Season Finale' KT and the Universal Love Band

The 2010 Garden Soiree Series Finale' features KT's Universal Love Band tonight. "kt's Universal Love brings audiences dancing to their feet with their uplifting and inspiring roots rhythms. Their eclectic blend of African, reggae and percussive music coupled with positive messages creates an infectious blend of original world music with Heart and Soul." Radio Milwaukee 88.9 Come and experience the amazing blend of electric bass, vox, ngoni, melodica and guitars playing all original afro-pop, regae music with a Milwaukee edge. Gardens open at 6:00 for viewing and music from 7-9 PM. Bring your chair, picnic basket, beverage and friends to the Garden. A suggested donation of $10 per person and non-perishable for the local food pantry is appreciated.

A percentage of proceeds will benefit Drepung Loseling Educational Fund for Tibetan refugees. The refugee fund has been an on-going benefit since our band's genesis. For a look at a Tibetan refugee / Milwaukee Correctional Art Exchange facilitated by kt and Express Yourself Milwaukee see:
>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9LjO9DFjes

Wonderful Evening

What a great night of music!!! Banty Bay drew the largest crowd of the season with the fresh sound of fiddles while guests participated in dancing on the green. Everyone enjoyed cheese, fruit, homemade shortbread and iced coffee. Thank you Bantry Bay.

NO RAIN Tonight...Bantry Bay Plays

If you enjoy listening to an Irish fiddle and stomping your feet to a traditional jig, you won't want to miss tonight's concert. Come and sit under the stars midst the gardens and listen to Bantry Bay. Bantry Bay is a traditional Irish music band based out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The band consists of Amy Otis Wilborn (Fiddle) and Patrick Daspit (Bouzouki & Guitar) sometimes joined by Sandy Weisto, their sound engineer, on guitar & vocals. The group performs throughout southeast Wisconsin for both private and public events. Frequently, friends and guest musicians also perform with the group. The band’s repertoire includes traditional Irish dance tunes and original melodies. Amy and Patrick are both strongly influenced by the Donegal fiddle tradition and many dance tunes from that region are to be heard in their music. Their material also includes traditional Irish songs, frequently with a maritime theme. For more information about Bantry Bay go to http://jpdaspit.dreamhosters.com/bantrybay. Gardens open at 6:00 for viewing and music from 7-9 PM. Bring your chair, picnic basket, beverage and friends to the Garden at 128 E. Kane St. in Port Washington. A suggested donation of $10 per person and non-perishable for the local food pantry is appreciated. See you tonight...

One Evening - 2 Artists

This weekend, Saturday 17th, we offer a lighter option for those who prefer a more gentle tone for Fish Day Festivities. This week we will be featuring 2 artists; John Higgins and Mark Hubing and Band. They will surprise us with individual artistry as well as dabbles of musical collaboration.



Singer/ Songwriter John Higgins spent some time in the USN, lot of time as an at home dad and as much time as possible playing guitar and banjo and writing songs. His songs are about every day life and usually include some kind of positive message. As a teacher for at risk students he finds great material for songs in the interactions of the people he meets. With his flat picking style of guitar and banjo playing he hopes to inspire folks into making the world a better place. John also would like to invite everyone to join him on the first Friday of every month, except July and January, at the “Acoustic Open Mic Live” an open mic he hosts at Living Hope Lutheran church community room in Saukville WI.



The Mark Hubing Band is a musical experience that presents fresh, bright lyrics in a blend of acoustical ballads, earth-groove beats and soul-rock songs in hopes of creating enjoyment and spreading love through music. The five-piece group arranges and performs songs written by Mark Hubing (acoustic). Hubing’s songs speak of the divinity in all aspects; regaling tales of loss and sorrow as well as pleasure and delight. Interesting and flowing, each song is a tribute to an idea or experience and is displayed accordingly by the budding soul/folk rock band. Hubing and his brother, Ben (drums) have been performing original music together since 2002. Through time, the duo gelled with an additional set of brothers Anthony Deutsch (keyboards, vocals) and Nick Deutsch (bass) as well as blues guitarist Scott Wadell (lead guitar).

This music brings encouragement for the down-trodden and peace for the mind. The group performs mainly in south-eastern Wisconsin in venues, gardens, backyards, canoe races, festivals, etc. and is always willing to explore a new opportunity to let their music be heard. To hear their music, get more information or invite them to perform, visit
http://www.facebook.com/l/c2064WOaGUIYC8Y40uQbAYLL76g;myspace.com/markhubingmusic

Bring a friend, your chair and picnic basket for a night of fun-filled lyrics and soulful melody. The Garden, located at 128 E. Kane, opens for touring at 6:00 PM with music from 7:00-9:00. A suggested donation of $10 shows our appreciation for the evenings local musical talent. We also suggest a non-perishable item to share with the Food Pantry.

