Highlights
Comin’ at ya…the Dickson Street Music Festival
There’s been a low level buzz for a few years, that portends that Springfest, Dickson Street’s annual one-day street festival and craft fair, just ain’t what it used to be. But, there’s something new in the works that will push the annual event up more than just a notch or two. A few folks and Dickson Street supporters who never say never, are planning to pump up Fayetteville’s “rites of spring” by bringing some big name talent to town for two nights of music. A big outdoor stage will be set up on the municipal parking lot at the corner of Dickson and West Streets, similar to the one for Bikes, Blues and BBQ.
As the Free Weekly went to press, we couldn’t get confirmation on the specifics (which are being announced at a press conference today) but here are the rumors we’ve heard about what organizers are working on: Friday night, Apr. 25 will be a concert with the Charlie Daniels Band, 38 Special and Shooter Jennings. Saturday night, Apr. 26 will be Sonic Youth, Michael Franti and more. Both will be ticketed events.
This will be a big week for Dickson Street. The Free Weekly’s annual Northwest Arkansas Music Awards will be Thursday, Apr. 24 at the Dickson Theater and the Springfest craft fair, as far as we know, is still scheduled for Dickson Street merriment on Saturday, Apr. 26. We’ll bring you all the details on the concerts, ticket prices and more in next week’s FFW.
Black History events at UA
Black History month at the University of Arkansas continues with several events that are open to the public. Today at 6 p.m. Joe Seabrooks will present “Hip-Hop and AIDS” the third part in a series about the influences of hip-hop. The talk will be at at Giffels Auditorium in Old Main and is a free event.
At 3 p.m. Tuesday, author Dwight Fryer will speak on “How to conceive, develop, write and sell without an agent” in Giffels. At 7 p.m. Fryer will read from his work in Giffels. Fryer is a Christian minister and an international marketing manager at FedEx in Memphis. He is a graduate of the University of Memphis and Christian Brothers University and is currently working on his third novel. Both events are free.
On Feb. 28 and Feb. 29 there will be a “Gospel Feast” by the University of Arkansas Inspirational Singers at 6:30 p.m. in the Arkansas Union Ballroom. Tickets are $25 for each show.
Learn from Darlene
Those who attended the Northwest Arkansas Music Awards last year were blown away by the opening performance by Darlene. The local songbird, who spends much of her time touring, mesmerized the rowdy crowd of hundreds with her unique performance in which she used her voice not only to belt out her original songs, but also got some laughs with her animal noises. Talk about voice control! If you’d like to learn how she does this, now you can. Darlene is offering five Monday night workshops beginning in March. The classes will be at Nature’s Water in south Fayetteville and will include: pitch and tone, harmony, techniques, presentation and vocal play. The classes are $10 each. If you’re interested, contact Darlene at: Darlene@MotelDarlene.com.
Perrion Y. Hurd at Fusion
Folk art fans and collectors will want to visit Fusion Art at 109 N. Main St. in Bentonville, before the Perrion Y. Hurd and Derek Scott show closes at the end of the month. Hurd, a 35-year-old native of the small eastern Arkansas town of Hughes, studied graphic design and medical illustration at the University of Memphis, but he considers himself to be a self-taught artist. His style is inspired by southern folk artists, as well as the artists of the Art Deco and Harlem Renaissance movements. Hurd’s subject matter revolves around his love of music and geometric shapes with strong lines and bold colors that reflect the influences of the music and culture of Memphis and New Orleans. Hurd’s paintings range in price from $145 to $900.
Feed Just One
Several local musicians will be taking both stages at George’s this Friday night to raise money for “Feed Just One” a local organization that helps send food to third world countries. Performing will be Matt Jones, Thanks for Nothing, Jonathan Taylor Rose, Will Gunselman, The Radio Sky, Jarris, The Whigs and A Good Fight. Cover charge is $7.
