Provided the weather cooperates, this year's Lilac Festival line-up should be fun. From quirky to country, from classic to swingin', Highland Park is gonna sound as good as it smells.

Soul Coughing's Mike Doughty with The Push Stars' Chris Trapper plays May 11. New Orleans bluesy chanteuse Maria Muldauer will turn the place into an oasis (before midnight, though) on May 12. Zydeco wild man CJ Chenier will squeeze the box May 13. The Lilac Fest goes country May 14 with Sammy Kershaw. Folks can cut some rug --- or lawn in this case --- to the incredible swing of The Spanish Harlem Orchestra with poly-rhythmic boogie courtesy of guests De Sol on May 15. The Stylistics bring vocal soul a la Philly on May 16. Progressive (well, it was at the time) rock legend Edgar Winter plays May 17 in what has to be the most eclectic and coolest choice in this year's line-up. And the Sim Redmond Band gets a little Dead 'n' earthy with guests The Park Ave Band May 18.

 As always there'll be tons of area high school and middle school bands as well as fantastic Rochester artists like Blue Jimmy, Mike Zale, The Buddhahood, and String Theory.