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.

Live Music in the Garden today!

Music Sunday in the Garden
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Athens
Sunday, October 18, 2009 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

We are pleased to offer these talented musicians, all UGA students, to add to your pleasure while exploring The State Botanical Garden of Georgia on this beautiful fall afternoon.
This afternoon of music is made possible by a grant from the UGA Parents & Families Association.

Ernest "Bubba" Beasley graduated from James Madison University in 2005 with a major in geology and a minor in jazz studies. He is currently a geology masters student at UGA and is taking classes in the UGA jazz department.

Luther Enloe moved to Georgia at the age of twenty, to study the guitar at the University of Georgia with John Sutherland. He has subsequently received a BM and an MM, graduating with distinction, under Mr. Sutherland’s tutelage. Continuing his studies at UGA, he is presently pursuing a DMA in music performance with a minor in musicology. As a soloist, Luther Enloe has distinguished himself by winning awards in the Georgia Music Educators Association Competitions including the Award of Excellence in 1996 and 1998. Mr. Enloe was a chosen recitalist at the 1998 Christopher Parkening master class at Montana State University. Concurrent with his academic studies, Mr. Enloe maintains an active performance schedule and has appeared as a guitar soloist with many ensembles including The Montana State University Chorale, The Dekalb Choral Guild, and Peachtree Symphonic Winds. Luther Enloe has served on the faculty of Berry College in Rome, Georgia since 2007. At Berry College Mr. Enloe maintains a thriving guitar studio in addition to teaching courses in music. He and his wife, Victoria, live in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

Rachael Eubanks is a fourth year Music Education major at the University of Georgia. She began playing the violin at the age of twelve and has been immersed in music ever since. Her post-undergraduate goal is to find a teaching position where she can expose countless children to the wonders of music.

Originally from Ringgold, Georgia, Rachael Fischer began her violin studies at the age of four. She was named the winner of the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera Association’s Concerto Competition in 2000, and the winner of the University of Georgia Concerto Competition in 2004. Rachael has also been an active performer in many ensembles including the University of Georgia Symphony Orchestra, Athena Grand Opera Company Orchestra, and Macon Symphony Orchestra. She is also an active chamber musician, and has had extensive coaching sessions with the St. Lawrence String Quartet and the Juilliard String Quartet. Rachael completed her Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance at UGA in 2005, studying with Dr. Michael Heald, and the Master of Music degree at Arizona State University in 2007 under the tutelage of Dr. Katherine McLin. She is currently pursuing the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in violin performance at UGA.

Jason Royer is a music major at UGA with a concentration in bass performance. In addition to being the upright bassist for the UGA jazz band, he plays with the UGA Philharmonic and a number of small jazz combos.