Summer Sounds 2020 concerts

You are here

Happy crowd at Summer Sounds. Photo: Brian Moir

Photo: Brian Moir

 
The Gardens are turning 50. The Friends are turning 30.
Celebrate throughout 2020!

2020 marks 50 years since the Gardens opened to the public
and to celebrate this milestone the Gardens and Friends are
hosting an array of community events, exhibitions and programs.

ANBG 50th anniversary logo
Friends 30th anniversary logo

Relax into a three-weekend program featuring some of the best bands in the bush capital. As the sun goes down over the Gardens, enjoy Canberra's evenings with outdoor picnicking, live music, socialising and dancing – in a beautiful landscape of Australia's largest collection of native plants.

Program

PARTY WEEKEND – Top 40 hits of the 70s, 80s, 90s and today

  • Saturday 7 March – Purc Randall & Soultry Se-Lah with Canberra Swing Katz
  • Sunday 8 March – Sistas in Song with Jumptown Swing

TRIBUTE WEEKEND – A celebration of music icons Fleetwood Mac and Aussie rock and pop legends

  • Saturday 14 March – The Drinking Lizards with Kokoloco
  • Sunday 15 March – Sweet Little Lies with the National Capital Bootscooters

JAZZY WEEKEND – Smooth jazz and swing

  • Saturday 21 March – Annie and the Armadillos with Canberra Swing Katz
  • Sunday 22 March – The Liam Budge Jazz Quartet with Jumptown Swing

Find out more about the program.

Concerts are on the Eucalypt Lawn at the Gardens in Clunies Ross Street, Acton, on the lower slopes of Black Mountain. All concerts start at 5:00 pm and finish at 7.00. Bring a picnic or enjoy food and drinks for sale on site. There’ll be heaps to entertain the kids too inside the Gumnut Hut with face-painting, storytelling and craft activities.

Entry charges apply: $5 adults, $3 child and concession, 3 years and under free. Pay on arrival, or for online bookings see the ANBG website (a booking fee applies).

A complimentary assistance vehicle will operate from the car park areas to the Eucalypt Lawn. This service will operate both ways from 4:30 pm and concludes at 8.00 pm.

Questions? Find out more at the ANBG website.

Volunteers wanted!

We need volunteers to help with collecting entry donations, supervising parking and transport for disabled patrons, driving the electric vehicles up to the Eucalypt Lawn, and answering queries at the Information Tent.

For each concert we need nine volunteers as collectors/marshals, two more at the information tent, and four qualified electric vehicle drivers.

For more information about what's involved and to sign up as a volunteer,
go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0E49ABA72CA1F94-summer4.

 

Sponsors

Major Partner

ICON Water logo

Supported by

ACT Government logo
Goodwin logo
Club Lime logo

Media partner

Her Canberra logo
 

Program details

SATURDAY 7 MARCH - PURC RANDALL & SOULTRY SE-LAH with Canberra Swing Katz

Purc Randall & Soultry Se-Lah has captivated audiences in Canberra, Sydney, Wollongong and Melbourne with their unique and soulful tone in their live performances. They have a huge repertoire including Soul, Motown, Pop, RNB, Raggae, Top 40, Rock, Latin, Country and more.

To get the crowd warmed up and ready to go, Canberra Swing Katz will offer a pre-band dance workshop for the young and old. Known for their high energy, high flying performances and super fun classes, Canberra Swing Katz specialise in Charleston, Lindy Hop and related Swing Dances.

SUNDAY 8 MARCH – SISTAS IN SONG with Jumptown Swing

Nyoongar Country meets Murrawurri Country as First Nations vocalists Monica Moore and Belle Whyte join together to create this powerful, soulful and fun musical union. Belle and Monica will weave their culture and joyful energy through a selection of iconic party songs from across the decades. These two incredible voices will be backed by a trio of Canberra’s finest musicians in a performance not to be missed.

Jumptown Swing will join the fun with a dance workshop for young and old.  Jumptown is a not-for-profit organisation who have inspired and taught hundreds of students to swing dance in Canberra for more than 10 years.

SATURDAY 14 MARCH – THE DRINKING LIZARDS with Kokoloco

The Drinking Lizards are a hard rocking, high energy Canberra based Rock Band covering five decades of classic solid rock featuring Ven Licciardello as lead vocals, Cam Shelley on lead guitar, Damian Ashcroft on bass and Daniel Cooke on drums.

To add extra colour to the concert, Kokoloco will get the audience on their feet with a spectacular Latin and Zumba performance.  Kokoloco is one of Canberra's most prestigious dance studios and the best place to learn to dance, get fit and have fun!

SUNDAY 15 MARCH - SWEET LITTLE LIES with The National Capital Bootscooters

A Celebration of Fleetwood Mac, Sweet Little Lies takes you down memory lane performing the greatest hits, cult favourites and the best of Stevie.

Continue the top-tapping with the National Capital Bootscooters and bring on some line dancing fun!

SATURDAY 21 MARCH – ANNIE AND THE ARMADILLOS with Canberra Swing Katz

Annie and the Armadillos are a popular jazz, swing and blues band. Lead singer Annie Sloane delivers sultry jazz and popular songs with great style.

Canberra Swing Katz will be back to dance the night away with Annie.