Garden Jams brings a weekly outdoor concert to the Penn Museum

There’s a seasonal way to explore music at the Penn Museum with Garden Jams—their annual outdoor summer concert series—and it all kicks off this week for summer 2024.

In July, Wednesday evenings at the cultural institution will highlight live music, happy hour specials and food trucks in its historic Stoner Courtyard. After the festivities wrap up outside, visitors can also gain after-hours access to the Museum’s galleries and exhibitions, including ‘Ancient Food & Flavor’, until 8 p.m.

The kick-off celebration takes place this Wednesday, July 10 with a live performance from the West Philadelphia Orchestra. As a release notes, founded in 2006, the WPO plays original tunes written by its own band members. Percussionist and WPO Founder Gregg Mervine says the band was inspired by the “fanfares” of Eastern Europe and many other sources.

“Balkan brass bands are the most prominent influence, and we always mix in a few classic tunes from that repertoire,” Mervine explains in a statement. “We’ve had a lot of fun in the past—weaving in and out of the gardens and fountains, parading around with kids, and creating a wide-open, free-flowing environment at Garden Jams.”

Future performances headed to the Penn Museum this summer include Zydeco-a-Go-Go bringing vintage New Orleans rock and jukebox hits (July 17), Glenn Bryan and Friends playing genres like jazz, classical, R&B, and Latin (July 24) and Guachinangos bringing “a Latin fusion like no other” with a mix of Mexican and Colombian influences (July 31).

Visitors who are interested in the summer music series can also opt for some add-ons in the form of pre-paid drinks and private guided tours through the Penn Museum (advance purchase is recommended.)

Price-wise, tickets are $15 for general admission, $5 for PennCard holders, and free for Penn Museum members. Penn Museum admission until 8 p.m. is included for free with each Garden Jams ticket. And note, in case of inclement weather, concerts will move indoors.

To find out more information, visit penn.museum