Wow, it’s been quite a year! Nobody really knew what this summer was going to hold in store for us. Just about 6 weeks ago we were preparing for socially distant concerts and events with very limited capacities but then . . . vaccines seemed to be taking hold and things opened up almost immediately. Sadly it was too late for some organizations like the Denver Botanic Gardens and their booking partner Swallow Hill Music to make the pivot to full capacity shows at the Gardens, but that doesn’t mean that the beautiful confines of the York Street location won’t be hosting music this summer!
Rather than the full capacity, in-the-round, shows that the Botanic Gardens is known for, this summer will feature 20 “Evenings al Fresco” which are an experience not to be missed. Each evening features 5 busking style performances with local artists scattered around the premises. The Gardens website describes it best. “Awash in the golden light of the evening, this collaborative series enhances the beauty of the Gardens with musical performances, providing respite and renewal in nature. Unlike a traditional concert setting, visitors strolling through the Gardens encounter small, socially distanced ensembles or musicians performing works designed to underscore and bring delight to their evening visit.”
I was lucky enough to attend the season opening evening and my wife and I had a great evening strolling and listening to some amazing music. We packed up some cured meats, cheeses, and a bottle of wine and made our way not knowing what to expect. What met us was a dazzling display of blooming flowers, tranquil settings, and beautiful music.
Perched on a water feature not far from the science pyramid, Los Mocochetes greeted us with their Latin flavored bilingual grooves and really set the bar very high for the evening as a they delivered a mix of originals and covers that included a spirited take on the seminal “La Bamba.”
As the band finished their first set, we could hear the low tones of one of my personal favorite local Jazz musicians, Matt Skellenger, and his five-string bass. I was first exposed to Skellenger about 13 years ago and since then he has remained a fixture on the Denver with his unique approach to Jazz bass. Taking cues from the likes of Victor Wooten and full advantage of every inch of the fretboard, Skellenger defies what most people think is possible on the instrument.
Another set break got us wandering again and this time we discovered Spencer Crawford playing near the venues permanent Chihuly glass installation. He was playing the traditional “Rolling in my Sweet Baby’s Arms” on the guitar when we walked up and then a solo Mandolin take on a “Cajun Moon” request morphed into The Grateful Dead’s “Friend of the Devil” before our eyes to the delight of the assembled crowd sipping on their wine and water bottles.
As the evening was vanishing quickly before our eyes, we took a stroll to the Southwest corner where Patrick Dethlefs was playing has own brand of acoustic Folk as a duo with Paul DeHaven. As we walked up we were greeted by “Ripple” (another Grateful Dead tune) before the duo ran through several originals including Dethlefs’ “Great Unknown” and “Moving On.”
To round out the evening, we got the final set from Sugar Moon a female bluegrass duo whose banjo and guitar lines dance around tight harmonies and very appropriate lyrics like “three little birds and a bee” and “weeping willow tree.”
Overall, the vibe was a very chill as we wandering the beautiful confines of the gardens, wine glass in hand, catching very intimate performances. It was wonderful way to spend an evening as we re-enter the real world.
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