Internationally acclaimed musicians, flutist Bettine Clemen and concert guitarist Richard Patterson, will perform at a Friends of the Garden-sponsored fundraiser concert, “A Love Song for All Life,” Thursday August 21st at 6:30 pm at the Springfield Art Museum auditorium, 1111 E. Brookside Drive. Bettine Clemen has performed in more than 85 countries, while Richard Patterson's compositions and arrangements can be heard in feature films and on TV and radio in more than 30 countries. They'll perform an eclectic concert including light classical, pop, jazz, Latin and ethnic tunes. The music will be enhanced with film from all over the world.
Peter Longley, Horticultural Interpreter at the Botanical Center, notes that Bettine and Richard "toured together for a long time in the '80s and early '90s. Both are great entertainers in themselves, so the way they present their concert, it's like a show. It's not just the music. They have a wonderful sort of stage presence."
Tickets are $45 in advance and $50 at the door, and are available at the Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center, Springfield Art Museum gift shop, Waverly House Gifts & Gallery or online at http://friendsofthegarden.org. For more information call 891-1515. The price includes a wine and hors d’oeuvres reception following the concert and a silent auction of paintings created by Botanical Center horticultural interpreter Peter Longley and Springfield Art Museum Director Nick Nelson. Proceeds will benefit the construction of the three-acre Sensory Garden in Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park, 2400 S. Scenic Ave.
This is the third time Bettine Clemen has agreed to help raise funds for this project. She lived near Seymour, Missouri, for several years, but now has returned to her home region in the high mountains of Bavaria close to Salzburg, Austria.
Friends of the Garden Board President Lisa Bakerink feels sure that proceeds from this concert "will actually be the jump-off point where we can start with Phase I (of the Sensory Garden), because we've collected enough funds from the community--and very thankful for that."
