By Ted AYALA

As August winds down, so too do the long, warm days of summer. This weekend may be among the last chances to enjoy some food and wine al fresco while listening to great music.

Both Southwest Chamber Music and the California Philharmonic Orchestra are offering some appetizing options before Labor Day signals the unofficial end of the season.

This weekend – on Aug. 25 and Aug. 26 – the Southwest Chamber Music will bring its retrospective of French music and the culinary art of Julia Childs to a close. Among the works performed will be Debussy’s perennially verdant “Petite Suite” and the saucy rhythms and harmonies of Milhaud “Le boeuf sur le toit.” Concluding the program is composer Louis Gugliemi’s tribute to Edith Piaf, “La vie en rose.”

Also on the same weekend is the California Philharmonic’s grand finale to its summer season. Closing in grand fashion its first season at its new home in Santa Anita is the music of Beethoven and John Williams. Joining the orchestra will be the California Philharmonic Chorale and singers Emily Dyer, Danielle Bond, Ashley Faatoalia and Ben Lowe. The program will be repeated Sunday at Walt Disney Hall.

Information and tickets for the concerts can be found at: Southwest Chamber Music: (626) 685-4455, toll free at (800)726-7147, or by going online to www.swmusic.org. California Philharmonic Orchestra: (626) 300-8200, or by going online to www.calphil.org.

  Ted Ayala