Lots of places host them to allow newcomers to the scene show off their skills (or lack there-of), and it’s something slightly different to do on a Wednesday (or Sunday, or Tuesday) night for folks looking for entertainment options in town. They’re pretty standard.

In typical Smoke & Barrel fashion, however, when their version of an open mic night debuts next week, it will have a bit of a twist. Did you ever see The Gong Show?

On the first Wednesday of every month, the Smoke & Barrel announced yesterday that they’ll be hosting a local version of the popular NBC daytime show from the 70′s as their version of open mic night. Lucio will emcee the show, and participants will get 10 minutes on stage to show their stuff in front of a panel of three local judges.

The winners each night will be granted a longer set, and an opportunity to make their way into the regular Smoke & Barrel music lineup down the line.

For anyone interested in signing up, there’s a bit more information on a new Facebook group created for the show.

No word on whether or not the judges will have actual gongs set up, but I’m thinking a ride cymbol and a rubber mallet should do the trick. Don’t get gonged.

I have a proposal. Let’s drop the word “the” from the phrase, “It’s the weekend.” After all, we don’t say, “I can’t wait for the Halloween. It’s just as much fun to me as the Christmas.” Also, capitalize that dude.

Thanks to our friends at The Tale of The Tape, we have a new stack of music to listen to all Weekend long. Enjoy.

Happy Weekend!

Singles

Arcade Fire – 'The Suburbs' (From The Suburbs due 8/3/10 via Merge Records)

Black Mountain – 'The Hair Song' (From Wilderness Heart due 9/13/10 via Jagjaguwar)

Jens Lekman – 'The End Of The World Is Bigger Than Love' (From Upcoming album)

Lissie – 'Bully' (From Catching a Tiger due 8/18/10 via Fat Possum)

Regina Spektor v. Lil Wayne – 'Us (Me & Mrs. Officer)' (From (500) Days of Weezy out now via My Sick Uncle)

Fol Chen – 'The Holograms (Teen Daze Remix)' (Original on Part II: The New December out now via Asthmatic Kitty)

The Moviegoers – 'Big High School' (From Big High School 7-inch due August via Mangoose Records)

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. – 'Simple Girl' (From Horse Power EP out now via Quite Scientific Records)

Sean Bones – 'Lets Do Something Else' (From Rhumba Beat single out now via Frenchkiss Records)

Real Estate – 'Art Fandelet' (New track from Daytrotter Session)

The Mix: For Extended Listening

Weekend Mix for July 30 - Aug. 1 (From Tale of The Tape)

Wanna see a national act considered to be among of the godfathers of the alt-country music genre? Check. Want to see a big broadway production? Double check.

That’s not your thing? How about watching three pretty crazy bands in somebody’s house? This weekend has that too.

There’s a mini golf charity event, a farmers’ market, a poetry slam, a movie night, and tons of live music to check out with some punk rock, salsa, country, bluegrass, live hip-hop, DJs, and jam bands all playing in town this weekend.

High five, Fayetteville. This weekend’s gonna rule.

Friday

Old 97′s are in town for a show at George’s Friday night. They’ve been on the road promoting their new EP “Mimeograph” released earlier this month. If you aren’t familiar, you probably don’t like alt-country. If you are familiar, you’ll probably be at the show. David Wax Museum and Christmas Fuller Project are opening, and Oreo Blue will get everyone all warmed up during happy hour.

If you like Irish music, there’s an early show just for you at Greenhouse Grille. Dead Irish Blues is in town from Pennsylvania, and aside from the first song on their website with a really loud kazoo solo, they sound pretty sweet. Unless you like really loud kazoo solos.

There is a house show at The GROJ with Miniature Colossal Men, Voyageurs and Satan’s God. Miniature Colossal Men have a song called “I Wanna Have Sex With Dee Dee Ramone,” FYI. Also, this may or may not be a video of Satan’s God playing on cable access in New York.

The Crumbs will be at Smoke & Barrel Friday night, bluegrassing the bejeezus out of everyone.

If you haven’t seen it yet, you could check out Beauty and the Beast at the Walton Arts Center if you want, and dive-in movies return to the Wilson Park Pool with Madagascar 2 Friday night, if you feel like catching a flick while sitting in a swimming pool.

Saturday

Summertime + Saturday morning = Farmers’ Market. Squared.

There’s a community garden workshop at Walker Park Saturday afternoon. More info on that is here.

If you like the idea of golf, but aren’t really in the whole “trying to hit the ball a long way” thing, you could play put-put at Gator Golf Saturday afternoon and help raise some money for the Humane Society at the same time at Foghorn’s second annual Put for Paws event.

Tunes-wise, you could pour one out for Jerry Garcia at the annual Jerry Garcia Birthday Bash at George’s Saturday night, with Mountain of Venus and Jeff Sipe (Leftover Salmon).

Lucio’s Grown Folks Night is going down at Smoke and Barrel, featuring Sound Child Crew, DJ EQ, and of course, Lucio.

Sunday

Want some brunch? Want some music during brunch? Greenhouse Grille has Pat Pathoumthong Sunday morning starting at 10 a.m.

