We've finally passed the one-month-to-go mark and the shows just keep getting better and better !

Midnight Preserves at Preservation Hall will, indeed, happen again this year ! The lineup should be released shortly, according to a quick call to the club this morning. Preservation Hall also features 'Big Shot' seating, which is their VIP seating. Call them for more info when you book your tickets.

Today the 'cubes' are due to be released around noon, CDT, detailing each day's incredible musical lineup at each stage for JazzFest.... (as I write this - it's 20 minutes away....)

It is getting better by the moment !

Oh, and what a JazzFest it will be ! This morning the New Orleans Musicians' Assistance Foundation made a public announcement adding to the talent line-up for the benefit show that will happen May 5th at the Howlin' Wolf. The lineup now includes: Irma Thomas, George Porter, Jr., Marcia Ball, Ivan Neville, Taylor Hicks, Walter "Wolfman" Washington, The Wild Magnolias, Col. Bruce Hampton, Big Sam, John "Papa" Gros, 7 Walkers featuring Papa Mali, George Porter, Jr.,, Bill Kreutzmann, and Matt Hubbard, Big Chief Bo Dollis. Russell Batiste, Anders Osborne, 101 Runners featuring Monk Boudreaux, Christine Ohlman, DJ Logic, Alfred "Uganda" Roberts, Bonerama, Pimps of Joytime, Jojo's Mardi Gras band.

If you would like to purchase tickets for the show, they are available through ticketweb , the cost is $99 (remember, this is a benefit show - and look at all that music !!!) and the proceeds will go to the New Orleans Musicians' Clinic and Assistance Foundation. I'm so excited for this show, personally, that I can't stand it.

Additionally, due to overwhelming demand, a second show was added, at 10pm, for the musical adaptation of Nine Lives at the Petite Theater on May 4th ! There are only a few tickets left, so get them fast !!! Tickets are available through Le Petite Theater.

Really, there are so many fantastic shows during JazzFest it is difficult to make a decision - but that's a nice problem to have. Have a peek at the grids to see some of the latest additions and start making those plans !

It is nearly the magical one month mark...

Lots of things happening every day. This is the time when we wait for new shows to be added with a fervor, see a few conflicts arise in terms of scheduling, and the excitement really builds !

In the interim, I need to tell you all about a FANTASTIC event that is well worth your consideration - the 2011 Threadhead Charity Raffle has begun !!

There are phenomenal prizes in this raffle and the proceeds benefit the Threadheads Record Foundation, The New Orleans Musicians Clinic and Fest 4 Kids and Silence is Violence !

Among the things included in this year's prizes: a New Orleans Getaway (how great is that?!), tickets to shows, a WWOZ Jazzfest Brass Pass, Michael Arnone's Crawfish Fest Camping Tickets (June 3-5 in Augusta NJ), Tickets to Bonnaroo 2011, Art work, apparel, gift certificates to local merchants, Music, and a whole host of other things ! You have to check it out!

Ticket sales will end on Friday, April 22, 2011 at 11:55 pm CDT (subject to change). Tickets range from $1.00 - $10.00 based upon the value of the prize. Thanks for checking out The 2011 Threadhead Charity Raffle