Music on the Lawn - Heard

Join us for Music on the Lawn, the Albany Institute's lively outdoor concert series! Enjoy great local music, free gallery admission, and a relaxed evening on the museum’s lawn. The concert series is free and open to the public, and held on the following dates: August 19, September 16, and October 21, all from 5–7PM. Music on the Lawn is cosponsored by the Music Performance Trust Fund and arranged by the Albany Musicians Association.

Music on the Lawn is supported by M&T Bank.

 

Concerts are held rain or shine. In the event of rain, performances will move indoors—same time, same great music. Grab dinner from a featured food truck each month, enjoy a cash bar, and stop by the Art Cart for a free hands-on activity inspired by the museum's collections. Bring your friends, a picnic blanket or lawn chair, and enjoy an evening of live music and community.

Limited parking is available in the museum lot at Dove and Elk Streets. Free street parking is available throughout the city after 5PM.

September features music by Heard!

Get a preview of Heard before the concert—watch their performance on WMHT's AHA! A House for Arts.

Heard is a collective of musicians that bring their skills and passion for world music, jazz and improvising together to create irresistible grooves set in a unique sonic tapestry. Together for over 16 years,  their vibrant sound incorporates influences from West Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean and beyond. Their debut CD Karibu reached #15 on the WorldJazz charts and 2018's daring Flyway is similarly garnering much critical acclaim. Heard is a 6 time Eddy Music Awards nominee in the World Music category and 2026's Eddy Awards World Music Group of the Year!

Energetic & upbeat, Heard will open your ears & hearts, and get you up and dancing!

The core ensemble  includes Laura Andrea Léguia (woodwinds), Jonathan Greene (woodwinds), Bobby Kendall (bass), Brian Melick (drums), Zorkie Nelson (percussion/vocals),  Felix Nelson (dance/vocals/percussion) and Elizabeth Woodbury Kasius (keyboard/vocals). We also often feature amazing additional players,  including: Bass players Jason Emmond, Jon Suters, and Evan Jagels, and Steve Horowitz (trumpet/flueglehorn) Augustina Nelson (dance/percussion/vocals), Fofo Neequaye (dance/percussion/vocals),  Matt Steckler and Adam Siegel. (woodwinds).

Learn more at heardmusic.net.

September's featured food truck is Roy's Caribbean!

Their approach to Caribbean cuisine is to be authentic and true to their Jamaican roots while bringing you traditional American comfort food favorites. Jamaican cuisine is a combination of traditional west African food like ackee, saltfish, mackerel, and plantains integrated with English, Indian, and Chinese influences like the use of roasted meats, curry seasoning, and cabbage as a primary vegetable. Caribbean food has a special ability to bring people together and make them feel like they are on the beautiful island year round.

For more information, visit royscaribbean.com.

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