Courtesy Wakarusa

Want to help a local band grab spot on a national stage this year? The Waka Winter Classic is Friday night at George’s Majestic Lounge. The annual battle-of-the-bands-style competition gives local acts a chance to perform alongside over 100 other bands at the three-day Wakarusa music festival on Mulberry Mountain. Each group will play a live set and the band that receives the most votes from audience members will win a cash prize and an opportunity to perform at Wakarusa. This year’s contestants are Galaxy Tour Guides, The Irie Lions, Vintage Pistol, Move Orchestra, and Crazy Neighbor. A bit more info here.

Texas roots music duo Lynn Adler and Lindy Hearne (Adler & Hearne) will perform at Fayetteville Underground Friday night. The award-winning performing songwriters will be joined by longtime local musician Emily Kaitz on bass. The show is another production of Mike Shirkey’s The Pickin’ Post, so it’s a guaranteed good time. Music begins at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $12. Reservation info here.

If you missed seeing Amasa Hines last weekend, there’s a rare opportunity to quickly make up for that. The Little Rock supergroup is back in town Friday night for a performance at Ryleigh’s on Dickson Street. Since coming on strong in 2012 as one of Paste Magazine‘s “12 Arkansas Bands You Should Listen To Now,” the group was voted as the best band in the state by Arkansas Times readers, and for good reason. Music starts at 10 p.m. Admission is $5.

Full list

6 p.m.  The Shed: Vanished Expressions: Work by Kristopher Johnson

6:45 p.m.  Barnhill Arena: Razorback gymnastics vs. Florida

7 p.m.  Crystal Bridges Museum: Film » Herb & Dorothy 50 x 50

7 p.m.  George’s Majestic Lounge: The Odds

7:30 p.m.  Nadine Baum Studios: TheatreSquared: Look Away

7:30 p.m.  Fayetteville Underground: The Pickin’ Post Presents Adler & Hearne

8 p.m.  Mojo’s Pints & Pies: The Old Fashioned

8 p.m.  Walton Arts Center: Elvis Lives!

8:30 p.m.  JJ’s Grill: BottleRocket

9 p.m.  George’s Majestic Lounge: Waka Winter Classic

9 p.m.  Smoke & Barrel Tavern: Comfortable Brother / Ozark Orkestra

9 p.m.  JR’s Lightbulb Club: The Wandering Lake / Gibberish / High Lonesome

10 p.m.  Ryleigh’s: Amasa Hines / Man’s Red Fire

Courtesy NWA Prison Story Project

The NWA Prison Story Project is branching out with a new type of performance this year. For three years, the group has been meeting with incarcerated women to explore the art of storytelling. The project made its first attempt at working with men in prison when it visited the Randall L. Williams Correctional Facility in Pine Bluff in November. The men’s writing was edited into a staged reading to be performed by local actors beginning at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Fayetteville Underground. A suggested donation of $10 is encouraged. More info here.

A new play by local playwright Robert Ford is back for a second week in Fayetteville. TheatreSquared brings to life Ford’s Look Away with a string of performances scheduled at Nadine Baum Studios this weekend. Here’s more info.

The Arkansas men’s basketball team is gearing up for a sold-out game at 3 p.m. Saturday inside Bud Walton Arena. The Razorbacks 17-5 (6-3 SEC) take on Mississippi State in hopes of retaining their second-place standing in the SEC. Those in attendance will be treated to a halftime ceremony recognizing Arkansas legend Sidney Moncrief, who will be honored by the hanging of banner of his No. 32 jersey.

Saturday night promises several live music choices (see below), including two world-influenced jazz performances from Clarice Assad at the Walton Arts Center. Assad’s shows begin at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m, and admission ranges from $15-$30.

Full list

10 a.m.  Crystal Bridges Museum: Featured Artisan Kate Baer

10 a.m.  Nightbird Books: Have Coffee with Frank Broyles

10:30 a.m.  Fayetteville Public Library: The Three Billy Goats Gruff with Trike Theatre

2 p.m.  Nadine Baum Studios: TheatreSquared: Look Away

3 p.m.  Bud Walton Arena: Razorback men’s basketball vs. Mississippi State

7 p.m.  Walton Arts Center: Clarice Assad Trio

7 p.m.  Arsaga’s at The Depot: Mountain Shore

7 p.m.  Maxine’s Tap Room: Big Orange Bartender Pop-Up

7:30 p.m.  Nadine Baum Studios: TheatreSquared: Look Away

7:30 p.m.  Fayetteville Underground: NWA Prison Story Project

9 p.m.  Backspace: Future Death / Rat Brats / Chicken Nugget

8:30 p.m.  JJ’s Grill: Mike & Grady

9 p.m.  George’s Majestic Lounge: The Schwag / Friends of the Phamily

9 p.m.  Smoke & Barrel Tavern: Free Geek Fundraiser

9 p.m.  JR’s Lightbulb Club: Yokohama Drifters / Rival Monsters

9 p.m.  Walton Arts Center: Clarice Assad Trio

10 p.m.  Ryleigh’s: Arkansauce

Rochelle Bradshaw and Hypnotion / Courtesy

A celebration is planned for what would be reggae singer Bob Marley’s 70th birthday weekend on Sunday at George’s Majestic Lounge. Fayetteville’s Rochelle Bradshaw and Hypnotion will take the stage alongside Jamaican reggae performer Duane Stephenson, and locals Jeff Kearney (1 Oz. Jig) and Ciavash Zaifi (Irie Lions). DJ Hod-I will open with an all-vinyl set at 7 p.m. and live music starts at 8 p.m. Admission is $10 in advance or $15 at the door.

Full list

11 a.m.  Emelia’s Kitchen: Live jazz

2 p.m.  Nadine Baum Studios: TheatreSquared: Look Away

2 p.m.  Fayetteville Public Library: 2nd Sunday Presents Local Author Elizabeth Armstrong, PhD

8 p.m.  Mojo’s Pints & Pies: Chris Jerry

9 p.m.  Backspace: Lampliter Boys / Bob for Apples / Devin Nu Phlo

9 p.m.  George’s Majestic Lounge: Rochelle Bradshaw & Hypnotion