Professor Longhair was looking down from above and two of the Neville Brothers - including a  snappy-dressed, Doo Wop-inclined Aaron - were across the Fair Grounds. Fortunate, then, that a lanky kid from the Treme didn't need any of their help. By the end of his closing set at JazzFest on Sunday, Trombone Shorty was even telling producer Quint Davis what to do.

The first lesson every festival-goer must learn is that at any standard large event, it is, by necessity, only sort of about the music. Behind every moment spent actually enjoying a band, there's a trek through an impossible crowd, or $5 spent on a Coors Light. Or a half-hour wait outside the porta-potties. This is especially true at Jazz Fest, where your correspondent repeatedly found himself immersed in the sheer spectacle of it all.

JazzFest's second weekend is upon us, and Paolo Roy didn't want to let the season slip away without a little teaser. NoDef's Chief Puzzler returns to close out the Fest with his latest Crescent City themed crossword creation. Do it:

“Are you going to the Fest?” is probably New Orleans’ most popular question right now. That said, it’s almost impossible to find friends on a packed afternoon at Jazz Fest unless you literally walk into them in line for a $6 beer.

by Anisa Peraica

It's Lemonade Day in Louisiana, when we remember a drink associated with warm weather and childhood. During Jazz Fest season, it can be associated with money. One freckle-faced entrepreneur in particular has made a niche for himself in the Bayou St. John community. 10 -year -old Lyle Usdin, along with some of his neighbors, have made a tradition out of selling lemonade at the corner of Ursulines and Lopez streets for the past three years during Jazz Fest season.

Stumbling onto a Native American village after hours basking in the Jazz Fest sun (or rain) might have you thinking hallucination.  Worry not.  Trading electric guitar strums for the steady beat of tribal drums and blue tents for tan teepees, this year’s cultural exchange pavilion pays homage to the Native Americans.  

There will be crowds and mud on JazzFest's second Saturday, but we know you don't have to think twice about heading over to the Fair Grounds. While you're awaiting the final hour pile up of Fleetwood Mac, Frank Ocean and Phoenix, check out a little fife, hip-hop and, from out of left field, Norah Jones. Here's today's non-headliner picks:

Mudfest is likely to remain with us for the duration of Jazzfest. But the sun will finally come out and get a little dirty, even without Patti Smith telling her to do so. Starting off cool this morning, temperatures are slated to make a slow climb into the 70s this afternoon, producing some mild weather by the time the headliners take to their stages. The chance of precipitation is at 0 percent all afternoon. Click through for full details:

The fest keeps going after the day at the Fair Grounds is complete. Peruse what's happening tonight as you dry out, including some of The Meters, Trombone Shorty's very own fest and a tribute to funk deities Zapp & Roger:

As the clap of thunder closed out the first weekend of Jazz Fest, performers packed up their instruments and rolled out, leaving room for a second batch of musicians to take over.  Similarly, off the stage, a new selection of artisans from across the country strolled in to set up their craft tents.