Negative Effects of Playing Flute Outside?

[EMSeraphim]

So I have a question regarding is it safe to bring flute outside to play?
For school marching band I used to bring my old student flute outside to play for school games, since it was an old flute, I didn't care much for it. Recently though, I need to play at an upcoming event with my silver Muramatsu GX outside, but I read somewhere that you are not suppose to bring good flutes to play outside, and that it'll really damage the flute, is that true?
Of course I do understand that you can't expose flute to rain or direct sunlight, nor leave it outside for a long period of time, but if I just play it for less than 30 minutes in normal weather, is that okay? Also, is there anything else to watch out for and any extra care taking needed?

[pied_piper]

Simply playing your flute outside for 30 minutes or so will not harm it. Don't worry, it wan't get sunburned.

Here's what I consider do's and don'ts for playing flute outside:

DON'Ts:
Don't play it in the rain - water can ruin pads and cause rusty steels in the key shafts.
Don't play it at the beach or sandy areas - sand can blow into the mechanism and cause wear.
Don't lay it down ANYPLACE - someone could sit on it, step on it, etc.
Don't leave it unattended - it could disappear!
Don't leave it in direct sunlight for a long time - if it gets real hot, it can loosen glued pads, corks, and felts. For the same reason, don't leave it in a car.

DOs:
Keep your cleaning rod and swab handy - in humid conditions, excess condensation may build up inside the flute while playing.
Be careful of lightweight music stands - they can blow over and hit your flute.
Wear sunglasses if it's sunny - protects your eyes and makes it easier to read music outdoors
Have a bottle of water to sip from in case your mouth or throat gets dry while outside.

[James_Alto]

Playing outdoors is great - it upsets the neighbours much less if you're doing it away from them.

I hope you get to enjoy the experience - it's good for passing strangers to experience real instruments being practiced or played - not necessarily brilliantly - just played - so that they recall that real music is a part of everyday life, rather than just recorded music.

I tend to play in a valley. The wind speed is lower, and the flute doesn't sound as if it's trying to compete against an orchestra of wind sounds. You might wish to wear a hat, to avoid sunblock; carry insect repellent, lip balm and all the things which Pied-piper's recommended.

The hat was a recommendation from a few passing strangers - it's for collecting tips after playing

[Bo]

Don't play it at the beach or sandy areas - sand can blow into the mechanism and cause wear.

I used to play my old (first) flute at the beach... Sand did get into it and I basically had to clean it thoroughly when I came home sometimes. Thank God I didn't really damage it though. Now I play at home. But if I really wanted to go the beach, i would NEVER go with my new flute!