The Fest powers threw open the gates of JazzFest's second weekend today, with four furious days of music, food and watermelon sacrificing lined up. Today's often been called Locals Thursday, and that's especially true at NOLA Defender, as we see some of our past special guest writers take the stage. At the Acura Stage, Hurray for the Riff Raff opens things up, while Honey Island Swamp Band is on at 2:25 p.m, while Flow Tribe and Mia Borders occupy the Gentilly Stage at from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Elsewhere, Kourtney Heart plays Congo Square at 11:15 a.m., and Stooges Brass Band stop off at the same spot at 2:45 p.m. Meanwhile, there's one more schedule change to pass along.

Welcome back to JazzFest. The day they once called locals Thursday may be upon us, but there's plenty of globetrotting inside the cubes. Chilean stars, and a jazz violinist who plays traditional African songs stand out among the squares. And let's not forget a legendary Mississippi bluesman. Click through to check out some of today's highlights:

There's plenty happening tonight, but forgive us if as the clock winds down on this Hump Day, our minds begin to drift askance toward the Fair Grounds. The second weekend of JazzFest opens up tomorrow promptly at 11 a.m., bringing with it a whole new slate of craft vendors, and, of course, musicians. Check back with NoDef tomorrow for more of the second weekend highlights. For now, here's a look at what's spilled forth from these pages so far:

by Brad Rhines

It’s hard to imagine New Orleans without Jazz Fest, but the annual event has a relatively short history. The first fest happened in 1970 at Congo Square, before moving to the Fairgrounds two years later.  The New Orleans Film Society (NOFS) has unearthed footage from the inaugural festival and will present a free screening of these early films at the U.S. Mint on Wednesday night.

by Brad Rhines

Jazz Fest offers plenty of fun in the sun for weekend warriors, but for daytime drinking and midweek music, you’ll have to head to the Bywater.  The 7th annual Chaz Fest happens on Wednesday, May 2, and was originally devised as an alternative to the big show at the Fairgrounds.  Intended as a venue for local artists who couldn’t get booked for Jazz Fest, Chaz Fest was started by Alex McMurray, who named the event after his friend and Tin Men bandmate, the beloved Washboard Chaz Leary.  

At Jazz Fest on Saturday, I only crossed the track into the infield once, and that was for a bag of cracklins.

Today, the great music offerings continues, even though the Fair Grounds gates aren't open. Dirty Dozen and Rebirth Brass bands play with many others at the Louisiana Music Factory, Brian Stoltz plays on Frenchman, and Dragon Smoke play One Eyed Jacks. This day in history, David Farragut formally captured New Orleans during the Civil War (1862), and Ft. Maurepas was completed (1699).

by Ryan Sparks

Janelle Monae closed out the first weekend of Jazz Fest on the Gentilly Stage Sunday night with an energetic show. Her live band proved just as capable with their footwork as with their instrumental chops, churning through several choreographed dances through many of the songs. Monae’s charisma had thousands of members of the audience partaking as well.  

FAIR GROUNDS -- As they settled into first weekend of performances, JazzFest-goers planted their flag, and dug in for the duration. As always, the fields near the Acura and Gentilly Stages were filled with signposts serving both as meeting points and expressions. Special Guest Photographer Mike Schafter offered up a few prime examples of these banners, along with a few peoplewatching highlights for lagniappe.

While WWOZ show hosts like DJ Soul Sister and Jivin’ Gene have loyal followings, it’s hard to match listeners’ love for an icy Mango Freeze.  The fresh fruit sorbet is a staple of the Fest’s fare, often cited alongside dishes like Crawfish Monica and the cochon de lait po-boy as must-eat treats year after year.