I think it was Abraham Lincoln who said, “To B(BB) or not to B(BB). That is the question.”
That was a long time ago (the 80’s?), but I think we can all agree that honest Abe was talking about Bikes, Blues & BBQ weekend in Fayetteville when he made that famous speech in our nation’s capital.
There are a lot of choices on the calendar this week, but when it comes down to it, there are really only two choices when Bikes, Blues & BBQ is in town.
You can put on your motorcycle pants, your hair-do scarf, and your riding boots and join the party downtown with our leathery visitors this weekend, or you can stay home, put in some ear plugs, curl up in the fetal position, and wait for these last two days to pass.
It’s really up to you, but if you ask me, there are turkey legs, funnel cakes, and BBQ stands galore just minutes from your door. At the very least, get out and sample something fried, and on a stick. It’s the weekend.
Friday
One of the best parts of Bikes, Blues & BBQ is the people’s choice BBQ competition. That’s the part where you (the people) get to taste BBQ made by folks who are so good at making BBQ that they enter competitions. It all starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Washington County Fairgrounds.
Tunes-wise, Little Rock’s Damn Bullets haven’t been in town for a while, but they’ll be down at Jose’s Friday night. They’re always worth checking out.
Thanks for Nothing hasn’t played in a long time either, but they’re doing a mini-reunion this weekend during BBB at the Boom Boom Room.
Two local bands are releasing new CD’s Friday night. You can get a new Big Bad Gina disc at Teatro Scarpino, or you can head to Smoke & Barrel for The Plaid Jackets CD release.
There are also basically four areas of Bikes, Blues & BBQ with free official music this year – Baum Stadium, The Main Stage on Dickson, The Washington County Fairgrounds, and The AMP. Here’s the full BBB music schedule. Also, the Walton Arts Center has some music, too.
Saturday
Saturday morning, get down to the Farmers’ Market. While you’re there, high five a farmer.
The big bike parade starts at 4 p.m. If you like bikes, familiarize yourself with the parade route and find yourself a good spot to watch. It would also be good to familiarize yourself with the route if you have errands to run, and you don’t like sitting in traffic.
The Black Crowes will be at the AMP at about 7 p.m. Word on the street is that this may be their last tour for a while, and they’re pulling out all the stops. Most of their shows on this tour have been more than three hours long, so chances are if there’s a specific song you want to hear, it will get played.
You can watch the Pope County Bootleggers at Rogue at about 8 p.m., or at Smoke & Barrel across the street a little bit later. Or both. You decide.
David Kimbrough Jr. is at Maxine’s, this time with “the Fayetteville Blues Band.” Anybody have the scoop on that?
Sunday
Pat Pathoumthong is at Greenhouse Grille for a brunch show, which is a really good excuse to have a Bloody Mary.
Local, Fresh & Pasta is back at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks for the last time this season. This time, NWACC executive chef Lou Rice will be demonstrating some “Old World Pastas.” Yes.
There’s a whole bunch of DJ’s at Gulley Park on Sunday afternoon. The party’s called DJ Palooza, featuring DJRemix, DJ kevin, DJ Grant, DJ Adam and DJ Brian. Also, free hamburgers and hot dogs.
Adam Lee & The Dead Horse Sound Company is at Smoke & Barrel, and Johnny A is at George’s for Monster Mug Night.
There are about a zillion other things below, and just as old Abe probably said at some point in his life, “This is America. Do whatever you want.”
From the calendar
- Friday, Oct. 1
- Dickson Street: Bikes, Blues & BBQ
- George’s: Chubby Carrier / Gary Hutchison / Lafuso / TJ Scarlett
- El Sancho Mexican Grill: Jovan Arellano / Jeff Fox
- Ella’s: Matt Smith
- Greenhouse Grille: Tiffany Christopher Trio
- The Wine Cellar: Walter Savage & Friends
- Foghorn’s on College: Mike Dewley
- Jose’s: Russ & Mike / Damn Bullets / Isayah’s Allstars
- Boom Boom Room: Thanks For Nothing
- Savor: G.T. Morse
- AMP: Pat Travers & Rick Derringer
- Smoke & Barrel Tavern: Plaid Jackets
- UARK Bowl & Ballroom: Shulertown
- Teatro Scarpino: Big Bad Gina
- Drifters: Ransom
- Boom Boom Room: Thanks For Nothing
- Rogue: Wes Hart / DJ Derrick / DJ Mixx-10
- Saturday, Oct. 2
- Fayetteville Public Library: Shannon Wurst / Ed Carr
- Dickson Street: Bikes, Blues & BBQ
- El Sancho Mexican Grill: Jason Plumblee / Jeff Fox
- George’s: Gary Hutchison / Nathan Aronowitz / Col. Bruce Hampton & The Quark Alliance / Big Uns
- Jammin’ Java: Celtic jam session
- Jose’s: Jason Strode Band / Leah & The Mojo Doctors / The Odds
- Ella’s: Lorie Morris
- Foghorn’s on College: Mike Dewley
- The Garden Room: Sarah Hughes
- Savor: Six Speed Overdrive
- AMP: The Black Crowes
- Mojo’s: Jennifer B.
- Boom Boom Room: Thanks For Nothing
- Smoke & Barrel Tavern: Pope County Bootleggers
- Rogue: Charliehorse / Blind Trust Blues / Pope County Bootleggers
- Maxine’s: David Kimbrough Jr. & the Fayetteville Blues Band
- Jose’s: Jason Strode / Leah & the Mojo Doctors. /The Odds
- Sunday, Oct. 3
- Greenhouse Grille: Pat Pathoumthong
- Common Grounds: DJ SoulFree / Automatic Writing
- Botanical Garden of the Ozarks: Local, Fresh & Pasta
- Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall: Sarah Nichols – Piano Recital
- Gulley Park: DJ PALOOZA
- George’s: Johnny A- Blues Night
- Smoke & Barrel Tavern: Adam Lee & The Dead Horse Sound Co.
