Eureka Springs Blues Weekend

Blues lovers will be grooving on three days of get-down music this weekend, when Eureka Springs rolls out the red carpet for the Eureka Springs Blues Weekend.

One of the best things about Eureka Springs music festivals, is that almost all of the venues are in walking distance of one another, which means you can park the car and wander from one rockin’ spot to the other. Another great thing about this festival is you can hear some fab music and not spend a dime. Of course, you can also spend some bucks and hear the top shelf headliners.

The big bucks shows take place at The Auditorium tonight and Friday night, with bars and venues around town pulling in a slight cover for some shows. The free music will be in the Basin Park in downtown on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. And if there’s one thing to remember, it’s Basin Park 5 o’clock—more about this later.

Tonight’s show at The Auditorium will be blues legend and Grammy winner Koko Taylor and Her Blues Machine. This will be a show to remember. Opening will be the 2008 International Blues Challenge winners and Albert King Award winners Trampled Under Foot.

Friday night at The Auditorium you can hear three outstanding musicians: the respected Rory Block, the powerful Indigenous and West Coast player Phil Berkowitz and his band who will be doing a tribute to Louis Jordan.

Earlier we mentioned 5 o’clock at the Basin Park and now we’ll tell you why. There will be free music in the Basin Park from noon to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and although the stage will be filled all day with some truly fine musicians, we’re picking the 5 p.m. shows on Friday and Saturday as the not-to-miss gigs.

On Friday at 5, R.J. Mischo will take the stage at the Basin Park. This fireball player recently moved to NWA from the San Francisco Bay Area and has been gigging with the likes of the Cate Brothers and Jimmy Thackery. If you haven’t heard him yet, here’s your chance.

On Saturday at 5, catch the unknown—but we’re predicting not for long—star talent Anna Horton. The crystal voiced Horton has released a sultry, smooth jazz album with a 100 percent “wow” factor. The arrangements are flawless, thanks to some of the area’s best players backing Horton—Darren Novotny, Clare Starr, Gus Smith and Jerry Yester.

Sunday is also a day to be in Eureka for really great free shows from noon to 4 at the Basin Park with Austin blues singer LZ Love, new dynamo 1 Oz. Jig, Stella Blue & Maddog and Kosmik Debriz. At the local Sunday afternoon hot spots, the impeccable Patrick Sweany Band will be at Chelsea’s and cookin’ acoustic blues player singer and songwriter Rich Berry will be at The Piped Piper.

For tickets and information go to www.eurekaspringsblues.com.

Eureka Springs Blues Weekend
Today
The Auditorium
6 p.m. Koko Taylor, Trampled Under Foot

Chelsea’s
9 p.m. The Ariels

The Pied Piper
7 p.m. & 11 p.m. Rich Berry
8 p.m. Patrick Sweany

Friday
The Auditorium
5 p.m. Rory Block, Louis Jordan Tribute with Phil Berkowitz, Indigenous

Basin Park
Noon: Kariann
1 p.m. Rich Berry
2 p.m. Joe Pitts Band
3 p.m. Michael “Hawkeye” Herman
4 p.m. Delta Highway
5 p.m. RJ Mischo

Basin Park Hotel Ballroom
6 p.m. LZ Love
9:30 p.m. Larry Garner

Chelsea’s
5 p.m. Lil’ Dave Thompson
10 p.m. Patrick Sweany Band

Eureka Live
4 p.m. Local jam
9 p.m. Underground Mafia

Lumberyard Bar and Grill
9 p.m. Joe Giles and The Homewreckers

Jack’s Place
9 p.m. Fatz 59

The Pied Piper
4 p.m. Brian Martin and Rich Berry
8 p.m. Pope County Bootleggers and Delta Highway

Rowdy Beaver
8 p.m. Penelope and The Unusual Suspects

Shawbees
9 p.m. Vance Orange Project

The Tiki Torch
9:30 p.m. Rockin’ Jake

Saturday
Basin Park
10 a.m. Michael “Hawkeye” Herman
11 a.m. Penelope and the Unusual Suspects
Noon Gera and Black & Blues
1 p.m. Adam Raven
2 p.m. Eureka Street Buskers
3 p.m. Jeff Lee
4 p.m. The Ariels
5 p.m. Anna Horton

Basin Park Hotel Ballroom
7 p.m. Deborah Coleman
9:30 p.m. Michael Burks

Basin Park Hotel Ozark Room
6 p.m. LZ Love

Center Street Pub
8 p.m. Penelope and The Unusual Suspects

Chelsea’s
2 p.m. Jug Band
5 p.m. Lil’ Dave Thompson
10 p.m. Patrick Sweany

Eureka Live
4 p.m. Local jam
9 p.m. Underground Mafia

Jack’s Place
9 p.m. Fatz 59

Lumberyard Bar and Grill
3 p.m. Gary Hutchison Duo
9 p.m. Oreo Blue

The Pied Piper
Noon Tablerockers and Spent
4 p.m. Brian Martin and Pope County Bootleggers
8 p.m. Delta Highway and Rich Berry

Rowdy Beaver
8 p.m. Oysters Rockefeller

Shawbees
1 p.m. Full House
9 p.m. Vance Orange Project

The Tiki Torch
3 p.m. Scott Holt
10 p.m. Scott Holt

Sunday
Basin Park
Noon LZ Love
1 p.m. 1 Oz. Jig
2 p.m. Stella Blue & Maddog
3 p.m. Kosmik Debriz

Chelsea’s
2 p.m. Patrick Sweany Band

Eureka Live
Noon Local jam

The Pied Piper
4 p.m. Rich Berry

The Alty Awards
A relatively new awards show that honors local youth actors is happening this weekend. Arts Live Theatre’s, second annual Arts Live Theatre Awards or the ALTYs will be at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Fayetteville Town Center. The theme of this year’s event is “An Evening With The Stars.” Actors and students who have appeared in Arts Live productions and have participated in Arts Live classes will be recognized for their outstanding contributions. The event is a fundraiser for the nonprofit Arts Live, Northwest Arkansas’ only dedicated children’s and youth theatre company. Tickets are $10 for 18 and under and $15 for adults and can be reserved by calling 521.4932 or at the door.