The Whitaker Music Festival is back for its 19th year at the Missouri Botanical Gardens. The free Wednesday concerts are located in the St. Louis Outdoor Cohen amphitheatre, west of the Climatron dome.
This year's season, which runs May 30 through July 25, opened last week with a performance by young blues performer Marquise Knox. Hamiet Bluiett, a jazz legend considered to be the best baritone saxophone player in the world, appears on June 27.
Tonight, blues singer-guitarist Vince Martin, “St. Louis’ best-kept secret,” takes to the stage; Martin has opened for Curtis Mayfield, Parliament-Funkedelic, the Allman Bros. Band, Howlin' Wolf, and Ike & Tina Turner. Next week, Miss Jubilee and the Humdingers brings its brand of retro jazz, blues, and swing to the Cohen ampitheatre.
Here is the rest of the season lineup:
June 13: Miss Jubilee and the Humdingers
June 20: The Rockhouse Ramblers
June 27: Hamiet Bluiett
July 4: Air National Guard Band of the Central States
July 11: Ryan Spearman Band
July 18: Teresa Jenee
July 25: Aaron Kamm and the One Drops
Visitors may enter the Garden through pedestrian gates on Alfred (on the west side of the Garden) and Tower Grove (one near the intersection of Tower Grove and Shaw and another near the intersection of Tower Grove and Magnolia). Show up early (but not too early …free admission doesn’t start until 5 p.m.) and wander the gardens prior to the 7:30 p.m. concert. Though many outdoor concerts in St. Louis forbid outside food or drinks, audiences are welcome to bring their stocked coolers, as well as lawn chairs. The Garden also sells concessions on-site, including cheese and grape plates and wine. However, audiences are asked to leave their pets, frisbees, cigarettes, and barbecue grills at home. Also note that the Garden's popular Chinese lantern display will not be illuminated during Whitaker concerts.
