A finely detailed tablecloth from Provence was lain with crystal stemware, fine china, silver candlesticks and flowers. Her companion opened a bottle of Barolo and decanted. Then, he took a hammer and nail and hung a fine art print. On a tree.

It's not so unusual to find this sort of ritual being performed during the three hours Ravinia is open prior to concert time. There was a time when Ravinia was totally BYO, from simple buckets of chicken to extremely elaborate gourmet meals. In time, many regulars competed in the fine art of "doing Ravinia" while the under aged smuggled in coolers of beer.

Now you can do Ravinia fuss-free as the Levy organization has stepped up to the demands of the large and often sophisticated crowd that gathers here on gay, warm, celebratory, summer evenings. Music lovers can order ahead and pick up dinners, like steak and arugula sandwiches, shrimp-feta salads, and even ice and wine for your cooler. In addition, an ice cream parlor, Mirabelle restaurant, a café and a coffee shop assure that hunger pangs will not disrupt your enjoyment of the music.

For music is what Ravinia is really about. Not only is it the summer home for the Chicago Symphony, but the line-up of attractions during the glorious period of summer, June 7 - Sept. 8th, includes jazz, pop, rock, country and new world musicians. For performers who are fun to watch, pavilion seating for 3,200 is available, but thousands more prefer sitting on the lawn, where communing with nature and fellow music lovers confirms the "festival" in the title. You can always stand at the back of the pavilion and look on, saving money on tickets (some as high as $60 vs. the lawn at $10) and reserve all options. I've had pavilion seats on hot nights and chose the open air venue instead.

Cheap seats? Don't worry. Somehow the state-of-the-art sound system assures that everyone on the grounds hears the music exactly as those in the pavilion. Listening to music this way in the wide-open, warm summer air is akin to hearing the angles sing, regardless of whether the voice is Willie Nelson or Trisha Yearwood.

In spite of the park's expansiveness, the more popular acts sell-out; even lawn tickets, many before the box office opens in June. Therefore, it's best to check the schedule as soon as it's released and buy tickets online. I've already scored tickets for the fantastic Lyle Lovett/Bonnie Rait double bill on August 31st. At the same time you can choose, the "Instant Ravinia" option and book lawn chairs and dinner. What a pleasure from the old days when schlepping half the house was part of the price you paid to fully enjoy this venue.

Getting to Ravinia is easy! Take the special bus from eight locations in downtown, or the Metra Special and be dropped off at the front gate.

Then, pick your spot and watch the stars.