Highlights
Changing History
How Kuff will read from his novel, “Changing History” at 7 p.m. Saturday at Nightbird Books in Fayetteville.
Kuff lives in the Ozark forest near Red Star and holds degrees in philosophy and mathematics. In “Changing History, Kuff delves into the philosophical realm offering a unique perspective on human relationships and the world at large. He has been working on the book for the past seven years after traveling in Tibet.
Set in Tibet, the book revolves around a happenstance meeting of seven travelers who spend the night in a teahouse with a Buddhist monk and nun. The modern day Chaucerian-like novel is a lament for the continuing cycles of violence that have defined human history. The characters’ stories are interspersed with Socratic dialogue and poetry to create a hope for humankind through connections to the past and the power of everyone to change history through actions taken today.
“I am not focusing on the United States at all,” Kuff said. “Rather this is a stark and broad view of humanity, our patterns and trappings and our abilities to change what has occurred. It is relevant to the major global crises that we will be facing over the coming decades.”
Howard Zinn, author of “A People’s History of the United States,” praised “Changing History,” calling it “….a soulful book, a spiritual book, yet it does not avoid the realities of the world.”
Music
It’s another outstanding week for music in town. Check out the music listings on page 10 and take your pick. Here are some of the highlights.
Tonight, award-winning bluegrass band, Cherryholmes, will play the Walton Arts Center.
George’s will host the Last Waltz Ensemble, a group that pays tribute to The Band, on Friday night, with Blue Edmondson, Charliehorse and Solomon’s Vine sharing the bill.
Blues fans can have a big Saturday night with Oklahoma blues guitarist Scott Ellison at the Green Door and the local faves, The Eoff Brothers at The OPO. If you haven’t checked out the OPO in the basement of the Urban Table in the Old Post Office building on the Fayetteville Square, do it! It’s a fine venue.
Sunday nights at George’s won’t be the same without Sarah Hughes, who has moved to Austin, but this week there will be a killer show of a different sort. Trumpet player Jeff Gray (Eckobase, Fayetteville Funk Ensemble) and friends will help with a little attitude adjustment prior to the back-to-work Monday.
Tuesday night The Lee Boys will be at George’s. We predicted The Lee Boys to be the surprise hit of last year’s Bikes, Blues and Barbeque festival and if you didn’t get a chance to hear them at the fest, get out for a feel good, butt shaking show. This Miami, Fla. sextet is an energetic blend of R&B, gospel, hip-hop and rock driven by pedal steel guitar. They’re stabled on the Arhoolie Records label and that in itself is a strong recommendation.
And, the show that folks have been anticipating for months, Keller Williams and the WMDs, will play George’s on Wednesday night. Williams has a new CD out. “12” and it’s a winner.
Another show that is usually a sold-out annual event is the Wheatfield reunion show at Goodfolk. Wheatfield was one of Ezra Idlet’s (Trout Fishing in America) early bands. The players will reunite on Jan. 24 at GoodFolk. The other half of TFIA, Kieth Grimwood, usually joins the group, so it’s TFIA like you’ve never heard them before.
Jazz fans, shouldn’t feel slighted. Bordino’s will have the Walter Savage Trio tonight and the Andrew Sieff Group on Jan. 24.
If you’re looking for something different, head to the Walton Arts Center Saturday night for the North Arkansas Symphony performance, “Simply Sinatra.” Guest vocalist Steve Lippia will bring back the songs of “Old Blue Eyes.” Lippia has performed with numerous orchestras, including standing room only shows with the Nelson Riddle and Woody Herman orchestras.
Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Two weeks of events are scheduled in Fayetteville to commemorate the work of Dr. Martin Luther King during the annual “Days of Recommitment.” At 11:15 a.m. Monday there will be a ceremony at the municipal parking lot on the southwest corner of Dickson Street and West Avenue. After the ceremony there will be a march to the University of Arkansas Student Union, where a vigil will take place at noon.
Roderick McDavis, president of Ohio University, will be the keynote speaker at the Recommitment Banquet at 7 p.m. at the Town Center and on Jan. 29, former U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Joycelyn Elders will deliver a lecture “MLK: Drum Major for Social Change” at 5 p.m. in the UA Arkansas Union Theater.
All events are free except for the banquet. There will also be dance, art and musical performances. For information call 575-4825.
