Sitting outside has never been more complicated.

The summer concert season is here, which means BYOB or C (bring your own blanket or chair) to a park or plaza. All you need is something to keep you off the itchy, lumpy, dewy grass or hard-boiled concrete.

Summer sounds are wafting around the county, mainly in parks, but in other outdoor areas as well, so you've got plenty of chances to put your folding furniture or threadbare comforter to work. Some series even offer table seating, for a price.

If you schlep your own thing to sit on, however, the choices are staggering. You can purchase chairs with coolers, clip-on umbrellas, adjustable headrests and armrests, sun shades, lumbar support, cell phone pockets, cup holders, leg caps (to protect the grass) or fold-out side tables, in any color of the rainbow or printed with the logo of your favorite sports team, superhero or animal print.

You could lie lower, trying a blanket instead. An old sleeping bag works, or consider special spreads with waterproof backing, shoulder straps and built-in pillows.

But don't worry if you lack the latest in lounging technology.

When the sun starts to set, and the music starts, lifting your soul and maybe even your bottom out of your chair to dance and sway, then any uneven ground and sagging back support cease to be a concern.

And if you're a kid, or a cuddly couple, you don't need a seat anyway, just a comfy lap.

Here, listed by city, are your outdoor summer concert options in and around Ventura County:

Agoura Hills

@TO-1-Text Subhed:Concerts in the Park

The scene: "The hills are alive " We're talking Agoura Hills, not Austria's Alps, so the sound of music will come wafting through the warm evening air at Chumash Park during the remaining three concerts in the city-sponsored series.

The performers: pop and dance band Platinum Groove, to be followed by fireworks, July 6; former Doobie Brothers drummer Chet McCracken and his band, July 20; and Billy Joel/Elton John tribute Face to Face, Aug. 3.

Getting there: Concerts start at 6 p.m. (food is available for sale at 5 p.m.) at Chumash Park, 5550 Medea Valley Drive. Free. 818-597-7361.

@TO-1-Text Subhed:Sunday Concerts in the Park

The scene: The idyllic oak woodland environment at the Peter Strauss Ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area might seem to beg for pastoral airs played on a flute or harp. Nope. The Topanga Bango/Fiddle Contest is organizing the concerts, so you'll get plucky, swingin' tunes. Bonus: Bring your own instruments to join a jam session before each show.

The performers: old-time string band Triple Chicken Foot and bluegrass ensemble Stephanie Bettman & The Boys, July 13; Celtic band Molly's Revenge, Aug. 10; and bluegrass band Whiskey Chimp, Sept. 14.

Getting there: 3 to 5 p.m. (jam session from 2 to 3 p.m.) at Peter Strauss Ranch. From Highway 101, take the Kanan Road exit south about 3 miles to Troutdale Road and turn left. Go two blocks to Mulholland Highway and turn left, then make a right into the parking lot. Free. 818-382-4819; http://www.topangabanjofiddle.org.

Camarillo

@TO-1-Text Subhed:Camarillo Community Band

The scene: A traditional (i.e., not rock) band comprised of amateur adult and teen musicians performs at Constitution Park, with a different local school music director conducting each week. Want to play? If you're an adult, just show up for rehearsals at the former Los Altos Middle School with your instrument (after polishing the old trombone or flute from high school) on Mondays and Wednesdays. High school students need to audition. For information, contact Dan Rhymes at 484-8050. Bonus: During concerts, kids receive a baton and get to conduct.

The conductors: John Stava, band director at Camarillo High School, July 3; Samantha Blake, music director at Mesa Verde Middle School in Moorpark, July 10; Robert Hackett, band director at Moorpark High School, July 17; Julie Judd, band director at Chaparral Middle School in Moorpark, July 24; and a yet-to-be-announced conductor, July 31.

Getting there: 7 p.m. Thursdays, July 3-31, at Constitution Park, Carmen Drive and Paseo Camarillo. Free. http://www.camarilloband.com.

@TO-1-Text Subhed:Concerts in the Park

The scene: Come early to stake out your patch on the grass for the Camarillo Arts Council's concerts at Constitution Park: Concertgoers were already setting up chairs three days before the most recent show in the series, a performance by rocker Eddie Money. Bonus: Trader Joe's is across the street if you need picnic fare.

The performers: Neil Diamond tribute Super Diamond, July 5; Moorpark Symphony Orchestra, July 19; country band Caught Red Handed, Aug. 9; surf band Kahuna Beach Party, Aug. 23; and Elvis impersonator Raymond Michael, Sept. 6.

Getting there: 7:30 p.m. at Constitution Park, Carmen Drive and Paseo Camarillo. Free. http://www.camarilloartscouncil.org.

Ojai

@TO-1-Text Subhed:Ojai Band Concerts

The scene: Libbey Park, home to the annual avant-garde Ojai Music Festival, hosts a much more traditional band program during these Wednesday evening concerts hosted by the Rotary Club of Ojai-West. Expect plenty of marches, big band tunes and songs from Broadway musicals. Bonus: Kids get to march around with balloons halfway through the show.

The performers: Joe Boccali directs an all-volunteer ensemble.

Getting there: 7:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, July 9 through Aug. 13, at Libbey Park, downtown Ojai. 646-1740.

Oxnard

@TO-1-Text Subhed:Heritage Square Summer Concert Series

The scene: The staid Ventura County pioneers who used to live in the Victorian houses in Oxnard's Heritage Square didn't get to hear sounds like this — rock, Latin, jazz and other loud, corrupting music. Free seating is on the lawn; tables for six and plaza seating are available for a fee.

