Music on the River

MUSIC ON THE RIVER 2026

Music on the River is one of East Haddam's most beloved events, bringing together outstanding performers and a community that truly appreciates great music.  We warmly invite you to enjoy an evening filled with the incredible sound of award winning artist, each delivering exceptional interpretations of their craft. Please visit our website www.musicontheriver.net to learn more about our upcoming season. We wish to express our deepest gratitude to Goodspeed Musicals for sharing their lawn every Monday evening with the Music on the River concert series and to the Gelston House for hosting our bands.  Many thanks for your participation in the Music on the River experience.  We couldn't do it without them.

Music on the River requests your support to ensure the continuation of our FREE Summer Concert Series. This cherished tradition is made possible entirely through the generosity of local businesses and supporters like you. Early contributions play a vital role in bringing each season to life, allowing us to book talented performers, cover essential production costs and ensure these concerts remain free and accessible to all. Please consider making a contribution today so we can bring another incredible summer of live music to our community. Thank you for your immediate attention and support. If you are interested in making a donation to support Music on the River 2026, please send your check to East Haddam Park and Recreation, P.O. Box 385, Moodus, CT 06469.  You may also donate on our website at www.easthaddamrec.com (account required).  Thank you in advance for your generous contribution.

         $10+     COPPER
       $100+     BRONZE
       $300+     SILVER
       $500+     GOLD
    $1,000+     PLATINUM
    $2,000+     DIAMOND

PLATINUM AND DIAMOND SPONSORS WILL RECEIVE A BANNER TO BE DISPLAYED AT ALL CONCERTS

All sponsors are recognized in our concert brochure.  Silver sponsors and up are recognized on our website.  Platinum and Diamond level sponsors will receive a banner to be displayed at all concerts and a marketing table in a designated location at a concert of their choice.

Once again - we are so thankful for all the volunteers who help with the event and the continued financial support from you. So mark your calendars - our first concert is July 13th - We'll see you down by the river!  Find us on Facebook!

music_on_the_river_2026_brochure.pdf 

MUSIC ON THE RIVER LINE UP 2026

Join us for a memorable night of music, fun and connection. All concerts are held on Monday nights from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on the lawn of the Goodspeed Opera House (6 Main Street, East Haddam, CT).  Don't let inclement weather stop you from attending these amazing shows.  Join us either on the following Tuesday on the Goodspeed lawn or at the Nathan Hale-Ray High School Auditorium should it rain on Tuesday, where you can experience an extraordinary performance in a concert hall setting.  Rain date schedule below:

If the weather is questionable please call the Recreation Office 860-873-5058, check www.easthaddamrec.com or our Facebook page. Great food and drinks are available to purchase at the Gelston House or bring a picnic dinner.  Free parking is available in the Goodspeed Opera House parking lot and across the bridge at Eagle Landing.  The walkway spanning the bridge from Eagle Landing will be open to pedestrians. No shuttle service will be provided.  

The Music on the River site is made possible through the generous support of Goodspeed Musicals.  Out of courtesy for the audience and respect for the Goodspeed property, we kindly ask you to honor these requests:

• All children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult
• No dogs
• No smoking
• No vendors on concert grounds
• No soliciting on the concert grounds
• No parking on residential streets
• No children on river banks or dock

JULY 13 - ON THE TRAIL

On the Trail is a modern acoustic band that explores everything from bluegrass to contemporary pop, from stunning instrumentals to beautiful traditional songs. The group was founded through their love of bluegrass and the band the Punch Brothers. They have already gained recognition and praise for their exploration and strong execution of the challenging music, as well as for their new original music. Their latest album "Where Do We Go From Here" is also available for streaming on all platforms.

JULY 20 - YARN

Yarn is an Americana, alt-country, rock and roll band founded in 2007. Yarn has charted repeatedly on the Americana Music Association album and singles charts, climbed as high as number 4 and been featured heavily on Sirius XM's Outlaw Country.  Their 2024 release, Born Blessed, Grateful & Alive, also spent weeks on Americana and Alt-Country radio and appeared on the Grammy ballot for award consideration.  With their new release, Saturday Night Sermon (April 24, 2026), Yarn enters a bold new chapter, blending their ever-evolving sound and layered textures with the storytelling Americana fans have come to love.

JULY 27 - LOVE DOGS

Based out of Boston, this hard swinging septet just celebrated its 20th year wowing audiences and critics alike with their combination of great musicianship and pure fun.  The Dogs combine elements of Jump Blues, New Orleans R&B and early rock 'n' roll  into their own powerhouse sound.  Voted "Best New England Band" by Blues Audience magazine, The Dogs are part Rat Pack party, part 20th century musical encyclopedia and part revival meeting.  "It's important to us to have fun, and sometime even we don't know what we're gonna do next," says lead vocalist and songwriter EDDIE SCHEER, a former sideman of R&B legend Johnny Adams. "If this band doesn't put a smile on your face, check your pulse because you just might be dead.".

AUGUST 3 - U.S. COAST GUARD BIG BAND

THE GUARDIANS BIG BAND is a sixteen-piece jazz orchestra that brings the infectious joy and spirit of America's original art form through sounds of swing, jazz, improvised solos and classics from the Great American Songbook. Stationed at the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT, the members are drawn from the larger 55-piece Coast Guard Band,  The Guardians feature prominently in the Coast Guard Band's performance calendar, playing for public audiences, official military functions and Coast Guard morale events. 

AUGUST 10 - HOUSE OF HAMILL

Pennsylvania-based House of Hamill is a fixture on festival stages across the US and on the country's premier folk stages.  Their original song "Banks of the Brandywine" was a Grand prize winner in the 2024 John Lennon Songwriting Contest, and the video for their all-violin cover of "Sweet Child O' Mine" amassed over 16 million views on Facebook.  Whether they're ripping through a set of original jigs and reels, or cracking up an audience with stories from the road, House of Hamill puts on a show that captivates audiences from the very start weh their "Upcycled Celtic Folk" sound..

AUGUST 18 -CARAVAN OF THIEVES

Inspired by the big band swing era and early American folk music, Caravan of Thieves quickly took shape in the hearts and minds of Fuzz and Carrie. In early 2008, they wrote a handful of songs in this new style and began to fill out their sound with upright bass, violin, and occasional accordion. By the end of their first year, they released their debut album, Bouquet (2009).  They embraced their roles as show & album producers, songwriters & arrangers, and released 4 more albums.  Their live performances now cover a wide dynamic range and appeal with each show flowing seamlessly from intimate acoustic duets, to exciting junk percussion jams, as well as clap and sing-alongs.