Whitaker Music Festival announces 2011 schedule

The Whitaker Music Festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden has announced the schedule of performers for its 2011 season. The annual summer series of Wednesday night concerts kicks off on June 1, and though this year's schedule doesn't feature any straightahead jazz shows, there are a few performers who may be of interest to jazz fans.

Of particular note is Irish singer-guitarist Nigel Mooney (pictured), who's being touted as "the first international act to take the Whitaker Music Festival stage" and "widely regarded as Ireland’s leading jazz singer and guitarist." Mooney will perform on Wednesday, June 29, and you can see him singing "Hard Times" in the video embedded at the bottom of this post. He sounds pretty good, though bringing an Irish guy to St. Louis to play blues and jazz definitely could be thought of as a musical "coals-to-Newcastle" kind of deal.

At any rate, here's the complete 2011 Whitaker Music Festival schedule:

June 1: Gumbohead
June 8: Teddy Presberg
June 15: Hudson and the Hoodoo Cats
June 22: Jenny Kavanaugh Band
June 29: Nigel Mooney
July 6: Marquise Knox
July 13: Western Satellites
July 20: Billy Peek
July 27: Erin Bode
August 3: Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three

The Whitaker Music Festival concerts are held outdoors on the lawn of the Cohen Amphitheater, just west of the Climatron dome. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets, and are welcome to bring their own picnic baskets or coolers or to purchase food and beverages on site. Admission to the Garden is free on Wednesdays after 5:00 p.m., with music beginning at 7:30 p.m.

For more information, visit the Garden's website or call the recorded hotline at 314-577-9400. In the event of inclement weather, In the event of inclement weather, check the Garden’s website, Twitter feed or Facebook page for immediate concert updates.