Sunday afternoon, you could check out some DJ’s during Audible Chocolate at Rogue with resident DJ’s Erratic Ninja, Ultrasonic Nozzle, and a special guest appearance by DJ Bizar.

Jody’s Living Room at LIT features the folks from Ozark Poetry Slam this week. The Ozark Poetry Slam team should be at the top of their game. They are headed off to represent Arkansas in a national competition soon.

For music, and cheap beer, you could check out Cadillac Jackson at George’s for Monster Mug Night.

There’s a lot more below. What are you guys doing this weekend?

Friday, July 30

Jose’s: Another Fine Mess

Whole Earth Organic Lounge: TerraNova Tribal

Ella’s: Sarah Hughes

George’s: Old 97′s / David Wax Museum / Christmas Fuller Project / Oreo Blue

Greenhouse Grille: Dead Irish Blues

JJ’s Grill n Chill: Keith Nicholson

ROTC: FOS Project

Veranda Wine Bar: NWA Meet a Friend Group

Foghorn’s on College: Jeff Carey

El Sancho Mexican Grill: Keyla and Kemp

Mojo’s: Dave Bright Band

Louie’s Bar & Grill: Jon C Shorter

LIT: Revolutionary Revolvers

The GROJ: Miniature Colossal Men / Voyageurs / Satan’s God

Walton Arts Center: Beauty and the Beast

Nadine Baum Studios: Murder and the English Gentleman: A Comedy

Wilson Park: Dive-In Movie: Madagascar 2

Smoke & Barrel Tavern: The Crumbs

Boom Boom Room: Guda / Workhorse

Rogue: Roger Jager, DJ Derrick

Saturday, July 31

Jose’s: Layfayette Lounge Players

Gator Golf: Putt for Paws

Walker Park: Community garden workshop

Walton Arts Center: Beauty and the Beast

Ella’s: William Reyes

ROTC: Barbwire Band

Foghorn’s on College: Michael Shaw

El Sancho Mexican Grill: Russ & Mike

JJ’s Grill n Chill: TJ Scarlett

Teatro Scarpino: Salsa Night with Neta Band

Mojo’s: Toe Funk Jam Band

George’s: Jerry Garcia Birthday Bash w/ Mountain of Venus & Jeff Sipe

Nadine Baum Studios: Murder and the English Gentleman: A Comedy

Arsaga’s on Crossover: Nate Korth

Smoke & Barrel Tavern: Lucio Presents: Grown Folks Night

Rogue: Silverstone, Barren Von Swagger

Jammin’ Java: Tiffany Christopher

Sunday, August 1

George’s: Cadilac Jackson

Greenhouse Grille: Pat Pathoumthong

Common Grounds: Nathan Aronowitz / DJ SoulFree

Walton Arts Center: Beauty and the Beast

Pesto Cafe: Sarah Hughes

Rogue: Audible Chocolate

Mellow Mushroom Pizza: Zamarath the Interdimensional Wizard

LIT: Ozark Poetry Slam Team Send-Off Party

The songs are written, rehearsed and reworked by the band for several months, if not years. Recording time is booked, and the laborious process of laying down the foundation tracks begins, followed by re-dos, overdubs, mixing, and mastering. That usually takes a while too.

Finally, after a lot of re-mixing, and tweaks like “turn down the vocals in the second chorus” and “can you bring up the guitar in the bridge,” the record can be sent off to the label or manufacturer to be pressed, and there’s a long wait for that to happen before the thing can finally be heard by audiences.

Depending on the band, this entire process typically takes a year or longer. If your name is Axle, it can take more than 20 years.

Why am I telling you this? Because Wade Ogle and the Mad Sprits completed this whole process, from songwriting to release of their new “Green Eyes EP” in under a month.

The three song EP was written on July 1 and 2, was recorded on the 14th, and was released via a free digital download on July 20.

Originally, the recording was supposed to be a demo session. Ogle had just hoped to capture some of the emotions he was going through at the time, and the demos were not meant to be released.

Once they heard the finished product that came out of Adam Putman’s Insomniac Studios, however, the band decided to make the songs available to the public. The record is available to preview or download for free at the band’s Reverb Nation page.

Green Eyes EP

Wade Ogle and the Mad Spirits will be at George’s tonight for two shows, an early one at 8 p.m., and a later show scheduled for 10:30 p.m. We got in touch with Wade, and he was nice enough to answer some questions for us.

Fayetteville Flyer: Tell us a bit about how the EP came about.
Wade Ogle: I wrote the songs the evening of July 1 and finished them up the following morning. At our next rehearsal, I showed them to Paul and Tyler and we fumbled through them. The following Wednesday, we booked a few hours at Insomniac Studio to record them. I wanted to capture my feelings as well as the band’s reactions while the emotions were still real instead of trying to relive or recreate them later. It was just meant to be a personal demo but we were all surprised at how well it came together.

FF: These songs weren’t originally intended for the public, correct?
WO: Correct. It was only after they were recorded that I thought “written in a night, recorded in an afternoon and on the internet by the weekend,” and that had some appeal to me because it’s usually such a long process from start to finish.

