Preview: Westheimer Block Party - April 12, 2008

This year's Spring edition of the Westheimer Block Party, organized by Free Press Houston, is set to take place on Saturday, April 12, 2008. Eggs and I eagerly anticipate the bi-annual event every April and October, and this Spring's lineup looks to be one of the strongest yet. Music begins at noon and goes late.

More details about the Westheimer Block Party after the jump

The free event will feature over 50 performers on 6 indoor and outdoor stages at Numbers, Avant Garden (formerly Helio's), and Mango's Cantina. The acts consist primarily of Houston-based bands and artists - a great way to showcase our local talent and dispel any beliefs that the music scene in Houston is dead. Quite the contrary; H-town truly does have much more to offer than syrup-coated screw and honky-tonk country, and I encourage you to check it out for yourself if you have any doubts.

Acts I'm particularly looking forward to:

skyblue72, 12:45 outside Numbers
I caught brother/sister duo Frank and Jessica Zweback performing with their more funk/jam-centric project, Zwee, last year and had a friggin' great time. I haven't seen them perform their more pop/rock work as skyblue72 yet (despite the fact that I own and love their sophomore release Feel My Way Home), so this set is definitely high on my list of Block Party priorities.

Buxton, 3:00 outside Avant Garden
Another band I've been wanting to check out for awhile and just haven't been able to get the timing right. Frontman Sergio Trevino's parents ran the La Porte indie-rock venue The Forum until last week, when they opted to close it down because apparently not enough La Portians (?) go to shows. Boo on you, La Porte. You can start making up for your transgressions by supporting Buxton at the Block Party.

Southern Backtones, 3:45 inside Numbers
They shot a video inside Disco Kroger (the one at Montrose & Westheimer, for you non-Montroaches out there). Odd, but somehow great.

The Wild Moccasins, 4:30 outside Mango's
Saw this young group opening for The Dodos recently, and was thoroughly impressed. Can't wait to hear more from them.

Sideshow Tramps, 4:30 outside Avant Garden
The always-boisterous Sideshow Tramps (formerly known as Medicine Show) make sure their audience stays entertained, offering up an array of homemade instruments and lyrics discussing topics such as vodka. Bring your party hat.

Electric Touch, 5:15 outside Numbers
The band includes Louis Messina, Jr. and Christopher Messina, twins who call concert promoting heavyweight Louis Messina 'Dad'. That might have something to do with the buzz they've been generating recently (and their spot on Coachella's lineup), but I've truly enjoyed what I've heard of their music so far. I'll definitely be checking out their set on Saturday.

Studemont Project, 8:50 inside Mango's
Psychedelic hip-hop? Count me in.

Papermoons, 6:00 outside Avant Garden
Mrs. Buttersworth-smooth experimental indie-rock. Yum.

The not-free-but-still-cheap headlining event:
...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead with HEALTH, Spain Colored Orange, Young Mammals (formerly known as The Dimes), and By the End of Tonight
Takes place inside Numbers. Doors open at 8:30, tickets are $10 21+/$12 under.

Saturday is allegedly going to be sunny with a high of 81, so head out to Montrose to enjoy a relaxing, music-filled day. Eggs and I will be wandering around taking way too many pictures, so come say hi and get your smiling mug on BOT.

For more information, visit Free Press Houston's Myspace page (their website doesn't seem to be working at the moment...what up with that, FPH?). [Edit: FPH's website is back up and running - thanks Omar!]

Very important endorsement:

--Cereal