First Rain-Out

As the Garden and the Artists were preparing for a night of music and leisure, mother nature planned her own chorus and light show. It was the first time in 2 seasons that the Garden was closed due to weather. Fortunately it wasn't your only opportunity to partake in the mischievious merriment of RíRá. You can find them at Irish Fest (http://www.irishfest.com) in Milwaukee August 19-22, 2010. If you love Celtic music you'll have another chance in the Garden. Bantry Bay is coming Saturday, June 24th. See you then.

Cedar Ridge Women are Guests for a Tour of the Garden

Fifteen lovely ladies toured the gardens and shared stories of their own garden experiences. The setting allowed for a wonderful opportunity to socialized with each other and create a new experience and memory. Following the tour, a light organic luncheon was served. The menu included: Fresh gazpacho as a starter, wild rice salad with oranges and cucumber, chicken salad served on a bed of sprouts with non-gluten bread, and for dessert - a peaches and cream cheesecake with a walnut cookie crust topped with fresh blueberries; fresh lemonade with mint and coffee.

RíRá is Coming to Provide Mischievious Merriment

Summer Soiree Series is proud to present RíRá. RíRá is an Irish trio with Ed Paloucek on fiddle, Kathleen Congleton on keyboard, and Jack Congleton on bodhran. They play traditional Irish, Scottish, and Cape Breton instrumental music. Having played together for nearly twenty years, they move effortlessly from lively reels, jigs, and polkas to waltzes and airs.

RíRá has performed at Milwaukee’s Irish Fest, the Food and Froth Festival at the Milwaukee Public Museum, the Skylight Opera Cabaret, the Pabst Theatre’s opening of its new Irish Pub, as well as numerous other events. They often play for area dances and provide music for dancers or dance instruction at parties and weddings.

The weather promises to be beautiful. The hostess will be serving her mother's recipe for iced coffee ala'mode. Come share a leisurely evening with friends and great music. Bring a your lawn chair and favorite snacks. Gardens open at 6 for touring. Music from 7-9. A donation of $10 is suggested along with a non-perishable food item for the local food pantry. See you Saturday night!!

Inland Moss is a Hit

Once again Inland Moss delights the crowd with their amazing talent and stage presence. We are so thankful that these gifted musicians are a part of our series. Two of the performers will be off to college in the fall and the band will be taking a hyatis. If you have a chance to see them before they take their break - see them. They are talented beyond words. Thank you Inland Moss. Hope to see you next year in the Garden!

Inland Moss Fires Up for the Holiday Weekend

Inland Moss is back mixing genres infused with bluegrass, folk, rock, and some blues into a jam band whose energy and maturity is moving them forward in the local music scene. Inland Moss has performed at the Big Thaw Bluegrass Festival, Flatrock Bluegrass Festival, Milwaukee Public Market to raise money for Children's Hospital's "Playroom of Hope", Summerfest 2010 and entertained guests at the Governor's Mansion in Madison.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StQ_VIfAR-M The members include Bruce R. King-Mandolin and vocals, Ian Haegele- Upright bass and vocals, and Eric Bruskotter-guitar and vocals. After a successful attempt at presenting a song for an freshmen english project, Bruce and Ian decided to keep on pickin' and then later Eric was recruited. "We went by with no name for some time, then the name was finally agreed upon (Inland Moss). Time passed and we got better and better at playing together and settled on a sound. We play just about any odd place you could think of: beauty solons, pancake breakfasts, church basements, sports bars, pizzerias, fourth of july celebrations, private parties and more." If you have a need for a band, don't hesitate to contact them at http://www.myspace.com/inlandmoss.

