2010 Moonlight Stroll Music Series at Sonnenberg

Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park, 151 Charlotte St., Canandaigua.  Lights and music on a midsummer's eve make for a glorious garden experience, right in your community "backyard", as Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park brings back its popular Moonlight Stroll Music Series each Friday night from 8-10 pm, July 9-Aug. 13.

For the 6th year, Sonnenberg will welcome a variety of musical performers to the grounds, performing a 2-hour concert for guests enjoying the beauty of the gardens at night.  With a variety of musical genres, there's sure to be something for everyone at Sonnenberg!  This year's music series opens with John Beck's Bourbon St. Jazz ensemble on July 9.  Rockabilly takes center stage on July 16 with Bobby Henrie and the Goners.  On July 23, Bristol Mountain Bluegrass envelops guests with folksy warmth.  A mix of vocal and instrumental Jazz and Big Band tunes from the 19-member Rochester Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra will delight visitors on July 30.  The rock-and-classic blues of Cross-Eyed Cat, infused with harmonica, guitars and bass will keep toes tapping for the Aug. 6 concert while the 5-piece classical ensemble, Fem Vindar (faculty members of the Hochstein School of Music) will wrap up the series on Aug. 13.  All performances for the 2010 series have been underwritten in part through a special NYS Council on the Arts grant, administered locally through the Phelps Arts Center.

Granger Homestead will again offer horse & carriage rides to guests ($5 adults, $3 children),, while Sonnenberg's own Finger Lakes Wine Center will offer wine by the glass each evening.  Light refreshments will also be available from the Friends of Sonnenberg.  Sonnenberg Mansion will also be open for tours during each concert.  Bring lawnchairs, blanket, family, friends or that special someone for an evening out under the stars as the gardens are lit again.  As renovations continue at the estate's Mansion veranda, a special Event Tent set up amidst the gardens will serve as the performance venue.  Guests will be able to spread blankets and set up seats close to the band's platform stage under the tent.  As always, all concerts will be held rain or shine.

Admission att he door each Friday evening will be $9 adults, $7 for Sonnenberg members, $4 for youth 6-17, while those 5 and under are free.  Reservations are not necesary as all admission is at the gate, however those guests anxious to attend a specific evening performance may purchase advance entry online at the newly redesigned Sonnenberg web site.

Sonnenberg's 2010 Moonlight Stroll Music Series is supported in part with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts Decentralization Program, which is administered locally by Phelps Arts Center.

$9 Adults, $7 Sonnenberg members, $4 youth 6-17, 5 and under are free