I *am* a local, but don't really have much to add to Mary Katherine's excellent and fairly complete list of recommendations. The Thursday late-night jam at Vaughan's, a fairly obscure Ninth-Ward location, is the only "must-see" that I would add.

I might add that what she says about Donna's -- "Starts at around 9:30-10 p.m. and goes late" -- applies to almost *every* venue in town (except those where the action begins even later). Consider scheudleing yourself for afternoon naps whenever possible.

When you actually get here (or a few days prior), more specific recommendations will be possible, since we can consider the individual *acts* on the schedules, not just the venues. Shoot me a PM as a reminder and I'll try to help you formulate a plan and maybe even act as you musical tour guide for an evening or two.

Offbeat magazine, online or in print, is a good resource. I'd also recommend that you listen to local radio station WWOZ online as much as you can -- not only for the daily music schedule, announced at the top of every odd-numbered hour (US Central Time), but also to familiarize yourself with some of the local acts and artists you might be able to see live.