It’s Rhyming Time at The Morton Arboretum

Ralph’s World Concert Features New Songs From ‘The Rhyming Circus’

LISLE, IL (June 20, 2008) – Sing along, dance along, play along.

Take a wild “ride” during “Ralph’s World,” a zany family concert that will have you tapping your toes and snapping your fingers. Double the fun with two performances, July 12 from 11 a.m. - noon and July 13 from 3 - 4 p.m. featuring adventures through jungle vines, to the bottom of the sea, and to an amazing rhyming circus. Kids and parents can experience these great performances amongst the beautiful trees at The Morton Arboretum as part of “In Tune With Trees” the 2008 Summer Concert Series.

Ralph Covert, the man behind Ralph’s World, released ‘The Rhyming Circus’ on May 20, his first album of new songs since his Grammy-nominated ‘Green Gorilla, Monster and Me’ in 2005. Look forward to his performances featuring hits from his eight acclaimed albums, including the clever wordplay all throughout ‘The Rhyming Circus.’

Covert has performed time and time again at the Arboretum, where he has quickly become a perennial favorite. Children and parents alike can identify and enjoy Covert’s music.

“Welcome to a realm where the nursery rhymes and rhythms appeal to both kids and adults,” said Patrick Derfler of the St. Louis Dispatch. David Edelstein of The New York Times adds that Covert’s songs “tap into the collective unconscious of parents who grew up with rock and want to share it with their children.”

Covert’s music not only bridges generational gaps, but also incorporates many different genres, turning his primarily rock style into a multi-dimensional masterpiece.

“His lyrics and rhymes are so much fun, and the melodies and tempos so joyous and energetic, that the kids have a ball, completely caught up in the performance. Going totally over their heads, however, and what makes Ralph's performances so much fun for grownups, are the double-entendres he tosses out there to mom and dad every now and then, not to mention the hyperbole and sheer preposterousness of the song's topic, all of which the kids have totally accepted at face value,” says Marilyn Baysek, Arboretum Special Events Manager.

Concert tickets are $9 for Arboretum members and $13 for non-members if purchased in advance and $15 on the day of performance. Children under the age of 2 are free with a paying adult. For tickets, call 630/725-2066 (9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday), visit www.mortonarb.org or go to the Visitor Center Information Desk (8 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily). The concert lawn opens one hour prior to the performances.

Make a day of your trip to the Arboretum and enjoy the numerous attractions. Take a trip around Meadow Lake and gaze at the gargantuan bug sculptures in David Rogers’ Big Bugs exhibition. Behold the 25-foot long Ants or the Daddy Longlegs, which is making his international debut. Stroll through the Children’s Garden where you can tip-toe across Wonder Pond or pique your curiosity in the Backyard Discovery Gardens. Take the whole family to see the 1,700 acres of beauty with a ride on The Acorn Express, a 50-minute guided tram tour.

The Morton Arboretum gratefully acknowledges the 2008 Summer Concert Series Sponsor, Harris Bank; the Family Concert joint sponsors Children's Memorial Hospital and Central DuPage Hospital; and the Featured Wine Sponsor, Bonterra Vineyards.

The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized 1,700-acre outdoor museum with collections of 4,117 kinds of trees, shrubs, and other plants from around the world. The Arboretum's beautiful natural landscapes, gardens, research and education programs, and year-round family activities support its mission – the planting and conservation of trees and other plants for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world. Conveniently located at I-88 and Rte. 53 in Lisle, Illinois, the Arboretum is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Time or sunset, whichever is earlier. The Children's Garden is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., March through October, and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., November through February. Visit www.mortonarb.org or call 630-968-0074 to learn more.

Media Contact:    Gina Tedesco, 630-725-2103, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Nicholle Heffern, 630-719-5768, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it