Sunflower Concert Series Celebrates Athens Music in a Garden Setting

The State Botanical Garden of Georgia announces its 10th annual Sunflower Music Series. Each concert will be performed on the stage of the new Flower Garden, a terraced garden between the Day Chapel and the Visitor Center and Conservatory, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. The relaxed, beautiful garden setting creates the perfect outdoor summer event. Bring a blanket and picnic, kick off your shoes, and enjoy an evening in the Garden with friends or family.

Performing this year are:

June 22: Randall Bramblett, with Rick Fowler opening.
Randall Bramblett is a singer-songwriter who recently released his 7th solo album and has performed with the Allman Brothers Band and Widespread Panic. “He’s one of Georgia’s musical treasures…Guaranteed to improve your day!” – Dave Schools (Widespread Panic).

July 13: Bloodkin, with Winfield Smith (from Stewart and Winfield) opening
A rock ‘n’ roll band formed in 1986, the Drive-By Truckers and Widespread Panic have both cited Bloodkin as a chief influence. Bloodkin released its 8th album in 2009 and it was named Album of the Year at the Flagpole Athens Music Awards. “Bloodkin are at a hot peak in their odyssey!” – David Fricke (Rolling Stone).

August 24: Grogus, performing two sets
A crowd favorite from the 2009 Sunflower Music Series, Grogus plays Latin jazz, traditional Cuban and Caribbean styles, and funk versions of jazz standards. They have won the Flagpole Athens Music Award in both the Jazz and World Music categories.

Tickets are $15 each ($10 for members of Friends of the Garden, $5 for children ages 6-12). Each concert includes beverages and light snacks and people are encouraged to bring blankets and picnic suppers to enjoy in the Garden. Concerts will be held inside the Visitor Center & Conservatory if weather necessitates. Lawn chairs are not allowed. Call 706-542-1244 for more information or tickets.

The Sunflower Music Series is sponsored by Friends of the Garden, R.E.M., Northeast Sales Distributing, Inc., Athens Coca-Cola, Musicians Warehouse, WUGA 91.7 FM, Flagpole and AthensMusic.net.

Not sure what all the fuss is about invasive plants and how they really affect the environment?

Well, you’ll know much more after spending a Saturday morning in this class: Invasive Non-native Plants.
This course is an introduction to the problem of invasive, non-native plants in Georgia, taught by Connie Gray, M.L.A., a consultant in natural area restoration and management. Students will learn how to identify the major offenders, their current ranges and habitats, and how these plants impact natural plant communities. Basic management and control strategies will be discussed and demonstrated. Most of the class will be indoors, but we will venture outdoors to see some of the plants in the wild and visit sites where control efforts are underway.
This is an elective in the Certificate in Native Plants Program (http://www.uga.edu/botgarden/educnp.html), but you do not have to enroll in this program to take this class. You may, however, decide to take more classes in this program after this class.
This will be an eye-opening class for landowners, land managers, outdoorspeople, gardeners, and others who care about Georgia’s natural habitats. Register under the ‘Certificate Programs’ at http://www.uga.edu/botgarden/eduregister.html. This 5 hour class on June 5, 2010 is $45 ($40 for SBG members) and runs from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm at The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Athens. Bring a sack lunch.

Tours!

We've been happy to see lots of visitors and tour groups in the Garden this May, celebrating spring and admiring the beauty. The photo above shows Belinda leading a tour of National Garden Club members in Georgia for the NGC Annual Convention in Atlanta. Notice that a group of schoollchildren are passing by. Our tour guide volunteers and Education staff have mastered the skill of coordinating groups and tour routes. When things get really busy I may get a call to lead a tour, which is always fun. Last week a group of Master Gardeners from Greenville, SC started their 2-day tour of Athens' gardens and nurseries at the State Botanical Garden. We hope the Garden Club members and Master Gardeners - and all of our visitors - had a great visit last week. And we hope to see you at the Garden soon!

If you are interested in a tour, call Andrea at 706-542-6195.

We suggest a late morning tour, ending with lunch at the Gardenside Cafe.

Interim Director Shirley Berry was a 'driving force' during the NGC tour.

- posted by Connie.

How Can I Support Public Gardens?

It's National Public Gardens Day!

Here are 4 ways to support public gardens:
- Become a member of their suport organization. For us it is Friends of the Garden. This supports the garden financially, but also keeps you informed of the garden's accomplishments and how you can be involved (events, classes, volunteering, plant sales and more). A gift membership to a local public garden would be a great housewarming or wedding present.
- Introduce a friend to the garden. Have lunch in the cafe or stroll through the gardens. Invite someone to attend an event or take a class with you.
- Volunteer! This can benefit you as much as the garden - you'll learn so much and make new friends. Our volunteers work beside curators, help run special events, staff the gift shop and library, lead tours, help with educational programs, and more.
- Donate. Donations support the gardens and surrounding communities. Money can be given as gifts to the garden, presented in honor of friends and loved ones, or written into a will.

Come visit us! We'd love to see you here!