Musicians in the Garden
Q. What was that beautiful song I heard wafting under the willow the other day?
A: Community Gardens not only support flora and fauna but also foster culture and the arts. 6/15 Green has a rich history of live music performances at our annual Spring and Fall Festivals with professional musicians, and other events like Make Music Day, which is staffed by volunteers. Top-notch artists are booked through our events team (email to be posted here shortly). Please check the extraordinary, diverse musicians we have recently hosted below!
(If you would like to make more events possible, you can send a tax-deductible donation. Every penny helps!)
Festival Musicians
Twice each year, for more than a decade, 6/15 Green has organized day-long festivals in celebration of, and as a gift to, our community. These carefully curated programs with professional sound begin in the morning with children's music and puppetry and end after sunset with an all-ages dance party featuring local musicians (including the considerable talents of some of our garden members).
The music goes on under the big willow tree, while the rest of the garden—and the sidewalks around it—are devoted to our plant sale, bake sale, art and photography shows, more children's activities, and workshops for all ages.
Some of our other performers include:
Casa Mantequilla
Casa Mantequilla was formed in Harlem by lifelong friends who believe that "mantequilla mescla todo" (butter blends everything). A truly cross-cultural New York City music collective, Casa Mantequilla sings in multiple languages and draws musical inspiration from many African and Latin countries.
Pia Monique Murray
Dancer, choreographer, and educator, Pia Monique Murray has dedicated her practice to multidisciplinary work that encompasses community engagement and audience interaction. As well as leading the Pia Monique Murray Dance Collective (PMMDC), she performs contemporary dance with RAKIA! and traditional dance from Côte d’Ivoire with Vado Diomande’s Kotchegna Dance Company. She has been named 2023 Artist-in-Residence by the BRIC Intergenerational Community Arts Council.
Ray Gehring
Ray curates The Art of Song, a monthly songwriter's showcase at Young Ethel’s. Guitarist Ray Gehring’s colorful musical tapestry weaves jazz, soul, and rock into an exciting mix. “Gehring’s guitar work is angular and spiky yet very warm – a winning modern jazz combination.” –MPLS Star Tribune
Marcus Jade
“...an accomplished blues musician and writer, ...not someone who you easily forget."
–Yes Poetry Magazine
"Marcus Jade's entry is recorded with such intimacy that you almost feel like you're invading his space, witnessing a private performance that wasn't meant to be shared – and we're grateful it was."
–Devon Williams, NPR
Sarah Mucho
Sarah Mucho is a Brooklyn-based, award-winning singer, musician, songwriter and cabaret artist. She's known as the lead vocalist for The Sometime Boys, and before that, System Noise, as well as for her iconic Ziggy Startdust tribute show, which was nominated for a MAC award. Catch her "2nd Sundees End-Times Cabaret" with pianist Elliot Roth each month at Freddy's Bar.
Jacomo Fino
Jacomo Fino plays New Orleans rhythm and blues. Led by 6/15 Green gardener and multi-instrumentalist David Emmett, one of our Events Committee Coordinators, the band features New York Blues Hall-of-Fame drummer Dave Dawson and local musicians Barry Kornhauser (bass) and John Paul (alto sax).
Make Music Day Musicians 2022
Musicians that took part in the 2022 Make Music Day NY. For more information about the program and participating artists please visit: https://makemusicny.org/
Axel Barragán
Fusing Andean folk elements, pop, rock and electronic sounds, Axel Barragán brings an eclectic sound that can make you jump and dance. His style derives from South American rhythms and contemporary modern rock and pop influences. He sings in both English and Spanish so the songs have a multicultural appeal. No limits. It's a celebration. Radicado en NYC, Axel Barragán trae para todos ustedes un sonido fresco y divertido lleno de vivencias, felicidades e ironías vividas. Que les vaya bonito, siempre.
