A Sampling of FREE Summer Music in Hartford, Ct.

While planning a picnic with friends at Elizabeth Park to coincide with the annual bloom of 15,000 rose bushes, I learned that this year's Rose Garden Lawn concerts will take place on Wednesday evenings June 25th through August 27th from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Visitors will be treated to a variety of music, from swing, rock, Cajun, country, and pop, to top 40, R&B, Motown, and 50's. www.elizabethpark.com.

At the Butler, McCook House, the performers are also varied and eclectic. The concert series takes place on the first Thursday in June, July, August, and September from 5:30-7:30 p.m. www.ctlandmarks.org.

Bushnell Park sponsors the Monday Night Jazz series in the park's pavilion from June 6th through August 3rd. Opening bands start at 6:00 p.m.; headliners at 7:30. Also at this location is New England's largest free outdoor jazz festival on July 17, 18, 19. Get times, performers, directions and other information at www.hartfordjazz.org.

Trinity College is into the 60th annual Plumb Memorial Carillon Concert, taking place on the quad bordering the chapel. Every Wednesday evening at 7:00 through August. Tours of the chapel are offered following the concert. www.trincoll.edu/orgs/carillon.

Although the above destinations are all in the City of Hartford, no matter where you live in Connecticut, I guarantee you can easily locate a concert venue nearby. Make it a point to find and take advantage of the enjoyable summer activity of relaxing on the lawn while listening to good music. What could be better, except maybe picnicking at the same time!

Cruising Connecticut with a Picnic Basket has 48 recipes designed to make picnicking simple and fun. www.cruisingconnecticut.com.