"I'm really happy with the lineup. I'm happy we've got a nice balance of artists with mainstream appeal, to hot young new sounds, to really challenging, textured artists," he says.

"It's the biggest risk taken, because it's a long weekend, but for people like myself with no cottage to go to, it's great to have the option of something free to do in the city," says [Paul Nolin], 33, a father of three children aged 2, 4 and 5 with "an insanely supportive wife."

The Late Nite Series takes over five different venues with artists including [Sophie Milman], Jodie Borlé, Glenn Buhr, Gilles Fournier, [Dione Taylor], Iyer, Lullaby Baxter and [Esperanza Spalding]. (Icelandic pianist/vocalist Ragga Gröndal had to cancel her June 27 show because of illness and has been replaced by 16-year-old vocalist Sophie Berkal-Sarbit.) Admission ranges from $10 to $25. A $20 wristband is good for all venues in an evening. An $80 Club Card is good for all clubs during the whole festival.