Cheryl Tugade
Cheryl Tugade is a 19-year-old singer-songwriter and student at UC Berkeley. Blending catchy melodies with sharp rhythm, she has crafted a brand of chill pop influenced by the likes of Lauv, Jeremy Zucker, and LANY. Her lyrics are honest, relatable, and introspective. Her songs paint vivid stories rich with nostalgic details and philosophical musings. Exploring the turmoil of past relationships, the warmth of late nights with friends, and the loneliness of feeling lost and unsure of who you are — Cheryl captures the chaos and euphoria navigating life and change as a young adult.
The Melodic Miners
We are the Melodic Miners, a Brooklyn based band playing original Americana with a soulful sound steeped in the traditions of old time country, blues and folk. Our melodies are upbeat with foot-stomping rhythms and lyrics range from the poignant to the absurd. As public school educators, we live in the community, play to have fun and love to engage an audience.
Mezzo A Capella
Mezzo A Cappella is a New York City–based all-female a cappella group. A diverse, close-knit group of women, the Mezzo ladies are passionate about music and performance and truly enjoy sharing that love with others. In 2019, Mezzo released their first E.P., called Woman Like Me available on all streaming platforms. Additionally, Mezzo has performed at various venues such as Rockwood Music Hall, the Bitter End, the Bell House, the Marriott Marquis, the Shrine, Pianos, and Sessions 73, and have also been part of events such as Thanksgiving parties, Halloween celebrations, weddings, and corporate affairs. We're also part of the Contemporary A Cappella League and the MTA's Music Under New York program, and are the official music partner of the Women's Education Project.
Sandra Kluge
Sandra Kluge is a Tap Percussionist born in Bremen (Germany,) based in Brooklyn (NY), and performing and teaching internationally. She writes, records, and performs her own original music, in which Tap is the exclusive percussive instrument, both solo and with a band. Sandra is deconstructing the classic Tap vocabulary in order to be a full band member, rather than just the cherry on top. Her performance highlights include Thomas Marek's show NOLA, the Tap Dance Days festival, Swiss Tap Days, Düsseldorf Photo Weekend, Symphony Space, LaGuardia PAC, Judson Church, Piano's, The Duke on 42nd St, Basilica Hudson, and many more. Her work has been featured on the Tap Love Tour Podcast, German Tap Magazine, Dance Advantage, Dance Writer Australia, and Vocalo Radio. Sandra is the only Tap Percussionist to be an alumna of the Art Omi Music Fellowship Program and has received a commission from the International Contemporary Ensemble to create a new collaborative work in 2022/23.
Tracy Fitz
Tracy Fitz (Flute) has performed with The Brooklyn Brandenburgers Family Holiday Concerts at the Old Stone House, among other venues. She is also a solar energy expert! She is joined by Martha Siegel on Cello.
Previous Programs
Miguel Gutierrez
Miguel Gutierrez is a choreographer, composer, performer, singer, writer, educator, podcaster, and arts advocate who has lived in New York for twenty five years. His work creates empathetic and irreverent spaces outside of traditional discourse. He believes in an approach to art making that is fierce, fragile, empathetic, political, and irreverent.
Miguel, a City Artist Corps Grantee, performed SADONNA as part of the Arts Festival that took place October 1-2, 2021.
SADONNA is a performance of sad versions of Madonna songs. In this music project, choreographer Miguel Gutierrez shows just how tiny the spiritual distance is between the international pop superstar, who grew up in Bay City, Michigan and himself, an international experimental itinerant artist who grew up in Colonia, New Jersey. Backed by the SLUTINOS, the Sad Latino Boys Backup Singers, SADONNA ekes out the melancholy cry for help hidden within Madonna’s uplifting lyrics.
We combine cultural diversity with artistic integrity in a carefully curated program that entertains our neighborhood audiences and showcases local talent.
Come on out and experience free live performances! Learn about 6/15 Green community garden and meet our gardeners!
And be sure to go out to your local venues and SUPPORT LOCAL TALENT!