There are a lot of reasons to celebrate this weekend.
It’s Earth Day, for one thing. Mother Earth is about 4.54 billion years old, and she’s a pretty great planet with her temperate climate, ample supply of water, and atmosphere that allows life to exist on her surface. She deserves a celebration.
It’s also Good Friday, which means that some of you folks are off work, chilling on the couch without any pants on, watching TBS and weird documentaries on Netflix streaming. That sounds like our kind of celebration.
If you happen to be working today, there’s a decent chance your boss will let you out of the office a little early since it’s Easter weekend, and some of you may be traveling after work.
See? There are lots of reasons to celebrate. Do something awesome.
Friday
For the first time in about 10 years, the Cow Paddy Run will be back in action at Gulley Park Friday night. Locals Max Mahler and Ben Putman are resurrecting the race, and it all starts at 6 p.m.
Walton Arts Center is kicking off the Artosphere festival with a gallery opening of Garden As Muse in Joy Pratt Markham Gallery, and some tunes from Ohio-based bluegrass/classical band DePue Brothers Band and local singer/songwriter Shannon Wurst. Music starts at 5:30 p.m. and there’s a curator talk about the art exhibit at 6:30 p.m.
The AMP opens its 2011 season Friday night with some electronic tunes by Colorado-based duo Pretty Lights. Spankalicious and Michal Menert will open the show.
Full House kicks off the weekend at George’s for happy hour. After that, “the best performer” John Mayer has ever seen, (Martin Sexton) will take the stage.
If you like video game music, or if you want to see some crazy-good musicians totally freak you out with their abilities, maybe you should head to Smoke & Barrel Friday night. The OneUps are releasing a new album, and Lucio will be joining them on stage to add some nerdy video game rhymes to the tunes
If your face needs rocking, then the show for you might be at Rogue on Friday night. Antarctichrist, Crown of Bullets, Rollo Tumasi and Vore are on the bill. Prediction: Metal.
Saturday
Jason Boland & The Stragglers are back in town for a show at George’s Saturday night along with locals Matt Stell & the Crashers. There’s also a show in the lounge, with Little Rock’s Elise Davis Band. Elise made the finals of Arkansas Times’ annual Musicians Showcase last year.
Remember when we told you guys recently that Niall and Messy Sparkles just released some new recordings? Well, both bands will be at The Lightbulb Club Saturday night, along with Acid of the East.
There’s another big show at Rogue Saturday night, featuring locals Randall Shreve and Army Of Birds, and Kansas metal band Quietly Violent. Local bluegrass band Honeyshine is at Smoke & Barrel.
Sunday
George’s is hosting a benefit for Sarah Renko, a local woman who broke her back in a sledding accident recently. Proceeds will help with medical bills, and there happens to be an all-star lineup of music on tap, featuring the Cate Brothers, Nace Brothers, and Earl & Them.
There’s more below, feel free to add to the list in the comments, eat some deviled eggs, and have an awesome weekend.
- Friday, April 22
- Gulley Park: Cow Paddy Run
- Hjem Restaurant: Susan Shore and Michael Cockram
- Walton Arts Center: DePue Brothers Band / Shannon Wurst
- AMP: Pretty Lights
- George’s Majestic Lounge: Martin Sexton / Full House
- Greenhouse Grille: Teddy Sablon
- JJ’s Grill n Chill: Wes & Karl
- Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall: UA Saxophone Chamber Orchestra Concert
- Nadine Baum Studios: reasons to be pretty
- La Huerta – Crossover: Darren Ray
- Rogue Pizza Co.: Antarctichrist / Crown of Bullets / Rollo Tumasi / Vore
- Smoke & Barrel Tavern: The OneUps album release party
- Billy’s Grill: Honeyshine
- Saturday, April 23
- Fayetteville Square: Farmer’s Market
- Jammin’ Java: Honeyshine
- Fayetteville Public Library: Civil War Genealogy Workshop
- Walton Arts Center: Imago Theater’s ZooZoo
- Terra Tots Natural Parenting: Great Cloth Diaper Change
- Fayetteville Public Library: Walton Arts Center’s Family Orchestra
- Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall: Alan Ryan Andrae – Trumpet Recital
- Nadine Baum Studios: reasons to be pretty
- Fayetteville Public Library: Poets Northwest
- George’s Majestic Lounge: Jason Boland & The Stragglers / Matt Stell & the Crashers / Elise Davis Band
- JJ’s Grill n Chill: City Limits
- UARK Ballroom: Phunbags Comedy Improv
- Greenhouse Grille: Alex Jazz Trio
- Rogue Pizza Co.: Randall Shreve / Army Of Birds / Quietly Violent / Cameron Mashel
- Smoke & Barrel Tavern: Honeyshine
- GoodFolk:
Bob Livingston– Cancelled - The Lightbulb Club: Niall / Acid of the East / Messy Sparkles
- Sunday, April 24
- Greenhouse Grille: Melody & Morty
- Nadine Baum Studios: reasons to be pretty
- Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall: Joseph Ralston – Guitar Recital
- George’s Majestic Lounge: Sarah Renko benefit: Cate Brothers / Nace Brothers / Earl & Them
- Pesto Cafe: Shannon Wurst
