Flipoff Pirates win Waka classic, Damn Arkansan headed to showcase finals

Flipoff Pirates

Courtesy photo

Local band Flipoff Pirates have earned a spot on the 2013 Wakarusa lineup after winning this year’s local Waka Winter Classic.

Five groups – including Groovement, Space Camp, Cadillac Jackson and Revolution Butterfly – competed in the battle of the bands-style event hosted by George’s Majestic Lounge on Friday, Jan. 25. The audience in attendance that night chose the winner.

Damn Arkansan

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Flipoff Pirates will join Snoop Lion, Widespread Panic, Of Monsters and Men and over 100 other acts set to play this year’s installment of the annual four-day event which will celebrate its 10th anniversary when it returns for a fifth season to Mulberry Mountain from May 30 to June 2.

In other band competition news, Fayetteville’s Damn Arkansan won the first round of the 2013 Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase held Friday, Jan. 25 at Stickyz in Little Rock.

The group bested Annalisa Nutt, Trey Hawkins Band and Collin Vs. Adam* to advance to the finals, set for Friday, March 1 at the Rev Room.

*Update: Collin Vs. Adam was scheduled to perform at the Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase, but canceled following the tragic death of Mason Mauldin, a member of the band and a longtime Little Rock musician. Mauldin and three other men were killed in a plane crash in Louisiana on Thursday, Jan. 24. Arkansas Times has information on the planned memorial service for Mauldin.