FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact New Orleans Botanical Garden

504-483-9386 email nobgmail@yahoo.com website www.neworleanscitypark.com/garden/

“MUSIC IN THE GARDEN”

For the New Orleans Botanical Garden, Spring not only means fragrance and flowers but it also means music. The New Orleans Botanical Garden in City Park kick-off two different music series this March.

“Thursdays at Twilight”

This very popular series with an array of musicians will begin Thursday, March 13 and run 26 consecutive Thursdays through August 28, 2008. A few of the musicians scheduled to appear this season are John Rankin, Paul Soniat, Pfister Sisters, Tom McDermott and Lynn Drury. Leah Chase will open the series on Thursday, March 13th.

WHERE: Pavilion of the Two Sisters New Orleans Botanical Garden, City Park TIME: 5:00 PM – 8:00 P.M. - Gates Open 6:00 PM - Performance Begins COST: $6.00 Adults $2.00 Children ages 5-12 SCHEDULE: March 13 Leah Chase – Opens this year’s series with her sensual soul stirring jazz vocals

March 20 High Grounds Drifters – Bluegrass, old time

country music and mint juleps. Doesn’t get better than this.

March 27 Last Straws – Dixieland, traditional jazz and

much, much more April 3 Betsy McGovern – Songs and ballads, rich

and expressive.

April 10 Tony Green – New Orleans artist performs

his special brand of acoustic Eurocentric guitar he calls Gypsy Jazz

April 17 Paul Soniat with special guests Albinas

Prizgintas and John Rankin April 24 Lynn Drury – Her original music blends the

funky sounds of New Orleans with the countrified roots of Mississippi

May 1 Patrice Fisher and Special Guests – The

rhythm of Latin music with the magic of the harp

May 8 Tom McDermott and Connie Jones – Slow

stride, fast stride, tango, blues – all New Orleans style.

May 15 New Orleans Original Jazz Ensemble –

Traditional New Orleans Jazz, played by folks who love to play.

May 22 Gal Holiday – Western swing to honky-

tonk, Gal and the boys are sure to please your country music needs

May 29 Musica da Camera – “As the (Flat) World

Turns”, a musical tale of three centuries of love and treachery.

June 5 Pfister Sisters – Nothing but good times and

great jazz harmony. June 12 Phil Melancon – New Orleans pianist and

songwriter plays original music as well as some well known standards

June 19 The Anderson Duo (David and Catherine

Anderson) – A musical match made in heaven, performing David’s own compositions for double bass and harp.

June 26 Symphony Chorus of New Orleans Chamber

Chorus – Always a crowd pleaser, bringing an eclectic musical mix to Summer.

July 3 Albinas Prizgintas and Yellow Dog Prophet Choir

perform a tribute to the Fourth of July July 10 Milton Scheuermann and Thais St. Julien – “A

Salute to Judy Garland”, songs performed by the woman called America’s Greatest Entertainer.

July 17 M. I. Scoggin, Matt Scoggin and Dr. Will

Robicheaux – “Soiree” Edith Piaf’, an evening of songs and history combined, of the life of the famous French chanteuse.

July 24 Darryl Barnes and the New Orleans Jazz Band –

Great traditional toe tapping jazz July 31 New Orleans Gay Men’s Chorus celebrating

“Home”, a special commission with New Orleans in mind.

August 7 Louis Hackett and Anne Copeland Sumich – The

silver weaving of Jazz Flute and Piano. August 14 Paul Soniat and Friends – Fellow musicians join

singer, songwriter Paul Soniat to perform his original music.

August 21 Terry Rappold – The International Champion

Whistler performs Classical and Jazz, including selections from his new CD, “New

Orleans whiSOULing” – don’t miss it! August 28 John Rankin – Considered by many as New

Orleans’ best acoustic guitarist. John combines New Orleans rhythms with an assortment of musical styles to create his own unique sound.

Refreshments: Mint Juleps, wine, beer, soft drinks, and food. No outside food, drink, or pets allowed.

“Sundays in the Park”

A new outdoor concert series will also begin this March with three concerts scheduled the second Sunday in March, April and May. This concert series will take place outdoors on the new Robert B. Haspel Stage. According to Paul Soniat, Director of the Botanical Garden, “This new outdoor stage is one of the most beautiful settings in our area for music. The combination of the oak trees, azaleas and the stage itself make for a very unique musical experience.” WHERE: Robert B. Haspel Garden Stage (Outdoors in the Garden) New Orleans Botanical Garden City Park TIME: 3:00 PM Gates Open 4:00 PM Performance Begins 8:00 PM Gates Close COST: $6.00 Adults $2.00 Children ages 5-12 SCHEDULE:

March 9 4:00 p.m. – Ingrid Lucia

5:30 p.m. – Topsy Chapman

April 13 4:00 p.m. – Julio & Cesar 5:30 p.m. – Vivaz

May 11 4:00 p.m. – Soul Project

5:30 p.m. – Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes

Bring your blankets & Chairs (This is an outdoor concert)

Refreshments: Mint Juleps, wine, beer, soft drinks, and food.

No outside food, drink, or pets allowed.