Cory Branan, Jon Snodgrass at George's

Cory Branan, Jon Snodgrass at George’s

If you’re not already a Cory Branan fan, you might want to join the ranks. The singer songwriter has steadily built a strong following through his live shows. On Friday night, he’ll be joined by fellow songwriter Jon Snodgrass (Drag the River, Armchair Martian) for a show at George’s. The two are on a summer and fall tour that takes them through the Midwest and up and down the West Coast. They’re also set to jointly release what’s being called a “low-fi short and simple collaboration” vinyl recording that will feature some originals and a few covers. If you like Wilco or Lucero, you’ll like this Branan Snodgrass show. At 9 p.m. An 18 and older show. Tickets $7.

Gretchen Wilson, Junior Brown play area casinos

Two area casinos have shows scheduled this weekend that will be worth a short road trip.

Gretchen Wilson will play the outdoor pavilion at Downstream Casino Friday night and Junior Brown will play the nightclub Seven at Cherokee Casino on Saturday night.

Wilson has won almost every award she’s been nominated for including a Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance and Female Vocalist of the Year from both the County Music Association and the Academy of Country Music. Wilson exploded onto the country music scene in 2004 with her hit “Redneck Woman” and has continued to rank among the top country vocalists. She will play Downstream Casino’s 6,200 seat outdoor pavilion. Downstream Casino is four miles west of Joplin, Mo. Tickets are $40-$60 at www.protix.com or by calling 866-977-6849.

Junior Brown has wowed audiences with his expert musicianship for years and is a respected name in Austin. Brown leans toward country, but makes it his own with an invention that he created called a git-steel, which is a cross between a six-string guitar and a steel guitar. Further confirming that Brown is one-of-a-kind. The show is free, so get there early if you want a seat. If you haven’t seen the casino since the $83 million renovation, you’re in for a surprise. The River Cane buffet is pretty tasty and there’s a more upscale Flint Creek Steakhouse, if you want to go that route. The casino is just across the Oklahoma line in Siloam Springs.

Peter Frampton at The AMP

Seminal rock guitarist Peter Frampton is coming to Northwest Arkansas, thanks to The Amp at the Northwest Arkansas Mall. The outdoor venue will play host to Frampton and his band Tuesday night. Frampton needs no introduction to those of the flower-power era, but their grandkids may need to be brought up to speed, so here are some of the highlights of his long history in the music biz.

Frampton was part of the British invasion in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1969 he formed the British band Humble Pie, but went solo in 1971. Five years later, Rolling Stone named him “Artist of the Year.” In 1987, Frampton joined his childhood friend David Bowie on the Glass Spider Tour. He has continued to be part of the international music scene. Seeing him perform live should be a treat. Frampton can make a guitar sing and cry like few others can. Musicians of Frampton’s caliber are able to assemble musicians to back them who are good enough to stand on their own, which means a high caliber show overall. For this tour, Frampton will be backed by drummer Dan Wojciechowski, keyboardist, guitarist and vocalist Rob Arthur, veteran bassist John Regan and Australian guitarist Adam Lester. Tickets are $15-$75 at www.arkansasmusicpavillion.com.

THEATER

Boar’s Head Players New Play Showcase

The Boar’s Head Players will kick off their New Play Showcase Wednesday night with “How to Survive the End of the World.” After a four-night run, that play will be followed by “Seller Door: A Play of Consequences,” which will run July 28- August 1. Both plays were written by University of Arkansas master of fine arts drama students and will be staged for the first time.

Adam E. Douglas’ “How to Survive the End of the World” is a quirky comedy that examines the modern world’s inability to survive. “Seller Door: A Play of Consequences,” written by Larry Mitchell, is a fun jaunt that questions the human desire to buy almost anything and the ability of humans to put themselves into irreconcilable situations.

Performances are at 8 p.m. at the Walton Arts Center’s Baum Studios. For tickets call 575-4752.

Twilight Walk

The monthly third Friday Twilight Walk will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday in historic downtown Rogers and it’s going to be quite a shindig. Businesses lining the cobblestone streets are teaming with artists and musicians to provide entertainment along with some shopping specials and drawings for gift certificates.

At Frisco Park, Jazzmopolitan will perform throughout the event and young and old alike can participate in “Pollock in the Park” to create a Jackson Pollock-style canvas. On display in the park will be a collection of large, artist-inspired umbrellas.

Rogers’ landmark diner, Wesner’s, will offer an all-you-can-eat BBQ buffet and William Adkins will play at the diner beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Artists who will be featured are: Photographer Mark Lawrence at Brick Street Botanical, stained glass artist and jewelry and mobile designer Anita Hejtmanek and photographer Chris Englehoven at Favorite Tuxedos & Alterations, painter Kerry Evenson at Interior Visions Design, artists Nic Clark and Jef Richardson at Designers Market, handbag designer Tanya Stumbo at New 2 You Consignment, artist Carol Wahlgren and handbag designer Pat McMahon at Showcase Trophy, jewelry designer LauraJo Smole at Oftedahl’s Photography, lampwork jewelry and ornaments by glass artist Sharon Stoffel at Steamboat Annie’s, painter Matt Miller and vintage restoration artist Ashley Henry at Urban Bleu, painter Jan Ironside, photographer Tracey Fortuny and Mission style furniture maker Myron Williams at Poor Richard’s and photographer Silas Byers at Rogers Little Theater’s Zephyr Blevins Gallery.

The Rogers Historic Museum will open the exhibit “1968 America” and will host photographer Deborah Billingsley, watercolor artist Sally Bevington, artist and sculptor Becky Christensen and woodworker Kip Powers.

Townzen’s Barber shop will show the photo exhibit “Fires of Downtown Rogers.”

Molly’s Rings ‘n’ Things will host a make-over artist.

Tours of downtown living spaces and commercial buildings will also be part of the event. Featured will be loft tours of the John Smiley apartment at 107 W. Walnut St. and the Rick White apartment at 115 W. Walnut St. John and Harriet Mack will host tours of the Stroud Building at 114-116 W. Walnut St. and the First National Bank will host tours of Old Friendly Book Store at 206 S. Second St.

Kids will be entertained by the Rogers Fire Department, which will bring a fire truck, water curtain and the Fire Safety House. The Rogers Little Theater will host a Disney Themed Kidsworks Camp Production at 7 p.m.