New jazz series kicks off soon in Reston’s Town Square Park 

A new jazz series is kicking off next month in Reston Town Square Park next month.

The Reston Town Center Association is launching a jazz series on Sept. 8. Called Sip & Stroll, visitors can purchase alcohol at some establishments on site and stroll to designated areas at select events.

The series kicks off with Darden and Friends on Thursday evenings from Sept. 8 through Oct. 27. Darden Purcell, a national recording artist and director of jazz studies at George Mason University, will close and curate the series.

The event is free and presented by RTCA and Reston Community Center.

RTCA Executive Director Robert Goudie says the series was launching to further expand the town center experience.

“What a way to launch it, with world-class jazz from Darden and her friends, presented in partnership with our longtime cultural partner, Reston Community Center, and with the generous support of Boston Properties and the Avant (our green room sponsor),” Goudie said. “We think that this will hit all the right notes.”

In a statement, RCC’s executive director Leila Gordon said the center was supportive of the idea when it was pitched it to the center by RTCA.

“Combining the beautiful early evenings of fall in the ambience of the park and offering audiences the added treat of sipping their beverage of choice from one of the participating restaurants, is a perfect match. We think people will thoroughly enjoy themselves,” Gordon said.

Alcohol can only be bought from establishments within the event perimeter — which is town square park and surrounding streets.

The concert will run on Thursday from 5-6:15 p.m. and the park will be open for the event at 4 p.m. All alcohol must be cleared from the park by 7 p.m.