UNC Asheville continues its 25th annual Concerts on the Quad summer music series at 7 p.m. Monday, July 2, with the African-Caribbean sounds of Yawo. The band will perform with special guest John D’Earth, an acclaimed jazz musician and composer, who has worked with Dave Matthews, Miles Davis and others. The concert is free and open to the public.

Yawo, an eight-piece band based in Minneapolis, Minn., incorporates Afropop, beat, funk and reggae for a blend called “refreshingly upbeat” by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Led by Yawo Attivor, a native of Togo, West Africa, this ethnically and culturally diverse band brings a new perspective to contemporary world music. Yawo has played sold-out concerts and festivals across America and is gaining critical acclaim.

Concerts on the Quad is fun for the entire family. Sorry, no pets allowed. Patrons are invited to visit the Café a la Quad tent for a brand new menu of wraps, snacks, beverages, desserts and ice cream from 6-8 p.m. Bring blankets and lawn chairs for seating. With nearly 2,000 people attending each concert, lawn-chair seating will be separate from blanket seating in order to preserve sight lines; please look for signage when arriving on the Quad.

In case of rain, the concerts will be held in Lipinsky Auditorium. A limited menu will be served at the rain location. Location decisions will be made at 5 p.m. the day of the show. Patrons may call 828/232-5000, line 3 after 5:15 p.m. each Monday to hear a recorded announcement about the location of that evening’s performance.

Due to summer construction on campus, patrons are urged to use the main campus entrance on W.T. Weaver Blvd. At the top of the hill, turn left and travel through the parking lot, which will lead patrons to University Heights. Regular and handicap parking is available on the street and at lots near the Quad. Watch for directional signs.

The concerts, which are free and open to the public, will be held on UNC Asheville's Quad on Mondays through July 16. Upcoming concerts in the series include:

July 9: Firecracker Jazz Band – This six-piece Asheville band plays Dixieland and roots jazz

July 16: Western North Carolina Jazz Masters – The series will wrap up with classic jazz by local musicians Byron Hedgepeth, Eliot Wadopian, Stuart Reinhardt and Chris Rosser along with a special 25th anniversary celebration for Concerts on the Quad