FF: I know this isn’t typically the way you’ve worked in the studio in the past. Did you enjoy working in a more live/spontaneous way this time?
WO: I did enjoy it. I’ve spent long, laborious, tedious, boring hours in a studio before. I’ve found that once the songs are recorded, I can’t stand the rest of it. The mixing, editing etc, it numbs my brain. I think the initial “not for public” idea played in our favor while recording. Thankfully, Adam Putman was getting good sounds almost instantly and we were able to just play without too much distraction or pressure.

FF: You said that you presented these songs to the band one time. What does that say about Paul and Tyler as musicians?
WO: They’re both fantastic musicians. Both are very sympathetic, mature players. Plus, we’ve been slugging it out playing a lot of regional shows. That stuff will make you great friends and a great band. Or, end it all very quickly. I love them both dearly.

FF: You guys have been traveling quite a bit lately. How has the music been received in other cities?
WO: Paul said the crowds react like they’ve just unexpectedly seen the most intense, emotional scene in a movie and they need a bit of time to process it. We’re mostly unknown so, for the most part, people are getting their first exposure to us right then and there at the show. We’ve joked about how people have to have a private confession with us afterwards. They’re moved. Having said that, it’s been a struggle trying to build an audience that way.

FF: What made you decide to offer the EP as a free download?
WO: I don’t know. You want people to hear your songs and music. Also, we had very little money in it. It’s just an online release. In August, we’ll camp at Paul’s home studio to begin working on a proper Wade Ogle And The Mad Spirits full length. That one will cost ya!

Click below to hear Our Love Was Not Meant To Last, by Wade Ogle and the Mad Spirits

Download the Green Eyes EP at Reverb Nation

Work has already begun near the entrances and exits of the Walton Arts Center parking lot and conduit is being put in place to handle the new system.

It’s going to be a lot different around there before you know it.

Hey, enough of that. There’s plenty to choose from tonight.

Wade Ogle and The Mad Spirits are at George’s tonight and they’re playing two shows – one early and one late. This will be their last home show for a while as they’re about to start recording a new album next month. Early show at 8 p.m. Late show starts at around 10:30 p.m. Bright Shade plays in between.

Just up the street at Smoke & Barrel, DJ Hod-I is spinning a mix of reggae, dancehall, hip hop and motown. Admission is free. 9 p.m.-ish.

The City of Fayetteville’s Gulley Park Concert Series continues this evening. On stage is the Ben Miller Band. These show are always free and usually start around 7 p.m. Don’t forget a lawn chair or a blanket. It’s in a park, yo.

Here’s the rest:

Thursday, July 29

JJ’s Grill n Chill: Jason Strode

Foghorn’s on College: Russ Hutchinson

Pesto Cafe: Sarah Hughes

Walton Arts Center: Beauty and the Beast

Powerhouse: Nate Hancock / Kory Montgomery

Gulley Park: Ben Miller Band

Herman’s Ribhouse: Pope County Bootleggers

Mojo’s: Derek Van Lynn

Drifters: The Henchmen / Brutally Frank / B.K.O.

George’s: Wade Ogle & The Mad Spirits / Bright Shade

Nadine Baum Studios: Murder and the English Gentleman: A Comedy

Rogue: Well, Well, Well / The Arrowhead Project

Smoke & Barrel Tavern: DJ Hod-I

There’s a free preview show from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. during Greenhouse Grille’s brunch service, but the evening’s headlining acts are part of a ticketed event.

So how do you get a hold of the tickets? There are two ways, actually. You could head over to the Fayetteville Roots Festival website and buy some right now, or you could try your luck at winning one of two pair we’re giving away here on the Flyer. As a bonus, one of the two winners will also score dinner with the bands at 4 p.m.

Win tickets

How to enter
At the bottom of this post is a list of musicians scheduled to play the inaugural Fayetteville Roots Festival. Leave a comment telling us who you’re most excited about. If the names aren’t familiar, bust out an eeny, meeny, miny, mo. Nobody will ever know your secret.

What you’ll win
Two (2) randomly chosen winners will each receive a pair of tickets to the Fayetteville Roots Festival at Greenhouse Grille on Sunday, Aug. 29. One of the winners will also win dinner for two with the bands at 4 p.m.

A few rules (read ‘em carefully):

• You may enter this specific contest once.
• This contest is open to anyone anywhere except Fayetteville Flyer writers.
• Contest is open until 5 p.m. CST on Monday, Aug. 2, 2010.
  Make sure you leave a valid e-mail address when filling out the comment form since that’s how we’ll contact you if you’ve won
• You’ll have to provide us with your first and last name (if you win) and then be prepared to show a valid photo ID when picking up your tickets.

Thanks to the Fayetteville Roots Festival for sponsoring this contest.

A lot of people have been anxiously awaiting the City of Fayetteville’s official proposal to entice the arts center to build its second facility here in town. Most of us assumed we’d have to wait until after the Aug. 2 proposal deadline, but as it turns out, the unveiling happens at 11 a.m. tomorrow morning. Nope. Update here.

