If you're a jazz music lover, you may want to take advantage of a rare opportunity: arena seats are still on sale for this year's Monterey Jazz Festival. They're not only good for the 2008 season, but are renewable in future years, guaranteeing you'll get a seat at the festival, which continues to gain popularity more than 50 years after it started.

It's held on the third weekend of September, which for 2008 is September 19 - 21. This year's performers include Herbie Hancock, Nancy Wilson, Maceo Parker and a host of other award-winning artists. For many years, you could get tickets for the grounds up until the event started, but recently, they've been selling ahead of time and earlier every year, so do make your plans now if you want to go.

A long-standing San Francisco tradition,Stern Grove provides a full summer of free concerts featuring music to fit every taste from Bach to Zydeco. It's an experience we always look forward to, and fun whether you're a local, a near-local or an out-of-towner.