Summer jams for all ages at Morris Arboretum

The sounds of birds singing, crickets chirping, and insects buzzing are back at the Morris Arboretum. And soon, music will fill the air, as well.

The Arboretum’s concert series begins on Thursday, May 28, with the Kickin’ Off Summer Concert featuring the Philadelphia-based group You Do You. Led by Katie Feeney, the band’s 1970s-era style of showmanship and music delivers a powerful performance with wild stage antics and four-part harmonies.

In partnership with WXPN’s show “Kids Corner,” the Arboretum will host three concerts aimed at a younger audience on consecutive Thursdays: June 11, 18, and 25.

The Cat’s Pajamas will perform on June 11, combining musical comedy and kid-rock. Using puppets and props, the group encourages audience members to take part in the action on stage. 

Alex and the Kaleidoscope Band will perform at the Arboretum on June 18. Winners of the 2015 New York Emmy Award for Best Children’s Programming, the group inspires kids to learn through the power of music by infusing fun facts and interesting places across the globe into its songs.

On June 25, The Plants will entertain the Arboretum audience with lighthearted, catchy, and often silly songs aimed at helping kids spark new ideas, evoke different emotions, and encourage creativity. 

“When we have the concerts for adults, the adults tend to sit on their blankets and chairs to listen to the band,” says Susan Crane, director of marketing at the Arboretum. “The kids want to get up as close to the stage as they can, so that they can dance and feel like they’re part of the action.”

On days when the weather is nice, Crane says there could be as many as 400 people in the audience.

All of the concerts are held in the Arboretum’s Azalea Meadow.

The Kickin’ Off Summer Concert on May 28 begins at 7 p.m.  All of the children’s concerts begin at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased online at the Morris Arboretum website, or at the Arboretum gate on the day of the concert, if tickets are available.

Arboretum Summer Concert