The 18th Bach Around the Clock starts this Friday at 7 p.m. and will continue non-stop until Saturday, March 19 ending at midnight.

Started as a celebration of Johann Sebastian Bach’s birthday, this year marks the composers 330th birthday, and is being billed as “Bach Around the Clock and Stuff.” The word “stuff” is to hopefully make people realize that although a classical composer’s birthday is being celebrated, the music includes jazz, blues R&B, folk, lots of “stuff.”

This year over 300 performers will participate including John Rankin, Delfeayo Marsalis with the Uptown Jazz Orchestra, saxophonist Calvin Johnson, Ellis Marsalis, Jean Montes and Molto Chamber Orchestra, pianists Quinn Peepe, Michael Harold and others. Lula Elzy and the New Orleans Dance Theater as well as Micaela Fiesta Flamenca are also participants.

One of the highlights will be the showing of the silent movie Phantom of the Opera at midnight on Friday, March 18. The film will be accompanied by Albinas Prizgintas (dressed as the Phantom) playing the organ. As usual the festival will end at midnight on Saturday, March 19 with a performance of Bach’s Toccata in D minor performed by Prizgintas on the organ.

The festivities are held at Trinity Episcopal Church at 1329 Jackson Avenue (corner of Coliseum). It’s all free with coffee and refreshments provided. Sleeping bags are welcomed and handicap access is available. Donations are always accepted.

For more information visit the website at trinityartistseries.com