Press Release:
The 2026 Abington Art Center Summer Concert Series returns for 5 amazing nights each Thursday from June 18th through July 16th. Audiences gather with blankets and lawn chairs on the rolling hills behind Alverthorpe Manor; home of Abington Art Center. The landscape transforms into a mini festival complete with free live music, food trucks, family activities, as well as local beer, wine, and cocktail vendors. Here is your first look at the exciting artist lineup!
On night one, 88.5 WXPN FM welcomes Birdie Busch with special guests the Holmesburg Jam. Birdie has been steadily crafting a sprawling, genre-defying modern American songbook. This Germantown native released her latest record, Night Blooming, in March 2026 on PIAPTK Records. Kicking off the night is Jenkintown’s own Holmesburg Jam. They’ve been picking and fiddling in a jam circle since 1972, now calling The Townsquare Gazebo their home in the warmer months, and indoors at McSwiney’s Club every Thursday.
The music continues on June 25th with West Philly Orchestra. The renowned brass band, inspired by the ‘fanfares’ and ‘orkestras’ of Eastern Europe, began in 2006 as a weekly potluck/jam session in a West Philly backyard. They quickly evolved into a village band with cutting brass, searing woodwinds and some of the tightest beats around. West Philadelphia Orchestra invites audiences to lose themselves in the earthy, ecstatic trance of their sound.
On July 2nd, celebrate America 250 to the sounds of The Eagles and Fleetwood Mac. Local tributes, The Limit and Yesterday’s Gone, re-create an infamous concert from these two rock legends called Jubilation held on Independence Day 1976.
Next up is a night of jazz music from Hailey Brinnel and Mervin Toussaint. Hailey Brinnel is a trombonist, vocalist, and educator based in Philadelphia, PA. She was a finalist in the 2021 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition,named one of GRAMMY.com’s “10 Emerging Jazz Artists to Watch”, and has performed at venues around the world. Mervin Toussaint kicks things off. His musical foundation was shaped in the Haitian church, where he first experienced music as a powerful means of expression and connection. His music explores themes of identity, spirituality, and community through a blend of improvisation and contemporary Black musical traditions.
The final night features Owen Stewart with openers Speeding Arrow. Championed by WXPN, Owen is full of groovy, gravelly, soulful, and enormous vocals. He can only be backed by a fierce 16-piece Philly allstar band. The cosmic sounds don’t stop there. Speeding Arrow is MontCo’s own blend of blues, folk, rock and psychedelia. They take listeners on a sonic journey through their galaxy of influences.
The Abington Art Center Summer Concert Series is presented by Mayfield Gardens, Edelman’s Coins, and Lindy Communities. Series Producer, Joe Montone says, “Now in my fourth year, I believe this lineup is the most eclectic yet…celebrating diverse voices from across our entire region! I cannot wait to share it with everyone.”
Montone and the Art Center team keep expanding upon the exciting programming which they call The Soundtrack of Togetherness. And there is no other backdrop better in Jenkintown for a show at sunset than the grounds of Abington Art Center. For more information about these free public concerts and the 2026 artists line-up visit abingtonartcenter.org/concert-series.
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