Music in the Gardens
Live Music Blooms at 577!
Music in the Gardens is back at 577 this summer. Beginning in June, the gardens come alive with live music on the second Saturday of each month, June through September, offering a relaxed soundtrack for a day spent outdoors. Wander the paths, pause under the trees, or settle in for a bit as music becomes part of the backdrop to your visit.
These concerts are free, family-friendly, and take place rain or shine, inviting the community to slow down and enjoy 577 in a different way. Experience the beauty of the gardens and Virginia’s House beyond classes and meetings, with space to listen, explore, and spend time together in a creative, welcoming setting.
Opening Weekend: Saturday, June 13
11am – 1pm: Urban Jazz Collective (Jazz, Blues)
1pm – 2pm: Sylvania Northview Tri-M (Classical, Pop)
2pm – 4pm: Birds of a Feather Sing Together (Jazz, Big Band, Easy Listening)
Special thanks to Hartmann • Bogan Financial Planning for sponsoring Music in the Gardens 2026. Their generous support helps make this free, family-friendly series possible for our community to enjoy all season long.
Scroll down for the full summer lineup!
Donna Scott & Friends Salute Juneteenth
Friday, June 19 ~ 11am to 1pm
Celebrate Juneteenth with an uplifting afternoon of live jazz on the Outdoor Stage at 577. Acclaimed vocalist Donna E. Scott will be joined by Pete Ford on keyboard and Norman Damschroder for a soulful performance honoring the spirit of Juneteenth through the enduring traditions of jazz and Black musical artistry.
Known for her rich contralto voice, dynamic stage presence, and versatility across musical styles, Donna E. Scott is an award-winning singer who has performed at festivals, jazz clubs, and educational programs throughout the United States and abroad.
This free concert is open to all and will be held rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather, the performance will move indoors to Virginia’s House.
Presented by Toledo Federation of Musicians and proudly sponsored by The Arts Commission.
Dr. Doodlebug’s Storytime Adventure with Merrill Rainey
Tuesday, June 30 ~ 10am to 11:30am
Join author and illustrator Merrill Rainey for a special interactive read-aloud of his book, On the Air with Dr. Doodlebug. After the story, children will create a nature journal and learn how to draw Dr. Doodlebug with step-by-step guidance.
Following the read-aloud and draw-along, families are encouraged to explore the grounds and fill their journals with sketches and observations of bugs, plants, and other discoveries from nature.
The program will conclude with a short Q&A and an opportunity to have books signed by the author.
Class Notes: $10 registration fee includes a copy of Merrill Rainey’s book On the Air With Dr. Doodlebug and all supplies. Cost is per child; please register each child separately. Adults are free and do not need to register. Caregivers should attend with their child. This program is designed for children ages 4 to 9 with an adult guardian.
This event is part of our Meet the Author StoryWalk® series funded in part by a grant from the Walleye Wishing Well Fund of the Greater Toledo Community Foundation.
A Musical Reading Adventure with Risa Beth Cohen
Friday, July 17 ~ 10am to 12pm
Enjoy a joyful morning of music, movement, and reading with Risa Beth Cohen on the Outdoor Stage at 577.
Children and their grown-ups will begin by making and decorating simple instruments, then join Risa for an interactive concert featuring original songs from her album “Oh Friends We Love You” along with familiar sing-along favorites. Through music, movement, and imaginative play, families will sing, dance, and explore together.
After the concert, 577 staff will lead a guided StoryWalk® adventure featuring the children’s book “When Rubin Plays” by Gracey Zhang.
Designed especially for young children and their grown-ups, this free event is best suited for children developmentally under age 7. No registration is required. Families are invited to stay afterward to continue exploring the gardens and grounds or browse the Curiosity Shop for children’s books and other treasures.
In the event of inclement weather, the performance will move indoors to Virginia’s House.
This event is part of our Meet the Author StoryWalk® series funded in part by a grant from the Walleye Wishing Well Fund of the Greater Toledo Community Foundation.
Storytime at 577
Wednesdays this Summer! June 3 – August 26: 10am & 11am
Enjoy Storytime at 577 every Wednesday morning this summer. Each session features special books from the library or our collection, many of which have appeared along the StoryWalk®, along with songs, movement, and adventures around the grounds and gardens.
Storytime takes place on the Outdoor Stage at 10am and 11am. Rain locations will be announced as needed.
Storytime is free and open to all, with no preregistration required. It is best suited for children ages 2 to 6, though siblings of all ages are welcome. Each session is limited to 20 children, so we encourage families to arrive on time to help ensure space for everyone.
Annual special events include April’s Earth Month Celebration, May’s Plant Sale featuring tomatoes, veggies, native plants, and the Music in the Gardens series beginning in June. Plus, be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook for pop-up special events in the Gardens and Curiosity Shop.
Events are free, family-friendly, and open to all!
Mark Your Calendar: 2026 Special Events
Music in the Gardens
Plant Sale
Joy & Light
Go Green Day
Live Music Blooms at 577!
Music in the Gardens is back at 577 this summer. Beginning in June, the gardens come alive with live music on the second Saturday of each month, June through September, offering a relaxed soundtrack for a day spent outdoors. Wander the paths, pause under the trees, or settle in for a bit as music becomes part of the backdrop to your visit.
