Insiders know that the Newport Art Museum’s summer music series, PM Musical Picnics, is one of the best al fresco entertainment deals around. On Wednesday evenings kids, parents, grandparents, couples and friends relax on blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the music and a light meal brought from home. Admission is free for Museum members. Non-members pay just $5, non-member families pay $10 and children under the age of five are free. All concerts begin at 6:30 pm on the grounds of the Museum’s historic Griswold House, weather permitting. Visit www.NewportArtMuseum.org or call (401) 848-8200 for general information. (No advance reservations.)

The Newport Art Museum’s 2008 PM Musical Picnic series is sponsored by NewportFed. The line-up:

June 25 “Mac Chrupcala & Mike Renzi: The Dynamic Jazz Duo”
Accompanied by bass and drums. Playing the music of Henry Mancini, Cole Porter and Michel Le Grand.

July 2 “Abbey Rhode”
Abbey Rhode brings the music of the Beatles to life. With vintage instruments and authentic vocal arrangements they deliver a high energy sound.

July 9 “Navy Band Northeast” FREE for everyone.
Wind ensemble concert band music playing light patriotic selections, classic American and Dixieland tunes.

July 16 “The Hurley Brothers Band”
Eclectic Acoustic: An eclectic blend of familiar and obscure tunes from Bluegrass to the Beatles.

July 23 “Mike Walsh + the Blitz”
Original music with a New Age, Jazz/Rock sound.

July 30 “Night Life Orchestra”
Consisting of no less than thirteen musicians, “NLO” provides a classic big band sound and includes hits from Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, James Brown and Van Morrison.

August 6 NO CONCERT

August 13 “Mike Fischman and the Red Tide Ramblers”
A collection of Irish tunes, contemporary acoustic folk, blue grass and some Western swing.