Taltree Arboretum & Gardens, "Northwest Indiana's Biggest Backyard," is renowned for its natural areas, extensive tree and plant collections, and its offerings in education and research.

This weekend it's going to be known for a little Irish and Brass.

Taltree Arboretum and Gardens is hosting a musical weekend featuring a performance tonight by Kennedy's Kitchen, a traditional Irish band that has entertained audiences with its unique blend of "toe-tapping and tug at your heart strings" sound and the Northwest Indiana Symphony Brass Quintet, which on Sunday will play a variety of music from the Baroque era to contemporary classics as well as swing.

This marks the second consecutive year that the South Bend-based Kennedy's Kitchen will perform at the gardens.

"Last year was wonderful -- it is a great setting for an outdoor concert," said Kennedy's Kitchen singer/songwriter John Kennedy.

Kennedy, whose bio lists him as the band's man behind the vocals, guitar, tin whistle, bouzouki, bodhran, banjo and "embellished stories," said they'd probably perform some of their same music with a sprinkling of new material as well.

"I'll probably sing 'The Great Kankakee,' one of my own songs," he said.

"Nolan (Ladewski, Kennedy's nephew and tin whistle player) is singing more now, and Rob (Weber) our bass player, has a song that has become a favorite.

"So there definitely will be some new material along with our favorites."

Kennedy's Kitchen has a new CD (its fourth) in the works, and members have been busy touring -- including a recent jaunt to Pennsylvania where they performed at the Majestic Theater in Gettysburg and Musikfest in Bethlehem.

Kennedy said Irish music is mostly still played informally, not at concerts.

It's played in pub backrooms and kitchens (hence the band's name), Kennedy said.

Tonight it's being played at Taltree.

"It is a magical place," he said. "Everyone in the band, except Rob, loves to garden."

Kennedy's Kitchen also includes Chris O'Brien on fiddle, tenor banjo, mandolin and vocals; and Bob Harke on guitar, bodhran and vocals.

Sunday's Taltree performance by the Northwest Indiana Symphony Brass Quintet features William Camp, trumpet; Kevin Harrison, tuba; Joseph Rodriguez, trombone; John Schreckengost, French horn; and Scott Quackenbush, trumpet.