Hot Summer Nights, Cool Music in Onondaga Cave: An evening with Richard Gilewitz

Onondaga Friends Association Presents: Hot Summer Nights, Cool Music in Onondaga Cave: An evening with Richard Gilewitz

Onondaga Cave State Park,The Big Room

7556 Highway H, Leasburg, MO

Date: Saturday, June 27, 2026

Time: Concert: 7pm - 9:30pm

Tickets: $40 

Ticket link: https://onondagafriends.org/tickets/cool-cave-music/

Prepare for an unforgettable night of subterranean sounds! Join us deep inside Onondaga Cave for a unique acoustic experience featuring world-renowned fingerstyle guitar virtuoso, Richard Gilewitz.

Known for his mesmerizing “fingerstyle wizardry” and a delightfully lively sense of humor, Richard transforms every performance into a rich, storytelling journey. Playing everything from classical Bach to rock legends Led Zeppelin, his genre-spanning repertoire seamlessly blends Delta blues, folk, jazz, and rock elements.Never one to settle for the boring or mundane, Richard Gilewitz surprises audiences with his hilariously eccentric vision of the world and its inhabitants alongside breathtaking fingerstyle artistry on the 6- and 12-string guitar. Named one of the top fingerstyle guitarists of all time, Richard invariably captivates listeners with uniquely emotional interpretations of romping knucklebusters and contemplative classical tunes reimagined for steel strings. He credits his ability to pull the deepest breath out of a tune to having studied for decades with a classical guitarist, who was himself taught by a violinist who played alongside Albert Einstein. That is Richard in a nutshell…unusual, unique, surprising, and a master of fingerstyle guitar. 

Schedule & Timeline

To protect the cave environment and ensure an uninterrupted experience, we adhere to a strict timeline:

• 5:30 PM: Doors Open
• 6:00 PM: Hors d’oeuvres available
• 6:20 PM: Seating Begins
• 6:55 PM: Cave Doors Locked (Strictly no late entry)
• 7:00 PM: Performance Begins
• 7:45 PM: Intermission with Hors d’oeuvres
• 8:30 PM: Intermission ends, Seating
• 8:45 PM: Second set begins

Important Guest Information & What to Bring

Because this event is held deep inside a natural cave system, please review these guidelines carefully to ensure your comfort and safety:

• Bring Your Own Chair: Please bring a folding chair that you can easily carry. The cave floor is hard, wet, and cold.
• Dress Warmly & Wear Layers: The cave is a damp 57°F year-round. We strongly recommend wearing comfortable clothing layers, a hat, gloves, and bringing a blanket for your lap.
• Footwear: Wear sturdy, good walking shoes. The cave trails are occasionally hilly and can be slippery.
• The Walk In: The performance takes place in the Big Room, which is approximately an 8-minute walk from the Visitor Center entrance. Ushers will be present to assist patrons into and out of the cave as needed.
• Food & Drink: No food or drink is permitted inside the cave. However, light refreshments will be available in the Visitor Center before and after the show.
• Restrooms: Restrooms are located inside the Visitor Center (no facilities are available inside the cave).

Phone: (573) 245-6576

Email: moparks@dnr.mo.gov