The performers: Bandidos de Amor (world beat rumba), June 27; Ulysses S. Jasz (Dixieland jazz), July 4; House Arrest (dance and R&B), July 11; The Wonderelles (classic '50s and '60s), July 18; Chico Band (Latin, oldies and rock), July 25; Spice (R&B, Latin and smooth jazz), Aug. 1; Sapadilla (Caribbean fusion), Aug. 8; and Gilberto Gonzales (world jazz), Aug. 15.

Getting there: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursdays, through Aug. 15, at Heritage Square, 715 South A St. $5 for plaza seating, $40-$60 for tables, free for lawn seating. 483-7960 or http://www.visitoxnard.com.

Simi Valley/Oak Park

@TO-1-Text Subhed:Music in the Park

The scene: The Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District is paying tribute to tribute bands during its monthly concerts at Oak Canyon Park in Oak Park and Rancho Simi Community Park in Simi Valley. Shady areas, lagoons and waterfalls temper any lingering heat from the sun's pelting rays.

The performers: Ticket to Ride, Beatles tribute, June 28 at Oak Canyon; Hotel California, Eagles tribute, July 19 at Rancho Simi; and Savor, Santana tribute, Aug. 16 at Rancho Simi.

Getting there: 6 to 8 p.m. Oak Canyon Park is at 5600 Hollytree Drive; Rancho Simi Park is at 1765 Royal Ave. Free. http://www.rsrpd.org.

Thousand Oaks

@TO-1-Text Subhed:Summer Concerts in the Park

The scene: You're in safe-as-a-cocoon Thousand Oaks, surrounded by wide expanses of grass, with slides and swings aplenty — this concert series screams "family-friendly." The audience is well-mannered, however, so "screams" probably isn't the proper word.

The performers: Conejo Pops Orchestra with Sherwood Singers, July 4; Latin fusion band Incendio, July 13; California Dreamin,' Aug. 10; and Motown group The Best Intentions, Sept. 1.

Getting there: 5 p.m. at Conejo Community Park, 1175 Hendrix Ave. Free. 381-1247 or http://www.hillcrestarts.com.

@TO-1-Text Subhed:Gardens of the World Summer Jazz Concert Series

The scene: Picnicking and listening are elegant on the lawn at Gardens of the World's grassy amphitheater, which boasts a Victorian bandstand and gorgeous floral surroundings. Jazzy ladies rule the stage this summer.

The performers: jazz harp player Lori Andrews, July 20; singer Jeanne Tatum and Company, July 27; Nedra Wheeler Strings and Things, Aug. 3; Lady Jazz Kickin' Brazz featuring singer Sweet Baby J'ai, Aug. 10; Singers on Parade, featuring Lulee Fisher, Vivien Mason and Julie Kelly, Aug. 17; and Maiden Voyage All-Stars, Aug. 24.

Getting there: 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Gardens of the World, 2001 Thousand Oaks Blvd. Free. 557-1135 or http://www.gardensoftheworld.info.

@TO-1-Text Subhed:Janss Marketplace Summer Jams

The scene: Grass stains aren't an issue here; concerts take place in the food courtyard or by the fountain. We're sure the Janss Marketplace people didn't think of this, but dinner is available from the shopping center's smorgasbord of eateries.

The performers: Urban Dread (reggae), July 2; Mini Driver (cover band), July 9; Copycats (Top 40 hits), July 16; Cuppa Joe (acoustic '60s and '70s), July 23; Kings of Marigold (acoustic rock), July 30); Jevon McGlory (R&B and hip-hop), Aug. 6; Early McCallister, Aug. 13; Walking Phoenixes (Johnny Cash tribute), Aug. 20; and Hollywood Stones (Rolling Stones tribute), Aug. 27.

Getting there: 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, through Aug. 27, at Janss Marketplace, Moorpark Road and Hillcrest Drive. 495-4662 or http://janssmarketplace.net.

Ventura

@TO-1-Text Subhed:Music Under the Stars

The scene: The Olivas Adobe — the 19th-century rancho home of Raymundo Olivas — is your historical courtyard backdrop for this popular concert series that includes dancing on a wooden ballroom floor, with seating and dining at tables. Reservations are recommended.

The performers: Louie Cruz Beltran (Latin jazz), July 12; Little Jonny & the Giants (rock blues), July 19; Pete Jacobs Quintet (swing), July 26; Porterhouse Bob (blues), Aug. 2; Estrada Brothers (Latin jazz), Aug. 9; Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys (rockabilly country), Aug. 16; Rob Rio & The Revolvers (boogie-woogie), Aug. 23; Caravana (Latin R&B), Aug. 30; and Lisa Haley & the Zydecats (zydeco), Sept. 6.

Getting there: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Olivas Adobe, 4200 Olivas Park Drive. $18. Reservations recommended; call 658-4726. To order a hot catered dinner ($13) served at the site, call 650-7559 by noon the day before each concert.

Westlake Village

@TO-1-Text Subhed:TGIF series

The scene: Anyone who labors Monday through Friday knows what "TGIF" means: weekend! Herald the onset of summer's lazy Saturdays and Sundays, and thank God for free Friday concerts, at two locations, Berniece Bennett Park or the Westlake Village Civic Center. You can purchase food from a different local restaurant each week. Other events in the series include a magic show and movie screening.

The performers: Cabrillo Music Theatre, performing sccenes from "Singin' in the Rain," July 25 at the Civic Center; Eagles tribute band The Long Run, Aug. 22 at Berniece Bennett Park; and "Jazz Under the Moonlight" featuring Jens Lindeman, Sept. 5 at the Civic Center.

Getting there: 7 p.m. The Civic Center is at 31200 Oak Crest Drive; Berniece Bennett Park is at 31800 Village Center Road. 818-706-1613 or http://www.wlv.org.