Hatton Regester Green Concert Series To Feature New And Familiar Musicians On A Newly Built Stage

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April showers bring May flowers, and if they aren’t too soaking, a new gazebo should sprout up at Hatton Regester Green in the weeks ahead, too.

If the weather is favorable between now and the beginning of May, the Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails’ annual spring concert series will christen a newly constructed covered stage at the beloved green space in the heart of Severna Park.

Friends board member David Greene, who oversees the concert series, shared that the original gazebo at Hatton Regester Green lasted a long time — more than 30 years — but was rotting and looking ragged. With input from the Friends, the Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks has designed and begun construction on a new venue in its place. Weather permitting, it is expected to be ready for the concerts that kick off on Sunday, May 3.

“The new venue will be in the same footprint as the gazebo but will be more of a stage. It will be a bit more open on the front and a solid back for better acoustics,” Greene shared. “We’re really excited and so grateful to the county Department of Recreation and Parks.”

Heath Neiderer, Recreation and Parks’ chief of marketing and communications, added that the new venue will have a slightly different configuration to not only provide more room for the performers but also create a better viewing experience for attendees.

Neiderer shared that Recreation and Parks has close relationships with the friends groups, who bring things to their attention — in this case, that the Hatton Regester gazebo needed more than a little TLC — and Recreation and Parks then conducts inspections, prioritizes projects, and includes them in their budget.

The upcoming concert series will feature these local artists:

Seth Mitchell Band
May 3

New to the concert series, this group is led by Anne Arundel County resident Seth Mitchell and is a bluegrass ensemble known for innovative acoustic music that blends traditional roots with a fresh newgrass-inflected modern sound. They perform original music and arranged covers of rock, pop and other genres ranging from the ‘60s to today. The band’s “crackling banjo, groovy rhythm section, spunky mandolin and searing fiddle drive a rhythm-forward backdrop for songs that boldly showcase songwriting craft and emotional depth of storytelling,” according to a bio provided by Mitchell.

Sparks & McCoy
May 10

No strangers to Hatton Regester Green, the duo of Edward Sparks and Steve McCoy have been performing together for 42 years as of 2026. Switching between six- and 12-string acoustic guitars, bass, harmonica and piano, all backing up rich harmonies, they create a wall of sound that might be hard to believe is from just two people. Sparks & McCoy specialize in classic rock with covers of oldies favorites including The Beatles, the Eagles, James Taylor, Cat Stevens, CSNY, Jim Croce and others. Sparks noted, “It’s on Mother’s Day this year, so treat your mom to an afternoon of music from her generation!”

Jeff Herbert
May 17

Jeff Herbert has participated in past Hatton Regester concerts and brings a unique blend of sound as a solo performer through vocals, guitar and bagpipes. Herbert describes himself as a folk artist covering singer-songwriter artists from the ‘70s. He is a charter member of the Washington, D.C. Fire Department Pipes and Drums Band and plays weekly at The Irish Inn at Glen Echo and the beer garden at Old Angler’s Inn in Potomac, Maryland.

Ginger and the other Dave
May 24

Severna Park residents Dave Nolte and Ginger Hildebrand perform around the area as the duo Ginger and the other Dave because Ginger and her husband, David, perform together as professional colonial musicians. Nolte, a guitarist, brings an eclectic blend of old and new with classics from Van Morrison, Motown and Sinatra as well as more recent hits from Counting Crows, Bruno Mars, U2 and John Mayer. Ginger sings and plays the guitar, though for most performances with “the other Dave” she plays the fiddle, creating a unique sound and vibe.

Guava Jelly
May 31

Lead singer-songwriter Bridgette Michaels transforms familiar songs into island-inspired celebrations for the Caribbean-influenced and family friendly group Guava Jelly. The trio, which includes Dawn Madak and Mike Edillon, infuses authentic rhythms and dynamic percussion into every show. The band’s high energy creates an infectious groove, inviting listeners to let their worries float away as they are transported to a sun-soaked paradise by vibrant, feel-good music.

Through grant funding provided by the county, all concerts are free and will take place on Sundays from 4:00pm-6:00pm. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets as bench seating is limited. In the case of inclement weather, updates can be found at www.friendsofaatrails.org.

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