For fans of classical and jazz, summer means festival season. Such is the spate of festivals that even luscious Lake Chelan, a mecca for frat boys and Schmidt beer, holds the Lake Chelan Bach Fest (July 12-20). Also worth a road trip is the Icicle Creek Chamber Music Festival (July 5-27) in lovely Leavenworth. The ICCMF presents mostly straight-ahead old and new classical music with the occasional dollop of jazz. Held near Quilcene on the Olympic Peninsula, the Olympic Music Festival (June 21-Sept 7) also serves up weekend classical chamber music concerts in a rustic setting.

Closer to home is the UW Summer Arts Festival (July 16-19). Headlining are the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra (Fri July 18, Meany Hall, 7:30 pm, $12-$15) and the Kronos Quartet (Sat July 19, Meany Hall, 7:30 pm, $40-$45). The jazz orchestra, an all-star group that re-creates the glory days of Big Band jazz, performs the music of the immortal Thelonious Monk, including his classics "'Round Midnight," "Evidence," and "I Mean You." Indisputably the best-known string quartet in the world, the Kronos Quartet also ranks among the most exploratory. They commissioned Terry Riley, chiefly known for the minimalist classic In C and pioneering work with tape loops, for Sun Rings. This evening-long extravaganza is scored for string quartet, chorus, "pre-recorded spacescapes," and video projections. Thanks to high-caliber musicianship and usually interesting programming, the Seattle Chamber Music Festival (July 7-Aug 1) remains the granddaddy of local classical music festivals; even I dress up for it. CHRISTOPHER DeLAURENTI

For festival locations, lineups, schedules, and prices:

Icicle Creek Chamber Music Festival: www.icicle.org

Lake Chelan Bach Fest: www.bachfest.org

Olympic Music Festival: www.olympicmusic-festival.org

Seattle Chamber Music Festival: www.scmf.org

UW Summer Arts Festival: www.summerartsfest.org

chris@delaurenti.net