New music series expands entertainment options
JOCELYN MURPHY
jmurphy@nwadg.com
Ropeswing Hospitality Group will host a new music series in June at its property Record off the Bentonville downtown square. The $5COVER Music Series aims to be a source of late night entertainment and a place for communal gathering for all ages (above 21), but specifically for young professionals of the area.
“[We wanted] for young professionals [to] see downtown Bentonville as a great programmed entertainment space,” says marketing manager Sarah Hegi. “As we were renovating that space, we really saw the need for a community gathering space where people could have different types of events. [And] I just think Bentonville is so primed for live music, live entertainment and even music that goes beyond 8 o’clock, 9 o’clock.”
Hegi says the group also wanted to highlight up-and-coming Arkansas musicians so the series brings central Arkansas bands, from varying genres, to the northwest corner of the state to help spread their influence. The schedule for the inaugural series includes:
June 2 — Silver Anchors
The dreamy synth-pop/electronica of new band Silver Anchors will open the Record’s $5COVER Music Series June 2 as the six-member super group brings their distorted, literary, sound to Bentonville. Their first album takes its song titles from the works of Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky and adapts them into what Arkansas Times called “Dostoevsky disco.” Songs genre hop from the ’70s lush orchestration of ELO and ABBA to the ’80s digital drive of Eurythmics and Pet Shop Boys.
June 9 — The Funkanites
Funkanites are an eight piece Afrobeat, soul and funk ensemble. The lineup features members of other Little Rock bands such as Amasa Hines, Velvet Kente and Twice Sax to name a few. To say the band is well seasoned is an understatement. They are capable of handling any genre thrown at them, however, their focus is heavily on late ’60s and ’70s Afrobeat, soul and funk with a contemporary spin on the genres. Big bombastic horn lines are the norm, as well as an air tight rhythm section that stretches and sews the pocket but never leaves it.
June 16 — Dazz and Brie
Courtesy Photo
Little Rock funk duo Dazz and Brie join the lineup for the inaugural $5COVER Music Series at Record in Bentonville this June.
Dazz & Brie is a rock ‘n soul woman-fronted duo & band that combines heavy rock instrumentation with soulful harmonies to create music that transcends all ages. Their sophomore project, “Can’t Chase Girls and Your Money Too,” combines a blend of acid rock, funk and country. Named the Arkansas Times’ 2017 Musicians Showcase winners, the 2018 Kit-Kat Jingle winners, and ML Magazine’s Uprising Idol, the band has performed from Afropunk’s Battle of the Bands in Brooklyn, N.Y. to SXSW, to Los Angeles.
June 23 — KOBV Dance Party
Join 103.3 KOBV Bentonville Community Radio for a fundraising dance party. KOBV is a noncommercial, non-profit station that broadcasts Bentonville event news and an eclectic mix of music. Station DJ’s and special guests will be turning sick beats for this fundraising event to dance the night away.
June 30 — The Salty Dogs
Well-known alternative country foursome The Salty Dogs will close out Record’s series with a show of original music June 30. Ropeswing will also host a progressive two-step line dance instructor for the event. Formed in 2003 and named the “Best Original Band in Arkansas” by the Arkansas Times, the Dogs have since played countless shows sharing the stage with the likes of Junior Brown, Hank Williams, Jr., Old Crow Medicine Show and more.
FAQ
$5COVER Music Series
WHEN — 9 p.m. Saturdays in June
WHERE — Record, 104 S.W. A St. in Bentonville
COST — $5; suggested $20 donation for KOBV Dance Party
INFO — facebook.com/recorddowntown
