After dark, Fess presides over an Uptown stage

While the Fairgrounds shuts down early in the evening, veteran fest-goers know the music never stops during Jazz Fest.  Throughout the city, clubs and venues are putting on shows every night of the week to keep the party going for locals and visitors alike.  NoDef rounds up this year's best off-track bets. 

Once again, Tipitina’s annual Fess Jazztival keeps the party going on ‘til the break of dawn with late night shows featuring the jazz funk jams of Galactic, The Greyboy Allstars, and Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe.  Primetime shows at this year’s Jazztival include a house call from Dr. John, whose new album Locked Down has garnered some new attention for the old favorite.  Also appearing are Ani DiFranco, Ziggy Marley, and Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, along with Tip’s regulars like the Soul Rebels and Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk.  For fest-goers who can’t stand to miss a minute of the action, a Fess Jazztival “Golden Ticket” might be worth the investment.  At $500 for each weekend or $800 for both weekends, the Golden Ticket gets entry for 2 people, 10 drink tickets, VIP balcony access for every show, and merch bags from participating artists.

At the Howlin’ Wolf, the Fest by Night 2012 series kicks off with a brass band blowout on Thursday, featuring Rebirth Brass Band the Hot 8 Brass Band.  From there, the 10 day lineup highlights some of the city’s best musicians, including Ivan Neville, John “Papa” Gros, Big Sam, Kermit Ruffins, Jeremy Davenport, Russell Batiste, George Porter, Jr., and more.  The highlight of Fest by Night is the sold out May 5 reunion of the original Meters.  While it’s too late to get a ticket for the Meters, there’s also the 10th annual Bayou Rendezvous on May 4, which features an all-night line up of bands and special guests and concludes with a sunrise breakfast jam.

For those looking for more music on the afternoons on non-fest days, the Louisiana Music Factory is hosting five days of free in-store performances, lasting from noon to 6:00pm each day.  Glen David Andrews starts things off on Thursday, followed by acts like Joe Krown, Little Freddie King, and the Soul Rebels.  The other days of in-stores are equally star studded, featuring appearances from Jon Cleary, Trombone Shorty, Shamarr Allen, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Galactic, and more.  And did we mention it’s FREE?  There will also be some appearances and signings, including Ben Sandmel signing his new book Ernie K. Doe: the R&B Emperor of N.O. and the cast of Treme signing the season 2 DVD release.

The Monday after the first weekend of the fest includes a couple of big events that have become ingrained in the Jazz Fest calendar.  At Tipitina’s, the 11th annual Intruments A Comin’ concert and outdoor festival benefits the Tipitina’s Foundation, which provides instruments for schools throughout the city.  The concert features nearly 20 acts, including Galactic, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, and more, but for many the main event is the battle of the bands between the St. Augustine Marching 100 and the O. Perry Walker Marching Band.

Also on Monday, WWOZ hosts Piano Night at the House of Blues, a benefit that has become a tradition for fans of both the fest and the station.  More than a dozen piano men and women round out the bill, including Marcia Ball, Henry Butler, Joe Krown, and John Gros.           

While all of these fests are meant to supplement the action at the Fairgrounds, one event presents itself as an alternative to the big show.  The 7th annual Chaz Fest, which happens on Wednesday May 2, primarily began 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 band mate in the Tin Men, the beloved Washboard Chaz Leary.  Taking place at the Truck Farm on St. Claude Avenue, this year’s Chaz Fest includes at least one act that will also be playing the Fairgrounds, Hurray for the Riff Raff, along with bands like the Russian folk-punk act Debauche, cello player Helen Gillet, and, of course, the Tin Men.

Even deeper in the Bywater, the Neville Brothers' croon on the Acura Stage means it's time for the annual NOizefest to rev up at the "DeathHouse" (609 Lesseps St.). Starting at noon on May 6, this year's endeavor features bands like The Death Posture, the Bongoloids and the Mindbending Crystal Bowls. But don't worry, there's a goat, and a sunset performance from the Noisician Coalition. So bring the kids!

If you haven’t done so already, click through the links above to see full schedules and lineups.  Be sure to drink plenty of water and wear lots of sunscreen at the Fest, because when the gates close, the night is just getting started.