Highlights- July 26- Aug. 2
United We Jam showcases Fayetteville talent
Every once and a while, a small group of highly creative people get together and take a totally different approach to how things are done. The United We Jam project is a good example.
United We Jam started in February when “Big Jake” Cranston wanted to film a performance for his MySpace account. He enlisted Trey Marley of White River Media to film it. Since it was a live shoot, Cranston asked Marley if he would shoot the other bands playing the show too. Marley said ‘yes.’
The footage was edited and released on DVD as United We Jam. The DVD was a success, selling all 100 copies despite the fact that it had not been planned. Since then, a mad effort to expand the project has been underway. United We Jam 2 will take place this Saturday night and will feature punk ‘n roll band Genome Chomsky, video game cover band The OneUps, and 2007 NAMA “Band of the Year” Charliehorse.
This show, like its predecessor, will be released on DVD in a limited number of 100. Event organizers are pushing the envelope to make it an all-encompassing experience by incorporating locally owned businesses, manufacturing t-shirts, buttons, “free admission passes” as giveaways with art by local artists and more. The idea is to create an element of fun, put the excitement back into a local live music event and at the same time make a record for prosperity.
One part social experiment, one part carnival, one part historic record, it’s more than just another show. It is a collective effort by local musicians, businesses, club owners, artists and music fans to produce an account of NWA’s rich and diverse musical culture and bring people together from different backgrounds.
United We Jam 2 happens Saturday at The Dart Room in Fayetteville. Show is $5 and starts at 9 p.m. For more on the project visit www.MySpace.com/UnitedWeJam
Mustin
Inga Swearingen
Jazz vocalist Inga Swearingen will take the stage at 8 p.m. Friday at the University of Arkansas Fine Arts Concert Hall for a performance for the North Arkansas Jazz Society’s summer concert series.
Swearingen began her career as a singer songwriter, accompanying herself in alternate tunings on guitar. Transitioning to jazz was a natural progression for Swearingen. She scat sings with agility and grace, infusing the genre with fresh life.
Swearingen was winner of the Shure Jazz Voice competition at the Montreux Jazz Festival receiving both the vote of the judges and the audience. She has performed on “A Prairie Home Companion” with Garrison Keillor.
For the Friday show, Swearingen will be joined by the NAJS house rhythm section made up of Claudia Burson, Jim Greeson and Darren Novotny.
Rockin’ in the Ozark Mountains
There’s a big time brewing in the Missouri Ozarks. The Big Summer Classic Music Festival at Camp Zoe near Salem, Mo., a three-day camping festival on the Current River will be Aug. 3-5 and will feature a wildly eclectic lineup. Camp Zoe is located on 330 acres that will accommodate around 10,000 people with miles of waterfront for swimming, sunning and floating. On tap for the festival are: String Chese Incident, The Roots, Los Lobos, Yonder Mountain String Band, Greyboy Allstars, The Wailers, Infected Mushroom, Del McCoury Band, JJ Grey & MOFRO, Preservation Hall Jazz Band Vusi Mahlasela, Bassnectar, David Lindley, Drew Emmitt Band, Buckwheat Zydeco, Chris Berry Panjea, EOTO, Johan Smith, The Schwag and Old School Freight Train. A three-day pass is $142.50 at www.bigsummerclassic.com.
