Jazzfest's diversity is on display as the first weekend of Fest comes to a close Sunday. Some of the top sounds of Brazil, Latin America and Native America come together. But we can't forget our own, so the day finishes off with a tribute to a New Orleans hero that is no longer with us.

Mule drawn carriages and performers playing music in the streets are both daily fixtures in the French Quarter. But, tourists and local passerby’s didn’t see the two in combination, until the Bloody Sunday Sessions began rolling around town and bringing music by mule to the masses.

Wednesday is here already, and there’s plenty of live music and theatre to help get you through your week. Happy Birthday to jazz trumpeter Leroy Jones, born in New Orleans on February 20, 1958. Now, more hump day happenings.

Start your day off making groceries at the River Bend, see some classical music uptown, and close out the night on Frenchmen with some traditional brass. On this day in 1977, Gospel Queen Mahalia Jackson won a Grammy for “Best Soul Gospel Performance.” Now, more to do this Tuesday.

Kick off your hump day with a huge theatre festival happening all over the city! It’s opening night of Fringe Fest, and there’s a little something for everybody in the dozens of shows being performed this year. Happy Birthday to Lil’ Boose (birth name Torrence Hatch) born on November 14, 1983 in Baton Rouge. Read on for more to do this Big Easy Wednesday. 

Today in New Orleans events, locals have a few options between boogeying down, staying involved, or munchin' on some organic greatness. There are multiple brass band performances, writer's speeches, farmers' markets and school board discussions. Luckily, this city doesn't treat Tuesdays like the boring mid-week day that most Americans consider it to be. In the spirit of freedom, on this day in history (1942) Louis Armstrong was granted a divorce from his 3rd wife over in Chicago.  

Today, the New Orleans music scene doesn't care that it's a Tuesday. Chris Robinson Brotherhood returns for another gig at Tip's and the Treme Brass Band marches on at d.b.a.  On this day in history, frequent New Orleans visitor William Faulker was born (1897), and the Superdome reopened for the first time since Federal Flood for the game against the Atlanta Falcons. During the game, Steve Gleason infamously blocked the punt that immortalized him, and gave fans a redemptive rallying point (2006). Now back to today:

Ahoy! It’s September 19, also known as International Talk Like a Pirate Day, and the Crescent City is abuzz with weekly music gigs. Whether you get your grog in the Treme or in the Marigny, there’s some place to check out the city’s local talent in the Crescent City. On this day seven years ago, the Saints played their first post-Katrina “home” game in the Giants Stadium in New Jersey with pre-kick off performances from Harry Connick Jr., Branford Marsalis, and Irvin Mayfield.

Updated 4:30 p.m.

Tremé Brass Band leader Benny Jones was on WWOZ this morning to talk about the legacy of his late, longtime musical sidekick Uncle Lionel Batiste. Amid the reminiscing, Jones said funeral arrangements for Uncle Lionel, who died on Sunday of cancer, weren't finalized yet. But by this afternoon, word started circulating that a second line to honor the New Orleans music icon will be Friday, July 13, at Tuba Fats Square (St. Philip and N. Robertson), starting at 5 p.m.

Uncle Lionel Batiste, longtime bass drummer of the Tremé Brass Band and patriarch of the famed Batiste family, died Sunday morning of complications from Stage 4 cancer, NoDef confirmed with friends of Batiste Sunday morning. He was 81.