HocoFest

The Annual HoCoFest gets under way with a special edition of Optimist featuring Brooklyn's Le Castle Vania at 9 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 1. $3. A night of Latin music follows indoors and outdoors at Congress and across the street at the Rialto Theatre, at 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 2. Musical acts include Molotov from Mexico City; reggae salsa artist Sergent Garcia from Bogota, Columbia; and other local and international acts, including Mexican Institute of Sound's Camilo Lara, Taraf de Tucson and The Jons. $25; $20 advance. Free music Saturday, Sept. 3, includes Tim Lee, All Perry, Danny Stuart and Kiss and the Tells. A barbecue dinner is available for purchase. The Bang! Bang! dance party follows inside the club. Free. A benefit for record producer Craig Shumacher features DeVotchKa, Calexico, Sergio Mendoza Y La Orkesta, Tom Russel, Richard Buckner, Jon Rauhouse, Luca and more at 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 3. $25; $20 advance. Visit hotelcongress.com for more information.