For some people, Spring Break means one thing – South by Southwest. While most showcases require you to flash a badge or fork over a wad of cash after registrants get in, there are also plenty of opportunities to see some great bands for free. Many of these free showcases take place during the day, while some occur at night in more unconventional venues.

Here is a profile of several  showcases worth checking out from Monday, March 15 – Saturday, March 20.Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.KGSR/Four Seasons showcase, at the Four Seasons, five mornings of live music from Nakia, Alpha Rev, Amy Cook, Stephen Bruton Tribute, Kat Edmonson, The Trishas, Bob Schneider, The Texas Tornadoes, John Haitt, Charlie Mars, She & Him, Grace Potter, Rouge Wave, VV Brown, Gin Wigmore, The Court Yard Hounds and moreSt. Edward’s University students might recognize Bob Schneider’s name on this list from his performance on campus in 2008, but this showcase offers other new local Austin artists to discover. In addition, people will most likely flock to see She & Him’s performance–Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward’s band–you might remember their cover of “Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want” from “500 Days of Summer.” The show is free, but a $5 charitable donation is encouraged.Monday, 8 a.m.British Music Embassy presents Strummerville / Jail Guitar Doors at Latitude 30º with Billy Bragg, Chris Shiflett, Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, Beans On Toast, Smokey Angle Shades, Nat Jenkins, SupernovasIt’s safe to say a good number of Americans can appreciate a British accent, and they will be abundant at this showcase. Many of the acts are one-man bands that, with only their guitars, entertain the crowd. Some notable bands to watch include Beans On Toast, who will feature songs such as “I Shot Tupac Shakur” and “All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt.”Wednesday, 12 p.m.Terrorbird Media/Force Field PR Day Party; Red 7 with Neon Indian, Toro Y Moi, Those Darlins, Matias Aguayo, The Rural Alberta Advantage, Beach Fossils, Real Estate, Choir of Young Believers, A Sunny Day In Glasgow, Oh No Ono, Ernest Gonzales, and The Fresh and OnlysIf you are going to attend a one-day party on Wednesday, make it this one. The lineup is full of young, talented acts and displays a great amount of diversity. There’s Toro y Moi’s chillwave movement and Austin’s own Neon Indian, whose electronic sound creates an otherworldly atmosphere. Real Estate brings a beach-tinged indie rock sound, A Sunny Day In Glasgow possesses a denser art-rock vibe and the Rural Alberta Advantage is a Canadian folk band in the vein of Neutral Milk Hotel. Expect to find at least one band you will fall in love with out of the 16 on the bill. Thursday, 1 p.m.Other Music Day Show; The French Legation Museum with Califone, The Antlers, Real Estate, YellowFever, Dum Dum Girls, The xx, Dylan LeBlanc, Zola Jesus, Sharon Van Etten, Julianna Barwick, Holly Miranda, In The Grass and Black PrairieSet on the beautiful grounds of the historic French Legation, this day show will have a great environment for another great lineup. Headlining are London minimalists The xx, whose self-titled debut was one of the best albums of 2009. Equally as impressive is a Brooklyn group, The Antlers. The band released “Hospice” last year, a heart-wrenching and beautiful concept album about death, written during frontman Peter Silberman’s self-induced isolation. It finished at the top of many critics’ year-end lists for good reason. Also performing are blues-rock outfit Califone and Holly Miranda, who has played opening slots on Tegan & Sara’s latest tour. Get there early; parking in East Austin can be brutal. Friday, 12 p.m.Village Voice’s 2010 SXSW Party; La Zona Rosa Although only four bands are playing at this showcase, this day party is arguably one of the best offerings this year. The main headliner is Superchunk, indie pioneers from North Carolina. Along with Pavement, Archers of Loaf and Sebadoh, they conquered the college radio airwaves in the early ‘90s and set the stage for countless other bands. Surfer Blood, also playing at the showcase, was one of the groups following in the footsteps of that era’s guitar rock. Surfer Blood released their debut, “Astro Coast,” at the beginning of this year. The album is filled with hooks and a sense of tightness that most bands don’t find until late in their careers. Brooklyn’s The Pains of Being Pure At Heart root their musical identity in late ‘80s twee and lo-fi, and their self-titled debut is filled with songs exemplifying how homage to those before you can make for great music. Rounding out the lineup is the aforementioned group, The xx.

Friday, 7 p.m.Brasstronaut Showcase at the Sheraton Austin at the CapitolThis Vancouver band’s jazz styling’s are guaranteed to please. Fans of instruments that could fill your high school marching band can look no further than Brasstronaut. Their use of trumpets, drums, bass and even synthesizers grips the audience.  “Requiem for a Scene” highlights the band’s musical harmony that is beautiful both live and recorded.

Saturday, 3 p.m.SXSW 2010 Auditorium Shores Concert Series; Auditorium Shores featuring Kimya Dawson, Deer Tick, Lucero, Justin Townes Early and She & Him.Fans of the last five years of pop culture will enjoy this day showcase for several reasons. For starters, there is the obvious elephant in the room, She & Him. The musical collaboration between actress Zooey Deschanel and folk artist M. Ward has become somewhat of a sensation, thanks partly to Deschanel’s role in “500 Days of Summer” and her marriage to Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard. However, Deschanel and Ward have one album of pleasant folk tunes under their belt with their sophomore release slated for release on March 23. Another recognizable figure is Kimya Dawson, who contributed several songs to the 2008 indie smash hit “Juno,” both as a solo artist and with The Moldy Peaches, of which she is a former member. Ellen Page, however, will not be on stage. Also playing are Deer Tick, Dawes and Justin Townes Earle.

Saturday, 12 p.m.Alternative Pres’ Attack of the 100 Bands You Need To Know Showcase; Emo’s featuring Circa Survive,  Sum 41, Never Shout Never, Hey Monday, The Cab, Every Avenue and more.The annual Alternative Press free showcase returns to SXSW as big as ever. The headliners of the showcase are part of the Rockstar AP Tour, and the rest of the show will feature some of the best bands to watch in 2010 according to AP. This year Circa Survive and Sum 41 will also stop by. The show will fill Emo’s Annex, Emo’s Juior and Emo’s Main Room.