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Lord of the Strings: A Firefly Symphony | with Award Winning Strings 52525

  • ALL AGES

Short guided nature walk, followed by amazing Texas sunset, and the magical appearance of the fireflies to a live soundtrack of strings.

By Will Taylor

Date and time

Sunday, May 25 · 7:45 - 9pm CDT.

Location

209 E Monroe St

209 East Monroe Street Austin, TX 78704

Refund Policy

Refunds up to 7 days before event

Agenda

7:30 PM - 7:45 PM

Meet and Greet at the Trailhead

Will Taylor

Will Taylor and Strings Attached

Strings in the Woods

Strings Attached

7:45 PM - 8:45 PM

Event walk begins

About this event

  • Event lasts 1 hour 15 minutes
  • ALL AGES
  • Free venue parking

PLEASE READ: if you're planning to show up at the event without registering, you must let us know by text at 512-589-8749.

Every year in May the fire flies emerge in Austin, and we know one the best kept secret magical spots near downtown Austin, TX

Firefly expert and researcher Ben Pfeiffer, will be joining us to offer a firefly talk.

A dreamlike evening of live strings under a canopy, celebrating the annual magical appearance of fireflies at a quiet Austin nature spot.

Featuring original music by Award winning composer Will Taylor and songs from films like The Lord of the Rings, this event invites you to witness the spontaneous appearance of fireflies dancing to the rhythm of strings.

A serene and unforgettable fusion of nature and music.

Winner of the Best of Austin Awards for 2024, Strings in the Woods helps humans escape from the speed of modern life to feel alive and inspired with our acoustic music and nature immersion experiences.

Imagine being lead on a private musical hike by award winning violinist and film composer Will Taylor, enjoying songs along the way as you explore a stunning neighborhood and corner park, with a sprinkle of meditation, history, geology, and plant identification.

End your busy week and reconnect with a small group of humans while the sun sets into the evening.

Come early, have a taco at Taco Deli, then join us for the adventure.

IMPORTANT: The exact location of the event will be in the confirmation email after you purchase your tickets.

Registration is required to attend.

WHAT TO BRING

  • Hiking shoes
  • Water
  • Towel/yoga Mat
  • Love and a friend

Side effects may include: relaxation, balancing your nervous system, releasing what no longer serves, feeling whole and connected to nature, being nurtured and cared for by community.

Get on email list for future events here.

Text Alerts 👉 (512) 379-5934

Questions about this event can be texted to 512-589-8749

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Event will be limited to 50 guests.

See videos from our past experiences below

Testimonials


Alicia, February 2022

This was truly a unique and magnificent experience. Will is an awesome tour guide, he provided a nice history of the park, took us to some magical places, and provided live music along the way. Go on this tour! You won’t regret it!

Cassandra, April 2019

“Will took us on a musical journey in nature that was incredible and therapeutic. We had a small group and hiked along a trail that was fairly leveled due to one of the hiker’s physical condition. Along the way Will made sure all of us were taken care of and having a good time. We were later joined by another amazing musician/cellist Charles. The only downside to this trip is that whenever I’m hiking now I miss Will and his gang of musicians. I’ve been spoiled. Next time I will bring my teenage kids.”

Sarah, April 2019

“This was a unique experience, and I enjoyed combining music with nature. The fresh air along with soothing music, made me feel at ease and one with our group. Highly recommend, if you love the outdoors and love listening to live music.”

***Debbie, April 2019

“Unique experience connecting both to nature and to music. A quieter, reflective sidelight on the frenetic Austin tourist experience. Also, a chance to network with some area musicians.”


Your Guide | Will Taylor: VIOLIN

Will Taylor is a professional violinist and Austin music icon for over 27 years, jamming with folks such as Willie Nelson, Pearl Jam, Gary Clark Jr., Shawn Colvin, Shiny Ribs, Guy Forsyth, the Turtle Island String Quartet at Town Hall in New York City and so many more. Will is a lover of the outdoors and the magic of bringing people into nature for life-changing moments of connection and musical bliss. Will is an Austin Music Award winner, Best of Austin finalist, and award winning film composer for the film Protocol 7


Special Guest Appearance: Firefly Expert Ben Pfeiffer

We’re thrilled to announce that Ben Pfeiffer, founder of Firefly Conservation & Research, will be joining us as a special guest for Lord of the Strings: A Firefly Symphony. Ben is a recognized firefly expert and science educator whose extensive research on Texas fireflies has illuminated much of what we know about these captivating insects.

