(SUMMIT, NJ) -- Bring your blankets, lawn chairs and picnic baskets to Reeves-Reed Arboretum and celebrate summer with the 2024 concert series, Sounds of a Summer Night! All performances will be held on select Wednesday evenings on the grounds of this non-profit public garden located in Summit.
The super summer concert line-up includes the following:
June 26 – Clouds in Our Coffee: A Carly Simon Tribute. Reeves-Reed Arboretum is kicking off their summer concert series with a special homage to the 1970s! The Arboretum was founded in 1974 as a non-profit public garden and has been inspiring and educating the community through nature ever since and is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary. This memorable evening in the garden will feature Gerard and Diane Barros paying tribute to the multi-award-winning songstress and 2022 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Carly Simon. Carly Simon rose to fame in the 1970s and acquired numerous top 40 hits. The Barros' band will cover many of Carly’s solo classics and collaborations with artists such as James Taylor & Michael McDonald.
July 10 – Alborada Spanish Dance Theatre. The Alborada Spanish Dance Theatre will bring the garden to life with Spanish culture and the history of its traditional dances in this special performance. Through dance, drama, and music, Alborada’s passionate artistry reveals the many diverse and historical threads that comprise the multicultural fabric of dance culture. Both entertaining and educational, the variety of its repertoire runs the artistic gamut from Spanish Gypsy Flamenco, Spanish classical and regional dances, to cross-cultural programs celebrating Hispanic, Celtic, and Moorish influences, and beyond.
July 24 – Ryan Hernandez Jazz Quartet. Back by popular demand, the Ryan Hernandez Jazz Quartet will be jazzing up the garden and performing a repertoire of original compositions as well as music of the Great American Songbook at this Sounds of a Summer Night concert. This cool but classic ensemble will include music written and/or performed by artists like Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, Cole Porter, and more. Come enjoy this jazzy summer night at the Arboretum!
August 14 - Random Test Reggae. Random Test Reggae has been rocking New Jersey with music heavily coated in Caribbean traditions since 1999. With members hailing from all over the Caribbean, the group brings a cache of authentic reggae and calypso rhythms in true West Indian fashion. They will take you on a musical journey that pays tribute to pioneers in reggae and soca music – from the early days to today, staying true to the real roots and culture. This final Sounds of Summer Night 2024 concert will have you celebrating summer in true reggae-style!
The Arboretum grounds will open at 6:00pm on these select evenings for concertgoers to picnic and enjoy the gardens. Performances will begin promptly at 7:00pm. Entry is free for Reeves-Reed Arboretum members and children 3 and under. Non-member tickets are $15 and students $5. Tickets are available at reeves-reedarboretum.org or at the entry gate the evening of each performance. Student tickets must be purchased at the gate. All concerts are rain or shine, no refunds. In the event of inclement weather, the performances will move indoors. Check website for updates.
Reeves-Reed Arboretum is located at 165 Hobart Avenue in Summit, New Jersey. Celebrating 50 years as a historic public garden and education resource, Reeves-Reed Arboretum engages, educates, and enriches the public through horticulture and environmental education, and the care and utilization of the gardens and estate. Open 7 days a week, the Arboretum is listed on both the National and New Jersey State Historic Registers.
