Jazz at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden

Summer comes, and suddenly Washington is exploding with outdoor activity on the Mall. If you've been dreaming of spending your Friday evening surrounded by great works of sculptured art, the nation's monuments in the background, live jazz, a picnic spread and a pitcher of sangria, just head to the Sculpture Garden at the National Gallery of Art on Friday evenings through Sept. 10

Located where the ice-skating rink exists in winter, Jazz in the Garden concerts are an extension of the Gallery's regular concert series, except it takes place outside, and it serves food and sangria (and other drinks). The music and entrance are free, but the sangria and food is not (and not inexpensive, either). The food, however, is prepared properly, Washingtonian-with-pearls style, for its jazzgoing fans: no fried fast food will be found here.

However, you are welcome to bring your own picnic or pre-order a specialty keepsake picnic basket for two from the National Gallery. It consists of bottled water, summer sausage, cheese, fresh-baked bread, gourmet spreads and local fruit. There's also a postcard from the Gallery collection, a souvenir pen and current events calendar included.

The event occurs rain or shine, except in rain the concerts may be held in the Pavilion Cafe, where other food is also sold. It's still fun even if it's raining, as long as you're prepared with an umbrella when you head out afterwards. The best way to arrive is by metro, bus or bike.

Arrive early, so you can reserve a spot on the grass with a blanket or lawn chairs and even with view of the musicians on stage. It's a popular event for locals, so prepare for lines for food and bathrooms. You can opt to go walking through the garden to admire the 17 sculptures installed, or the flowers, shrubs and trees.

The current line up for this year's concert series include jump swing band Nattybeaux, hot salsa band Bio Ritmo, jazz and R&B vocalist Daysahead, Latino jazz from Los Angeles Incendio, jazz trombonist
John Bensen, Norwegian jazz guitarist Bjorn Solli, and another Norwegian jazz group Carsten Boe Trio.

- by Rin-rin Yu, Washington Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Rin-rin Yu

Rin-rin is an award-winning writer and journalist based in the Baltimore-Washington area. Her work has appeared in China Daily, DAYSPA magazine, Luxury Home Design, Aquatics International, Not For Tourists and other publications. Rin-rin has also worked for ABC News, WHDH-TV (NBC) in Boston and Hanley Wood Business Media. She has a master's degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. She is an avid world traveler and maintains a travel blog, www.mytravelhats.com.