The 2012 edition of the Beaches International Jazz Festival is in full swing right now with the first couple nights of the Streetfest in the books. But there's still plenty to see along Queen East and at Kew Beach on Saturday and Sunday.

The scope of the festival has broadened over the years to include a very wide definition of the word "jazz," but you'll find still find that the iberal interpretations — like, for instance, the roots rock of Zed Head — rub up against more conservative favourites like the Metro Big Band, and, of course, there's a little bit of everything in between.

With musicians on almost every street corner, there's little need to fight the crowds to see a live performance, unless we're talking Dr. Draw, in which case all you can do is stake out a spot between performances and wait for him to appear.

Street performances take place between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. every night with artists performing three sets each on a somewhat flexible schedule.

A few crowd favourites worth checking out:

• Juice at 2180 Queen St. E. (Essentia At The Beach)
• Patrick Tevin's New Orleans Rhythm at 2162 Queen St. E. (Beacher Café)
• Zedhead at 2076 Queen St. E. (Gabby's / Scotia Bank)
• Puente del Diablo at 1970 Queen St. E. (Bow Thai)
• Samba Squad at SE Corner Queen & Woodbine

During the day, performances are scheduled between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. on the main festival stage at Kew Gardens.

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