During the event, Ben will share fascinating insights into the diverse firefly species found in Texas, their unique flash patterns, and the vital role they play in our ecosystems. He will also show you how to identify Photinus concisus, a local Austin firefly that is found on the trail. We might even see some unexpected species too! He'll also discuss active conservation efforts, practical ways to support firefly habitats, and how you can help protect these iconic insects for future generations.


Don't miss this unique opportunity to hear from one of Texas' leading firefly experts while experiencing a magical evening of music inspired by nature’s glowing wonders.

See Ben's Website here: https://www.firefly.org


Tony Rogers: CELLO

Tony Rogers is a cellist, educator, performer, arranger and composer.

He performs regularly with The Austin Piazzolla Quintet, The Waterloo Trio, Jenifer Jackson, the multi-genre group Strings Attached, performs weddings on weekends, and onstage with symphonies, playing 70 public performances per year, teaches a few hundred lessons and directs the Austin Cello Choir every week on Tuesday evenings for cellists of all levels. In his spare time he organizes chamber reading sessions.

Frequently asked questions

What should I bring?

We recommend comfortable hiking shoes, water, snacks, sunscreen, bug repellent depending on the time of year, and a blanket or chair for sitting. Don’t forget your love for music!

Are children welcome?

Strings in the Woods is family-friendly and welcomes participants of all ages. However, children should be supervised by an adult. Please keep in mind that this is an event where the focus is on the music, and might include meditation.

What kind of music will be performed?

Will will play fantasy movie music, originals, classical music from many eras, Bach, folk melodies, fiddle music, and always a bit of Beatles.

How difficult is the hike?

Easy to medium difficulty depending on your level of fitness. There are lots of rock and a incline going down to the trail. Feel free to check in with me if you have concerns: 512-589-8749 We can make adjustments to the path if you like as well.

Can I volunteer to get in free?

Yes, 1-2 positions for volunteers that begin 1 hour before the event. Just call Will at 512-589-8749

Do I need to bring seating?

If you're flexible, most people just sit on the rocks with no problems. Your welcome to bring camp chairs if you like too!

Is this a sober event?

YES! No Drugs/Alcohol, Smoking, and No Scents please

Do you do this event in other places?

Yes we do them around Austin. Just inquire if you'd like us to come to a different location.

Are there restrooms available?

Yes, there will be restrooms located at near the trailhead at the Taco Deli. We recommend using them before the hike begins.

Organized by

Will Taylor

Violinist, composer and Austin Music Award winner Will Taylor has performed with Pearl Jam, Grammy winner Shawn Colvin, P-Diddy, Willie Nelson, Ronny Cox (Deliverance) and many more.

Two time Austin Music Award Winner, and Best of Austin Finalist in 2022

Best of Austin Winner 2024

Award winning Composer

Will is the founder of Strings Attached in Austin, Texas.

When Pearl Jam came to Austin in October 2009 to record their live Austin City Limits Studio show that would be broadcast nationally, they choose to entrust the strings portion of the show to Will Taylor and Strings Attached.

Will Taylor has a musical proposition for you -- a playful, dignified, off-kilter idea that brings honor to Austin's identity as "The Live Music Capital of the World." It's a cool concept. But it's just a bit . . . different.

Imagine what might happen, suggests Taylor, if we took Austin's most popular singer-songwriters -- Abra Moore, or Jimmy LaFave, or Patrice Pike, or Ray Wylie Hubbard -- and let them perform, live, in a church? Then imagine if you paired those artists with acoustic "chamber" instruments -- cello, violin, viola, trumpet and hand drums -- and wrote new arrangements, adding dashes of jazz and classical music, that revealed new facets of their most beautiful or familiar songs?

Imagine what might happen if you dared to blur all these boundaries between pop music and jazz, between rock music and classical music, between the musical realm and the lyrical realm, between the honky-tonk and the church, and in the spirit of art and fun and experimentation, you reached out for something . . . transcendent?

$0 – $50