Charlottesville may be hot this time of year, but it offers residents numerous compensations. Among the usual pastimes are some terrific outdoor concerts. There are so many, in fact, that it's hard to keep track of them all. That's why the C'ville Review now offers you a trusty guide to all the outdoor summer music series. In addition to descriptions of each series, you'll find a handy-dandy schedule made especially for posting on your refrigerator. The concerts range from free to affordable, and there's one to cater to every taste, whether it be beer, wine, or lemonade. Kids are welcome to all, although some concerts will appeal less to toddlers than to kids old enough to pay taxes. All the concerts combine music with eating, from hot dogs and ice cream cones to shrimp salad and marinated artichoke hearts. But whichever sort of concert appeals to you, be sure to find one you like soon. Summers don't last forever.

Downtown Tuesday Nights
At the Central Place

Tuesday nights downtown have a timeless feel to them. Older folks who have been patronizing the series for years come well-prepared, armed with lawn chairs and munchies. Young families come with the kids in tow-it's easy to leave if the kids start fussing, and there are plenty of distractions to keep them busy. And everyone comes because it's so comfortable, sitting down in the shade of the trees, listening to the music and the gurgle of fountains, and watching people stroll by. Folks walk their dogs, eat their ice cream cones, and laugh at the toddlers doing a jig to the music. With two outdoor restaurants within sight and sound of the band, some eat dinner while they listen. John Wheeler, who has been coming to the series with his family for five or six years, enjoys the relaxed atmosphere. "Everyone is wandering around doing what they want. It's like an old-fashioned Sunday in the park."

The Charlottesville Municipal Band alternates weekly with bands ranging from a trio which plays gospel, rock, and folk, to a solo guitarist who plays progressive rhythm and blues. The Municipal Band has been playing in the area since 1923, and in the downtown mall since its inception. Jim Simmons, conductor of the band, says that they draw crowds from Orange, Waynesboro, and Madison as well as from Charlottesville and Albemarle. "We play all types of music-marches, popular music, light classics and classics, show tunes, Broadway show music-we play anything and everything." The Municipal Band attracted over 1,200 people to the season's first concert and sometimes draws 3,000.

Other bands bring smaller, more intimate crowds. When the concerts end at 9:00, people in the mood for more entertainment can easily walk down the mall to the bars, restaurants, and movie theaters nearby.

UVa Under the Stars

Like so many things at the U are slated to do, UVa's free outdoor concerts in the amphitheater have become a tradition. The concerts in the semi-circular arena attract a mixed crowd: bands with a strong local following may draw couples and young families in their 30s and 40s, whereas those with a UVa following primarily attract students. No alcohol is allowed, so the concerts don't have the problems associated with some of UVa's rowdier events. "People just bring blankets, hang out, bring dinners," said Karen Zivi, cultural and educational programming director at University Union, which sponsors the series. "A lot of times you see kids running around." Besides providing a beautiful setting, the amphitheater's shape creates better acoustics than those at most outdoor concerts. "The quality of sound is excellent," said Chris Bowman, a sound man and band manager. "I've heard a number of shows there, and the sound was fabulous." All in all, it's a chance to have a good time outdoors on a summer night. "People wander in and out, see what's happening," said Trevon Gross. "It's just a lot of fun."

Fridays after 5

For those of you who haven't made it downtown on Friday evenings, you're in for a surprise. Once the band cranks up, the crowds start rolling in, and the beer starts flowing, the downtown mall is transformed into one massive party. But this is the kind of party that everyone seems to enjoy-from the professionals in business suits winding down from the week, to the teens in their latest fashions who are checking out the scene, to the parents with their little ones in tow, pushing baby carriages and buying the older ones ice cream and balloons. Sponsored by the Downtown Charlottesville Foundation to give the mall more exposure, the series has become a major event. "You've got a real cross-section of town," said Wayne Mehl at last Friday's concert. "It's the one social event in this town where you see both black and white together." Whether dancing on the bricked mall, lounging against the buildings and watching the crowds, or talking to groups of friends, no one seems in a hurry to leave." We're just walking around, eating licorice, and drinking beer," said Suzanne Sheppe. "And we're chasing men," added Netra Clogston. All the pay phones on the mall ate tied up with people calling their friends and encouraging them to join in the festivities.

The concerts, which feature mainly out-of-town bands, run from 5:30 to 8. Attendance varies with the weather and can run as high as 6,000. Many concert goers dine at the mall's restaurants, while others partake of the beer, hot dog, and soda concession stands. The beer concession has drawn criticism from some downtown merchants, who say that it encourages more revelry than they want. "It's drawing a rowdier crowd," said one merchant, who went on to say that the drinking gets out of hand. Others disagree. Kathy Compton, who works at a downtown clothing store, enjoys the festive mood of the evening. "The drinking relaxes them. It relaxes their wallets too," she said.

Ash Lawn-Highland Summer Festival

The Ash Lawn-Highland Summer Festival, first started in 1978, has grown enormously over the years (last year's festival drew over 10,000 people). Of the Festival's four main events, the Opera season and Music at Twilight Series are the primary musical attractions.

Ash Lawn's setting creates a garden party atmosphere, simultaneously informal and impressive, that makes for an unusual and appealing evening. Some people come wearing shorts, while others wear silk. Some bring Kentucky Fried, others have wicker baskets with gourmet treats and wine. Kids are welcome, and all enjoy lingering after the performances to stroll the grounds. "The point of the festival, of course, is the performances and artistic talent," said Carolyn Holmes, executive director of Ash Lawn-Highland. "But at the same time, for those of us in the audience, the pleasure of the whole evening depends in large part on the setting-the boxwood gardens, the peacocks, and the picnic."

The Music at Twilight Series is an eclectic mix of classical and contemporary music, including a barbershop sampler, a jazz band, and a church choir. The series is held under a colorful outdoor tent, and picnic dinners can be ordered in advance for those too busy to bring their own. Like all Ash Lawn events, the Music at Twilight singers are accompanied by the peacocks. Johanna Banks Chase, a soprano who will start off this year's season, recalled her first encounter with them. "The first time I ever went to Ash Lawn, there was a wonderful harpsichordist and soprano. The harpsichordist would play, and everyone was silent. Then the soprano would start to sing, and 'caw, caw, caw!' the peacocks would start from the trees. But the girl never lost her cool."

The opera company has also learned to adapt to the presence of the peacocks. Dean Anthony, a tenor, has become accustomed to singing outdoors in their company. "It's quite a unique place-small and quaint. The peacocks have been singing along with every song!" This year's company is composed of twelve singers who temporarily reside in Charlottesville for the season. All the operas are sung in English, making the music more accessible to all "The informality of the scene makes it a good introduction to opera," said Holmes. An accompanying lecture series precedes many of the performances. Lecturers explain the background of that evening's performance, as well as answer general questions about opera. There is a 45 minute intermission for a picnic supper. Between the singing, food, and panoramic vistas, there is something for everyone. "Just going to the opera, and sitting on the grounds, and having dinner, is one of the most wonderful evenings you can possibly have," Banks Chase said.

(This article was accompanied by a page-long summer music schedule which I also wrote.)