Music, music, music — to enjoy the summer offerings, whether it be concerts in the park or at interesting locations throughout the greater metro area, we won’t have to go far. Those sounds will be rendered by top musicians and, in many instances, by outstanding vocalists and dancers who help enhance the stage and make the scene even more enjoyable.

I would be remiss not to make my first choice the 2012 Five Points Jazz Festival to be held on Saturday, May 19, starting at noon in the rejuvenated Five Points area of Denver at 27th and Welton Streets. This has evolved into one of the best jazz festivals in the area, and features seven stages of cool, crazy and hot jazz, plus food and merchandise vendors. Admission is free.

You won’t want to miss John Akal’s Ultraphonic Jazz Orchestra, playing from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on the Main Stage. This is a 20-piece group of distinguished jazz musicians, happy and eager to play where much of Denver’s early jazz history was born. With the festival being sponsored by the city of Denver in conjunction with Jazz 89.3 KUVO, you know that when it comes to jazz, this is the place to be.

Following close behind the Five Points festival, Denver Day of Rock is set for Saturday, May 26, along the 16th Street Mall in downtown Denver.

Featured will be 25 bands on five stages, and you can rock your way around for free. All ages are welcome, but it will be especially pleasing for the younger generations to attend with performances by Toto, Fishbone and Toad the Wet Sprocket.

For more information, go to www.DenverDayOfRock.com.

On Thursday, June 7, the Summer Concert Fest at the Arvada Center begins. The opener for this series will be Cinderella, featuring Ballet Ariel and the Colorado Children’s Chorale. Through August 30, 11 other equally special combinations of music and talented entertainers will be appearing, including the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra and special guest, the Queen City Jazz Band.

The Arvada Center will also be offering a Summer Stage Series, featuring well-known national musical acts that could be just what you’d want to take your clan of summer visitors to see.

The gates open at 6:30 p.m., and outdoor concerts and Summer Stage start at 7:30 p.m.

For a complete schedule go on line at www.summeratthecenter.com.

For Goldenites, the Red Rocks 2012 summer concert schedule is always something we look forward to. The season begins in May and continues through September. Believe me, the entertainment choices are many. I’ll have trouble deciding, but I know I’ll pick Yanni on July 13, Chicago/Doobie Brothers on July 15 and the Beatles Anniversary Concert Tribute on August 24. There’s nothing like bringing back memories, and I’ll admit, I do have quite a few.

Tickets are on sale now. You can visit www.redrocksonline.com for a complete summer schedule.

This is just the beginning of a terrific summer of music, and if you are like me, you will be looking forward to creating a lot of new memories with friends and family.

The call of nature

With the warmer weather arriving, we can finally shed those winter coats and head to the great outdoors. But, that means that some of our four-legged neighbors will also be coming out of their dens and sharing the summer in our company. Unfortunately, that can lead to conflicts when one of our black bear neighbors decides to commandeer your back yard.

To help us all better understand and live with our animal friends, Rocky Mountain National Park is offering a great series of ranger-led programs. “Bear Necessities” will be held every Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m. through June 16, meeting at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center. “Skins and Skulls” will let you get in touch with animal fur, horns and antlers. This one also runs Saturdays and Sundays through June 16, but meets at 2 p.m. in the Fall River Visitor Center.

Feel a little more like exploring? Then bring your binoculars and handy field guide with you to the daily spring bird walks that meet at 8 a.m. every day except Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Alluvial Fan parking lot.

For more information, call 970-586-1206 or go to www.nps.gov/romo. If you don’t know where all these locations are in the park, don’t worry. They will give you a map when you enter.

This should give you a little jump start on your summer adventures with our animals and hopefully lead to some rewarding encounters.

Dorothy Akal is a Golden resident and longtime Golden Transcript contributor who writes about Golden happenings in Avenue Flashes. To contribute an item for her column, call or fax information to 303-279-4990.