Highlights

Hardaway & The Commoners CD Release Party

Winner of the 2009 NAMA for Best Urban Band, Hardaway & The Commoners, will debut their new album “Off the Record” Saturday night at George’s. The funk, jazz and hip-hop infused “Off the Record” is comprised of 16 songs, including the smooth “Tangible Thoughts” and the crowd pleasing “Time Bomb,” as well as never-before-heard tracks like “Deeper.” Every song on the CD features original lyrics and no sampling. The album was recorded and mastered by Chris Williams of Making the Way Productions and released on Fayetteville’s Archetype Records.

The band is made up of Colin Hardaway (vocals), Brad Haj (drums), Will Collins (guitars), Dan Hicks (bass), Barrett Barker (saxophone) and Lucian Tisdale (keyboards).

Nate Hancock & The Declaration will kickoff the party at 9 p.m. on the Lounge Stage followed by Groovement at 10:30 p.m. The OneUps will perform on the Garden Stage at 9:45 p.m. with Hardaway & The Commoners taking the Garden Stage at 11:15 p.m. 607 and DJ MassiV will close the night on the Lounge Stage at 1 a.m. An all-ages show. $7 at the door.

 

Korto Momolu

“Project Runway” finalist and Little Rock resident Korto Momolu will show her handbags, clothing and jewelry in a runway show at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Arkansas Union Ballroom on the University of Arkansas campus. Momolu will speak about her experiences as a designer and Project Runway after the show and there will be a reception following the lecture. Originally from West Africa, Momolu’s designs are influenced by her African roots. She has recently partnered with Little Rock label Tre Vero to design an exclusive line of handbags for Dillard’s that will debut in the spring. Free

 

Reading and Release

A reading and release party for Northwest Arkansas poet Margot Lavoie will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Nightbird Books on Dickson Street. Lavoie’s new book, “The Altar of Amazing Chance,” is published by Two Poets Ink in Fayetteville.

“Margot Lavoie’s amazing poems have ‘tender skin’ and deep hearts,” says Naomi Shihab Nye, author of Honeybee and 19 Varieties of Gazelle.

Lavoie, a native of Syracuse, N.Y., lives in Prairie Grove. “The Altar of Amazing Chance” is the first publication of Two Poets Ink, a collaboration by poets Mendy Knott and Leigh Wilkerson and the imprint of a creative writing series planned by Limbertwig Press.

Songs of Real Love, Gravity and Grace

Guy King Ames, songwriter, vocalist, and banjoist with the band Strange Heroes, has assembled a talented group of musicians to perform with him Saturday night for a show at Arsaga’s Crossover. Strange Heroes won NAMA awards for Best CD award in 2004 and best in their category in 2004 and 2005.

Joining Ames will be singer songwriters Joe Hart of Blacktop Boys and Candy Lee, drummer Nathan Wilkins from the hardcore band Dodge City, Bruce Allen, lead guitarist and vocalist for Strange Heroes, and members of new band The ROX (Roxie Hunt, Dan Dean and Laura Kelley). The ROX will be a ‘small backup choir’ on a couple of songs and they, Hart, Lee and Wilkins will also a song or two of their own.

Ames is well known for his lyrics, many of which excoriate religion and politics. “Folks seem to know Strange Heroes as either a dance band or a political band, but for this gig I really wanted to showcase some of my songs with romantic and spiritual themes,” Ames said. “However, I will be singing at least one political song, ‘Guantanamo’, and I hope that violinist Ryan Cockerham of Kahula Gypsy Band will drop by and sit in like he did when we recorded that song. And, of course, we’ll have a couple songs for comic relief and just some plain rockers.”

Leah Randolph and the Ozark Mountain Drifters

Leah Randolph will be a special guest of the Ozark Mountain Drifters at 7 p.m. Friday at Riordan Hall in Bella Vista. Randolph has just released a new CD of her original songs “For So Long,” which she has been working on for three years.

Randolph has performed for nine years at the weekly jams at the Little O’ Oprey in West Fork and has hosted Country Your Way at the Springdale Senior Center twice monthly for eight years.

On the new CD Randolph is backed by three members of Mel Tillis’ band The Statesiders, steel guitarist Terry Bethel who also produced the album, drummer Chuck Landry and guitarist Brian Sterling. Northwest Arkansas native Jenee Fleenor also contributes fiddle and backup vocals. Randolph wrote most of the songs on the CD. One of the songs was written by former Washington County Sheriff Lee Owens.

The Ozark Mountain Drifters will be playing songs from Randolph’s new CD for the Friday night show. The Ozark Mountain Drifters are: Johnny Hudson (vocals, rhythm guitar), Vance Monday (steel guitar, fiddle, dobro), Lila Monday (vocals, percussion), Wayne Kirby (lead guitar), Darrell May (bass, vocals), Bart O’Neal (vocals, fiddle, guitar) and Chris Bryant (drums).

The Second City Returns

The Second City returns to the Walton Arts Center on Friday and Saturday, bringing with them 50 years of some of America’s best comedy and improv. The Second City has created a launching pad for the likes of Mike Nichols, Alan Arkin and a bevy of “Saturday Night Live” actors. Taking suggestions from the audience, the comedians create catchy jingles and sidesplitting sketches and no topic is off limits. This 50th anniversary tour marks The Second City’s fourth visit to the Walton Arts Center. The cast includes Brooke Bagnall, Abby McEnany, Rachel Miller, Sam Richardson and Seth Weitberg. Shows are at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20.50 to $32.50.

Frisco Festival

Historic downtown Rogers will host the Frisco Festival Friday and Saturday. Highlights of the free outdoor event are below.

Friday

6 p.m. Catfish fry, Frisco Chicken, ice cream social

6:30 p.m. Rogers Honor Guard Salute

6:45 p.m. Heritage High School pom squad

7 p.m. Joe Giles & the Homewreckers (street dance)

9 p.m. Sarah Brown & the Neighborhood (street dance)

Saturday

6:30 a.m. Pancake breakfast, 5k and 1k runs

8 a.m. Car shows

9 a.m. No Name Kicker

9:30 a.m. Smoke & Mirrors Magic Show

10 a.m. Amos Moses, ice cream social

10:30 a.m. Ballet Westside, Frisco chicken

11 a.m. Rogers Praise Band, Rogers Rock Orchestra

11:45a.m. Humble Hands 4 Him Puppet Show

Noon: Smoke & Mirrors Magic Show, Too Legit to Quit

1 p.m. Jalapeno eating contest

1:30 p.m. Jack Mitchell & His Big Band

2 p.m. Wing & A Prayer

3 p.m.  Youth Talent Contest

3:30 p.m. Frisco Idol winners performance

4:15 p.m. Rogers High School pom squad

4:25 p.m. VFW Honor Guard

4:30 p.m.  Phil McGarrah & Runnin’ on Empty (street dance)

6:30 p.m. Youth talent contest winners

7 p.m. Sarah Brown & the Neighborhood (street dance)