NOLA French Quarter Fest This Weekend

Grammy Winners Rebirth Brass Band Perfom

The free, four-day  French Quarter Festival happens this weekend  in New Orleans, with the "World's Largest Jazz Brunch," Cajun dance lessons,  art displays, and more than 800 local musicians.

The lineup includes 2012 Grammy winners, the Rebirth Brass Brand; Troy ‘Trombone Shorty’ Andrews and Orleans Avenue; Walter ‘Wolfman’ Washington; Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra; Jeremy Davenport; Soul Rebels; Amanda Shaw and the Cute Guys; Don Vappie & the Creole Jazz Serenaders; the Royal Southern Brotherhood with Cyril Neville; Don Vappie and the Creole Jazz Serenaders; Deacon John; New Orleans Bingo! Show; George Porter, Jr. and his Runnin’ Pardners; Papa Grows Funk; Gina Brown & Anutha Level; the Iguanas; and Bill Summers & Jazalsa. 

Count on second-line parades, battle of the bands, educational workshops on New Orleans music, fireworks, parties, street jazz dances, kid's events, a crawfish-eating contest and even an opera exhibition. The full schedule is here 

A Lovely Time At Farm To Family

The Farm To Family Full Moon Fest near Ginnie Springs outside Gainesville was wonderful over the weekend -- small, heartfelt, stress-free, inexpensive ($20-$35 for the whole weekend), and with folks playing their hearts out on the single stage. The campgrounds were blessed with lovely community bonfires and great music.

Campground Pickin'

It's worth it to plan on making the next one -- June 1-3. It is hot that time of year, but the cold clear waters of Ginnie Springs are right next door, and there's a boat ramp on the Santa Fe River a short drive from the fest site. Also, the organizers have misters and shade cloth to keep you comfortable.

Verlon Thompson and Sue Cunningham delivered a standout performance to a hushed crowd Friday evening just before the blood-red moon rose through the live oak trees.

Here are some of the other players worth a mention:

Brian Smalley and Daisy on the bass

Brian Smalley -- Singer songwriter with poetic lyrics, joie de vivre, and mad guitar skills. Here he is playing the fun song "Tiki Hut Repairman:"




kLoB -- Soulful, high energy blues band out of Jacksonville. Put on a great, emotional, rocking show. Here they are doing "All the Time:"



The Jesse Smith Project -- blues, funk, and jazz band made up of Florida State University music school grads. Here they are doing The Beatles' "Come Together:"

Nook and Cranny

Nook and Cranny Nice newgrass sound out of Gainesville with lovely girl singer Dana Myers. Here they are playing "Summer Skies."



Uproot Hootenanny Fast picking and lots of energy on stage. Here they are playing "That's Why I Drink:"



Morningbell -- Arty, psychedelic progressive rock band out of Gainesville, tinges of the Flaming Lips and Prince. Here they are doing "Sun Come Out:"

Farm To Family Fest This Weekend

What a beautiful weekend it is going to be for camping and music, and the place to be this weekend  is the Farm To Family Full Moon Festival  on a nice shady piece of paradise near Ginnie Springs, outside Gainesville. Gate price is only $35!

This little grassroots camping fest is family friendly, has just one stage and some nice vendors, including the hard-working Grilled Cheese Wagon, and area artists and crafters. You can bring your beverage of choice, and the folks and music are wonderful. Primitive camping is free and electric and water RV sites cost $80 for the weekend.

This is a recurring festival with folk, bluegrass, jam, jazz, and world-beat acts. What I like best is that you get there, set out your chairs and your cooler, and that's it. No decisions to make between this performance or that -- we're all watching the same thing. No chores to do. Just listen, visit, and have fun.

The headliner Friday night is the incomparable Nashville singer songwriter Verlon Thompson . Other acts include jazzy-jammy kLOB, de Lions of Jah, Brian Smalley, The Jesse Smith Project with Hannah Barber, Quartermoon, and hellacious up-and-coming pickers Uproot Hootenanny.