The other 20(ish) proposals will be posted to the WAC’s website Tuesday morning. Watch party, anyone?

What’s there to do on a Wednesday in Fayetteville during the summer? We’ve got a date with the Festival Task Force at 3 p.m., but after that, it’s chill time.

Chill time option #1: Enjoy a whiskey sour at Smoke & Barrel while listening to some guy named robb.
[Chill level: 7]

Chill time option #2: Wink at Beauty and scowl at Beast at Walton Arts Center. Don’t forget to grab a tasty beverage in the lobby. Also, scout out a good place to stand for tomorrow’s press conference.
[Chill level: 9]

Chill time option #3: Dance at FIX. There are four DJs who will do their best to keep you moving.
[Chill Level: 2 (Party Level: 10)]

There’s a half dozen (or so) other chill time options to choose from tonight, each with varying levels of chill. Good luck.

List:

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Greenhouse Grille: Sarah Hughes

La Huerta – Crossover: Darren Ray

Walton Arts Center: Beauty and the Beast

Mojo’s: Jazz Sit-In w/ Johnny Arredondo Quartet

US Pizza Co: Josh & Friends

Nadine Baum Studios: Murder and the English Gentleman: A Comedy

Rogue: Lafayette Lounge Players

Fix Ultra Lounge: DJs: Derrick / Mixxten / Shortfuze/ EQ

Smoke & Barrel Tavern: some guy named robb

Teatro Scarpino: Dan’s Party Summer Improv

While it’s interesting to see just how planned out the Presidents’ days are, it’s not nearly as creepy as some make it out to be. I’d heard that literally every waking minute was accounted for, but after visiting the library myself, I found that’s simply not the case. There’s a lot listed in those archives, but “Brush teeth” is not one of them.

People love to exaggerate.

President Clinton, though long removed from the busy daily life of the White House, is still making headlines, both nationally and here in Fayetteville. Many people around the country will spend their watercooler time discussing how much money Clinton is spending on his daughter’s wedding this weekend. Is $3 to $5 million really that much?

Come tomorrow, anyone who lives on California Boulevard here in Fayetteville, will be talking about a possible name change for their street. The City Council tonight will discuss changing the name to Clinton Boulevard in hopes of making it more tourist friendly. We’ll let you know what happens. And we’ll try not to exaggerate the drama too much.

Speaking of drama, Beauty and the Beast opens tonight at the Walton Arts Center. The production runs through Aug. 8 and includes sixteen performances. The first two rows for tonight’s opening are already sold out, FYI.

There’s a big show at George’s this evening, too. Saving Abel (no, not our Abel) headlines with We Are The Fallen and American Bang providing support.

Speaking of American Bang, did you hear about Kings of Leon’s pigeon-gate?

Here’s a list for tonight:

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Fayetteville Public Library: Starting a Business in Arkansas

Fayetteville Public Library: Teen Gamers Club

JJ’s Grill n Chill: Jeff Fox

Nightbird Books: Ozark Poets and Writers Collective

Teatro Scarpino: Live jazz

The Wine Cellar: Drinking Liberally Fayetteville

Walton Arts Center: Beauty and the Beast

Herman’s Ribhouse: Bob Wist

Jose’s: 6th Speed Overdrive

George’s: Saving Abel / We are the Fallen / American Bang

Smoke & Barrel Tavern: Chess Tournament

“TheatreSquared provides the kind of high quality, locally produced shows that complement Walton Arts Center’s programming,” said Jodi Beznoska, VP of Communications for WAC. “I’m hopeful that this relationship, which has been strong ever since TheatreSquared’s debut, will continue to grow and improve in the next three years.” Beznoska is also a longtime member of TheatreSquared’s Board of Directors.

TheatreSquared Managing Director Martin Miller says the new partnership will benefit TheatreSquared’s artists and also its audiences. “We will be able to focus more time and resources on bringing great artists from across the region and nation to Northwest Arkansas, and creating imaginative worlds on stage,” said Miller. “Our audiences will benefit from top-notch ticketing services and the intimate, flexible venue we’ve come to call home.”

T2′s Mauritius (M. Taylor Long)

TheatreSquared presents a four-play subscription series and the Arkansas New Play Fest each year, totaling more than 65 annual performances for a growing regional audience.

Walton Arts Center President/CEO Peter Lane said he’s excited about the enhanced relationship. “As our region grows, we want professional arts organizations like TheatreSquared to succeed and grow and provide high quality arts experiences to our region,” said Lane. “Walton Arts Center is pleased to help support this emerging theatrical company that is producing thoughtful, entertaining and interesting work.”

Under the new agreement, TheatreSquared will continue its residency in the 150-seat Studio Theatre at Walton Arts Center’s Nadine Baum Studios, and its education staff will create study guides and provide in-school workshops for Walton Arts Center’s arts-in-education programming. Walton Arts Center will provide a full range of box office services for TheatreSquared productions, as well as assist in cross-promotion and marketing to help introduce broader audiences to TheatreSquared’s work.

