Billy Jonas will start the season off right on June 9

Music lovers of all ages will enjoy free concerts under the stars at UNC Asheville's 26th annual Concerts on the Quad summer music series. Concerts get under way at 7 p.m. each Monday evening June 9-July 14 on UNC Asheville's Quad.

Concerts on the Quad is fun for the entire family. The public is invited to bring picnics, blankets and lawn chairs. Sorry, no pets allowed. 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. Check the Café a la Quad tent for snacks and beverages from 6 to 8 p.m.

In case of rain, the concerts will be held in Lipinsky Auditorium. A limited menu will be served on rainy evenings. Concert location decisions are 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.

Concerts in the 2008 season include:

• June 9 – The Billy Jonas Band – This local trio performs high-energy original music on found and foraged instruments

• June 16 – Nuevo Montuno – A new nine-piece Latin orchestra playing trombone-based salsa in the 1970s New York style

• June 23 – The Smoky Mountain Brass Band – This group performs classic brass band tunes, including marches, patriotic numbers and hymns

• June 30 – One Leg Up – This top-notch Asheville acoustic group swings in the style of Django Reinhardt

• July 7 – Bandana Klezmer with Jibblin' the Froeline – A night of high-energy dance music in the Eastern European and gypsy-blues style

• July 14 – The Buckerettes – A three-piece cowgirl band featuring country, bluegrass, old time and rock n' roll

For more information about the series, call UNC Asheville's Cultural and Special Events Office at 828/251-6991 or click on www.unca.edu/summerquad.