Jackson Free Press

I'm not doing any regional picks this week as there's plenty to do right here in Jackson. If you must leave town, you're on your own.

For starters, the good folks at Ardenland are bringing back the International Gumbo Festival. In addtion to the gumbo, there will plenty of awesome music from people like Jimbo Mathus and The Honey Island Swamp Band from New Orleans. You can listen to their new album called Cane Sugar https://soundcloud.com/honey-island-swamp-band/sets/cane-sugar">right here. That should get you all in the mood for gumbo. The festival takes place Saturday at Smith Park in Downtown.

If gumbo is not your thing, then try WellsFest. Organizers call it "Jackson's first music festival." Live music will be featured by Fred Knobloch and The Bluz Boys, along with many others. All the proceeds benefit The Good Samaritan Center. Go to Smith-Wills Stadium Saturday and you'll find WellsFest.

Star & Micey from Memphis are playing the Gumbo Festival, but they'll also bring their live show to Ole Tavern along with European Theatre. If you're a fan of Memphis heroes Big Star, then you might want to take the opportunity to see Star & Micey.

Finally, on Saturday at Hal & Mal's, the 4 The Record record swap will go down. This is always a big event for collectors of vinyl LPs. There will be lots of vendors on hand to help you find that long lost gem for your turntable.

There is a ton of new releases this week by some pretty big names. Here are a few:

Elton John - The Diving Board

Kings of Leon - Mechanical Bull

Drake - Nothing Was The Same

Sting - The Last Ship

Icona Pop - This Is...

Mazzy Star - Season Of Your Day

Yoko One/Plastic Ono Band - Take Me To The Land Of Hell

Metallica - Through The Never

Alan Jackson - The Bluegrass Album

Cher - Closer To The Truth

Deer Tick - Negativity