The 26th season of Jazz in June launches June 6 with a performance by LaFrae Sci and Sonic Black featuring Lakecia Benjamin.
An internationally known composer, drummer and educator, Sci teaches at Jazz at Lincoln Center and the Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls in New York City. Her band, Sonic Black, is an educational collective that creates interactive presentations on African-American musical contributions to U.S. and world history.
Saxophonist Benjamin has shared the stage with Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, The Roots and Macy Gray. She has played with or written arrangements for Santigold, Maurice Brown, the Clark Terry Big Band, Krystle Warren and Talib Kweli.
Concerts are at 7 p.m. each Tuesday in June in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s sculpture garden west of the Sheldon Museum of Art, 12th and R streets. The concert series is free, but attendees are encouraged to make a donation of $10 per family to help ensure its continuation.
Concertgoers are allowed to bring lawn chairs or blankets. Pets are not allowed. Recycling bins are provided throughout the concert area.
VIP tickets available
Tickets may be purchased for a reserved space in the section in front of the band. Each ticket includes a guaranteed space for one lawn chair, a beverage and sandwich. Tickets are available here, by calling 402-472-4747 or at the Lied Center ticket office, 301 N. 12th St., which is open from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays.
Free basic yoga
Campus Recreation offers yoga at 5:30 p.m. each Tuesday in June before the concert northwest of Woods Hall. Participants are encouraged to bring a towel or mat.
Marketplace
Located at 12th and R streets, the Jazz in June Market features a variety of vendors with food, drinks and artisan-made crafts. The marketplace opens at 5 p.m. each week. A full list of vendors is available here.
Bike parking service
Bike Valet provides free, secure parking for bicycles from 5 p.m. until an hour after each concert at the east end of the market. For more information, click here or call the Outdoor Adventures Center at 402-472-4777.
Garden tours
Representatives of Landscape Services, Lincoln Parks and Recreation and Sheldon Museum of Art offer walking tours of campus gardens at 6 p.m. each Tuesday in June. The tours, which are free, start at Sheldon’s east entrance. The “What’s Blooming in Love Gardens” tour on June 6 will feature information perennials growing in the garden south of Love Library. The tour will be led by Ann Powers, a landscape assistant with landscape services.
Inclement weather
In the event of inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances, a Jazz in June concert may need to be canceled. Information on cancellations will be posted here and here.
For more information about the annual concert series, click here.
