Jazz Fest Weekend One has finished, but the music continues before Weekend Two even opens their gates. You cannot escape seeing some music this week as mini-fests, night shows, and in-store concerts are planned everywhere. Every genre of music is being well-represented, and it would be a shame to miss any of it. Here's just a taste of what you can see this week.
Some locals favorite fest is happening all day on Wednesday. Chaz Fest begins at noon on 3020 St. Claude Avenue at the Truck Farm Studio. This fest includes bands like Hurray for the Riff Raff, Happy Talk Band, and everyone's favorite Russian Mafia Band Debauche plus more. If you're still up for merry-making after midnight, The New Orleans Bingo Show and Preservation Jazz Hall frontman Clint Maedgen performs a solo show at 2 a.m. at d.b.a. on Frenchmen Street for $10. The Unnaturals surf band are performing a free in-store at Euclid Records also in the Bywater at 3401 Chartres Street on Thursday at 5:30. You can pick up your copy of their album The Unnaturals vs. The 50-Foot Bettie while you're there.
Saturday go to your favorite local comic shop to celebrate the national holiday Free Comic Book Day; More Fun on Oak Street, Crescent City Comics on Freret Street, Media Underground on West Napoleon Avenue, or BSI on Severn Avenue will be participating. But I encourage to look around and shop while there. And if you didn't already know and were planning your night around it, it's Cinco de Mayo! After getting your Mexican grub on, there are some good shows to go to. The Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Center will be hosting it's second show of a three part series featuring The Guilt Of…with Mike IX Williams and Ryan McKern at 9 p.m. Head out to Siberia to see a great lineup of metal bands; Tragedy, Thou, Impressionable Youth. And I'm sure you can get more tequila there too.
Sunday is another Bywater fest. NOizefest will be held at the home of author and teacher Michael Patrick Welch at 609 Lesseps St. (near Bacchanal Wines) beginning at 11 a.m. and going all night. There will be bands there like NOLA Fam, The Guilt Of…, and Ratty Scurvics, but everyone is encouraged to bring something that makes noise and join in the fun. This fest is free.
