Music al fresco: French Café Jazz with OPUS 216 on Sunday, Aug. 21 at 1 & 3 p.m.

On three Sunday afternoons in August and September, pack your lawn chair or blanket — and even a picnic — to embark on musical journeys to France, Italy and Cuba without ever changing time zones.

Featuring musicians from throughout NE Ohio, the one-hour concerts are at 1 and 3 p.m.

French Café Jazz with OPUS 216 — Sunday, Aug. 21: Classically trained, OPUS 216’s Cleveland musicians will take us on a musical journey spanning French Cafe Jazz to American Ragtime.
Italian Folk Music with Alla Boara — Sunday, Aug. 28: Alla Boara’s modern arrangements of Italy’s near-extinct folk songs are variously surprising, playful, mournful, tender, and bewitching. The vision of drummer and composer Anthony Taddeo (Helen Welch/Hey Mavis), Alla Boara also features vocalist Amanda Powell (Apollo’s Fire), guitarist Dan Bruce, trumpeter Tommy Lehman, bassist Ian Kinnaman, and accordionist and keyboardist Clay Colley.
Cuban Soul and Latin Rhythms with Justo Saborit and Havana Nights — Sunday, Sept. 11: Born in Havana, guitarist Justo Saborit is a veteran of the Cleveland music scene. Often compared to the passion of the Gipsy Kings and the guitar mastery of Carlos Santana, Justo Saborit and Havana Nights will be sure to make you want to get up and dance!

The Barder House is at 1041 W. Market St., Akron. In the case of inclement weather, concerts will move to Guzzetta Recital Hall, 157 University Ave., across from EJ Thomas Performing Arts Hall at The University of Akron. Ticket holders will be notified in advance of a location change.