The City of Aiken Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Department presents the 51^st Annual Hopelands Concert Series, bringing live performances by local artists on the Roland H. Windham Performing Arts Stage at the beautiful Hopelands Gardens every Monday evening during April, May, and June. The series kicks off on April 7 at 6:30 PM and continues through June 30.

This family-friendly event is free to attend, and guests are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket for seating. Picnics are welcome, but alcohol is strictly prohibited. In the event of inclement weather, performances will be moved indoors to Odell Weeks Center (Gym 2) at 1700 Whiskey Road.

Event parking is available at the Green Boundary Club (780 Whiskey Road), with handicap parking offered at Rye Patch (100 Berrie Road)and Hopelands Gardens (135 Dupree Place).

We are pleased to announce the 2025 Hopelands Concert Series performance lineup, with dates and performers subject to change:

• April 7^th, 2025, at 6:30pm: The Lady & The Gents, Sponsored by Aiken Homes Team at Meybohm Real Estate

The Lady & The Gents is described as a classic and classy R&B and Smooth Jazz Band

with the ability to collectively and creatively resurrect classic oldies (but goodies) and

breathe new life into them by pairing them with yet another classic to create “musical

masterpieces (mash-ups)” that leaves audiences wanting more. The community has

voted them Augusta’s Best R&B and Jazz Band 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

• April 14^th, 2025, a 6:30pm: SwingStation, Sponsored by Women of Woodside

Established in 1990, Swingsation, is an 15-piece big band with vocals performing music from the 30′s and 40′s up to today. Swingsation has performed throughout the CSRA at civic events and private parties.

• April 21^st, 2025, at 6:30pm: Whiskey Business Band, Sponsored by Suzy Haslup & Kathryn Siders, Meybohm Real Estate

Whiskey Business is the 2024 "Aiken County Battle at the Alley" champion and consists of six musicians from all parts of the US, and one from England. They play a diverse set, featuring rock, pop, jazz and blues.

• April 28^th, 2025, at 6:30pm: Experiment & I-20 Horns, Sponsored by Cumberland Village

The Experiment and the I-20 Horns are a group of 7 Musicians from the Aiken, North Augusta and Augusta area. The group consists of 2 trumpets, tenor sax, trombone, guitar bass guitar and drums. The diverse backgrounds of all the performers allow the group to play all genres of music for all occasions.

• May 5^th, 2025, at 7:00pm: Heart & Soul: Sponsored by Security Federal

Heart & Soul is made up of seven local musicians who perform together each year for the

Aiken Women’s Heart Board benefit at the USCA Etheredge Center. In addition, they often

perform for local parties, festivals and weddings throughout the community.

• May 12^th, 2025, at 7:00pm: The Aiken Concert Band, Sponsored by Aiken Performing Arts

The Aiken Concert Band is a non-profit organization created to promote musical

entertainment and enjoyment to the citizens of Aiken and the Central Savannah River

Area. The band is presently composed of over 70 talented musicians from the Aiken

area. The band is currently under the leadership of Music Director and Conductor Mr.

Todd Jenkins.

• May 19^th, 2025, at 7:00pm: The SureFires, Sponsored by The Willcox

The SureFires “Jaycie & Brooke” was formed after the two gals happily got hired

together as back-up singers for the popular “Goin’ South” (A Tribute To Southern Music)

and has headlined shows at notable places like The Miller Theater, The Riverfront

Amphitheater & Lexington Icehouse to name a few. Once they saw the response to

them joining forces as a harmonious female duo, they knew they had something special.

They are thrilled to perform their acoustic stylings of popular songs (and maybe a couple

of originals in between)!

• May 26^th, 2025, at 7:00pm: Aiken Civic Ballet, Sponsored by The Friends of Hopelands and Rye Patch

Founded by Carl Crosby, the company has been in existence for over 54 years. Under the

Artistic Direction of Laura Jones, the company produces original ballets and contemporary

dance works. The Aiken Civic Ballet is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.

• June 2^nd, 2025, at 7:00pm: Keely & Megan, Sponsored by Butterfly Monarch Club

Keely Jean Rhodes, a Grammy Award-winning vocalist and assistant professor of music, and Dr. Megan Rich, head of piano studies, perform as a duo. Both are accomplished musicians and professors at USC Aiken, with Dr. Rich also being affiliated with the Frances Clark Center and the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy. This unique concert is sure to be an inspiring musical collaboration.

• June 9^th, 2025, at 7:00pm: Aiken Brass Band, Sponsored by Armstrong Air. And South Carolina Air Distributors

The Aiken Brass is made up of six members and has been performing for over 20 years

at church services, weddings, festivals, and parties.

• June 16^th, 2025, at 7:00pm: Josh Martin Band, Sponsored by Pass Heating and Cooling and Armstrong Air

An eclectic group that is skilled in several genres. All of the members have played across the U.S. from Morgan Freeman’s Ground Zero Blues Club, cruise ships, Vegas, Memphis and Nashville.

• June 23^rd, 2025, at 7:00pm: Chris Ndeti, Sponsored by Overflow Foundation

Chris Ndeti is a dynamic and versatile female acoustic rock/soul performer. She

currently performs local venues around the Aiken and Augusta area. This year’s

ensemble includes fellow artists James Heath, Mike West and Dave Mercer. They have

all played together in various combinations for the last ten years

• June 30^th, 2025, at 7:00pm: Parris Island Marine Band, Sponsored by Friends of Hopelands and Rye Patch

The Parris Island Marine Band has been a part of the Hopelands Concert Series for over

30 years, performing patriotic staples like John Philip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes

Forever.” This crowd favorite completes the series on a high note

For more information, call (803) 642-7600 and press 3, visit HopelandsConcertSeries.com, or check out the City of Aiken Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Facebook page. Stay connected and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X @AikenParksRec!