Schooner Fare plays to a packed house June 27 at McLaughlin Garden and Homestead kick off to its Thursday Night in the Garden music Series. Submitted

PARIS — On Thursday, June 27, Schooner Fare, one of Maine’s most beloved bands, kicked off a summer of music at the McLaughlin Garden in South Paris, with a June Outdoor Concert sponsored by Bearfoot Realty and season sponsor Stephens Memorial Hospital – Maine Health.

Praised for their captivating harmonies and winning stage presence, Chuck and Steve Romanoff delighted a standing room only crowd in the historic McLaughlin Barn as they shared their catalog of traditional, folk, and original songs.  As McLaughlin Garden Managing Director Karla Horecky shared, “we were so fortunate to host such a well-known band as we begin a summer filled with wonderful music at the McLaughlin Garden.”

Coming soon, the first of five performances included in the McLaughlin Garden’s Thursday Night in the Garden Series, will begin on Thursday, July 11th with the jazz duo John Smedley and Tim Clough.  On the following Thursday, July 18th, the Chicks with Sticks Steel Drum Band will transport us to the islands with their whimsical tunes, and concert attenders are guaranteed to leave with smiles on their faces.

Other events in the Thursday Night in the Garden series include a Disco Dance Party with DJ Peter G on July 25th , and Line Dancing with Dee Dee Allen on August 1st.  On August 8th, multi-instrumentalists Vanessa Jones and Jerry Adams of Sky Blue Canoe will share folk, bluegrass and original music certain to delight audience members of all ages.   The Thursday Night in the Garden Series is generously sponsored by Oxford Federal Credit Union and season sponsor Stephens Memorial Hospital – Maine Health.  Each of the Thursday events runs from 6:00 – 8:00pm and all are free and open to the public.

Thursday Night in the Garden Series

●      John Smedley and Tim Clough, Jazz Duo | July 11, 2024 from 6-8 p.m.

●      Chicks with Sticks Steel Drum Band | July 18, 2024 from 6-8 p.m.

●      Disco Dance Party in the Barn | July 25 from 6-8 p.m.

●      Line Dancing with Dee Dee Allen | August 1 from 6-8 p.m.

●      Sky Blue Canoe | August 8, 2024 from 6-8 p.m.

In addition, the McLaughlin Garden is pleased to host a Community Concert performed by world class musicians from the Sebago – Long Lake Music Festival on Friday, July 26th from 2:30 – 4:30pm.   This concert is a collaborative effort among the McLaughlin Garden, the Sebago-Long Lake Music Festival, and the Western Maine Cancer Resource Center.  There is a suggested donation of $15 and all proceeds will be divided equally among these three local non-profit organizations.

Discovery Concert in the Barn

●      Discovery Concert – Performed by Sebago-Long Lake Music Festival | July 26, 2024 from 2:30-4:30 p.m.

Upcoming Signature Events

●      Garden Illuminated – Featuring Live Music by Pat Colwell and the Soul Sensations | August 24, 2024 from 7-10 p.m.  Ticketed Event.

●      Jack-o’-Lantern Spectacular | October 17, 18 & 19, 2024 from 6-8:30 p.m.

For more information, please see the McLaughlin Garden events page at www.mclaughlingarden.org or call  207-743- 8820, to learn more about these events and other programs at the McLaughlin Garden and Homestead.