Five Free Concerts on Tap for Music in the Gardens

Gather your lawn chairs, picnics, and blankets and head to Sarah P. Gardens this summer for the free Music in the Gardens concert series.

After a hiatus due to the pandemic, the five-concert series kicks off on July 6 with Sarah Shook & The Disarmers, a “Y’allternative” band from Chapel Hill with gravely vocals and personable songwriting. The series concludes August 4 with two locals acts: Raleigh-based singer-songwriter Kate Rhudy and Weston Estate, an alt-pop band from Cary drawing from a range of influences, including Frank Ocean and Indian music that many of the band members grew up with.

Music in the Gardens, a partnership between Duke Performances and Sarah P. Duke Gardens, features artists from across the country, many of whom have roots in the Triangle area.

“Music in the Gardens represents the Duke Arts ideal: high-level performances for our community, presented at one of the many beautiful locations at Duke University,” said John Brown, Duke’s vice provost for the Arts. “We are excited to partner with the Gardens again to bring this series back live, and for the first time ever, to present these artists for the entire Duke and Durham community at large to enjoy at no cost.”

Even though there is no charge to attend, attendees must reserve digital tickets for admission to the lawn. Up to four tickets can be reserved at a time. Tickets become available two weeks prior to the performance date. A PDF with the tickets is sent by email from Duke Performances; it can be printed or presented on a mobile device.

Each performance begins at 7 p.m. on the lawn behind the Doris Duke Center. Pets are not allowed, but food and beverages are permitted and can be brought from outside or purchased on-site. Parking is $2 per hour until 7 p.m. The lawn opens at 6:30 p.m. before each concert.

Learn more about the Music in the Gardens concert series here.

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