Entertainment

NEW ORLEANS – The shattered trees that line this city's western approach along Interstate 10 are showing signs of regrowth, much like the city itself: The waterline is almost completely erased, street signs are back up, and there are fewer FEMA trailers.

DAVE MARTIN/The Associated Press

For the first time since Hurricane Katrina, Aaron Neville and his brothers performed during Jazz Fest.

Fitting, then, that the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival – commonly known as Jazz Fest – is exhibiting similar traits, adding a Thursday lineup to its second-weekend schedule for the first time since Hurricane Katrina, and also welcoming the Neville Brothers back as the fest-guiding spirits.

Known for its lower attendance and short lines, the Thursday event is beloved by fest veterans, and 2008's did not disappoint, with cool, breezy weather and easy maneuvering.

Although fest organizers no longer release daily attendance figures, the event grew noticeably more crowded as the weekend progressed.

It was plain that Jazz Fest's formula of mixing local acts who are unlikely to stray far from the Pelican State (Acadian acts such as D.L. Menard and the Louisiana Aces, and Crescent City stalwarts such as Theryl "House Man" deClouet) with big-name draws (Widespread Panic, Randy Newman, Jimmy Buffett) was still vital. As were the various flavors available at themed tents, from the fervor of the Gospel Tent (the Golden Wings, the sacred steel guitar-driven John Lee and the Heralds of Christ) to the gritty Blues Tent (the legendary John Hammond).

As usual, locals complained about rising prices (the famous soft-shell crawfish po' boy is now $9) and increasing gentrification, but the overall feeling was one of celebration and the will to continue.

But there were a few cautionary notes sounded among all the revelry and good vibes. Heavy rains made the first weekend a washout for food and crafts vendors, and the second saw precipitation Friday and Saturday.

Not only that, the seldom-used Bonnet Carré Spillway was opened in order to control the rain-swollen Mississippi. Texans heading to Jazz Fest did so by crossing thousands of yards of wildly rushing water.

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