Walton Arts Center (PDF)

The Pencils were named the best new band in Arkansas by the Boston Phoenix, as part of their 50 Bands, 50 States list that came out earlier this month.

Then, the Pencils along with tour-mates (and floor-tom player) Messy Sparkles were recognized by the Chicagoist (Gothamist’s Chicago cousin) last week.

Here’s what Boston Phoenix had to say about the Pencils.

A little candlelit acid prog, a little wheezy squeeze box, and some pecking at the ol’ glockenspiel dress up the fringes, but the key is deep-thinking songwriting. Memphis Pencils rock bedrooms and basements, but the architecture in their music is all secret passages and high ceilings.

Memphis Pencils and Messy Sparkles will kick off a two-week tour on Saturday, which will take them up through midwest cities St. Louis and Chicago, over to New York, and back down the East coast, which means even more exposure for two pretty incredible Fayetteville bands.

The Chicagoist is predicting big things for both of them.

We suggest checking them out at Silvie’s cozy lounge before the word gets out and they start playing massive summer festivals or venues with actual stages.

Next stop fame, and after that, “massive summer festivals or venues with actual stages.”

After that, fortune. Good job Pencils/Sparkles.

If you want to get a peek inside the new Garland Center, the University of Arkansas Bookstore officially opens today on Garland Ave.

They’re testing a new “store-within-a-store” concept, featuring a tech store with Apple and Dell products, a coffee shop, a Nike store, a Clinique cosmetics counter, an Office Max school supply store, and more.

If you’re a female and you’re interested in bike repair, Bike City is unveiling a new program called “Women’s Open Shop,” dedicated to addressing the needs of female cyclists who’d like to learn more about how to maintain their bike. Drop by the Center Street location any time between 1-7pm.

As for the rest of your options, you could try one of the four music-related choices we have listed below. Or you could go see a movie.

Here’s a list:

Monday, July 26, 2010

Bike City Recyclery: Women’s Open Shop

JJ’s Grill n Chill: Lyal Strickland

US Pizza Co: Castleberry Jam

The Perk: Acoustic Jam

Powerhouse: 3X Lucky

No joke.

Most folks would probably chill out a bit after something like that, but Bret Michaels is clearly not one of them. He’s already on tour again and we just got word that he’ll be at the Arkansas Music Pavilion here in Fayetteville on September 16, 2010.

Besides his career as lead singer of Poison, Michaels has recorded several solo albums, appeared on the VH1 reality show Rock of Love, and was the winner of NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice 3.

Tickets go on sale July 31 at amptickets.com.

There’s just too much going on. Plus, that’s gross.

While you’re out and about doing as many of the 50 or so things happening this weekend, you might as well have some new tunes to listen to. Right?

Thanks to our friends at Tale of The Tape, who have once again made sure that your ears will not go thirsty (hungry?).

Listen to these musical notes.

Singles

Ra Ra Riot – 'Boy' (From The Orchard due 8/24/10 via Barsuk)

Deerhunter – 'Revival' (From Halycon Digest due 9/28/10 via 4AD)

Chiddy Bang – 'Dream Chasin' (From The Swelly Express mixtape out now)

Ty Segall – 'My Sunshine' (From Melted out now via Goner Records)

Menomena – 'TAOS' (From Mines out 7/27/10 via Barsuk)

Freddie Gibbs (ft. Dan Auerbach, Bun B., Chuck Inglish) – 'Oil Money' (From Str8 Killa out 8/3/10 via Decon Records)

The Young Sinclairs – 'Girl, I’m For Real' (From We Spoke Our Minds EP out now via Planting Seeds Records)

Tennis – 'Baltimore' (From Baltimore 7″ out 7/31/10 via Underwater Peoples)

The Bees – 'Silver Line' (From upcoming LP)

Guards – 'I See It Coming' (From Guards EP out now, self-released)

The Mix: For Extended Listening

Weekend Mix for July 23-25 (From Tale of The Tape)

Good luck.

That would be a cop-out, though, huh? Alright, here goes.

Friday

Let’s start with the non-music events. We told you earlier this week about a new theatre company who will be introducing themselves to Fayetteville Friday night. Artist’s Laboratory Theatre will host a meet-and-greet, and “science fair” at their space behind Foghorn’s. What do I mean by “science fair?” Read this.

Also on Friday night, UA MFA candidate Justin Blasdel’s play “Your Last Friend, Inc” will be performed at Nadine Baum Studios.

Tunes wise, maybe you should check out one of the reunion shows in town. If you hung out in the basement of JR’s back in the early 2000′s, you might remember Deacon. Some of the guys moved to Nashville in 2006, but they’re back for a show at Rogue Friday night.

The Flipoff Pirates never broke up or anything, but as busy as Matt Smith, Jeff Kearney, and the boys stay with other projects, they don’t play as much as they used to. You can check them out at Smoke & Barrel.

There’s a big show at LIT on Friday as well, with Bass Science, Truly Grimly, and Fresh 2 Death. Truly Grimly features Cody from Two Fresh, if you saw them when they were in town recently. Expect to dance your ass off.

There’s a house show at Ameroplace with the Memphis Pencils and Literature (Austin, TX).

