Busker Fest featuring Cold War Kids August 21, 2009

Live music will hit the sidewalks of the East Village Arts District (EVAD) as local bands play for wooden nickels, cash prizes and a chance to open up for Cold War Kids.

Skirting the EVAD's perimeter in six different locations, performers will play in three rounds of stripped-down, acoustic-style sets sure to resonate off the historic buildings, downtown restaurants and sidewalk cafes.

At 6 p.m., Busker Fest information booths will open, giving attendees a chance to collect wooden nickels, maps, and schedules for the different performances. The first round of busking will begin at 7 p.m., followed by a second at 7:30 p.m. and a final round at 8 p.m. As the audience makes their way to the main stage, judges will tally the wooden nickel counts and declare a winner.

The group with the most wooden nickels by the night's end wins $1,000 cash prize and gets to open up for Cold War Kids at 9 p.m., on the main stage at the corner of First Street and Elm Avenue.

Confirmed street performers at press time include Free Moral Agents, Deep Sea Diver, So Many Wizards, Chris Paul Overall, Pawn Shop Kings, Brook Lee Catastrophe, Forcefield ON and 60 Watt Kid, to name a few.

FREE to the public, this outdoor festival allows you to stroll along the art deco streets of the East Village on foot; leave your cars at home, and bike it (there's free bicycle valet parking, courtesy of Long Beach Cyclists).

The release of two hit records-"Robbers and Cowards" in 2006 and "Loyalty to Loyalty" in 2008-coupled with relentless touring has led Cold War Kids to indie rock fame. Last month, they were playing all across Europe to sold-out crowds, ending on a high note this month at Chicago's Lollapalooza, and sliding into Long Beach out of the kindness of their hollow body guitars, just in time to headline Busker Fest.

Free.

Official Website: http://www.summerandmusic.com/index.php