Larry, Deb and Vivian Mattke prepare to enjoy the first 2008 Concerts on the Square performance following dinner on State Street at Noodles & Co. The women get dibs on the rocking chairs.

Emma Larson enjoys some pre-concerts musical theater on her Ipod while she waits for the show to start with her grandma, Jenny Larson. Jenny has been coming to Concerts on the Square for 25 years, since she worked downtown.

John Scherpelz and Chuck Geitzel, right, oversee the table for the group from Metropolitan Place Condominiums. Geitzel arrived at 2 p.m. to stake out a place and set up his table, complete with a hurricane lamp and candle.

Kathy and Peter Kienitz's large group includes visitors from Sweden. "You gotta perfect your operation," Peter says, gesturing to the group's coolers, blankets and chairs.

Pat Fiss, Sherry Minkus and Jan Robbins enjoy some quality red wine and homemade appetizers before the music starts. Robbins is the only "native," but all of the women have lived in Madison for more than 30 years.

Wendy Chen rips through the solos in Rhapsody in Blue while Andrew Sewell leads the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra.