The Perkins Center for the Arts will continue its 48-year tradition of music, art, and community building by presenting its "Lawn Chair" concert series at its beautiful flagship location in Moorestown, NJ. This series of nine free concerts, happening every Monday night throughout most of the Summer, will have you and your family moving and grooving to an amazing range of music spanning many decades of pop, rock, big band, classics, and much more. Every show begins at 6:30 pm with a kids-oriented performer to help the little ones get in their groove, and the bands begin to take you on their musical journeys at 7:15 pm. All shows are free to attend; just bring your favorite lawn chair and enjoy.
"We really see Perkins as a community cultural asset," said Perkins Executive Director Kahra Buss. "It's a place where the community can come together in a very friendly and easy way. You see it in the news. We talk about the growing impacts of isolation and fragmentation in our society and the negative effects of loneliness and distance. We really see our role as a place where those chasms can be closed, and bridges can be built. People can just come together in a community space with a very low barrier to entry and just experience goodness in a nurturing environment – and, of course, really amazing art and music."
The history and mission of the Perkins Art Center are all about making art accessible and enjoyable for everyone in the community. They offer a great range of programs, including music lessons through the Perkins Conservatory of Music, year-round classes in visual and performing arts, and host 18 to 22 exhibitions each year. Plus, there are free concerts and ticketed events, artist-led programs in schools, a Summer Arts Camp, the Perkins Folklife Center, and various community enrichment projects throughout South Jersey.
"We love to highlight our local bands," continued Buss. "Many of our music instructors participate in these as well, so it gives us an amazing opportunity to highlight the teaching artists and musicians at Perkins. In particular, the first two concerts are bands that include a number of Perkins-related instructors. All the artists that teach with us are independent, and so many of them, in their time off, either collectively formed a band or are part of another band. It's a great way for us to highlight the fact that we have these wonderful instructors who are dedicated, outstanding musicians."
Accessibility is a cornerstone of the Perkins Art Center's mission. The Lawn Chair concert series exemplifies this ethos by being free for the public and promoting inclusivity. Families can attend and enjoy quality music without worrying about ticket costs, making it a true community event. This commitment to making the arts accessible is evident in every aspect of the concert series, from the selection of performers to the environments created for audiences to enjoy.
"I'm coming up on my 7th anniversary at the center, and you know, one of the most common comments that I was getting over the first couple of years of being there was, 'Oh, I didn't know I could just come in! I drive by the building all the time, and I see the lights on, but I don't know what goes on there.' I think our arts organizations have that problem in general. People feel like they need a reason to go or they need to be invited. That's what we're trying to do — we're trying to invite the community, not only to engage but to help them feel it is their space."
The Lawn Chair Concerts align seamlessly with a mission statement that values access to the arts, inclusivity, and community collaboration. By emphasizing accessibility, respecting and valuing artists, engaging in holistic practices, and fostering social and emotional well-being, these concerts can become a profound vehicle for cultural expression and connection. As communities gather under the open skies to enjoy the talents of diverse artists, they also celebrate the shared humanity that binds them, reinforcing the belief that the arts are an essential component of a vibrant and inclusive society. Through these events, Perkins champions the notion that access to the arts is not just a privilege but a fundamental right that enhances the lives of individuals and the communities they inhabit.
"We see the center as not only an arts and culture asset but also as an active means of supporting the health and well-being of our communities. Really, we are using the arts as a natural therapy. That's the benefit that's derived from participating in the arts, whether passively at a concert, coming to an exhibition, actively in a class or lesson, or performing yourself. That act of engaging in a regular practice — more and more research is coming out about those benefits — what that actually does for us medically, as well as behaviorally and emotionally."
The informal nature of Lawnchair Concerts also highlights the importance of teaching artistry and professional arts practice. These events provide aspiring musicians and performers the chance to showcase their talents in front of a live audience, which can be invaluable for their development. This nurturing of talent exemplifies the organization's commitment to valuing artists and fostering a community of learning.
"It's a win-win for everybody. Our mission is to make sure that arts programming is accessible to the community and, at the same time, be a space where emerging and working artists cannot only practice their craft but are compensated for it. For a lot of years, people were not as focused on making sure that was happening. I think more and more now that conversation is happening in public. People respect the fact that this is someone's profession and that when you pay professionals to do good work, good work is done. We really believe in supporting working artists."
The Lawn Chair concert series at the Perkins Art Center is more than just a series of musical performances; it's a celebration of community, creativity, and connection. It reinforces the center's mission of making the arts accessible and engaging for everyone. By fostering relationships between artists and audiences, the series strengthens the cultural fabric of Moorestown and beyond. Through music, laughter, and shared experiences, the Lawn Chair concert series continues to create lasting memories, reminding us of the powerful role that the arts play in bringing communities together. As the sun sets on those summer evenings, with melodies floating in the air, the spirit of community comes alive, one concert at a time.
