Last year's Bay View Bash was such a success in terms of turnout and in a musical sense with Brazzaville's free gig wowed the assembled masses, it was a shock when it seemed that the Kinnickinnic Avenue street festival might not happen this year.

Thanks to a devoted team of neighborhood enthusiasts, Bay View Bash is back on Saturday, Sept. 13.

Among those involved was OnMilwaukee.com food writer Amy Schubert, who says, "I'm truly blessed to be part of such a great effort. The volunteers who run the Bay View Bash are some of the greatest people I've met in my life, and we have a shared passion for Bay View, and are able to put that passion and our personal and team talents to work in showcasing the wonderful neighborhood where we live, work and play. Plus, having such a great partner in the Bay View Historical Society and seeing our hard work benefit such a worthy group has been a remarkable opportunity."

This year's Rush-Mor stage hosts Kings Go Forth -- featuring bassist Andy Noble, former International Jet Set singer Dan Fernandez, Recycled Future organist Dave Wake, Highball Holiday guitarist Matt Norberg and others -- at 8:30 p.m. In advance of the headliner, there's Coyote Cry at noon, Powers at 1:15 p.m., Disguised as Birds at 2:30, 1956 at 3:45, Speed Freaks 5:30 and The Etiquette at 6:30 p.m.

The middle stage has Sleep Tight Company at 11 a.m., Rosewood & Steel at 1. Tamara Pierce at 3, Tyler Traband at 5:30 and local ska vets The Invaders at 8.

Mike Hoffmann's new group, Guido's Race Car, headlines the OnMilwaukee.com stage at 8 p.m. Mr. Wrong starts things out at 11:30 a.m., followed by Joey LaVie at 1:30, Milwaukee Ballet at 3:30, The Money Shot at 4:30 and the Bryan Cherry Band at 6 p.m.

The Bryan Cherry Band has just launched the "Alley Apple" CD and guitarist Sean Williamson says fans can expect to hear all of the disc's six songs at the show.

"(We) never have played it before, making us even more excited to wind down our summer with the Bash," Williamson adds. "(It) should be a great turnout; (I) heard that last year's attendance was superb and was shocked this spring when there were talks of canceling.

Admission is free. For more information check out bayviewbash.org.

Other gigs this week include:

Britain's Spiritualized plays at Turner Hall Ballroom on Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20. The band's "Songs in A&E" was released at the start of the year.

Fresh off Lollapalooza, Ha Ha Tonka returns to town for an 8 p.m. gig at The Rave on Thursday, Sept. 11 with Back Yard Tire Fire. Cover is $10 in advance, two bucks more on the day of the show.

The same night at 10 p.m. Milwaukee's Pezzettino makes its debut at Stonefly Brewery on Center Street in Riverwest. The show also serves as the release party for "Because I Have No Control," a compilation of material by singer, songwriter, pianist and accordionist Margaret Stutt (aka Pezzettino). On stage, Stutt will be accompanied by guitarist David Kaye. Opening is Chicago's Horse in the Sea and indie folkies AB & the Sea.

Meanwhile, down in the View, the comedian you love to hate -- Neil Hamburger, that is -- arrives at the Cactus Club on Thursday, too. Hamburger's most recent disc finds him taking a stab -- and just the bloody, messy stab you'd expect -- at country music. "Neil Hamburger Sings Country Winners" (Drag City Records) is a 100-car pile-up of wit-infused twang. Pleaseeasaur and Aaron Vold also perform at the 10 p.m. show.

Conveniently located (to Bay View Bash-goers) in Humboldt Park, at the bandshell, is the third annual Global Union international music festival staged by the Alverno Presents series. The event takes place Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 13 and 14, from 1 to 7 p.m., and is free an open to all.

On Saturday, Chicago gypsy surf rockers Lamajal plays at 1 p.m., followed by Indian guitarist Prasanna at 2:30, Brazil/New Orleans outfit Nation Beat at 4 and Mali's Vieux Farka Toure -- son of the legendary guitarist Ali Farka Toure -- at 5:30 p.m.

Russia's Reelroad starts things off at 1 p.m. Sunday. At 2:30 p.m., Iranian singer Mamk Khadem performs, followed by Cuban flautist and composer Orlando Valle Maraca and his 12-piece group, Maraca. Congo's Samba Mapangala closes out the festival at 5:30 p.m.

There's a special festival kick-off at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12 at MSOE's Todd Wehr Conference Center, 1047 N. Broadway. The event is sponsored by WMSE and tickets are $15.

Young blues guitar Shannon Curfman heats up Shank Hall on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15. This is Curfman's first tour in five years, so blues fans won't want to miss it. Curfman's latest disc is 2007's "Fast Lane Addiction."

Saturday is also the day of the East Troy Bluegrass Festival, which features supergroup Blue Highway, currently on tour supporting its disc, "Through the Window of a Train."