Don’t miss the Botanical Garden’s summer music series presented by EMC Insurance Companies. Enjoy the best parts of the Garden, music, family, food, and the warm summer weather. Sounds thanks to Ripple Productions.
Thursdays | June 15 through September 28
Checklist
- Bring chairs or blankets
- Bring Botanical Garden Silipint® for 10% off drinks
- Leave coolers and food at home
Tickets
Member, Adventure Pass holders, and Museums for All (WIC and SNAP EBT card holders) – free
Adult – $12
Senior – $11
Active Military – $11
Children 2-12 – $9
Children 1 and under – free
Tickets are available at the door on a first come first served basis.
Event Details
All concerts will be held live and in person in the outdoor Koehn Garden. Doors open at 6 p.m. and music begins at 6:30 p.m.
The Garden will close at 9 p.m., music conclusion time will vary.
This is a rain or shine event. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be moved indoors. Please check our Facebook page for weather related updates.
Music in the Garden attendees are encouraged to bring their own folding, outdoor seating, or picnic blankets.
Food and Drink
Trellis Café will serve food and drink from the café and a secondary location in the Koehn Garden. The café’s menu will change every two weeks and the secondary location’s menu change each month.
Hours
Café: 6-8 p.m.
Secondary location in Koehn Garden: 6-8:30 p.m.
Purchase a Botanical Garden Silipint® at the Garden Shop, and bring it back each Thursday for 10% off drinks at Music in the Garden!
Schedule
June 15
The June Bugs
The June Bugs are a Des Moines cover band highlighting women in the music industry by showcasing songs written and/or performed by women.
June 22
Jay Allen
After seeing his mother suffer from Alzheimer’s, Allen wrote “Blank Stares.” A video of him performing the song with his mother on stage in Iowa went viral with over 500 million views on Facebook. His mother has since passed, but Jay continues to tour the country as an advocate for the Alzheimer’s Association, and the song has gone on to raise over $100 million dollars to help fight the disease.
Jay has been featured on NBC’s The Voice, ABC World News, PeopleTV, Pickler & Ben, and in People & Forbes Magazine, among others. He was selected as The Highway Find on Sirius XM with his song “Sounds Good To Me”, won the 2022 Country Now Awards as Favorite Competition Contestant, and was recognized as one of Music Mayhem Magazine’s 2023 Artists to Watch. He was also presented The Caregiver Award by The National Alzheimer’s Association.
June 29
Brad & Kate
Brad & Kate is a pop-folk group lead by husband-and-wife duo Kate and Brad Myers. Charming and dynamic, the duo has grown an organic following around Iowa and the Midwest in a few short years.
July 6
Adé & The Soul Brothers
Formed in the heart of the Midwest, these talented musicians deliver an array of diverse musical genres ranging from soul, jazz, blues, funk, soft-rock, and mainstream R&B.
July 13
NOLA Jazz Band
In only a few short years NOLA Jazz Band’s “gutsy and heartfelt” blues and jazz stylings have earned them a nationwide fan base. The band has played many festivals and music hot spots around the Midwest and Central Iowa.
July 20
The Sheet
Established in 2011, The Sheet brings the positive vibes with familiar reggae infused cover tunes. You’ll want to drink, sing, and dance along!
July 27
Max Wellman
Vocalist Max Wellman is enticing music lovers throughout the region. With a sound evoking the likes of Sinatra and Connick Jr., Wellman’s recordings and performances promise that the Great American Songbook is alive and well for a new generation of listeners.
August 3
Son Peruchos
Son Peruchos performs a fusion of Andean and South American folk music utilizing traditional instruments such as the zampoña, quena, and charango. This musical group also integrates their traditional Andean sound with more modern Latin and Caribbean rhythms such as cumbia, bachata and rock en español.
August 10
Surf Zombies
Surf Zombies raise surf rock from the dead with fast, crazy, original instrumentals that straddle retro surf, bubblegum punk, and garage rock. Their music conjures images of beach parties, Saturday morning cartoons, and hot rod car shows. The driving rhythms, swirling tremolo, crashing spring reverb from dueling guitars and authentic growl of vintage tube amps make for a truly weird Midwestern wonder.
August 17
Damon Dotson
Dotson has opened for legendary performers like BB King, Willie Nelson, The Beach Boys, Huey Lewis, and The News, as well as modern artists like Matt Nathanson, The Band Perry, Edwin McCain, and The Lone Bellow. He was named Des Moines’s “Best Local Musician” of 2022 by CITYVIEW Magazine.
August 24
Bruce Day
Bruce Day is an Iowa born, life-long singer with 20 years of experience performing across Iowa and the Midwest. Now based out of Des Moines, Bruce is able to make a living as a full-time musician/dad/rock diva. In addition to playing 150ish solo shows each year, Bruce plays several duo shows with his ole pal Mike Staebell, and has recently joined an exciting new project called Duke and the American Dream.
August 31
Cory Waller & The Wicked Things
Cory Waller & The Wicked things are budding talents in the Midwest country scene. Hard work and honesty are at the center of the band’s sound and songwriting. Primary songwriter and lead singer Cory Waller writes candid portrayals built from years of life, love, ups, downs, marriage, and fatherhood. Taking inspiration from Jason Isbell, John Mellencamp, and Blackberry Smoke — Cory now forges his own musical path.
September 7
Birdchild
Birdchild is a five-piece pop rock band from Des Moines, Iowa that performs top 40 hits from the last 40 years. They will get you on your feet with nostalgic hits from your youth and your favorite music of today.
September 14
Parranderos Latin Combo
Parranderos Latin Combo (PLC) is a Latin music band creating original music inspired by salsa, cumbia, Afrobeat, and more. The collective of musicians is based between Des Moines, Iowa and Medellin, Colombia. Live performances are high-energy dance parties infusing salsa classics with original grooves and compositions.
September 21
Gina Gedler
Gina Gedler is a regular to the Des Moines entertainment scene and has been performing for over 40 years. She has had the privilege of appearing in numerous musicals on stage and many various professional acts throughout the state and beyond. In this small music combo, the music is smooth, light, fun, and soulful, ranging from the 40’s through present day.
September 28
The Feel Right
The Feel Right band is a smooth blend of R&B, Neo-Soul, pop, and jazz grooves led by The Voice’s season 14 finalist Sharane Calister and backed by five of Des Moines’ top musicians. The Feel Right’s diverse line-up of music leaves music lovers of all genres happy, dancing, and thoroughly entertained.
