Southeast

Headliners: Mary J. Blige, John Legend

Notables: Robin Thicke, Teena Marie, Joe Sample, Boyz II Men, Cassandra Wilson, David Sanborn

Comment: Only in its fifth year, Miami's Jazz in the Gardens has followed the model of Jazz-Aspen or Jazz + Sonoma in programming for a well-heeled corporate audience with two nights of big-name light jazz and R&B performers. It runs March 20-21 at Sun Life Stadium (formerly Dolphins Stadium) in Miami.

Harvest of Hope Fest, the spring fest extravaganza of underground alternative, punk, indie, rock, and hip-hop, has its final lineup and schedule set. Since the initial blast, the major new names are Broken Social Scene, 7 Seconds, Bear in Heaven, Charli 2na (of Jurrasic 5) and Glint.

Other new adds are Angelo Spencer et les Hauts Sommets, Avi Buffalo, Ben Davis & the Jett$, Broadway Calls, Crime in Stereo, David Rovics, Gringo Star, Holopaw, Japanther, Kid Sister, Matt Pond P.A., Mucca Pazza, Port O'Brien, Shawn Fisher and the JG's, ShellShag, Staring Daggers, Supervillians, The Blacklist Royals, The Riot Before, This Bike is a Pipebomb, Weatherbox, Yelawolf.

The festival runs March 12-14 at St. Johns County Fairgrounds in St. Augustine FL. Besides the non-stop music, attendees can enjoy on-site camping, beer garden, carnival rides, games and more. The festival supports  The Harvest of Hope Foundation, which provides services for migrant farm workers.

Kelly Clarkson, The Bangles, The Go-Go’s, Courtyard Hounds (Emily Robison and Martie Maguire of the Dixie Chicks), Martina McBride, Suzanne Vega, Anjulie, Anya Marina, Jesca Hoop, Kate Miller-Heidke, Lucy Schwartz, Miranda Lee Richards, Nikki Jean and The Rescues

The returning Lilith Tour, already boasting an eye-popping, genre-busting lineup of top female artists, added a bakers dozen new acts, including some major names.

Kelly Clarkson, The Bangles, The Go-Gos, Martina McBride, Suzanne Vega and the newly formed Court Yard Hounds with Dixie Chicks sisters Emily Robison and Martie Maguire top the second round list.

Also named wer Anjulie, Anya Marina, Jesca Hoop, Kate Miller-Heidke, Lucy Schwartz, Miranda Lee Richards and Nikki Jean and The Rescues.

The total lineup now numbers 63 and includes other star names like tour founder Sarah McLachlan, Sheryl Crow, Mary J. Blige, Miranda Lambert, Colbie Caillat, Ke$ha, Emmylou Harris, Sugarland and Sara Bareilles.

Headliners: Leftover Salmon, Robert Earl Keen, Jonathan Edwards

Notables: Donna the Buffalo, Peter Rowan, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Ruthie Foster, Jim Lauderdale, Verlon Thompson, Joe Craven, Roy Book Binder, 18 South, Scythian, Tornado Rider, Turtle Duhks, Steel Drivers, Bryn Davies, Belleville Outfit, Jessica Havey

Comment: Springfest delivers its usual great lineup, relying on its core group of returning stars after the top three headliners who are fresh picks. It's a great way for Southeastern roots fans to kick off the festival year, and there's more than enough to draw fans from far away.

With all the attention paid to the big national festivals, some events that are local institutions seem to fly under the radar on the national scene.

SunFest in West Palm Beach FL is such a case. The festival has run since 1982 on the waterfront in the South Florida city, bringing in top name entertainment and more than 275,000 attendees to what is billed as "Florida's largest music, art and waterfront festival." Yet it gets relatively little attention outside its region and among spring-season vacationers.

Its lineups are consistently strong and diverse, but the 2010 list announced today is especially impressive, with top names in alternative rock, classic rock, country, R&B, hip-hop and reggae, among other categories. Maybe it is that very diversity that causes it to be overlooked, with strong entries but no critical mass in any one category.