Pop Up Performance Series
Roswell Arts Fund, in partnership with Friends of Mimosa Hall, Steve’s Live Music, and Roswell Music Club, is proud to present an ongoing concert series that brings outstanding live music to our community.
Concerts are generally held on Sundays and Thursdays, offering audiences a rich variety of performances in beautiful Roswell settings.
Please note: dates, times, and locations may vary. We encourage patrons to check the event calendar regularly for the most up-to-date information.
Join us each month and experience the joy of live music, community, and artistic collaboration.
Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 7:00 pm
Location: Roswell River Landing (245 Azalea Drive Roswell, GA)
Gwen Hughes
Music partner: Steve’s Live Music
Get ready to be swept away by the powerhouse presence of Gwen Hughes, a radiant force in jazz and soul music! With a voice that pulses with passion and a stage energy that electrifies, Gwen transforms every performance into a thrilling celebration of the original American sound. From silky jazz standards to soulful grooves that move the heart and feet, she delivers music that’s as joyous as it is deeply soulful. Gwen’s infectious spirit invites you to sing, sway, and shine—because when she’s on stage, the music and the magic are undeniable. Don’t miss the chance to experience an artist who truly lights up the night!
Sunday, September 21, 2025 at 3:30 pm
Location: Roswell River Landing (245 Azalea Drive Roswell, GA)
Atlanta Guitar Trio
Music partner: Roswell Music Club
Three masterful guitarists, one unforgettable sound. Bill Hearn, Ryan Cummings and Scott Plato unite their artistry to create a vibrant blend of precision, passion, and expressive power. From timeless classical works to bold contemporary pieces and original arrangements, the Trio delivers performances that are both dynamic and deeply moving. Based in Atlanta, they bring audiences an inspiring experience where technical brilliance meets the joy of chamber music.
Sunday, October 19, 2025 at 3:30 pm
Location: Roswell River Landing (245 Azalea Drive Roswell, GA)
Andrew Kapsar
Music partner: Roswell Music Club
Based in Atlanta, baritone Andrew Kapsar brings powerful vocals and captivating presence to every performance. With a Master’s from Georgia State University and extensive operatic experience—including leading roles in Le nozze di Figaro and Carmen—Andrew’s talent shines on stages both local and international. A multiple competition winner and acclaimed performer, he continues to captivate audiences with his rich voice and dynamic artistry.
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at 7:00 pm
Location: Roswell River Landing (245 Azalea Drive Roswell, GA)
Nat Seelen
Music partner: Steve’s Live Music
Nat Seelen ignites the world of klezmer and Jewish music with his electrifying clarinet playing and groundbreaking compositions. Founder and artistic director of the Boston Festival of New Jewish Music, he has brought over 180 artists to vibrant life since 2021. As a founding member of the award-winning Ezekiel’s Wheels Klezmer Band, Nat has thrilled audiences from the Kennedy Center to stages worldwide.
His innovative teaching through New Klezmer Studios spans five continents, and he will join New England Conservatory’s faculty in 2025—shaping the future of the tradition with passion and vision.
Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 7:00 pm
Location: Roswell River Landing (245 Azalea Drive Roswell, GA)
Akpé Motion
Music partner: Steve’s Live Music
Akpé Motion is a quartet that defies musical boundaries, weaving influences from Africa, Polynesia, the Americas, and beyond into a vibrant sonic tapestry. Their music is rooted in dialogue—between cultures, instruments, and people—creating a sound that is at once deeply personal and universally resonant. Through rhythm, voice, silence, and improvisation, Akpé Motion invites listeners on an inner journey that reflects the joy of exchange, the richness of diversity, and the power of music to connect us all.
Thursday, January 29, 2025 at 7:00 pm
Location: Roswell River Landing (245 Azalea Drive Roswell, GA)
Richard Smith
Music partner: Steve’s Live Music
Internationally renowned guitarist Richard Smith takes the stage with a dazzling repertoire that spans genres and generations. From fiddle tunes and Joplin rags to jazz standards, blues, classical pieces, and even Sousa marches, Smith’s mastery of the guitar knows no bounds. Winner of the National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship and member of the Thumbpickers Hall of Fame, he has shared stages with legends like Chet Atkins, Les Paul, Tommy Emmanuel, and Victor Wooten. A true virtuoso, Richard Smith offers an evening of artistry, joy, and jaw-dropping musicianship you won’t forget.