These concerts are free, family-friendly, and take place rain or shine, inviting the community to slow down and enjoy 577 in a different way. Experience the beauty of the gardens and Virginia’s House beyond classes and meetings, with space to listen, explore, and spend time together in a creative, welcoming setting.
Saturday, June 13
- 11am – 1pm: Urban Jazz Collective (Jazz, Blues)
- 1pm – 2pm: Sylvania Northview Tri-M (Classical, Pop)
- 2pm – 4pm: Birds of a Feather Sing Together (Jazz, Big Band, Easy Listening)
Saturday, July 11
- 11am – 1pm: Music by BLISS (Eclectic, Folk, Americana, Blues)
- 1pm – 2pm: Pride of Toledo Chorus
- 2pm – 4pm: Quick Trio (Jazz)
Saturday, August 8
- 11am – 1pm: Alizabeth Nowland (Harpist)
- 1pm – 2pm: Sylvania Northview Tri-M (Classical, Pop)
- 2pm – 4pm: Arsenio Rodrigues (Classic Rock, Country)
Saturday, September 12
- 11am – 1pm: Jeff Tucker (Singer-Songwriter)
- 1pm – 2pm: Sylvania Northview Tri-M (Classical, Pop)
- 2pm – 4pm: EZ PICKENZ (Classic Rock, Country)
Special thanks to Hartmann • Bogan Financial Planning for sponsoring Music in the Gardens 2026. Their generous support helps make this free, family-friendly series possible for our community to enjoy all season long.
Annual Spring Plant Sale
577’s Annual Plant Sale returns Saturday, May 2, and Sunday, May 3, from 9am to 5pm, inviting gardeners of all experience levels to welcome the growing season. Held in the Courtyard next to the Welcome Center & Curiosity Shop, this popular spring event features a vibrant selection of organically grown vegetables, herbs, and annual and native flowers, all cultivated by 577’s organic horticulture team.
From classic garden favorites to unique varieties, our plants are grown with care and ready to thrive in your home garden. The sale takes place rain or shine, and plants are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Quantities are limited, and many varieties sell out quickly.
If plants remain after the first weekend, they will be available for purchase during Welcome Center & Curiosity Shop open hours, Monday through Saturday, 9am to 5pm.
Click the link to preview this year’s plant varieties
Proceeds from plant sales support 577’s programs, gardens, and community initiatives, helping sustain the spaces and experiences enjoyed by visitors year-round.
Joy & Light: A Celebration of Art, Music, & Community
What a truly beautiful first year for Joy & Light: A Celebration of Art, Music, & Community.
Thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday and helped fill 577 with warmth, creativity, and connection. Seeing friends, families, neighbors, and new visitors come together made this event everything we hoped it would be.
We’re gathering all of the beautiful cards you created for the kids at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Toledo and will be delivering them soon. Your kindness will brighten so many little hearts this season.
A special thank-you to the talented musicians from Northview Tri-M Music Honor Society and to harpist Rebecca Swett for filling Virginia’s House with such gorgeous music.
And heartfelt thanks to our wonderful volunteers — Pat S. and the members of Alpha Phi Omega from the University of Toledo — for giving their time, energy, and kindness to help make the day run smoothly.
We are so grateful to this community. Thank you for helping us celebrate the season with joy and light.
Save the Date: Saturday, December 5!
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US!
What a day! Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate Go Green Day with us at 577. It was so special to see the grounds filled with people exploring, creating, and connecting.
Go Green Day is a free community event celebrating sustainability with hands-on activities, garden discoveries, and creative experiences for all ages. Whether you’re planting seeds, getting crafty, or exploring the natural world, it’s a fun and engaging way to connect with nature and your community.
Go Green Day is a free event. Rain or shine.
Celebrate Earth Month with 577 in April!
Virginia Secor Stranahan envisioned 577 as a place where people would “learn to love the land.” While the world celebrates Earth Day on April 22, here we honor it every day.
Join us in April, as we highlight the many ways we can all make small changes that make a big impact in protecting the planet. By taking action and working together, we can help ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.
Sustainability and the environment are one of 577’s key pillars. During April, many of our classes are tailored towards keeping our planet green, reusing and repurposing, and exploring new ways of loving the environment around us. Through sustainable art, and learning about & implementing greener practices, we can lead by example and inspire others to make the change(s) too.
Become a 2026 Event Sponsor
Help make next year’s signature gatherings even more memorable. In 2026, 577 will host Go Green Day on Saturday, April 25—a full day of hands-on eco activities, family fun, and community action focused on sustainability and conservation—and the beloved Music in the Gardens summer concert series, which fills the gardens with live music and connection all summer long.
Event sponsorship provides meaningful community visibility and a custom package of promotional benefits while directly supporting free, high-quality programming for visitors of all ages.
If you are interested in becoming an Organizational Sponsor to support 577’s mission year-round, or would like to learn more about 2026 event sponsorship opportunities and benefits, please contact Kelly Hirsh, Assistant Director of Administrative Operations, at 419-874-4174 or khirsh@577foundation.org.