The Arts Council will celebrate its last installment of Evenings of Intimate Jazz with its first free concert for local residents.

A special appearance by the Jazz Guardians, the U.S. Army Guard Forces jazz band, will highlight the evening.

"The Evenings of Intimate Jazz will be moving outside, weather permitting ... on the lawn at The Arts Council's Smithgall Arts Center," said Gladys Wyant, executive director of The Arts Council. "This is an 18-piece group; they are quite professional, and they are with the U.S. Army stationed at Fort McPherson. And they will be here for a great evening."

Featured musical pieces include classics from Cab Callaway, Glenn Miller, Count Basie and Duke Ellington, along with modern pieces.

"There will be some modern jazz, performing charts that have been written by Pat Metheny that have been converted to big band," said 1st Sgt. Lonny Seal, drummer and Jazz Guardians director. "Arturo Sandoval, which is kind of a Latin base ... as well as the older or more traditional stuff as well."

Wyant said gates will open at 6 p.m. for the show.

"People can bring their picnics and they can reserve a table for $50, otherwise the concert is free and they can bring their own chairs," Wyant said.

In the event of rain, the concert will move to The Arts Council Performing Arts Complex.

"People who have reserved tables will have a table set up for them in a different space before the concert," Wyant said. "People can call and, if we do have to change the venue, we will have that on our recording after the office closes."