Highlights
In the Clubs
U.S.S.A.
U.S.S.A, helmed by Jesus Lizard guitarist Duane Denison and Ministry bass player Paul Barker will be playing metal night at the Dart Room on Saturday. The two hard rock/industrial music legends are joined by vocalist Gary Call and drummer Johnny Rabb in their new outfit that got its start just last year. The band is moving their tunes to the masses on Nashville’s indie, punk label, Fuzz.
At the Dart Room on Sunday night—every Sunday night is punk night at the Dart Room, will be The Von Ehrics of Dallas and locals Genome Chomsky, Lethal Red and the Pullout Method.
JJ Grey & MOFRO
It ‘tis the time for new albums. Alligator Records’ southern roots rockers JJ Grey and MOFRO will hit George’s Saturday night, stopping in at our town as part of their nationwide tour to promote their new album Country Ghetto. Grey pens tunes that range from straight forward rock ‘n roll to Dixie swamp funk and soulful ballads, like the song “A Woman,” which Grey wrote for Cassandra Wilson (which she did not record). The band has played Bonnaroo and New Orleans Jazz Fest and has opened for the likes of Widespread Panic, Jeff Beck and Ben Harper.
Will Hoge
Singer songwriter Will Hoge is coming through Fayetteville for a Nov. 1 show at George’s just a few weeks after his newest CD, Draw The Curtains on Rykodisc hit the racks. The NWA stop is part of a 40-city tour to promote the new album. The disc was recorded in Nashville and produced by former Wilco and Uncle Tupelo drummer Ken Coomer and Charlie Brocco (Fleetwood Mac, George Harrison). Get a free download of the track “Dirty Little War” at www.willhoge.com.
Renaissance Faire
Allow yourself to be transported back in time Saturday and Sunday at the Northwest Arkansas Renaissance Festival in Fayetteville.
Faire folk will be dressed in costumes from the Renaissance era—you might have seen some of them walking around the Farmers Market in costume last weekend—and will be in full character. You will be able to engage in tea with the queen, and storytime with M. Keaton, watch as the fair lads jousting, horses’ dressage, sheepherding, Irish dancers with music by Cullen’s Hound, juggling by Galen Harp, the audacious Bedlam Bards and pirate comedy by the Ladies of the Salty Kiss. It will be fun for all ages.
The faire will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days at the Pauline Whitaker Animal Science Arena, 1335 W. Knapp Road on the University of Arkansas farm campus, just south of I-540 at the Ark. 112 exit. Tickets are $5 adults and children under 12 free. For information call 387-1150.
Solid Blues
The Walton Arts Center will be rockin’ with the blues on Friday night when the nationally touring “Solid Blues” show comes to town. Solid Blues brings together four outstanding blues interpreters: Mavis Staples, the North Mississippi Allstars, Charlie Musselwhite and Joe Krown.
Mavis Staples got her start with The Staple Singers before moving on to a solo career. She may be best known for her vocals on rousing hits like “Respect Yourself” and “I’ll Take You There.” She was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.
Blues harmonica man Charlie Musselwhite holds 18 W.C. Handy Awards for his musical contributions to the blues. He has released more than 20 albums and has played on many other albums including Bonnie Raitt’s “Longing in Their Hearts.”
The North Mississippi Allstars have developed a large following in the last decade, with their tight delivery of blues and rock. They draw standing room only crowds wherever they go and if you haven’t heard them, you’ll understand why after catching them at the WAC.
The Allstars and Musselwhite have played NWA before, but we don’t know that Joe Krown has ever made the trip up from New Orleans to showcase his piano and Hammond B-3 stylings. He’s a regular in N’Awlins clubs, so get ready for a little bit of Professor Longhair—we hope.
The show’s at 8 p.m. and tickets are $25 to $45.
And, if you’re interested in the blues, make a trip to the University of Arkansas Library. On display through Nov. 30 in the Helen Walton Reading room at the Mullins Library is a display of photos, sheet music and other artifacts documenting blues in Arkansas and the Ozarks.
