On April 16, Locally-based Community Records will host its fourth annual Block Party, the punky kid brother to the big April festivals. The Block Party brings together local and touring bands for a full day of music at the Big Top. The ska/punk/indie record label (see this month’s story on modern local record labels), which recently turned three years old, promises this will be their “biggest and best” block party yet, with California-based Rx Bandits headlining the event.

Last year's Block Party. Photo by DC Young.

This year Community Records has also teamed up with WTUL and film company The Greenhouse Collective to work on filming the Block Party for a DVD release. To cover the costs of the endeavor though, Community Records started a profile on Kickstarter, a community funding website OffBeat recently reported on that allows artists to connect with potential donors for funding creative projects. The DVD will only be funded if at least $3,500 is raised. As of today, the project has currently reached $1,918. There are 6 days left for donations, with the Kickstarter funding closing on March 16.

The Block Party will run noon to midnight at the Big Top on Clio Street, and is an All Ages show. Tickets are $20 at the door and $17 in advance, which you can purchase at Hey! Café or online. At the door you can also get a $3 discount for bringing donations of food and/or clothing, which will be given to the New Orleans Mission. Community Records: it’s more than just a name.

[clear]