Carly Wanna Photo
Concert-goers sat on the grass of the Truman Street Community Garden Saturday, having just discovered the site and now awaiting the music.
When they arrived, the performer still remained a secret.
Such was the design of the “Funky Music in the Garden” concert held on Saturday night in the community garden. It was coordinated by the hosting venue in conjunction with Sofar Sounds New Haven and the New Haven Land Trust.
The concert-goers arrived to discover their $15 tickets had landed them an evening listening to the musical stylings of Paul Bryant Hudson –– the director of Sofar Sounds New Haven –– and Manny James accompanied by Stephen “Gritz” King.
According to Hudson, the garden served as a neutral space, providing a welcoming environment for the approximate 40 attendees –– a typical size for Sofar Sounds events in the city, which selects its audience based on factors such as former demonstrated interest in the musical events.
Paul Bryant Hudson.
“In New Haven, we tend to gravitate toward community/ commercial spaces to avoid the divides that come with cultural differences,” said Hudson.
Interested community members apply online at the Sofar Sounds website for a ticket without knowing who the concert will headline or where they will listen. Only the day before does Sofar Sounds email ticket holders the site of the event.
According to Raven A. Blake (pictured), a community coordinator for Sofar Sounds, their model also allows the organization to headline well-known artists alongside less seasoned performers.
“We could have really dope, well-known artists or people who are up-and-coming and still amazing at their craft,” said Blake.
Ife-Michelle Gardin, Blake’s mother.
Guests socialized on the lawn before the performances opened with James’s bluesy voice a quarter before 7 p.m. The artist projected original R&B and soul songs including “Dear America,” “Good Company” and “Comfortable.” King supported all of them vigorously with his accompanying keys, at times plucking extended instrumentals within numbers.
Manny James.
Having grown up nearby in the Church Street South apartments, James cherished the chance to perform in his home community. The performance provided a more intimate venue than many of the other gigs he has performed, including Toad’s Place, the Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford and Rockwood Music Hall in New York City.
“I just want to take every opportunity possible to share my art with the world,” said James.
Following James final number –– a cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Superstitious” –– Hudson assumed the grassy stage. With the sunset fast approaching, he performed original songs with lyrics concerning his experience as a person of color.
Leslie Radcliffe.
The garden hosted a movie night last summer. Born of local energies driven in part by Leslie Radcliffe, members of the community remade the once-overrun patch before partnering with the City of New Haven and the New Haven Land Trust to formally institute the garden.
“We told the city we were going to have a garden here,” said Radcliffe.
Children primarily maintain the garden through regular planting days. The plot remains open during the week, allowing localers to enjoy the patch of grass framed by perennials and garden boxes on the fringes.
Danaysha Munn.
Danaysha Munn attended the performance, a first-timer with Sofar Sounds but a veteran of the garden, having planted on the green for a couple of months.
“It was really cool. He’s a really good singer,” said Munn.