Embedded Reporter to Perform June 26th

Our next musician is a very popular/visible group, performing in many venues. Embedded Reporter is dynamic in concert. The music is all over the map style-wise including ballads, Broadway, film-tunes, rock, blues, country, folk, roots, Latin, and more. Vocal harmonies are rich. Instrumentation is largely acoustic. “We do amplify as the situation warrants,” says Lewis “We’re not a ‘cover band’, although we do ‘cover’ a lot of great tunes. But we tend to perform them somewhat differently from the originals. Audiences can also expect to hear a broad range of original material in many different genres.” “We tell stories about what we see and things that have happened to us,” says Howard Lewis. “They are snapshots from a personal point of view, but many of the experiences are universal in nature. Others are just plain funny. We also do songs by others, written in the same vein. All sorts of people relate to the music.”Singer and guitarist Lewis formed his first band, Alberta Blue, in 1971, touring the East Coast for five years. Along the way he began crafting material. “Songwriting and performing have been a constant ever since,” he says. Violinist and Percussionist Darrell Smith, a native of Chapel Hill, NC, joined Embedded Reporter in 2003. According to Lewis, “Darrell has a fantastic musical ear, uses it to arrange his vocal, violin, and conga parts, and brings his wide ranging musical interests to the band.” Veteran musician Will Havens adds mandolin to the mix. A long-time member of the Milwaukee Mandolin Orchestra, Havens began his musical career on the beaches of Southern California playing guitar. Mark Hubing adds bass to the mix. Says Lewis, “Most people who know Mark as a singer/songwriter don’t realize he is also a great bassist.” The songs are rich in lyrical content. Embedded Reporter is a singer’s band. “It’s very joyful,” says Smith. “We do lowbrow music for smart people.”

For Private Bookings Contact:Howard Lewis 262) 573-0325 hhinterthuer@hotmail.com
or Darrell Smith(414) 313-4323 naturalo@sbcglobal.net

Remember your beverage and snacks while listening to some garden music. Suggested donation is $10 per person as well as a food item to support the Food Pantry. Gardens open at 6:00 with music from 7:00-9:00.

Zach is Ready to Launch Out

Zach opened with a cover, but most of the remainder of the night was original work. One song that stood out was a melody written in honor of his grandmother who had passed. The theme was that things can change in the snap of a finger and the challenge she left for Zach was to "play through the mistakes". It's a great life lesson as well. One of the highlights of the evening was his unique and soulful interpretation of the Bass Guitar. We wish Zach would stay in the area, but he has plans to move to Texas to pursue his musical career. He has promised a CD will be one of the next goals. We will let you know when it is released.

A Wedding in the Garden

The garden was recently selected as a venue for an organic/sustainable wedding. A portion of the food and all flowers were grown on site. The dishes and silverware were a collection of secondhand store and garage sale items in order to refrain from the use of disposable products. Many of the linens were donated from friends and community as a token of sharing in the sustainable ideology of this event. Guest chefs prepared and served a hand crafted vegan menu of passed appetizers and a 3 course meal from within the resident kitchen. Finally, the brides dress was a remake of her mother-in-law's dress with augmentation of another vintage dress completed by hand and machine sewing done by the bride and mother of the bride.

The Garden Hosts Tour for Cedar Ridge

Guests from Cedar Ridge will enjoy a private botanical tour followed by a homemade luncheon July 6 and English Tea July 12 with provisions raised in the garden and local farmers market. Cedar Ridge is a not-for-profit, United Church of Christ–affiliated organization based in West Bend, Wisconsin. Cedar Community’s mission is to serve the Lord by creating relationships, services and environments that enhance the well-being of seniors and their families. This mission expands to offer individuals experiences that facilitate body, mind, and spirit wellness. Paula, the director, has chosen "Bernadette's Organic Botanicals" because she believes that this venue addresses the 7 levels of personal wellness; spiritual, physical, social, intellectual, emotional, environmental and occupational. The hostess looks forward to providing a gracious event filled with new memories.

Zach Steiner Featured June 19th

We discovered Zach Steiner at a fundraiser event this winter at Wauwatosa East High. Within moments of his performance he proved to be an intensely gifted musician with deep lyrical talent. He is a self taught guitarist influenced by such great songwriters as Bob Dylan and Neil Young. A bassist at heart, the trained ear can hear active bass lines in his acoustic work. As a writer he captures his personal reflections on society and the effects social culture has in one's own life. Zach will be moving to Austin, Texas in September and hopes to become a part of the ever growing music and arts culture in that area. He says he will never stop playing and when you hear his music, you'll be inclined to believe him. This is his premier performance in the garden. Come and applaud his talent and discover the world through his musical language. Looking forward to seeing you all again this weekend. Bring your goodies and a friend to share the magic. Suggested donation is $10 per person and a gift of food to share with the Food Pantry.

