On July Wednesdays, the Cambridge University Botanic Garden will be staying open late until 8pm for visitors to discover the magic of the early evening glasshouses and gardens.
The Cambridge Summer Music Festival is again bringing its Sounds Green series of four open air proms to the evening openings, each one starting at 6.15pm and offering an hour of vibrant music in glorious surroundings. Normal Garden admission applies, and concert goers are asked to make a ‘pay as you like’ contribution to the musicians’ fees. Sounds Green proms take place on the Main Lawn and visitors are encouraged to bring along a small folding chair or cushion to sit on – and to check the weather forecast to see if a brolly and raincoat may be required for the English summer!
Sounds Green I: The Gnawa Yinga Trio
Wednesday 4 July, 6.15pm
The Gnawa Yinga Trio bring Morrocan and African drums, guembri, song and dance to the Garden, in a fusion of sacred songs and rhythms from Morocco and Burkina Faso.
Sounds Green II: Three Dimensional Jazz
Wednesday 11 July, 6.15pm
Regulars at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Three Dimensional Jazz will present a programme of favourite jazz standards complete with a driving rhythm section. Expect some spectacular improvisation.
Sounds Green III: Trovador
Wednesday 18 July, 6.15pm
Trovador is a flamenco fusion quartet with influences from Brazilian and classical music, providing an expressive performance full of rhythm, passion and grace.
Sounds Green IV: The Aurora Trio
Wednesday 25 July, 6.15pm
The Aurora Trio is a young and versatile group (flute, clarinet and bassoon) bringing a programme of Mozart, Bach, Gershwin, Joplin and Mendelssohn.
The Garden Cafe has devised a light and summery 2 course pre-proms menu for £10.00 per head, with the dessert design to be taken away and devoured while listening to the music! Main course choices will include asparagus and parma ham salads, lemon sole with a watercress salad, gardener's ploughmans salads, smoked salmon and water cress tarts, and there'll be children's options too. You can pre-book a table on 01223 763425. Last orders are at 7.00pm.
The Garden Cafe will also be setting up a market stall on the Glasshouse Terrace offering picnic extras such as marinated olives, anti pasti pots, strawberries, ice creams and summer berry punch. The Botanic Garden Shop will also be open late.
Evening openings are kindly supported by Mills & Reeve. The Garden will close at 8pm on Sounds Green evenings.
