Enjoy a SECOND FRIDAY NIGHT MUSIC VENUE in Charlottesville, this one at the Main Street Arena at 5:00pm.  Here’s the summer schedule:

July 1 - Sweetwater Band; July 8 - Keith Bryant & the Iron Horse Band; July 15 - Andy Vaughan & the Driveline; July 22 - Southern Company; July 29 - Tailgate Down; August 5 - Mia Jones and No Luv; August 12 - Cedar Creek; August 19 - Southpaw; August 26 - Texaco Country Showdown. For more information go to www.finallyfridays.com.

Enjoy “music, wine and the big outdoors” at Starry Nights at Veritas Winery.  Dinner is also available with reservations.  Here’s the coming schedule:

Saturday, July 9 - Abbey Road (Beatles Cover Band)

Saturday, August 13 - Little Freddie King (New Orleans Blues)

Saturday, September 10 - King Cadillac

For more information go to www.veritaswines.com.

The Ash Lawn Opera Festival will perform THE KING AND I on July 30 and 31, August 4, 6 and 7.  Performances are at The Paramount Theater in Charlottesville.   For tickets go to http://tickets.theparamount.net/.

Plan now on visiting Montpelier, the home of President James Madison, the weekend of August 19 through 21 to bring the history of the Civil War alive.  General Samuel McGowan’s South Carolinians encamped at Montpelier the winter of 1863-1864.  The reenactments will include skirmishes, dress parades and a Civil-War era court martial among other activities.  For more information go to www.montpelier.org and click on the Calendar of Events.

At Montpelier, the home of James Madison, you will find the President and his wife receiving visitors almost every weekend now through September 25.  Visit their Virginia estate on Saturday from 11:00am until 5:00pm or on Sunday from noon until 5:00pm.  Chances are you will find either “James” or “Dolley”  in the mansion’s south wing.  For a detailed schedule go to www.montpelier.org.

Just 14 miles from Cedar Spring Inn, Glass House Winery opened last December with weekend hours only.  For the summer, however, they are staying open until 9:00pm on Fridays.  The winery has a unique tropical feeling and features artisan wine and artisan chocolates … yes, wine and chocolate!  What could be better?  To find out more go to www.glasshousewinery.com.

Every Sunday afternoon from Memorial Day to Labor Day (and longer weather permitting) King Family Vineyard hosts Roseland polo matches on the winery property.  Bring some shade and some seating and a picnic if you wish and enjoy a lazy Sunday afternoon at the polo field.  Polo matches are weather permitting, so go to www.roselandpolo.com the morning of your trip to check weather conditions.

Here are a few events to plan to attend in July and August.  Why not plan a quick getaway in Charlottesville?

July 4 - First Colony Winery, Burgers and Bluegrass

July 10 - Horton Cellars Winery - Annual Pig Roast

July 10 - Jefferson Vineyards, Fete de la Bastille

July 10 - Veritas Winery, Starry Nights with Abbey Road (Beatles Cover Band)

July 17 - Prince Michel, Third Annual Prince Michel Car Show

August 14 - Veritas Winery, Starry Nights with Little Freddie King (New Orleans Blues Legend)

August 21/22 - Autumn Hill Vineyards, 8th Annual Harvest Prevue and Perspective Open House