Sure, you can get down at the Brews, Jazz and Funk music festival this weekend at Squaw Valley. But why not maximize your fun potential with additional shows before and after at the Crystal Bay Casino’s Crown Room?

The CBC features a pair of free shows Friday and Saturday evenings, billed as pre and after parties to the annual festival at Squaw.

To learn more about the festival Saturday and Sunday at Squaw — which features Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, MarchFourth Marching Band and more — visit http://www.squaw.com.

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As for the CBC, the fun kicks off Friday at 9 p.m. in the Crown Room with a free show featuring Mingo Fishtrap.

According to the band’s website, Texas Music Magazine calls Mingo Fishtrap “the space where melodic pop meets gritty Memphis soul, with a twist of N’awlins funk.”

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The eight-member band quickly carved a niche in the heavily saturated scene in Austin, with the Austin Chronicle saying “Their gumbo of tight & punchy horns, deep rhythms, restless melodies, and emotive singing has garnered Mingo justified respect as a live powerhouse.”

Members include Roger Blevins, Jr., lead singer, guitar; Roger Blevins Sr., bass guitar; Chip Vayenas, drums/percussion/vocals; Dane Farnsworth, B-3 Organ/keyboards/vocals; Mikel Urdy, percussion/vocals; Dan Bechdolt, saxophone; Steve Butts, trumpet and Zol Waterhouse, trombone.

For music samples, images, and more information, view http://www.mingofishtrap.com.

Opening for Mingo Fishtrap is local band Terraplane, featuring guitarist Lucas Arizu, an Argentinian native with blazing fast fingers currently in the UNR Jazz program; keyboardist Ryan Taylor, a classically trained pianist turned organ and synth scientist; drummer Bill Kerrigan, a ball of sweat, energy and tasty drum grooves; and bassist Jeremy Hunt, the low end backbone, the wall of thump, the man, the myth, the legend.

The band blasts fast and funky dance beats, mellow hip-hip infused grooves and jazzy instrumentals with a little Latin flavor. Learn more about the band on Facebook.

NIGEL HALL, LETTUCE

The fun continues a 10 p.m. Saturday in the Crown Room, where the Nigel Hall Band and members of Lettuce perform for free.

According to Hall’s Facebook page, Nigel is an honest, humble guardian of soul music. When asked about himself, Nigel reflects, “I’m just someone who lives, eats, drinks music.”

This ethic becomes clear when Nigel takes the stage. A mainstay on the Portland, Maine, scene, Nigel has recently toured with the funk powerhouse Lettuce. His energetic vocals add yet another layer of sonic depth and energy to the all-star cast.

Nigel is also an established keyboardist, currently working in the studio with Chapter 2, featuring Eric Krasno, Adam Deitch, Louis Kato and Chris Loftlin.

Learn more about Nigel Hall and his various bands at http://www.royalfamilyrecords.com/nigelhall.