May, with three concerts in the Peace Through People Pavilion in the Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park in Springfield.
The shows start at 2 p.m. May 7, 14 and 21. Admission is free, with a $10 suggested donation to support garden accessibility projects. Beverages will be available for purchase. Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs or blankets. In case of inclement weather, the concerts will move inside the adjacent Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center.
First up is Goat Milk Honey on May 7. That group is made up of brothers Rob and Ryan Hunt.
“(They) play their own mix (of) classic folk music, reflecting a wide range of influences while retaining the foot-stomping sounds this region is known for,” a press release said. “Expect many originals and a few classics, featuring Ryan on bass and Rob on vocals, guitar, banjo and more.”
The May 14 show will feature MOJO Lite, a seven-piece jazz combo made up of members of the Missouri Jazz Orchestra. They will perform with special guest Johnnie Angelia King.
“King is well known for singing the blues and has a long list of vocalist credits and awards throughout the region,” the press release said. “Together they’ll perform small-group jazz standards and originals.”
Gigs in the Garden wraps up its spring season with the Paper Moons May 21. That group is comprised of Joe Dillstrom (vocals, guitar, piano and harmonica), Corey Johnson (trumpet and flugelhorn) and Seth Darby (upright bass). The press release noted the Paper Moons will play a selection of “timeless American tunes from the ’20s to the present.”
Gigs in the Garden is presented by the Hatch Foundation and the Springfield Sister Cities Association. For more information, visit the Sister Cities Association’s website, or call 417-864-1191.
Gigs in the Garden schedule
May 7: Goat Milk Honey
May 14: MOJO Lite, with Johnnie Angelia King
May 21: The Paper Moons
All concerts start at 2 p.m.