Festival of Frugality

Dunno if y’all heard the news, but the economy’s kinda in the toilet. Majorly. So much so that what little money you have for leisure activities has to be stretched tighter than the spandex hugging the naughty bits of the Cardinals cheerleading squad. Hence, you’re probably in the market for an event that gives you plenty of bang for the buck. Like, say, this weekend’s Festival in the Desert, which has a staggering selection of superstar jazz, blues, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll acts taking to the stage at the J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa in Scottsdale. Take a gander at the schedule to see what we mean:

Friday, October 10:
(Gates open at 3 p.m.)
— Sahnas Brothers, 3 p.m.
— The Sax Pack, 4:45 p.m.
— Sahnas Brothers, 5:45 p.m.
— Brian Culbertson, 6:05 p.m.
— Marion Meadows, 7:05 p.m.
— Euge Groove, 7:25 p.m.
— Marion Meadows, 8:25 p.m.
— Patti LaBelle, 8:45 p.m.

Saturday, October 11:
(Gates open at 11:30 a.m.)
— Sahnas Brothers, 11:30 a.m.
— Eric Darius, 1:20 p.m.
— Dominic Amato, 2:05 p.m.
— Rick Braun & Richard Elliot, 2:35 p.m.
— Dominic Amato, 3:20 p.m.
— Ky-Mani Marley, 3:40 p.m.
— Norman Brown’s Summer Storm, 4:45 p.m.
— Marion Meadows, 5:45 p.m.
— Richard Elliot & Rick Baun
— The Temptations, 6:05
— Warren Hill, 7:05 p.m.
— Guitars & Saxes, 7:25 p.m.
— Warren Hill, 8:25 p.m.
— Smokey Robinson, 8:45 p.m.

Sunday, October 12:
(Gates open at 10 a.m.)
— Sahnas Brothers, 10 a.m.
— Craig Chaquico, 11:45 a.m.
— Jerome Calia, 12:30 p.m.
— Los Lobos, 12:50 p.m.
— Jerome Calia, 1:35 p.m.
— Dr. John, 1:55 p.m.
— Chuck Hall Band, 2:40 p.m.
— Jonny Lang, 3 p.m.
— Chuck Hall Band, 3:45 p.m.
— Buddy Guy, 4:05 p.m.
— Guitar Shorty, 4:50 p.m.
— Boz Scaggs, 5:10 p.m.
— Guitar Shorty, 6:25 p.m.
— Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, 6:45 a.m.

Fri., Oct. 10, 3 p.m.; Sat., Oct. 11, 11:30 a.m.; Sun., Oct. 12, 10 a.m., 2008