The Wildflower Concert Series returns 

WHITE MILLS, PA – Dorflinger’s Wildflower Concert Series summer concert season is back.

Beginning at 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 1 at the Wildflower Amphitheater on the grounds of the Dorflinger-Suydam Wildlife Sanctuary, seven Saturday concerts will be offered through August 12—plus two special Wednesday shows, on July 19 and August 2. 

These concerts, performed by nationally and internationally known artists, will feature a variety of music genres such as jazz, bluegrass and blues. You’ll even hear tribute groups! 

All concerts begin at 6 p.m. 

In case of inclement weather, the concerts will move to the Wallenpaupack Area High School in Hawley.

Judi Mortensen, Wildflower’s chairman and artistic director. welcomed everyone back. “We’ve worked hard over the winter to put together an exciting schedule of musical acts. Now that summer is here, we want to share them with everyone. Dorflinger’s Wildflower Concert Series is a perfect place to enjoy the sounds of music while savoring a picnic and the company of your friends and neighbors. Our beautiful, natural amphitheater, with its majestic pine trees and luscious green grass is a unique venue.”

The season kicks off on Saturday, July 1 with Quakertown Band. Start celebrating Independence Day with an evening of fun and nostalgia as the band plays a wide variety of musical styles. Don’t miss this band performing everything from patriotic music and marches to big band and Broadway show tunes. The Quakertown Band is in its 146th consecutive year and is one of the most entertaining and timeless community bands in the country, a Wildflower spokesperson said.

The concert series

July 08 | The Jersey Tenors—This group is billed as the newest opera/rock mash-up sensation. It creates an explosive blend of the most iconic opera classics, transforming into the rock ‘n roll hits of Queen, Elton John, Billy Joel or Frankie Valli. 

As proud Honor Guard members with The Wounded Warrior Project, they will be paying tribute to those men and women who have helped to maintain the freedoms we still enjoy today.

July 15 | The Best of the Eagles—If you love the music of the Eagles, you will not want to miss this fantastic tribute. They recreate the songs and the sound of one of America’s greatest rock bands. The Best of the Eagles is the most exact interpretation of the music of The Eagles in America, according to the band’s many fans. They perform sold-out concerts at some of the largest venues all over the East Coast and Midwest.

July 19 | FREE WEDNESDAY MID-WEEK SHOW AT 6 p.m. : Yankee Brass Band—This band will entertain audiences with 19th-century American Brass Band music, using rare and authentic period instruments and costumes. The group features music from the Golden Age of Bands from the mid-to-late 19th century. Wildflower is honored to offer this free concert to help keep historically accurate band music alive for modern-day audiences to enjoy.

July 22 | Soul Cruisers—This 11-piece choreographed band delivers a show that will have everyone on their feet, singing and clapping to the greatest hits of the Temptations, the Jackson Five, Isaac Hayes, Marvin Gaye, the Four Tops and so many others. Take this musical journey from Memphis to Philly to Detroit, showcasing the iconic groups of yesteryear—then dance your way home.

July 29 | Vanessa Collier—This young Texas woman and her band will weave funk, soul, rock and blues into every performance. Her concerts combine soulful vocals with a voice that often recalls blues-rock stalwart Bonnie Raitt. She’s received two Blues Music Awards for Horn Player of the Year, and a third BMA for Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year, plus eight BMA nominations, a Blues Blast Award nomination and much more. A 2013 graduate of the Berklee College of Music, she’s toured nationally and internationally, and released four critically acclaimed albums.

August 02 | WEDNESDAY MID-WEEK SHOW AT 6: Bat Out of Hell PA -  Meatloaf Tribute—This tribute to Meatloaf prides itself on giving the audience a live concert experience based on the “Live Around The World” album. They’ll play all the hits, including “Two Outta Three Aint Bad,” “You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth,” “I Would Do Anything For Love,” and the smash hit “Paradise By The Dashboard Lights.” Bob White and Marissa Delfino Yaple are on vocals, and they’re backed by S, Frank Gruden, Tom Theobald and Van White.

August 5 | Beo String Quartet—Equally comfortable with the classics and contemporary music, Beo String Quartet specializes in crafting concerts that illuminate the distinct genres within chamber music. This young group has already performed over 40 world premieres and has recently worked with Richard Danielpour, Joel Hoffman, Gabriela Ortiz and many other classical performers. Ranging from Haydn Recycled (in which the “Emperor” Quartet is gradually recomposed) to socially conscious works, the quartet’s original works show the potential of a 21st-century string quartet fully integrating with the classics.

August 12 | The McKrells—The McKrells’ unique musical vocabulary of bluegrass and folk music are tied together by the original songs of Kevin McKrell, whose vocals wrap around the band with a “madman’s fervor and a lover’s tenderness,” according to Bluegrass Unlimited. The six-piece band merges the Irish sensibility of Donnybrook with a steely, world-class bluegrass edge. Wildflower is an open-air outdoor concert series, held in a tiered amphitheater among majestic trees and green ferns. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on, as chairs are not provided. Picnics and beverages of your choice are permitted at all outdoor concerts. Parking is free. 

All performers and programs are subject to change.

General admission tickets are good for any concert and cost $26; tickets for students aged 12 to 18 cost $13. There is no charge for children under 12. Reduced-price Flex tickets can be purchased up until June 30, starting in quantities of four or more, and are good for any concert. 

Contributors receive tickets and other benefits. Levels for annual contributors begin at $125. Those who contribute $550 or more can have their own chairs stored and set up before the amphitheater opens at any concert they will be attending.

For more information about becoming a contributor, call Dorflinger Sanctuary executive director Barbara Gilpin.

Tickets can be purchased at the gate the evening of the performance and in advance by phone, online or in person at the Dorflinger Glass Museum Gift Shop during regular open hours. Fees may apply.

For 2023, the Wildflower arranged with Flynn Crew BBQ and Catering to provide a barbecue menu and a non-alcoholic drink selection at each of the outdoor concerts. Each week, the menu will be slightly different. There will be a limited number of items for you to choose from and everything will be fresh and savory.

If a concert moves to the rain location, Flynn Crew BBQ will not be in attendance.

In the event of inclement weather, the performance moves to the air-conditioned auditorium at the Wallenpaupack Area High School. Food and beverages are not permitted in the school auditorium, but can be consumed in the school lobby or parking lot. If in doubt of the performance location on the day of a concert, call the Wildflower office after 12 noon.

For additional information on the series, contributions, tickets, rain location and directions, call 570/253-5500 Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.  to 4 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. You can also email music01@ptd.net or visit online at www.wildflowermusic.org.

Directions

The Wildflower Amphitheater is located on the grounds of the Dorflinger-Suydam Wildlife Sanctuary on Long Ridge Road in White Mills PA. The village of White Mills lies halfway between Hawley and Honesdale on Route 6. At the blinking light in White Mills, turn at the Dorflinger Factory Museum and go up the Elizabeth Street hill. Proceed for 6/10 of a mile to the stop sign. Continue for another 1/10 mile to the entrance of the Sanctuary on your right.