[Columbia, SC] - Riverbanks Botanical Garden will host its First Thursdays in the Garden series in conjunction with the Columbia Festival of the Arts this Thursday from 6 to 9pm. The Columbia Festival of the Arts runs from April 26th to May 6th and is a celebration of the arts and culture in the Midlands.

“It seemed natural to bring the innovative tunes of the Robert Gardiner Jazz Quartet into our already eclectic mix of local artists and horticulturists for First Thursdays. We were presented with this great opportunity to collaborate with the Columbia Festival of the Arts and highlight our First Thursdays in the Garden series. The evening will provide a nice complement to the community festival's celebration of arts and culture,” said Andy Cabe, curator of horticulture at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden.

The Robert Gardiner Jazz Quartet is a fixture on the Columbia music scene. The group’s sound features the traditional combination of saxophone and piano in the front line and offers many creative ideas and a wide range of styles within the jazz idiom. In addition, a variety of local artists will be on-site demonstrating their talents in everything from mosaics and watercolors to sculpting and casting leaves in concrete.

Horticulture staff along with Clemson Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer general gardening and plant questions. Garden lovers can fall in step with impromptu tours that will be offered throughout the evening.

In 2004, Riverbanks Botanical Garden was named one of the nation’s most inspiring gardens by Horticulture  magazine, and HGTV rated it one of the 20 best public gardens in America.

The Garden will be open for First Thursdays from 6 to 9pm, and admission is $2 for Riverbanks members and $4 for general admission. Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.columbiafestivalofthearts.com or at the Garden entrance. The popular series, sponsored by Woodley’s Garden Center, will run on the first Thursday of each month now through October. Beer and wine and a variety of sandwiches and wraps will also be available for purchase.