Food vendors, a Lexington variety band, and an outdoor concert on the grounds of a 19th-century estate.
If you have been looking for a free Friday night out that does not require a ticket or a reservation, Music at The Mansion has one for you. 64West takes the stage on the Mansion lawn at the Marriott Lexington Griffin Gate Golf Resort & Spa on Friday, September 4.
The lawn opens at 6:00 p.m. Music runs from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. Admission is free. The whole thing is family-friendly.
The Band
64West is a Lexington-based variety band that plays danceable music spanning the 1960s through today’s radio hits. They cover a wide range, which means your grandmother might recognize a song or two and so will your teenager. They have been a regular on the central Kentucky circuit long enough that most folks who follow local live music have run into them at least once.
The Setting
The concert takes place on the Mansion lawn at Griffin Gate, 1800 Newtown Pike in Lexington. The Mansion itself is a restored 19th-century estate on the resort grounds, and the lawn around it makes for a solid outdoor concert venue. Bring lawn chairs. Get there when the gates open at 6:00 p.m. if you want a spot close to the stage.
Food and Drink
Food and beverage vendors will be on site, along with local craft options. Outside food and beverages are not allowed, and coolers are not permitted on the premises, so plan to buy from the vendors.
If you want to skip the lawn chairs and sit closer to the stage, VIP seating is available for $10 per person. Check the Griffin Gate website or social media for details.
The Series
Music at The Mansion is a seasonal concert series, not a one-off event. The 2026 lineup has been running since May with monthly shows on the Mansion lawn, and this September 4 show with 64West is one of the last chances to catch the series before fall sets in.
Also closing that weekend: The Spotlight Playhouse in Berea (214 Richmond Road) presents the final performances of “Sense and Sensibility… and Margaret” by The Bluegrass Players on Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m. (family-friendly; Friday is pay-what-you-can).
Why It Matters
Free outdoor concerts do not just happen. They take sponsors, organizers, sound crews, and venues willing to open their grounds to the public. For families, it is an affordable night out: no ticket cost, food available on site, and a band that plays across generations.
If You Go
- What: Music at The Mansion featuring 64West
- When: Friday, September 4, 2026. Lawn opens at 6:00 p.m. Music from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.
- Where: Marriott Lexington Griffin Gate Golf Resort & Spa Mansion lawn, 1800 Newtown Pike, Lexington, Kentucky 40511
- Cost: Free admission. VIP seating $10.
- Food and drink: Vendors on site. Outside food, beverages, and coolers are not permitted.
- Family-friendly: Yes.
✍️ About the Author
Chad Hembree serves as the Executive Director of Spotlight Acting School, The Spotlight Playhouse, and Spotlight Performing Arts. A resident of Berea, Kentucky, and a former member of the Berea Council, he has spent decades working in community theater, arts education, and local journalism. Since 1995, he has operated BereaOnline.com, focusing on local news, civic issues, and stories that highlight community collaboration and grassroots efforts across Madison County.
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📅 Upcoming Community & Theater Events
- August 30, 2026: Family Activity: Forest Reptiles at the Berea College Forestry Outreach Center (free, 2–3 p.m.). 🐢
- September 3, 2026: Stephenson Memorial Concert featuring blues legend Tee Dee Young at Phelps-Stokes Chapel, Berea College (free, 8 p.m.). 🎵
- September 4, 2026: Summer Nights in Suburbia: Honey Child at Moondance Amphitheater, Lexington (free, 7–9 p.m.). 🎤
- September 4, 2026: Music at the Mansion: 64West at Griffin Gate Marriott Mansion lawn, Lexington (free, 7 p.m.). 🎷
- September 4–6, 2026: Lexington Comic & Toy Con (Fall Edition) at Central Bank Center, Lexington. 🥶
- September 5, 2026: Stepping Out for Art, the Berea Arts Council’s 40th Anniversary Celebration at Churchill’s, Berea (5–10 p.m.). 🎨
- September 5, 2026: Miss Spoonbread Festival & Miss Berea pageants at Berea Community Gym. 👑
- September 5, 2026: Auditions for Disney’s The Aristocats KIDS (ages 4 to 11) at The Spotlight Playhouse. 🐱
- September 5, 2026: Final performance of Sense and Sensibility… and Margaret (The Bluegrass Players) at The Spotlight Playhouse. 🎭
- September 10, 2026: EKU CityFest at EKU campus (Intramural Field / Powell Plaza), Richmond (evening). 🎉
- September 11–13, 2026: The Velveteen Rabbit (Spotlight on Faith Series) at The Spotlight Playhouse. 🐰
- September 18–20, 2026: Spoonbread Festival (30th annual) at Memorial Park and the Chestnut Street Pavilion, Berea. 🍄
- September 18–27, 2026: Honk! Jr. (Spotlight Acting School students ages 9 to 14) at The Spotlight Playhouse. 🦢
- September 18–27, 2026: Salem’s Daughter (The Bluegrass Players) at The Spotlight Playhouse. 🕇
This article originally appeared on BereaOnline.com – your home for Madison County news, community events, and local updates.
📚 Sources
- Marriott Lexington Griffin Gate official Instagram (@marriottgriffingate)
- Music at The Mansion ticket page (VIP pricing reference)
