2016 Whitaker Music Festival beginning 6/1/16 @ Missouri Botantical Garden
2016 Whitaker Music Festival
Birds singing in the warm, rose-scented evenings signal it’s time for the summer Whitaker Music Festival. The open-air festival presents free Wednesday evening concerts under the stars every June through August.
Visitors are welcome to bring their own picnic supper, baskets or coolers. Picnic fare, beer, wine, soda and sno-cones are also available for purchase on-site.
Wednesdays, June 1 to August 3
Music begins at 7:30 p.m.
Last entry at 9 p.m.
Free admission after 5 p.m.
The Children’s Garden remains open with free admission from 5 to 7 p.m.
The festival is funded by the Whitaker Foundation, which supports St. Louis arts and parks to promote common heritage, celebrate diversity and encourage vitality within the community.
Parking
| June 1 | The Feyza Eren Group Feyza Eren is a jazz vocalist based in St. Louis, Missouri since 2011. Feyza was born and raised in St. Louis where she graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism. She studied classical violin for 8 years, and also performed in several musical and theatrical productions before turning professional. Feyza sang various styles of music and with various groups in St. Louis before moving to Istanbul. She was a jazz vocalist in Istanbul for 15 years. |
| June 8 | The Steve Ewing Band St. Louis based musician Steve Ewing is best known as the golden voice behind the seven piece powerhouse The Urge. Formed in high school back in late ’80s, The Urge took their eclectic mix of punk, reggae, hip hop, ska, and sent a sonic shockwave from the Midwest that can still be felt to this day. Since The Urge, Steve has been involved in a multitude of projects including production work for artists such as Lojic, Egress, and many others. However, the passion still lies in performing and he tears it up onstage every chance he gets in for a stellar mix of classic covers, Urge favorites and outstanding selections from any one of the six independently released albums including the latest, Zodiac. |
| June 15 | Clusterpluck ClusterPluck is a mix bluegrass, folk, rock, and country into a hearty sonic stew. Throwing tradition aside while utilizing banjo, guitar, bass, washboard, violin, mandolin, and dobro, this St. Louis, Mo 5 – piece produce an up-beat, grassy energy with a little country jam for listeners of all ages to savor. |
| June 22 | The Grooveliner The Grooveliner is a St. Louis funk/rock band comprised of six seasoned local musicians. If it grooves, they play it. |
| June 29 | Saint Louis Social Club Every professional musician has a “dream band”. It is made up of members who have crossed paths for years doing memorable shows after which there was a feeling unlike any other and a certainty that if the chance arose, they would work together again. This is that band for all the members of the Saint Louis Social Club. |
| July 6 | Jay Farrar As a founding member of Uncle Tupelo and Son Volt, songwriter Jay Farrar helped popularize the alt-country movement of the 1990s. He also launched a solo career during the following decade, making it plain that his musical ambitions stretched far beyond the retro-leaning twang of his contemporaries. |
| July 13 | Ptah Williams Ptah Williams is one of St. Louis’ finest jazz pianists. He makes the piano breathe and dance. One of his great strengths is that he is able to shine both as a soloist and as an accompanist. As a soloist, he assumes centerstage with grace and confidence; as an accompanist he supports the soloist with a style that is varied and innovative, yet never overpowering. |
| July 20 | Erin Bode Group The Erin Bode Group creates music forged from the Americana of its members’ midwestern roots, infused with jazz grooves and made magic by Bode’s bell-like voice. Sophisticated arrangements and attention to phrasing, both vocal and instrumental, further distinguish the band’s fresh sound. |
| July 27 | The Cree Rider Family Band The Cree Rider Family Band is rooted in a country music sound, with elements of folk, americana and rock n’ roll. One part Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris, one part Neil Young and Crazy Horse, the Family Band stays true to its own instincts to create a modern honky-tonk country sound that is rooted in tradition but firmly planted in the here and now. Vocals and harmony are a focus, but the full band expertly compliments each song. Known for their energetic and engaging live shows, the Cree Rider Family Band has been called a “subversive country band that wears its heart on its sleeve. You’ll dance, cry, laugh, and sing along.” Cree Rider Family Band has had songs placed episodes of Justified, True Blood, Bloodline, John Leguizamo’s Comedy Special Ghetto Klown, as well as other television shows and independent films. |
| August 3 | Joe Mancuso Joe Mancuso is a classically trained vocalist turned jazz singer. He studied classical voice, audio production and jazz studies (theory, improvisation, history, ear training, composition, piano, guitar etc.) at Webster University. He sings with an abundance of passion and intensity; whether singing a ballad, bossa nova, blues or swing tune, Joe takes his audience on a dynamic, emotional ride every time.
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