It’s hard to believe, especially with the weather we’ve had lately, but the summer is quickly coming to a close. University of Arkansas fall classes begin in just over two weeks, and Fayetteville Public Schools classes begin even sooner.
Summertime in Fayetteville is alright, but if you ask me, the energy and excitement of having about 21,000 extra residents in town when the university is in session is one of the best things about living in this city.
Sure, traffic around the university is going to be a little more congested soon. And yes, you might have to wait a little bit longer for your food or drink at your favorite restaurant or watering hole when Fayetteville hits its capacity next month.
But for me, there’s just more to do and more to see in Fayetteville when classes are in session. Plus, the Razorback football season is about to start, and we’re going to be awesome this year.
All that to say this; I’m kind of over summer at this point. Fall? Bring it.
Friday
If you’ve never heard of Artist’s Laboratory Theatre, it’s OK. Unless another theater company has started in town during the past few weeks, they’re Fayetteville’s newest. They made their debut last night at their performance space on College Avenue (behind Foghorn’s), performing Merri Biechler’s original play “Bombs, Babes and Bingo.” You’ve only got three more chances to see the inaugural production this weekend. Here’s the schedule of performances and ticket info.
There aren’t many opportunities to see Beauty and the Beast left at Walton Arts Center either. If you haven’t seen it yet, and you want to, you’d better get some tickets pronto.
If you liked the dubstep show at FIX on Wednesday night, you’ll do a triple flip over the fact that there’s more where that came from at Highway 62 Lounge Friday night. DJ’s Morpheeus, Flawed, Bailey, Hammerheart and Domewrekka are on the list.
Chase Pagan and Randall Shreve are at George’s, and according to a recent update on Facebook, Big Bad Gina are playing their last show for a while at Scarpino’s.
Saturday
If you like vegetables, flowers, and hanging out with pretty much everyone you know (and their dog), you’ll probably enjoy the Farmers’ Market on the Fayetteville square Saturday morning.
Tunes wise, you could check out someone who is considered by many to be one of the best acoustic guitar players in the world Saturday night. Monte Montgomery is back in town for a show at George’s, and if you’ve never seen him, you’re missing out. He freaks people out.
If you’re a Benjamin Del Shreve fan, you can check him out at a rare all-ages show at The Showcase (inside the NWA Mall) with Surf de Soleil Saturday night. Benjamin will probably have copies of his new CD, too.
Jonathan Wilkins is back in town for a show at Smoke & Barrel, and he’s bringing Little Rock’s Brother Andy & His Big Damn Mouth with him. After checking out some of their music, something tells me Brother Andy & His Big Damn Mouth will be a really good live show.
Rogue has Riverside, CA reggae band Natural Heights, with After Party Allstars opening. Warning: a couple of their songs include some language about smoking drugs.
Sunday
Do you like food? Do you like eating food? If you answered yes to at least one of those questions, you’ll probably like the event scheduled for the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks on Sunday. NWACC executive chef Lou Rice will offer cooking demonstrations and tastings featuring farmers’ market vegetables, and various pastas. That’s happening at 1:30 p.m.
Tyrannosaurus Chicken is in town for Monster Mug night at George’s, and the weekly chill-music celebration Audible Chocolate at Rogue features Astral Landscapes and Smrk doing a tag-team set, along with resident DJ’s Erratic Ninja and Ultrasonic Nozzle.
There are more things happening this weekend. Do something awesome.
- Friday, August 6
- Ella’s: Lori Morris
- JJ’s Grill n Chill: Jason Strode
- George’s: Randall Shreve / Chase Pagan / RJ Mischo / Joe Giles
- Jose’s: FOS Project
- Foghorn’s on College: Jeff Fox
- Greenhouse Grille: Matt Smith Jazz
- El Sancho Mexican Grill: Jason Plumlee
- Teatro Scarpino: Big Bad Gina
- Walton Arts Center: Beauty and the Beast
- ROTC: Kelly Road
- Drifters: Quinntalkin
- Artist’s Laboratory Theatre: Artist’s Laboratory Theatre: Bombs, Babes & Bingo
- Highway 62 Lounge: Morpheeus / Flawed / Bailey / Hammerheart / Domewrekka
- Arsaga’s on Crossover: Stacy Mackey
- Mojo’s: Tractor Beam
- Smoke & Barrel Tavern: Guta
- Rogue: Black Pearl, Jon Shorter, DJ Derrick
- Saturday, August 7
- OMNI Center: Time Bank Introduction
- Walton Arts Center: Beauty and the Beast
- Ella’s: William Reyes
- JJ’s Grill n Chill: Stepping Stones
- Rogue: Natural Heights / After Party Allstars
- Fayetteville Town Center: Northwest Arkansas Mad Hatter’s Ball
- Foghorn’s on College: Effron White
- El Sancho Mexican Grill: Jeff Fox
- Mojo’s: Emy Taylor
- George’s: Monte Montgomery / Guta
- The Showcase: Benjamin Del Shreve / Surf de Soleil
- Artist’s Laboratory Theatre: Artist’s Laboratory Theatre: Bombs, Babes & Bingo
- Jammin’ Java: Reese Neal
- Smoke & Barrel Tavern: Brother Andy & His Big Damn Mouth / Jonathan Wilkins
- Sunday, August 8
- Common Grounds: Greg Krutzinger / DJ SoulFree
- Greenhouse Grille: Miles Ralston
- Botanical Garden of the Ozarks: Local, Fresh & Pasta presented by Barilla
- Walton Arts Center: Beauty and the Beast
- Mellow Mushroom Pizza: Christopher Parker
- George’s: Tyannosaurus Chicken
- Rogue: Audible Chocolate with Astral Landscapes v Smrk
- Artist’s Laboratory Theatre: Artist’s Laboratory Theatre: Bombs, Babes & Bingo