Finally, there’s a big show at George’s with the Nace Brothers for happy hour, and Big Smith is back in town for two sets.

Saturday

Saturday always starts with the Farmers’ Market. While you’re down there, and if you like tomatoes, you might as well stop by East Square Plaza for Ozark Slow Foods’ Tomato Tasting. You can try about 40 varieties of them for $5.

While you’re there, you should really take a peek downstairs at Fayetteville Underground. Why? It’s one of your last opportunities see some of this.

You can keep the tasting train going (I have no idea what that means) if you want, with a Tea Tasting at Trailside Cafe and Tea Room at 2 p.m.

There’s a street dance competition at the NWA Mall inside Gymnastics Joe’s (old movie theater) at 2 p.m. There are people traveling in from out of town for this and it’s being billed as Northwest Arkansas’s first ever legitimate Bboy Jam. Consider checking it out.

Saturday night, the “Firefly Fling: The Festival For Families” is going down at the Botanical Gardens. If you have kids, take them down there. They are guaranteed to be worn out by the time it’s over.

Tunes wise, there’s a house show at 1 p.m. at The Blue House with Hosta and Apartment 5. If you haven’t seen them in a while, you should check Hosta out. Their new stuff is sounding awesome.

Hardaway has collaborated with DJ Benzi (crazy famous) on a 21 song mixtape “Reflex Rhymes” that he’ll release Saturday night at Rogue. DJ’s Shortfuze, MixxTenn, EQ and Sugar Shane will also perform before Hardaway takes the stage with EQ, Brad Haj, and a special guest appearance from Will Brand of The Poggs. The first 300 people to to arrive will get a free copy of the mixtape too. Score.

A Good Fight, Army Of Birds, Rocker Lips (Kansas City, MO), and Starved For Attention are at George’s later Saturday night.

Also, Smoke & Barrel has Humdrum (St. Louis, MO), DJ SweetNES and TIMBER! on Saturday night. Humdrum sounds pretty awesome.

Sunday

Ex Rootz, John Lowe, and No Control are at Jose’s on Sunday. According to Urk, John Lowe “lived in Fayetteville in the 80s and ran Rockhouse music, tours as Johnny Lowebow. John lives in Memphis now and makes and sells (and plays) these awesome 1, 2, 3, and 4-string cigarbox slide guitars. He’s sold them to members of the North Mississippi All-Stars, among others.” Sweet.

Audible Chocolate at Rogue this week features Jeff Price and Shane Capps, and Jeff Kearney plays a free show at George’s for Monster Mug night.

There are 9 million more choices below. Feel free to let us know what we missed, and do whatever you want. It’s the weekend.

Friday, July 23

Jose’s: 1 oz. Jig

Whole Earth Organic Lounge: Grand Opening Party

Rogue: Deacon

Artist’s Laboratory Theatre: Artist’s Laboratory Theatre

Ameroplace: Memphis Pencils / Literature

JJ’s Grill n Chill: Jamie Wolfe

Ella’s: Sarah Hughes

George’s: Big Smith / Nace Brothers

Greenhouse Grille: Walter Savage Jazz

LIT: Bass Science / Truly Grimly / Fresh 2 Death

Jose’s: Boston Mountain Playboys

Foghorn’s on College: Midnite Noon

Drifters: The Jason Strode Band

El Sancho Mexican Grill: Jovan Arellano

Nadine Baum Studios: Your Last Friend, Inc.

ROTC: Ransom

Mojo’s: Beans and Cornbread

Maxine’s: David Kimbrough Jr. / Stacy Nicole Mackey

Smoke & Barrel Tavern: Flipoff Pirates

Saturday, July 24

East Square Plaza: Tomato Tasting

Lake Wedington: Fayetteville Reunion Picnic

Gymnastics Joe’s: The Hospital – Bboy Jam

The Blue House: Hosta / Apartment 5

Trailside Cafe & Tea Room: Tea Talk & Tasting

Nightbird Books: Jim Fairbanks book signing

Ella’s: Raja

JJ’s Grill n Chill: Ouachita River Band

Botanical Garden of the Ozarks: Firefly Fling

Foghorn’s on College: Mike Dewley

Walton Arts Center: Fayetteville Jazz Collective w/ Tom Tiratto

El Sancho Mexican Grill: Derek Townzen

Nadine Baum Studios: Your Last Friend, Inc.

George’s: A Good Fight / Army Of Birds / Rocker Lips / Starved For Attention

Rogue: Reflex Rhymes Mixtape Release Party / Sarah Hughes

ROTC: Shady Janes

Smoke & Barrel Tavern: HUMDRUM / DJ SweetNES / TIMBER!

Arsaga’s on Crossover: Michael Scott

Mojo’s: Tractor Beam

Sunday, July 25

Jose’s: No Control / Ex Roots / and John Lowe

Common Grounds: Jones & Leah / Joel Fletcher

Emelia’s Kitchen: Garrett Jones & Drew Packard

Greenhouse Grille: Raja

George’s: Dave Johnson Benefit

George’s: Jeff Kearney

Rogue: Audible Chocolate with Jeff Price and Shane Capps

Mellow Mushroom Pizza: Emily Knight

ROTC: Jazzmopolitan

This year, the “Firefly Fling: The Festival for Families” got itself a fancy new name (Firefly Fling instead of Firefly Festival), and has added a ton of hands-on activities for the youngsters in an effort to make a great thing even better.

