Now in its fifth year, the Voodoo Music Experience has made a place for itself in the canon of do-not-miss music festivals around the country.

This is a fitting weekend to host musicians such as Marilyn Manson, Howie Day, A Perfect Circle and The Roots at the City Park venue.

Voodoo Fest expanded the concert event to three days this year in order to bring in a greater number of musicians and festivalgoers.

About 50 Loyola students have been volunteering for Voodoo for the past week, and will continue to work at the festival.

This year, transportation has been streamlined. If you don’t have a car or don’t want to fight hundreds of cars at the venue, you can take advantage of the shuttles which will provide round trip service every hour on the half hour.

There’s a shuttle from the Sheraton downtown and one conveniently located at the Boot.

With shuttle tickets starting at $10 a round trip, they won’t eat up all your money.

Also a part of the Voodoo Music Experience is a series of shows at the House of Blues, the Saenger Theater and Twi-Ro-Pa called Voodoo After Dark.

These shows mostly feature artists who perform at Voodoo Fest, such as The New Deal and Gov’t Mule, but also headline other groups such as Rasputina and Meshell Ndegeocello.

Your best bet for the After Dark experience is New Orleans’ funky jazz band, Galactic, at Twi-Ro-Pa.

Because there are so many bands performing during the weekend, you’ll be facing some hardcore decisions about which to see.

Here’s a special list of must-sees at Voodoo to help you sort through everyone who’s playing.

*Ludacris & 50 Cent (Friday 4 – 5 p.m., 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.).

Though they both play for only an hour, their shows are back to back and will make for an entertaining rap show.

If you’ve turned on a TV or radio or entered a club in the past year, you must have heard 50 Cent’s bumping hit, “In Da Club.” Ludacris recently released a new album, “Chicken and Beer,” and is rolling out to Voodoo to promote it.

*Almas Gemelas (Saturday 11 – 11:45 a.m.)

Loyola’s twin graduates Jose and Jorge Colon fuel this Latin-infused band.

You’ve probably caught them at smaller venues around the city (and even at Loyola), but the chance to see Almas at Voodoo should not be overlooked.

*Better Than Ezra (Saturday 3:45 – 4:45 p.m.).

One of New Orleans’ hardest working band makes a stop over at City Park for Voodoo 2003.

Though they’re still touring to support the 2001 release, “Closer,” BTE’s got a new album coming in 2004 and will probably treat the audience with some new material.

Also, look for their alt-pop staples like “Good,” “King of New Orleans,” and “Desperately Wanting.”

*Staind (Saturday 6:45 – 7:45 p.m)

After eight million albums sold and eight years together this band is ready to show New Orleans that itss guitar-driven rock exceeds expectation.

Listen for the powerhouse single “Price to Pay,” from Staind’s May release, “14 Shades of Gray.”

Staind polished its stage performance during the 2001 Family Values tour with bands like Korn and Limp Bizkit, so prepare for a great live show.

*World Leader Pretend (Sunday 11 – 11:45a.m.).

You may have seen this band’s lead singer, Keith Ferguson, dourly walking around campus, but when he takes the stage, he abandons all pretense and guides his ambitious indie rock masterfully.

With bassist Parker Hutchinson and drummer Arthur Mintz, WLP has exposed its unique sound to cities like New York, Atlanta and Washington, D.C. behind its debut album, “Fit for Faded.”

They will be their recording its second effort in December.

Check out their fearless alt-rock sound before it gets really big.

*String Cheese Incident (Sunday 5:30 – 7 p.m.)

In the grand tradition of festival bands, this group will likely deliver a jamming show sure to please its legions of cult-like fans.

The five-person group formed in 1993 and has picked up considerable buzz in its 10-year existence. Non-traditional instruments like the mandolin and the accordion lend themselves to String Cheese’s distinct sound.

*The White Stripes (Sunday 8 – 9 p.m.)

Jack White and ex-wife Meg bring their garage-style rock to Voodoo Fest as one of the headliners.

They gained notoriety as part of the 2002 “the” band explosion, but as groups like The Vines and The Hives slipped from the radar, The White Stripes thundered on, releasing “Elephant” in the spring.

Their performance over the summer in New Orleans garnered laud from local critics and show goers.

Don’t miss them again – expect favorites like “Fell in Love with a Girl” and “7 Nation Army.”

One of the goals of the Voodoo Fest staff was to bring in artists from a variety of genres with diverse groups of fans.

Few shows around the globe can brag that they’ve had Godsmack, George Clinton, Iggy Pop, Cowboy Mouth, Queens of the Stone Age and Rusted Root all performing at the same venue.

Queens of the Stone Age will play at Voodoo Music Fest on Sunday, November 2. (Photo Courtesy of Interscope Records)