Check out HF&G’s fresh lineup of summer experiences

Summer Nights Arboretumin the

“Wine” down and arrive with a taste for great music. Holden Forests & Gardens introduces a fresh lineup of summer experiences. By Kristen Hampshire

Enjoy a glass of wine in the Arlene and Arthur S. Holden Jr. Butterfly Garden.

Enjoy great music surrounded by nature during summer concerts at the Holden Arboretum.

Blooms and bands, wine and woods — the tastes and sounds of summer are in season at Holden Forests & Gardens, with a warm-weather lineup of entertainment for all ages. From the Concerts in the Forest to the Notes of Nature wine series, the gardens transform into a vibrant backdrop for music, picnics and late-day walks on the property.

In conjunction with summer activities is the exhibit Mission Botanica, opening June 11.

“It’s a nice trifecta of activities for an evening,” says Celia Nardo, special events manager, highlighting the outdoor Summer Concert Series, botanical exhibit and later hours for the Canopy Walk. On concert evening Wednesdays, the grounds stay open until 8 p.m.

After a snowy winter and wet spring, we’re all ready to take to the outdoors. Following are some ways to experience Holden Forests & Gardens until sundown.

Concert in the Forest

Four concerts throughout the summer will fill the gardens with lively music. “We hold them in our Display Garden and will have a food truck available so guests can come early, have a picnic dinner and get comfortable before the concert begins at 6:30,” Nardo says.

Holden Forests & Gardens welcomes the band LochErie on June 22. The acoustic group plays Irish and Celtic folk music. July 13 the gardens will feature Light of 2 Moons, a local band that blends vocal harmonies and plays everything from island music to classic rock, blues, country and even folk tunes. Two additional concerts will be announced, and all concerts are free to members and regular admission for visitors.

A special performance by Apollo’s Fire is scheduled for July 22 and July 23. Cleveland’s baroque orchestra is celebrating its 30th anniversary season with a tour, A Journey of Discovery. “They seek out distinct locations to play and have a wonderful following, so we are really excited they chose our spot as a venue,” Nardo says.

Apollo’s Fire tickets are available through the group’s website, apollosfire.org, or by calling their box office at 800-314-2535.

Notes of Nature Wine Series

Traditionally, Holden Forests & Gardens held an annual, large-scale wine event — the Taste of Terroir — a fan favorite, Nardo says. This year, the celebration will take place in the Butterfly Garden as opposed to the Display Garden, and it will kick off a series of sipand-stroll evenings on June 15. “It’s a special tasting focused on flavors that make up wine — soil topography and climate,” Nardo says of the instructor-led discussion and tasting.

On July 27, make it a date night at the arboretum for Bottles and Blooms, featuring flights of summertime wine and local craft brews. “The evening will include a band and we’ll also have Tommy’s Jerky & Smokies beef jerky tasting,” Nardo says of the Mentor-based “home of the original finger food.” Kelsey Elizabeth macarons will also be available on site.

Wine Down takes place on August 17. “This is another stroll through the Butterfly Garden with a variety of wine stations and food stops,” Nardo says. “You can walk through the trees while listening to the tunes of Ed Purcell.”

Nardo adds, “The gardens are beautiful at this time of year, and what better way to experience them than with a glass of wine and music?”

Evenings are exciting at the Botanical Garden, too: Gourmets in the Garden returns! See listing on page 30.

MEET THE STAFF

Celia Nardo is the Special Events Manager at Holden Forests & Gardens. She studied art at the University of Delaware, where she developed a passion for integrating events and design. Before coming to HF&G, Nardo worked as the Chief Operations Officer for the New Hampshire Lodging & Restaurant Association.

late nights

Holden Arboretum Wednesdays until 8pm Cleveland Botanical Garden Thursdays until 8:30pm

Concerts in the Forest 6:30-8pm

Listen to great local bands, surrounded by the beauty of the Arboretum’s gardens. Bring a picnic or partake of the food and beverage cash concessions. For more information, including performers and food menus, visit holdenfg.org. June 22 Loch Erie July 13 Light of Two Moons Aug 10 Cleveland Wind Trio Aug 24 Musicians from the Cleveland Institute of Music Notes of Nature Wine Series 6:30pm

A series of sip-and-stroll evenings taking place in the Butterfly Garden. Registration required. June 15 Taste of Terroir July 27 Bottles and Blooms August 17 Summer Wine Down

Katherine Philipp Geis Terrace

Enjoy the summer evening with food and beverages from the Garden Cafe as you relax on the beautiful Geis Terrace. Gourmets in the Garden

June 30, July 21, August 25 and Sept. 15 Guests sample bite-sized portions from their favorite chefs and learn how to make great dishes at home with delicious local ingredients.