Today, a free show from Dumpstaphunk, Much Ado About Nothing opens at NOMA’s Sculpture Garden, and more. On this day in 1541, Spanish explorer DeSoto discovered the Mississippi River. Now, more hump day happenings.

The day has come, and fest goers are counting down the minutes until JazzFest kicks off in the Fairgrounds! After the fest, see giant puppets, Anders Osborne, Dumpstaphunk, Rebirth, and more. Happy Birthday to Tannon “Fish” Williams, born April 26, 1975. Now, more to do this first fest Friday!

The Louisiana Bucket Brigade has been keeping busy with benzene leaks and bayou blazes, but they’re putting down their clipboards for tomorrow’s eco-friendly festival. Join local nonprofits at tomorrow’s Earth Day Fest and Green Business Expo on Bayou St. John. Dumpstaphunk is headlining, and guests can become better earth keepers in between all the eating, kayaking, and merrymaking.

The closing sets may have already wrapped up inside the gates, but they saved the last dance for the clubs. Tonight, Tip's dives into the Dumpstaphunk, the Funky Butt returns on Frenchmen and a New Orleans jazz master has one last gasp at Snug Harbor.

May 4, the date of the first Grammy Awards (1959), The Kent State University student killings by members of Ohio’s National Guard (1970), the first Kiss concert (1976); the birthday of Audrey Hepburn (1929), Keith Haring (1958) and moonman Lance Bass (1979). It was also the date of Sherlock Holmes’ apparent death at Reichenbach Falls, Switzerland (1981). An impressive list of historic events, but nothing beats what’s on today’s NOLA plate:

During JazzFest there's plenty of music to see, but with the constantly conflicting cubes, chances are high that you'll miss a few. Luckily, there are plenty more shows at night, and most of them feature very special lineups. It's the kind of thing that makes us want to create NOLA music trading cards, or start a fantasy league. In addition to our Fest picks, check in with NOLA Defender everyday during the Fest to see what's going on at night. Click through for today's: