Although the summer's live schedule seems to be hitting a lull during the hottest weeks of the summer, downtown comes alive with the virtual return of one of Tulsa's most endeared festivals.

This weekend, Clay Cooley from Flytrap Music Hall and his silent partner bring reggae back to Tulsa with Reggae on the Green, a full day of music and celebration of Rasta, ska, hip hop and more. With a day that starts at noon and runs until midnight (or whenever the bands decide to stop for the night), it will prove to be a day that makes our under-served reggae fans elated and sated for at least one day.

Being the festival's inaugural year, Cooley and crew have decided to keep it simple -- a one-day affair that packs it all in and keeps everyone happy. With gates opening at 11am and music starting at noon, you can settle in for the day and enjoy as much music as possible on the four-acre green located just across from Flytrap Music Hall at 2nd and Greenwood.

When asked why he decided to launch this type of festival, Cooley said that it's partially due to his love of reggae and that he's been itching to host an event like this for quite some time. With his current involvement as a partner in Flytrap, right now seemed like the perfect time to launch such an event, he said. Perhaps more importantly, however, is the fact that he (as well as many others of us) have repeatedly heard a request or call for a return of Reggaefest. Face it; we've all heard the question asked more than once: "What happened to Reggaefest?"

This isn't Reggaefest, per se -- that title and event is owned by another entity -- but it is a festival that will potentially fill the gap.

The lineup itself is diverse and widespread, encompassing more than just Reggae, but that should keep the day all the more interesting.

And with tickets starting at $10 for an all-day event, it's hard to argue that this is possibly one of the best tickets of the summer.

Music will start at noon on Saturday, Aug. 14, with a pair of ska bands, Classy San Diego and The Last Slice, performing at noon and 1pm, respectively. The music switches gears at 2:10pm, however, as Jason Almohandis' side project, Bubble, stirs up a mix of reggae, rock and jam band vibes to further entrance the audience.

Hip Hop and funk-rock will follow with Hiphopotamus and Tribe of Souls in the 3:15 and 4:20 slots before the reggae settles in for the evening.

Local and regional acts Ugly Lion from Dallas, as well as The Rebellion (one of Tulsa's hottest rising reggae acts) and local legends Local Hero keep things going until 8:30pm.

At that point, the national headliners take over with three acts that make this an evening that reggae fans from across the region and surrounding states won't forget.

Josh Heinrichs, formerly of Jah Roots, will take the stage at 8:45pm and Cas Haley will close things down, performing from 10:30pm to midnight (or later), providing a pair of headliners with plenty of reggae clout. The real surprise of the night, however, will undoubtedly prove to be the artist that Reggae on the Green was able to land in a last-minute deal when a Dallas date fell through.

Multi-platinum and international reggae star Collie Buddz and the New Kingston Band are set to headline from 9:50-10:30pm in what will undoubtedly be a lights-out performance. Currently touring with Slightly Stoopid and Cypress Hill, Buddz is one of the most popular contemporary reggae stars on the planet right now, having remixes of his biggest single "Come Around" contributed to by artists as far ranging as Busta Rhymes, Shaggy, G-Unit, Paul Wall and more. More importantly, he's been touring internationally for nearly three years and is preparing to drop his sophomore disc before the end of the year.

After years of people asking for a return of Reggaefest and a seemingly successful but ultimately failed version at Riverwalk Crossing a few years back, Reggae on the Green might be exactly what Tulsa has been asking for. A killer lineup, a mix of local and national talent and a low ticket price all combine for what should be a win for everyone involved.

Tickets are only $10 (children 12 and under are free with a paid adult) and the grounds will include food and drink vendors and water attractions like old school slip'n'slides to cool off in the heat. For those willing to spend a little more, VIP packages will be available for $25, which includes access to free food, keg beer and a full-liquor cash bar as well as air conditioning and indoor bathrooms at Flytrap Music Hall, just across the street from the festival grounds.

For more details on the schedule, bands and tickets, all the information you need can be found online at reggaeonthegreen.com.

Weekend Roundup

Of course, Reggae on the Green isn't the only game in town, but it is the biggest event on Saturday. The rest of the weekend remains busy with a host of good.

On Thursday, Aug. 12, Bob's hosts Janus with My Darkest Days and Mercy Street, or you can head out to the Hard Rock Casino for a free show with Sick Puppies at Friction as the band continues to work its latest CD and makes its third stop in the Tulsa area on the current tour cycle.

If you're looking to scout some great local talent, however, one of our hottest rising acts will be playing its last gig of the summer while its members go off to school. Apollo headlines a gig at Rock & Jock Pizza with Del Toros, Here is There and Consumed By Fire opening and a $5 cover.

Friday night, Aug. 13, Bob's hosts a night of hair metal with Dirty Penny headlining and openers Firstryke and Beyond What's Given, if you're looking to get your kicks. Otherwise, you can't go wrong with Bassmeant at Eclipse or Eric and the Adams at Hunt Club.

Also on the radar is Whiskey Road Show at Woody's Corner Bar and the rowdiest show of the weekend: Larkin at Arnie's.

Saturday night, Aug. 14, Woody's brings in Southern Drive for more southern rock, but if you're feeling a little more intense, head over to Mercury Lounge for Jackson Taylor and the Sinners. If you're in a strict drinking and partying mood, check out Alex and the Anders at Eclipse. Of course Travis Linville's Electric Duo is also rocking at Arnie's and always makes for a good night.

Finally, you can wrap up your weekend on the patio at Hunt Club with Dave and the Haters, or chill out at Mercury Lounge with Brandon Clark's weekly acoustic gig.