Upcoming Events:
June 26 Embedded Reporter
July 3 Inland Moss
July 10 Roller Mills String Band
July 17 John Higgins/Mark Hubing and Band
July 24 Bantry Bay
July 31 Finale' KT and the Universal Love Band

The Garden Introduces its House Wine from Cowhorn Vineyards in Oregon

We are now proud to offer our guests a biodynamic wine produced by extended family in Oregon. This vineyard exemplifies the philosophy and practises we characterize in "Bernadette's Organic Botanicals". Cowhorn Wine is certified by Demeter® USA a the non-profit American chapter of Demeter International, the world’s only certifier of Biodynamic® farms and products. Biodynamic agriculture goes beyond organic, envisioning the farm as a self-contained and self-sustaining organism. In an effort to keep the farm, the farmer, the consumer, and the earth healthy, farmers avoid chemical pesticides and fertilizers, utilize compost and cover crops, and set aside a minimum of 10% of their total acreage for biodiversity. Cowhorn Wine offerings include Syrah, Grenache, Grenache Rose, Viognier and others. Read more about this product at http://www.cowhornwine.com/index.html. You're invited to come to the garden and get a sampling of the "grape."

A Night with a Song of it's Own

Unfortunately our Ms. Carrie Melton got sick the day before she was booked to perform. Though she was greatly missed our guests rallied and talent was raised from voices within the crowd. Glen Walters took a stroll home to retrieve his guitar with book of lyrics and returned with a set that wowed everyone. Glen performed cover as well as some of his own music. After a short intermission, Callie Thurow performed a variety of pieces accapella showcasing showtunes, Ave Maria, and more requests from the guests. The evening ended with wine and cheese accompanied by wonderful conversation and community bonding. Thanks to the adaptability and kind generosity of the guests, the night was a unique night of gifted musical creation.

Carrie Melton to be Featured June 12th

We are so excited to present Miss Carrie Melton as one of our artists this season. Carrie is a Saukville singer, songwriter and a 2010 WAMI nominee for new artist of the year. Carrie performs with a full band in which she plays cover as well as a wonderful itinerary of acoustic solos written by herself and performed with Tara Tzimopoulos who accompanies with a banjo. You won't want to miss this delicate performer who presents with a profoundly powerful voice. The garden opens at 6:00 with music from 7-9. Bring your chair and picnic basket. See you Saturday night.

Sun and Song

What a beautiful day for a gathering. The PWHS Vocal Jazz Ensemble were showcased in the natural setting of the spring garden. This performance was presented without any technology enhancements.....only the clarity of true vocals in the natural setting of spring blooms. The result was another award winning performance that produced a generous donation of $300 to continue the promotion of music and the arts in the Port Washington High School. The event finished with a feast of homemade goodness and dessert from fruits of the garden...rhubarb. A big thank you goes out to the young talent, Mr. Gephart's dedication and the generous gifts of the guests. This was a great way to begin the 2010 Garden Soiree' Season.

Season Kick-off With the Port Washington Vocal Jazz Ensemble

Last years Garden Soiree' Series had a magical affect on the plantings in the garden at 128 E. Kane Street. The results have inspired another concert series for 2010. This years kick-off will combine the talent of Port Washington's award winning vocal jazz ensemble "Limited Edition" and samplings of new garden growth donated by the hostess Mary Bernadette. The community is invited to a benefit concert at "Bernadette's Organic Botanicals" which will include a repertoire of vocal artistry and a spring garden tour. There will be free plantings from the garden for the first 100 attendees. Bring your blankets, beverage and snack for an afternoon of music and fun. The event will take place on Sunday, May 23 with gardens open at 1:00 for touring and music from 2:00-3:30 PM. A donation of $10 is requested to help support the continued growth of musical talents the Port Washington High School Vocal Dept. The subsequent Garden Soiree' Series Events will be Saturday evenings with gardens open at 6:00 and music from 7-9 PM.

NEW SEASON at BERNADETTE'S ORGANIC BOTANICALS

Hello Fans,

We had many requests for a repeat season in the garden for concerts and conversation. After some encouragement of community and musicians we created a more comprehensive list of artists and longer season of musical enjoyment. We also realized we needed a name for our garden so you will see our events being held at "Bernadette's Organic Botanicals". Here is the line-up for the 2010 Garden Soiree' Series. See you in the Garden!!!

May 23rd Kick-off PWHS "Limited Edition" vocal jazz ensemble
June 12 Carrie Melton
June 19 Zachary Steiner
June 26 Embedded Reporter
July 3 Inland Moss
July 10 Roller Mills String Band
July 17 John Higgins/Mark Hubing and Band
July 24 Bantry Bay
July 31 Finale' KT and the Universal Love Band