Firefly Fling Poster

New this year is an obstacle course for children, a raft building area for floating down the creek that runs through the garden, a fairy house building area with materials provided, a glow-in-the-dark jewelry and wand-making activity, face-painting classes, a story time, a book signing, and more.

That’s in addition to the live music, costumes, fire-walkers, dancing, food, and drinks surrounded by the beauty of the garden that have become staples of the mid-summer event over the past few years.

“The idea is to make this a really fun event that families can enjoy together,” said Judy Smith, one of the organizers of the festival. “We want people to get out and play with a lot of interactive activities.”

Still On The Hill will provide the music beginning at 7:30 p.m., while Trike Theatre hosts a black light puppet show just after 9 p.m. Hot dogs, chips, and popsicles will be available as well.

Tickets are $6 for individuals, $20 for a family of four, and are available at the Botanical Garden’s website.

Sometimes, being involved in the process of creating art can lead to a better understanding, and a new appreciation for the finished product.

A new Fayetteville theater company is inviting the public to experience the science behind their art on Friday, July 23. Artist’s Laboratory Theatre will host a meet-and-greet and “science fair” at their rehearsal and performance space behind Foghorn’s on College Ave.

Artist’s Laboratory Theatre is a collaborative ensemble theatre company dedicated to the process of experimentation. The new company is the vision of Artistic Director Erika Wilhite, who recently moved to the area with her husband, a graduate student in the University of Arkansas MFA program. She, along with Co-Artistic Director Alan Schwanke, began organizing the company in April.

“It is something that I’ve always wanted to do,” Wilhite said of her decision to start the company in Fayetteville. “I love this area and the support of the art community here. It just felt like the right time and the right place to do it.”

Artist’s Laboratory Theatre will debut its first theatrical production next month with the Merri Biechler original play “Bombs, Babes and Bingo.” The event this Friday night is intended to give the public a chance to meet the artists and attendees, and provide a peek behind the scenes at the new company’s unique preparation process.

For their first production, instead of starting with the script, the blocking, and the scenery, Wilhite said that they decided to examine the relationship of art versus science by applying scientific principles to the script to see what shakes out.

“It all starts with a question and we try to answer that question. In the lab, we explore through research exercises and experiments. We are making time and space for seeing the main elements of the play, to dig deeper,” Wilhite said.

Their rehearsals are called “labs,” which are basically a series of exercises intended to explore all the aspects of a story, from the characters and their motivation, the story lines, and the subtext behind them from every angle possible before the work on the actual script begins.

Many of the performers are not classically trained actors, coming from a wide range of artistic disciplines outside the theatre. Poets, painters and dancers, in addition to the actors involved, make up their casts.

The goal with Artist’s Laboratory Theatre is to really devote the time necessary to experiment and explore characters, story lines, and subtext, without the time and budget constraints typically needed put on a theatrical production.

“The experimentation and the amount of time we spend not doing the show, that is the difference,” Wilhite said. ” I created the performance lab because I want to let go of the pressure of product and take my time seeing the things I am looking at before I turn out to the world and share directly in that precious relationship of art and spectator. I want to gaze longer in the solitude and safety of the creative environment. There is value in taking my time and taking risks within the boundaries of my time.”

Of course, it all makes more sense when you see it in person. The science fair on Friday is a chance for the public to get a better understanding of this unique rehearsal process before the show begins next month. It all begins at 8 p.m. and is free to attend, but a $5 donation at the door is recommended.

A couple of months ago, the movie’s tagline was revealed and some folks were all worked up about it because it read, “You don’t get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies.” Why were people worked up? Because Facebook hadn’t reached the 500 million user mark yet and some thought it silly to play the odds like that.

They shoulda just chilled out.

Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced yesterday that the milestone had indeed been reached in time for the movie. And with the company getting there so quickly, it now appears as though they’ll be closer to 600 million by the time the movie is released October 1.

Phew.

If you’d like to celebrate the successes of a CEO you’ll probably never meet (but likely helped get him there), in true Facebook-style this evening, head over to the event page for tonight’s Party on the Patio show at Powerhouse with The Commoners. Then read it. Then make plans to attend. Then attend. Easy enough, right?

Another option would be to check out the Facebook event page for tonight’s show at Maxine’s with David Kimbrough Jr. with Stacy Nicole Mackey.

Still living in the past? Not into Facebook? Check out this link to Sad Daddy on MySpace. They’re at Smoke & Barrel this evening all the way from Austin, TX. If you liked last month’s The Carper Family show, this one’s for you. Why? Because Sad Daddy has its very own Carper.

