Hot Concert Acts Amid the Cool Trees at The Morton Arboretum
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Acts Include Motown Superstar Smokey Robinson, Disney's High School Musical: Summer Celebration!
LISLE, IL (May 4, 2009) - Legendary Motown superstar Smokey Robinson, who rocketed to stardom with The Miracles, scoring hits such as "Tears of a Clown," headlines the July twilight performances in The Morton Arboretum's 2009 Summer Concert Series, "In Tune With Trees". In August, the sensational Disney's High School Musical: Summer Celebration! will have fans singing, dancing, and having a blast in two family concerts. (Full concert schedule and prices below)
The concert series supports the Arboretum's mission of encouraging everyone to plant and protect trees for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world. The concert lawn sits amid the majestic trees and landscapes of The Morton Arboretum.
Robinson, who performs on July 25, recorded 37 Top-40 hits between 1960 and 1987. His smash tunes include "Ooh Baby, Baby," "The Tracks of My Tears," "You've Really Got a Hold On Me," and "I Second That Emotion."
Robinson's "velvety high tenor" can evoke joy or sadness with words that mingle "sincerity and eloquence, often describing love with unique metaphors," according to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which inducted Robinson in 1987. Famed singer/songwriter Bob Dylan once called Robinson "America's greatest living poet."
And even more brilliance is coming. Robinson is preparing to release a new CD this summer, entitled Time Flies When You're Having Fun.
Grammy Award-winning Keb' Mo' with special guest, the subdudes, takes the stage on July 24. Keb' Mo' is "a blues artist whose witty tunes will take some of those blues away," according to National Public Radio. Keb' Mo' has released six critically acclaimed albums, won eight W.C. Handy Awards, and embraces multiple genres, including pop, rock, folk, and jazz.
On July 26, kids and parents can sing along to the zany, upbeat songs of Disney's Ralph's World. Led by irrepressibly enthusiastic performer Ralph Covert, the band brings resonant song-craft (with wry, inventive wordplay), musical sophistication, and energetic, rock 'n' roll performances to children's music.
The August "In Tune With Trees" performers are equally exciting.
On August 23, fans will be saying Let's go Wildcats! It's time for Disney's High School Musical: Summer Celebration! featuring favorite songs from all three hit High School Musical movies, including "We're All In This Together," "Fabulous," and "Now or Never." Kids will sing and dance along to more than 15 chart-topping songs with a cast of performers as your favorite East High characters! This non-stop celebration will have audiences rocking the house with Wildcat spirit!
"I really like it. The music keeps the beat going," says five-year-old Lauryn Emrick, a megafan from Bolingbrook whose mother says the girl frequently sings the group's songs into her own, bona fide High School Musical microphone.
One of the most beautiful folk and country voices plays the Arboretum on August 22. Grammy Award-winning artist Nanci Griffith, who may be best known for hits such as "From a Distance," has been a star on the music scene for the past three decades. Her latest album, "The Loving Kind," releases on June 6. It underscores her stature as one of the music world's most esteemed singer/songwriters because of the depth and simple intelligence found in her original compositions. Also on the bill that night is a special guest to be announced.
SCHEDULE - TICKET PRICES - ORDERING INFORMATION
Friday, July 24, 7 p.m.: Keb' Mo' with special guest, the subdudes. Tickets: $45 in advance; $47 Day-of. Discounts available for Arboretum members
Saturday, July 25, 7 p.m.: Smokey Robinson. Tickets: $50 in advance; $52 Day-of. Discounts available for Arboretum members
Sunday, July 26, 4 p.m.: Ralph's World. Tickets: $16 individual tickets in advance; $18 Day-of. Also available: $54 for Family Four-Pack of tickets (advance orders only). Discounts available for Arboretum members
Saturday, August 22, 7 p.m.: Nanci Griffith and a special guest to be announced. Tickets: $45 in advance; $47 Day-of. Discounts available for Arboretum members
Sunday, August 23, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.: Disney's High School Musical: Summer Celebration! Tickets: $25 individual tickets in advance; $27 Day-of. Also available: $90 for Family Four-Pack (advance orders only). Discounts available for Arboretum members
Tickets go on sale to Arboretum members on May 11 and to the general public on May 25, via www.mortonarb.org, 630-725-2066, and in person at the Arboretum Visitor Center. A $5 processing fee applies to phone and online orders.
The Morton Arboretum gratefully acknowledges concert series Contributing Sponsor Harris Bank; and Bonterra Vineyards, Featured Wine Sponsor of the Arboretum. Official Hotel Sponsor is Wyndham Lisle-Chicago Hotel and Executive Meeting Center.
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 Press Room at www.mortonarb.org, call to learn more.
Media Contact: Gina Tedesco, (office) 630-725-2103, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it