ProMusica's Summer Music Series Hits Central Ohio This Week
ProMusica's Summer Music Series brings two free concerts to Franklin Park Conservatory this week, on Thursday, August 13, and Friday, August 14, followed by a new ticketed show at Headley Park in Gahanna on Saturday, August 15.
There's something genuinely nice about a classical concert under an open sky, no dress code, just a blanket, maybe a picnic, and a full orchestra performing a few dozen feet away. This week is the one to actually go, since all three shows land within a few days of each other, giving you three genuinely different chances to catch a night out under the stars.
Here's exactly what's happening, night by night, so you can pick which one fits your schedule.
When and Where Are the Concerts Happening This Week?
Thursday, August 13, at 8 p.m. brings "A Classical Evening" to Franklin Park Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, 1777 E. Broad St. in Columbus. Gates open at 6 p.m., and the program pairs Viet Cuong's "Next Week's Trees" with Mozart's Flute Concerto No. 1, featuring principal flutist Nadine Hur, closing with Mendelssohn's "Italian" Symphony.
Friday, August 14, brings "A Little Night Music," also at Franklin Park Conservatory at 8 p.m., featuring trumpet soloist Justin Kohan. Both nights are completely free and open to all ages, with children's activities starting an hour before each concert.
The week wraps Saturday, August 15, at 7 p.m. with a new addition this year: ProMusica LIVE at Headley Park in Gahanna. Unlike the Franklin Park shows, this one is ticketed, and the park opens at 4:30 p.m. for check-in.
Do I Need Tickets, and What Should I Bring?
It depends on the night. Thursday and Friday at Franklin Park Conservatory are free with general admission seating, no ticket required, just bring your own lawn chair or blanket. A full bar is available for purchase, but outside alcohol isn't permitted, and bags and coolers are subject to inspection at the gate.
Saturday at Headley Park is different. Tickets run $15 for adults in advance, $20 at the door, and $5 for students, available through Eventbrite. Food trucks and beer from Edison Brewery will be on-site, and organizers are asking guests to leave outside food and drinks at home to support the vendors instead. If weather forces a change, the show moves indoors to the Gahanna Lincoln High School Auditorium. Buying ahead through Eventbrite is worth doing if you already know you're going, since the price jump at the door adds up for a family.
Is This Worth Building an Evening Around With Kids?
Yes, especially Thursday and Friday. The children's activities before each Franklin Park show give kids something to do while the adults settle in, and the garden setting, string lights, an orchestra warming up, tends to hold younger kids' attention better than a typical concert hall would. Each program runs about an hour with no intermission, manageable even on a school night.
Saturday's Headley Park show leans a bit more toward an adult night out, given the food truck and brewery setup, though it's still all-ages and framed as a family-friendly community event. Since it's brand new this year, it's worth going in with modest expectations about crowd size and logistics compared to the more established Franklin Park nights.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is ProMusica's Summer Music Series happening this week? "A Classical Evening" is Thursday, August 13, and "A Little Night Music" is Friday, August 14, both at Franklin Park Conservatory. "LIVE at Headley Park" in Gahanna follows on Saturday, August 15.
Are the Franklin Park Conservatory concerts free? Yes. Both Thursday and Friday shows are free and open to all ages, with general admission seating. Gates open at 6 p.m. for the 8 p.m. concerts.
How much do tickets cost for the Headley Park concert? Tickets are $15 for adults in advance, $20 at the door, and $5 for students, available through Eventbrite. The park opens at 4:30 p.m. for check-in ahead of the 7 p.m. show.
Can I bring my own food and drinks? At Franklin Park Conservatory, outside alcohol isn't permitted, though other food is generally fine. At Headley Park, guests are asked to leave outside food and drink at home in favor of the on-site food trucks and Edison Brewery beer.
What happens if it rains Saturday? If weather forces a change at Headley Park, the concert moves indoors to the Gahanna Lincoln High School Auditorium at 140 S. Hamilton Road in Gahanna.
Whichever night you catch, I hope you get an evening outside with some genuinely great live music this week. And if a week like this makes you curious what it's like to actually live near the Near East Side or Gahanna, I'm always happy to talk it through.
This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. All real estate services are provided in compliance with Fair Housing laws, RESPA, TCPA, the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, and Ohio Real Estate Commission advertising regulations. Equal Housing Opportunity. Chrisi Hagan, Collins Lassiter Group, Red 1 Realty.