Thursday, February 12, 2025 at 7:00 pm
Location: Roswell River Landing (245 Azalea Drive Roswell, GA)
Grant Green Jr
Music partner: Steve’s Live Music
Born into jazz royalty and raised in a Detroit neighborhood filled with music legends like Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Gladys Knight, Grant Green Jr. has been steeped in rhythm and soul since childhood. A longtime New York City performer and a driving force behind the Godfathers of Groove, Grant blends funk, soul-jazz, and blues into a style that’s uniquely his own. His live shows are energetic, heartfelt, and groove-heavy—winning over audiences from the New Orleans JazzFest to the North Sea Jazz Festival. Along the way, he’s shared the stage with greats like Carlos Santana, George Benson, Tedeschi-Trucks Band, and Widespread Panic. Expect a night of electrifying guitar and irresistible rhythm from a true master of the groove.
Sunday, February 22, 2025 at 3:30 pm
Location: Roswell River Landing (245 Azalea Drive Roswell, GA)
Grant Green Jr
Music partner: Roswell Music Club
Jacob Lay is an Atlanta-born baritone whose commanding voice and artistry have taken him to stages nationwide, including The Atlanta Opera, Knoxville Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, and Cedar Rapids Opera. A passionate advocate for underrepresented composers, Lay has devoted much of his career to researching and performing the works of William Grant Still, bringing vital American voices to today’s audiences. In addition to his performance career, he is an accomplished composer, with award-winning works recognized in national competitions. Join us for an evening of music that blends tradition, advocacy, and artistry, showcasing a baritone with both exceptional talent and vision.
Thursday, March 12, 2025 at 7:00 pm
Location: Roswell River Landing (245 Azalea Drive Roswell, GA)
Jon Shain
Music partner: Steve’s Live Music
Jon Shain is a celebrated singer-songwriter and guitarist whose music seamlessly blends piedmont blues with folk, bluegrass, swing, and ragtime. Winner of the 2019 International Blues Challenge (solo/duo category), Shain has released nine acclaimed solo albums and toured extensively across the U.S. and Europe, sharing the stage with legends like Keb’ Mo’, John Hiatt, and Little Feat. His fiery fingerstyle guitar and rich storytelling draw deeply from American roots traditions while exploring timeless themes of resilience, history, and justice. With a career spanning decades, Shain continues to captivate audiences with his artistry, authenticity, and connection to the blues.
Highlights from Past Performances
- On February 27, 2020, the inaugural season of the RAF Pop Up Performance Series began with a sold-out concert featuring Ed Roland of Collective Soul at the intimate Roswell Historic Cottage.
- During COVID-19, we quickly reimagined our events and transformed parking lots into safe, physically distant yet social spaces for artists and audiences. That year, 1,400 concert-goers coming from Roswell, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Marietta, Smyrna, Decatur, and Atlanta joined us for in-person outdoor concerts.
- Another 2,100 households tuned in for our first-ever live stream concert in May 2020.
- In October 2021, we welcomed Jake Xerxes Fussell and his band to our first concert under the stars at the Chattahoochee Nature Center. This Pop Up also marked our first performance funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.
Beginning in 2022, we launched a partnership with the Roswell Music Club to add world-class classical musicians like Kenny Banks, Tiffany Uzojie, Bevin Hill, and Mikyung Sung to our music mosaic on Sunday afternoons. - In 2024, in partnership with Steve’s Live Music, we added our monthly Thursday evening pop up series, showcasing world music, blues, jazz, folk, with a diverse range of excellent musicians such as Layla Musselwhite, Richard Smith, The Bonaventure Quartet, Tray Dahl & The Jugtime Ragband, Rev. Jeff Mosier, The Pat Bianchi Trio, LAVAHI, Matthew Kaminski & Mondo Hammondo, and Olli Soikkeli & Caesar Garabini.
- As of April 2025, our Pop Up Performance Series has hosted over 50 concerts and welcomed more than 3,000 patrons!
