Live at the Garden

Celebrating 22 Years of Music, Live at the Garden

Text by Sherry May, Co-Director, Live at the Garden & Radians Amphitheater | Photos by Steve Roberts and Bob Furnis

June 15, 2001. That was the date of the very first concert at the Memphis Botanic Garden. And who better than Memphis’ own Isaac Hayes to kick -off a new outdoor summer concert series that would become known as Live at the Garden. I will always remember that night and seeing the vision that so many had worked on become a reality. Over 3,000 people purchased tickets. I knew we were on to something good!

Live at the Garden was special from the start.  Renowned artists performing outdoors under the stars.  A place where you could bring your own picnic, sit at a table or on a blanket on the lush lawn that the Garden offered.   No matter where you sat, you were part of a Memphis garden party.  A place to see old and new friends and listen to great live music, no matter what the genre.  That was always the vision.  

Picnicking, fashion, and tablescapes took on lives of their own.  People planned their menus weeks in advance for each concert.  You would see wine glasses, centerpieces, candelabras and bedazzled coolers everywhere. Live at the Garden had officially become an annual event, and people had to plan their outfits accordingly.  Stylish, cool and comfortable attire was a must!

In those first few years, we didn’t have a permanent stage but what we did have was 96 acres of beautiful landscape at the Memphis Botanic Garden.  Our first stage was a fabric domed shell and in addition to Hayes, in those early years we attracted such artists as Lyle Lovett, Harry Connick, Jr., Ray Charles, Chris Isaac and Wynonna just to name a few.  

With each passing year, Live at the Garden grew bigger and better with more and more season table and lawn pass holders supporting the 5-show series.  By 2005, we felt that we had outgrown the makeshift dome stage so we moved our location east, down the hill, to another open area within the Garden that would accommodate larger audiences.  We brought in a larger stage from Louisiana that would load in before the first concert in June and leave us after the last show in September.  On that stage, we saw performances by legends such as Rev. Al Green, Joe Cocker, Diana Ross, Tony Bennett and Donna Summer.  We saw the up-and-comers such as Michael Buble and Sugarland.  We saw fan favorites like Chicago, Earth, Wind & Fire, Huey Lewis & the News, and ZZ Top.

In 2013, we dreamed big.  We felt like we could take Live at the Garden to the next level, but that would require a permanent stage and backstage area that could accommodate larger touring acts.  We kicked off a capital campaign, raised 6.5 million dollars from foundations, companies, and fans and broke ground.  As the final sod was still being laid, we opened the 2014 series with country supergroup Little Big Town on a world-class stage with the proper infrastructure in place for us to be able to handle most any artist in front of over 7,400 people.

Although Covid cancelled what would have been our 20th season in 2020, we celebrated the milestone by constructing a Can’t Stop The Music Donor Wall, which is permanently located on the west side of the stage.  It is filled with Live at the Garden sponsors and fans and their sentiments regarding the long-running series. We were able to come back with the series in June 2021 and celebrated our 100th concert with Brad Paisley and Jimmie Allen. 

I often have to pinch myself when I go back in my mind to the beginning and recall of all of the amazing memories of performers that have entertained us and made music lovers of all ages want to get up and dance in the Garden!

Our next season is upon us and this year’s lineup is sure not to disappoint!  First-time artists to perform at Live at the Garden Steely Dan and Lady A, alumni artists Darius Rucker, Chicago and the Doobie Brothers with Michael McDonald comprise the 5-show concert series for 2022.  

So, start planning those menus, dust off the candles and get out your dancing shoes.  We are ready to rock.  See you this summer at the Garden!

Hello, spring!

Event Design and Written by Ginni Jones | Photography by Annabella Charles Photography

After what seems like quite the long winter sheltered indoors, spring is finally here! And there’s no better way to celebrate than to invite all your loved ones over for a fun spring brunch. 

Set the Table

    It was about time to bring some bright colors to the table, so as always, I turned to my favorite ladies at Social to get the most beautiful pieces in order to create the perfect tablescape for this brunch. I already owned a few pieces I wanted to mix in with my new goodies from Social. I love the blue wine glasses, hand blown in Poland, from Estelle Colored Glass. Estelle has every color imaginable and they are the perfect “gems” for a festive table. I found the white oblong platters on a recent trip to Nashville. They reminded me of Easter eggs, perfect to display appetizers.

For china, I picked out some gorgeous pieces from the vast Herend collection available at Social. We paired the Princess Victoria dinner plate with the Fishscale salad plate in light blue and the combination turned out stunning. Layered below was a textured bronze charger also from Social. For napkins, we kept it simple with a white linen fabric piped with a scallop edged. And lastly, I couldn't leave without these exquisite glass and gold dragonfly salt and pepper shakers. Yes, they are probably the smallest detail, but they are the perfect mix of modern and vintage that I was looking for as inspiration for this spring tablescape! 

What’s for Brunch?

    Picking out the menu is always one of my favorite parts of hosting. I really wanted to highlight the season, so I tried to incorporate as much spring produce as possible. Also, since the menu featured brunch, I wanted to keep the food light and fresh. I love mixing mini bite snacks and platters, so I made two crostinis and a colorful crudite platter. The spring pea crostini, perfectly toasted bread layered with pea and basil pesto, fresh burrata cheese and prosciutto, was definitely a crowd favorite. The second crostini was an edamame and radish version, made with an edamame, mint and ricotta cheese—so fun and easy to create! Simply chop up fresh veggies like carrots, cucumbers, broccolini, spring peas and radishes and layer them around dips. Here I used a spicy avocado hummus and a tomato basil hummus. Don’t forget to add fresh pita slices (they’re even better toasted). 

The Flowers

You can’t welcome spring without fresh flowers! Coral and orange ranunculus paired together are always stunning. Add a bit of wax flower and tuck them into glass mini globe vases, and they add the perfect pop of color scattered around the table.

Create Your Own

 I can’t take all the credit for creating this fun and seasonal tablescape; I will be the first to admit I learned everything from my mom! She has been entertaining ever since I can remember. Whether it was a simple birthday dinner with our immediate family or our annual Christmas Eve Soups & Sips party for a crowd, she hosts every holiday with style and grace.

Here's what I have picked up from Lili Jones over the years: 

First, keep it simple. Don’t try to make something extravagant and then get frustrated when something doesn’t turn out exactly the way you wanted it. It’s important to not stress yourself out; you want to be present at your gathering and enjoy the time with your loved ones! 

Two, never forget to add something fresh! Whether it’s fresh flowers on the table or greenery from the yard placed in a vase—or even springs of herbs tucked under food on a platter—you always need a fresh element. 

Thirdly, my mom is always reminding me to use what I have. I am constantly looking for new decor, but I’ve learned to mix with what I have before I buy new. If you do buy more, shop locally.

And lastly, don’t forget the music. For our family, it is most likely Dave Matthews playing (quite loudly) over the speakers around the house. And we can’t forget how when we all gather in the kitchen and grab hands to pray; without fail, every time she sings “The more we are together, together, together…”. Whatever you prefer, just don’t forget the music!