What’s the enjoyment of warm weather without an outdoor concert? If you have yet to enjoy the magical mixture of sunlight and music, then the concert series at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden should be your next destination. Working in conjunction with PNC Bank the garden is bringing a variety of musical stylings to its grounds.

Cape Fear Valley Neuroscience Center and Healy Wholesale Company, Inc., also sponsors of the event, invite you get a jumpstart on your weekend with a Friday evening concert. Enjoy the ambience of an intimate outdoor natural setting as music fills the evening sky, with the band performing from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

More than 250 people attended the first concert. “It was a wonderful event. It was great to see families on blankets together having a good time, enjoying the music in the gardens,” said Iris Goode, development and marketing director at Cape Fear Botanical Garden.

On June 8, Old Habits, will sooth the soul with a unique blend of bluegrass, rock and country. Old Habits, a Raleigh-based band, was founded in 2003. Considered to be a cross blend of Bill Monroe and John Prine, this four-person band as been praised all across eastern N.C.

“In an area overflowing with top-shelf bluegrass bands, Raleigh’s four-piece Old Habits seems to be doing just fine making a name for itself. The fellas have the requisite harmonies, picking skills and influences...” wrote Rick Cornell, of the Independent Weekly.

The last concert of the spring series will be held on June 22 with music from The Casablanca Orchestra. This eight-piece ensemble brings Big Band back in a big way.

This powerful Raleigh-based orchestra has more than 300 songs in its repertoire ranging from Latin to Blues from the last six decades. The variety of songs is sure to please guests of all ages. Debbie Bennett is the vocalist who rounds out this amazing group. Compared to the great vocals of Ella Fitzgerald and Whitney Houston, this band is a guaranteed party pleaser.

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs, or you can rent chairs at the event. Food, drinks and adult beverages will be available for purchase. Along with food that tantalizes refi ned taste buds, there will be kid-friendly food such as popcorn. Please, no pets or outside food and drinks. Come early to stroll the gardens before the concert and enjoy the variety of blooms of the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens.

Regular admission to the gardens is $8, military receives a dollar off with I.D. For children ages 6-12, admission is $2.50 and children 5 and under are free.

Admission to the concert is free for garden members. For the $30 you can purchase an individual membership or $60 for a household, people can become members of the garden and gain free admission to the spring and upcoming fall concerts.

For more information about the summer concert series or garden membership, visit www.capefearbg.org.