Not into mixing social networking and social izing? Here’s a list of all of tonight’s options in good old-fashioned, just-tell-me-who’s-playing-where style.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

JJ’s Grill n Chill: Darren Ray

Herman’s Ribhouse: Chris Craig

Jose’s: Earl & Them

Teatro Scarpino: Benefit for Wounded Soldiers

Pesto Cafe: Kevin Bennoch

Louie’s Bar & Grill: Jones & Leah

Foghorn’s on College: Sarah Hughes

Drifters: Killers and Train Wrecks Open Mic Comedy

Powerhouse: The Commoners

Nadine Baum Studios: Your Last Friend, Inc.

George’s: Fayetteville Funk Ensemble

Maxine’s: David Kimbrough Jr. / Stacy Nicole Mackey

Mojo’s: Dave Bright Band

Smoke & Barrel Tavern: Sad Daddy

More than 40 varieties of tomatoes will be available to try, former Bordino’s chef Chrissy Sanderson will give a presentation about how to pair unique varieties with other foods, master gardener Joyce Mendenhall and others will teach you how to grow them.

All you have to do is show up, and eat them.

Watching Lucy (members of Strange Heroes) will provide some tomato eating music, and $5 (or $2.50 for kids 5-12 years of age) gets you the music, the cooking/growing knowledge, and of course, the tomatoes.

Admission will be taken at the door, but space will be limited so plan to come early. For reservations, email heatherfriedrich@gmail.com or call 479-799-7985.

Tomato party?

Take the Fayetteville Roots Festival, for example. It’s a brand new event that basically came together in an instant while 3 Penny Acre‘s Bryan Hembree was booking local bands to play in town this fall.

Three different bands expressed interest in playing here, all requesting the same week. Instead of turning two of them down, Hembree saw an opportunity. He called a few more musicians, booked them to play, and before he knew it, he had himself a festival. More importantly, so did Fayetteville.

Although it doesn’t quite fit the definition of an actual festival – it’s only one day and it all takes place inside the walls of Greenhouse Grille – the potential for growth is enormous.

Hembree said the first tickets sold were from out of state. “I think this helps to answer the question of whether or not FRF will have a regional appeal,” he wrote on the festival’s Facebook page. He believes a roots festival will be welcomed here in Fayetteville, too. “I think it is something that Fayetteville has been needing and seems to want to have happen,” he told us last week.

The Honey Dewdrops with Garrison Keillor
(A Prairie Home Companion)

The lineup includes an incredibly impressive group of emerging acoustic roots, Americana, and folk music artists from across the country. There are musicians featured on NPR’s “A Prairie Home Companion” and others who’ve graced the stages of the Kerrville Folk Festival, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Britsol Rhythm and Roots Reunion, Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, Walnut Valley Festival and more.

If this is the caliber of talent Hembree can put together and promote without a single dime from the Fayetteville Advertising & Promotion Commission, just imagine what he could do with a little help next year.

This year’s event will feature two shows: a free preview from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. during Greenhouse Grille’s brunch service, and a ticketed event in the evening featuring five headline artists.

Greenhouse Grille’s kitchen is usually closed for full dinner service on Sunday nights, but will be acting as a full music venue the evening of the event with an open bar and special festival menu items.

In the coming days, we’ll be launching our show of support by holding a ticket giveaway and featuring profiles of some of the musicians who are set to play.

If you just can’t wait to try and win some tickets, go ahead and order yours today. Prices are $22 for one ticket, $40 for two, or $70 for four.

For more information, visit the Fayetteville Roots Festival website.

Would you go simply by your name? If so, would you use both your first and last name like Willie Nelson or Ryan Adams did? Or would you just use your first name and change the spelling a little a la Robyn?

Your other choice is to come up with a stage name. Indie solo star Samuel Beam chose to go as Iron & Wine. The story goes that he got the name from a dietary supplement called “Beef Iron & Wine.”

Finally, I suppose you could use a real/stage name combo and just make something up like, “Dirk Hollywood.” Be careful, though. You might end up sounding like a porn star.

There’s a bunch of solo folk musicians playing at Smoke & Barrel tonight. As far as I know, they’re all going with option 1 and using their real names. Little Rock’s Adam Faucett leads the way and I’d suggest checking out some of his music today if you get the chance. William Blackart and Chris Darby round out the evening.

Over at George’s is country/Americana night with another couple of acts made up of names. These, however, are full bands. There’s John D. Hale and Matt Stell. Also listed are Mason Watkins and Joey Rowlett. I’m not familiar with them individually, but I’m fairly certain Watkins plays in John D. Hale’s band. Anyone?

There’s at least eight more choices for tonight. Here’s a list:

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Teatro Scarpino: Salsa & Bachata Lessons

Greenhouse Grille: Emily Knight

JJ’s Grill n Chill: Mo Brothers

US Pizza Co: East of Zion

Guido’s Pizza: Patrick McCoy

Mojo’s: Johnny Arrendondo

Arsaga’s on Crossover: Singer/songwriter circle

Nadine Baum Studios: Your Last Friend, Inc.

George’s: John D. Hale / Matt Stell / Mason Watkins / Joey Rowlett

Smoke & Barrel Tavern: Chris Darby / Adam Faucett / William Blackart