The third annual GumboAID, which will benefit Gleaner’s Food Bank and the Louisiana-based Common Ground, has been a handful for festival organizer A. Walker Shaw.

“Right now it has been just myself, Jae Choban [entertainment director at The Monkey’s Tale] and a couple other people,” Shaw says. “I should have some more help as it gets closer to the event.”

Like the name of the event, which began as relief aid for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, expect a gumbo of musical acts all weekend. Artists like ESW, Mike Milligan & Steam Shovel, Catfish & The Bottom Feeders, Flow, Tin Can Island, Hippo, Code V, Thunder Club and Rock Soup will provide some of the musical spice. Sixteen artists will each play 90-minute sets.

“There’s a broad spectrum of music, [including] hip-hop, alternative, blues, both country and western. You never know who will show up,” Shaw says. “Besides being for a great cause, it’s an opportunity to showcase all these great musicians. They’re donating their time and resources.”

Broad Ripple restaurants will provide the food at the event.

“Not only is this a chance to experience some music and help a great cause, but you’ll get hungry, and there’s a chance to support the restaurants in the neighborhood,” he says.

Now that the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina has come and gone, it has been a bit more challenging to get people involved in GumboAID.

“The first time we did this, we did it in two weeks. Last year, we had some issues and no advertising. This year, I think we started early enough and hopefully we will get a good crowd,” Shaw says. “The talent that I spoke with, they all wanted it well-known that they wanted to be a part of this. With the corporations and the media, it could be a little harder. I’ve thought about going for a grant and I am working on a 501(c)3 status.”

Even though The Monkey’s Tale is a bar, Shaw hopes people of all ages can come out.

“You’ll be able to hear the music outdoors, and we’ll pass the hat [around],” he says.