Courtesy photo

Former Fayettevillians Heypenny will be performing at Rogue on Sunday night.

This might just be the best weekend of the year for music in Fayetteville.

Tons of great bands will be in town over the next few days on their way to SXSW. On top of that, MSG’s long awaited CD release is happening, the weather is going to be beautiful, and there’s a 20-band celebration of the life of Bruce Walker at George’s.

That’s not even half of it. There’s a lot more below. Happy weekend.

Friday

George’s has two happy hour favorites in one night Friday starting at 6 p.m. with Big Uns and Joe Giles. Later on, Ben Miller Band and Andy Frasco are back in town for a party.

Little Rock beer-raising rockers The Reparations, featuring Jonathan Wilkins, Will Boyd (American Princes), and Matt Floyd (Smoke Up Johnny, Go Fast) are at Smoke & Barrel Friday night. It’s also a CD release party for their new album Ride or Die, just released on Arkansas label Thick Syrup Records.

If you didn’t see the opening of Arts Live Theatre’s production of Oliver Twist last night, there are four chances over the weekend to check it out at UARK Ballroom.

Remember the Total Knock Outs from the Clunk Music Hall days? Well, Jeremy from TKO has a new band called Glory Bones, and they’re at The Lightbulb Club Friday night.

Rogue has a good show Friday night with Austin’s Hi-tones. Locals Goose and Riflemen are also playing.

Saturday

If you’ve been holding out to get the new MSG album “Now or Never” at the record release show, your wait is finally over. Matt Smith, Reed Mathis (Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Tea Leaf Green) and Jeff Sipe (Col. Bruce Hampton, Aquarium Rescue Unit, Hellborg Lane & Sipe) are going to freak people out with their musicianship at Greenhouse Grille Saturday night. Here’s some more info on the show.

Did you see Colour Revolt when they opened for Lucero at George’s recently? If you said yes, you already know how badical they are. If you said no, you’ve got another chance to see the band that we can’t stop listening to here in the Flyer office, along with Young Buffalo and Where’s Lawrence? at Rogue Saturday.

Kopecky Family Band is back in town on their way to SXSW for a show at Smoke & Barrel Saturday night. We talked to them last time they were in town. Remember?

There are three shows at George’s Saturday night. Local country singer Amanda Cramer is releasing her new CD Freedom Tracks in the lounge from 6-8 p.m. Later on, Boom! Kinetic is in the garden, before Randall Shreve closes out the night in the lounge.

The second in the 7-show, 14-week Rockin Red Dirt Revival series is at Drifters on Saturday. If you’re not familiar, the idea for the series is to pair rock bands with jamgrass bands from around the region. Saturday’s show features Whistle Pigs, Charliehorse, Exit 174 and Dallas Sayner.

Sunday

By now, most everyone in town has heard the news that Flying Possum Leather owner and Dickson Street icon Bruce Walker passed away after a fire at his shop this week. George’s is hosting an enormous memorial show to celebrate his life from 1-9:30 p.m. on Sunday, featuring 20 bands, food from seven local restaurants, Flying Possum t-shirts, and tons more. All of the proceeds raised go to Bruce’s family to help cover funeral expenses. Afterwards, Megan Slankard will play Monster Mug Night.

Former Fayettevillians Heypenny are in town this week, also on their way to SXSW for a show at Rogue with Stillwater, OK-based band Colourmusic. Here’s some more info on that show.

There’s tons more, and feel free to add to the list in the comments. What are you guys gonna do this weekend?

Friday, March 11

Greenhouse Grille: Stevie Tombstone

Ella’s: Yaniv

George’s Majestic Lounge: Ben Miller Band / Andy Frasco / Big Uns / Joe Giles

ROTC Grill: Ruckus

UARK Ballroom: Arts Live Theatre presents Oliver Twist

JJ’s Grill n Chill: Wes & Karl

Teatro Scarpino: Big Bad Gina

The Lightbulb Club: Glory Bones

Rogue Pizza Co.: Hi-tones / Goose / Riflemen

Smoke & Barrel Tavern: The Reparations

Saturday, March 12

Drifters: Whistle Pigs / Charliehorse / Exit 174 / Dallas Sayner

Botanical Garden of the Ozarks: A Bird Walk with the Mulhollans

Greenhouse Grille: MSG CD release

Mojo’s Pints & Pies: Sarah Hughes / Dave Gesualdo

Ella’s: William Reyes

George’s Majestic Lounge: Amanda Cramer / Boom Kinetic / Randall Shreve

ROTC Grill: Zack Bramhall

GoodFolk: Steve Smith / Chris Sanders / Anne Luna

JJ’s Grill n Chill: Daryl Brooks Band

Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall: Arkansas International Trumpet Guild – State Event

Walton Arts Center: The Mikado

Maxine’s Tap Room: Bubba Slaten

Rogue Pizza Co.: Colour Revolt / Young Buffalo

Smoke & Barrel Tavern: Kopecky Family Band

Sunday, March 13

UARK Ballroom: Arts Live Theatre presents Oliver Twist

George’s Majestic Lounge: Bruce Walker memorial show

LIT: Jody’s Living Room open mic

Pesto Cafe: Shannon Wurst

Mojo’s Pints & Pies: Stagnant Motion

Terra Studios: Hobknobbers

Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall: Guest Artist Recital, Awadagin Pratt – Piano

Rogue Pizza Co.: Hey Penny / Colourmusic