Here's a nice video of Verlon Thompson:

Grant Peeples Kicks Off Tour Friday

Grant Peeples, a highly unique singer songwriter who speaks truth to power, celebrates the release of his new CD and kicks off a nationwide tour in his hometown of Tallahassee Friday at the American Legion Hall.

Show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $10.  The Sarah Mac Band opens, and dulcimer virtuoso Aaron O’Rourke and violinist Mark Russell will sit in with Peeples to perform songs from the record.

Peeples' last CD, Okra and Ecclesiastes, was a really strong record -- haunting and poetic. It was also a critical success and hit number 20 on the Americana chart.

This new CD is called Prior Convictions.  It’s the second Peeples project produced by Texas roots music icon, Gurf Morlix, known for his work with Lucinda Williams,  Robert Earl Keen, Mary Gauthier, and others.

Grant says this is the only show he'll be playing in Tallahassee this tour, so catch this fine talent this weekend if you can.

Fest-Packed April-- Here's the lineup

It's April, the weather's fine, and the outdoor music fests are bursting out all over these parts...for planning purposes, I give you this selected rundown for this month...

April 6-8 The lovely Farm To Family Full Moon Festival outside Gainesville near Ginnie Springs. This is a recurring  festival with camping. Sooooo relaxing, small, easy, family friendly, and sweet. One stage. reggae, folk, world beat, jam, jazz. The wonderful Nashville singer songwriter Verlon Thompson is a special guest this time, along with fiddler Sue Cunningham.

April 12-15 French Quarter Festival  A New Orleans music throwdown on 22 stages -- and it's free. Not a camping festival. Happens in New Orleans' French Quarter.

April 19-22 Wanee -- The Allman Brothers' giant fest with camping at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Fl. with big-name national acts. This year is a special treat for Deadheads -- Futhur will be there, along with the Mickey Hart Band, and Bruce Hornsby. Not so family-friendly, just because the crowds are large and rowdy.

April 20-21 Southern Music Rising in downtown Monticello, Fla. Lots of bluegrass acts, not a camping festival. Kickoff concert Friday night is $30 at the Monticello Opera House.  $15 for an all-day Saturday ticket. Special stage for kids.

April 25-29 Festival International de Louisiane  Free world music festival in downtown Lafayette, Louisiana. Not a camping festival. Crazy great world-beat lineup.

April 27-29 String Break A camping festival at the gorgeous Sertoma Youth Ranch near Brooksville, Fl. Bluegrass, family friendly.

April 27-May 6 New Orleans Jazzfest. 'Nuff said. The big mama of southern music festivals -- Everybody from Bruce Springsteen to small, local gospel choirs. Not a camping festival.

Lost Rager

This drunk guy, singing Bohemian Rhapsody in the back of a police car, is simply awesome. Our lost rager!

Get Your Purple Hatter's Ball Tickets Before The Price Goes Up

Prices for tickets to the Purple Hatter's Ball  May 11-13 at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Fla. go up Sunday, so you may want to get yours this week. Price is $45 now, goes to $60 April 1, and will be $75 at the gate. Price includes primitive camping.

Purple Hatter's Ball celebrates the life of Rachel Morningstar Hofffman, a friendly fest girl who was lost in a senseless act of murder.

RACHEL

Here's the lineup:

B.I.G.I. (Russell Batiste, Ivan Neville, George Porter Jr.
and Ian Neville)
Break Science
with Chali 2'Na
The Heavy Pets
Honey Island Swamp Band
DubConscious
The Malah
Greenhouse Lounge
Catfish Alliance
Earphunk
Trial By Stone
Gravity A
Sir Charles
Pepper Drive
Corporal Boil
Legacy and the Heard
Stone Street

The fantastic Honey Island Swamp Band out of New Orleans has just been added for a Sunday show. Sunday-only ticket are $30 at the gate.

The park is offering a Cabin & Cart Special, here are the details:

One-Bedroom Cabin Special - $400+tax includes Friday, Saturday & Sunday night and a golf cart. This price is good for 2 adults and does NOT include the event ticket. Additional person in cabin is $65+tax per/person, limit 4 people to a cabin. Cabins are limited, so jump on this deal quickly.