Highlights
In the Clubs
There are some super shows coming through town this week, so get ready. Here’s a quick rundown on some of the hot ones.
Friday night, Oreo Blue guitarist Gary Hutchison will be celebrating a birthday at George’s with his band, the Nace Brothers, Steve Pryor and Earl Cate. That same night, George’s will also be bringing in rising star, Anthony Gomes. Gomes was nominated as “Artist of the Year” by BluesWax magazine four years in a row, winning the title one of those years.
He spent time in Chicago studying the blues and is now in Nashville trying out some new styles. It’ll be interesting to hear what he’s up to.
Tuesday night you can hear some of the best electronica going when the Philadelphia quintet. Lotus hits George’s with Asheville, N.C. outfit Telepath. Lotus has been playing to sold-out houses across the country, including rooms like New York’s Bowery Ballroom. They have also been hits at festivals like High Sierra and Wakarusa. Lotus fuses post-rock dance and jam into an electronic soup with guitar riffs that speak Grateful Dead one minute and Pat Matheny the next. With Telepath, you’ll quickly recognize the familiar dance music beat. The band will be bringing their arsenal of samples, beats and loops. Their mesmerizing down tempo sounds are sometimes laced with Indian and Arabic sounds. It’s dancehall time. Tie on your shoes.
But that’s not all. On Wednesday night, the innovative bassist, Victor Wooten will return to George’s.
You’ll also want to get out for a couple of local events. Tonight at George’s catch the Wakarusa Winter Classic. Five bands will compete for a slot on the Wakarusa stage. Showcasing their best will be Fayetteville bands, Mountain of Venus and The Odds, Little Rock bands Free Verse and Cooper’s Orbit and Hot Springs group the Joe Pitts Band.
At 7:30 p.m. Sunday, White Robin will hold a family-friendly CD release party for their debut album “Gravity” at the Vintage Fellowship meeting at The Music Hall. The band is fronted by Robin Rues, formerly of Wildwood. “Gravity” is a mix of rock, folk, blues, Celtic and pop and is based in Rues’ “love-based spirituality.” “I wanted to paint a true picture of the post-modern Christian reality,” Rues said. Before splitting up, the award winning Wildwood was inducted into the NAMA Hall of Fame and was featured on NPR’s Whad’ya Know and on AETN Presents.
Crafting Content
The University of Arkansas art department has mounted an impressive week of activities for the “Crafting Content” ceramics symposium that opens today on the UA campus and at other venues. All events are open to the public.
Today
9:30 to 11 a.m., Anne Kittrell Gallery, fourth floor of the UA Arkansas Union
Gallery talk with John Perreault, art critic and founder of Artopia Juried Exhibition: Ceramic Objects and Conceptual Material
2 to 4:30 p.m. University of Arkansas Center for Continuing Education, 2 E. Center St.
Panel discussion with John Perrault; Benjamin Schulman, Drury University; David East, Maryland Institute-College of Art; Nicholas Kripal, Tyler School of Art of Temple University; Jeanne Quinn, University of Colorado; Jeannie Hulen, University of Arkansas; and Tanya Batura, studio artist Los Angeles
5 to 6:30 p.m. Anne Kittrell Gallery
Opening reception for juried exhibition: Ceramic Objects and
Conceptual Material
5 to 7 p.m. ddp Gallery, 7 E. Mountain St.
Opening reception for exhibit by Alex Hibbit, Emily Loehle, Stephanie Lanter, Luke Sheets, Benjamin Peterson, JJ McCracken, Eva Kwong, Pattie Chalmers, Michael Anthony, Keaton Wynn and Mary Price
Friday
9:30 to 12:30 p.m. UA Ceramics Building, 326 Eastern Ave.
Demonstrations, material research: The Process of Thinking and Making with David East, Jeanne Quinn and Tanya Batura
2:30 to 3:30 p.m. UA Fine Arts Gallery. Gallery talk by Benjamin Schulman
3:30 to 5:30 p.m. UA Fine Arts Gallery. Opening reception for Material Transcendence: Clay as Commentary invitational exhibition
Saturday
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. UA Ceramics Building
Demonstrations and material research: The Process of Thinking and Making, with David East, Jeanne Quinn and Tanya Batura
Lauren de Miranda at Pretty in Pink
Fort Smith singer Lauren de Miranda who moved to Hollywood and was once a member of Run DMC’s girl group, Calico, will be in Fayetteville on Saturday night to perform at Pretty in Pink: Shanghai Nights, a fashion show and entertainment event at the Fayetteville Town Center. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $75.
