Weekend Flyer: Olympics, 112 Drive-In, Anderson Brothers, and more

Olympics / Courtesy

You may have noticed a certain energy change in Fayetteville these last few days. It’s hard to put your finger on, but there’s an excitement in the air this time of year that is palpable. If you haven’t noticed any of that, you are almost certainly aware of an uptick in traffic around town. All these extra cars on the roads these last few days are certainly hard to miss.

In August in Fayetteville, these signs can only mean it’s the weekend before the UA is back in session, and the students are coming back into town. If you ask us, having the UA students return makes the city whole again, and it’s one of the best parts about living here. After the quiet summer, it’s a welcome change to have 27,000 or so of our youthful friends back in the city that bring with them so much interesting music and art and events and energy. They fill our local bars and restaurants. They help us call the Hogs. They are such an important part of Fayetteville. Welcome back, y’all.

I guess what we’re saying is, it’s about to get even busier around here soon. Who’s ready?

This weekend kicks off with a happy hour show at George’s featuring local legends, Earl & Them, with a country show later on featuring Ozark Rivera and Cooper Mohrmann. Saturday night, the venue will host a Freddie Mercury Tribute by locals Randall Shreve and friends. Tickets.

If you feel like dancing, there are plenty of chances to do that this weekend around town. JJ’s Live will host a 2010s Pop Dance Party on Friday, and Saturday they’ll host an Abba disco dance party. Here’s ticket info.

Smoke & Barrel will also have DJ’s both nights this weekend, with DJ Mike Poe on Friday night, and a back-to-school bash with DJ SYCA on Saturday. Smoke & Barrel also has a cool show on Sunday night featuring local band Olympics and L.A.-based band, Dummy. Our friend Roger Barrett talked to Olympics last week about their recent success.

For jazz, your best bet is at Roots HQ on Saturday when The Northwest Arkansas Jazz Society and KUAF present the Anderson Brothers Jazz Trio in concert at the Roots Festival Headquarters on the Fayetteville square. Here’s a bit more about that.

There’s a dance performance at Walton Arts Center on Saturday with a joint presentation of Walton Arts Center, Dhirana Academy of Classical Dance and the Ra-Ve Cultural Foundation cakked Baala: Tale of Kanha. More is here.

It’s the second-to-last weekend to watch a movie at the drive-in in Fayetteville. The 112 Drive-In is closing in a couple weeks, and they’re showing some classic films for their final two weekends. This weekend, you can see Wizard of Oz and Twister. We wrote about that earlier this week.

There’s a Black Owned Business Expo at TheatreSquared from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday. Here’s a link to more info about that.

Ice cream, anyone? The Washington County Historical Society will host their 50th annual Ice Cream Social at the Headquarters House. The event is the primary annual fundraiser for the nonprofit organization that preserves and celebrates the history of Washington County. Here’s more.

There’s more below. Have a great weekend, everyone.


Friday, August 19

5:00 pm

Emily Rowland

Inn at Carnal Hall
Music
6:00 pm

C.A.R.E Las Faygas

Walton Arts Center
Fundraiser
6:00 pm

Comedian Dale Jones

The Grove Comedy Club – Lowell
Comedy
6:00 pm

Happy Hour: Earl & Them

George’s Majestic Lounge
Music
6:00 pm

Old Dime Box

La Huerta Mexican Restaurant
Music
7:00 pm

Brick Fields

Boston Mountain Brewing
Music
7:00 pm

J Ray Davis

Six Twelve Coffeehouse & Bar
Music
7:00 pm

Neon Moon

Prairie Street Live
Music
7:30 pm

DJ Lyn / DJ Dribble / DJ Susie Q / DJ So Calm

Railyard Park – Rogers
Music
8:00 pm

Circle of Thirds

The Beer Keg
Music
8:00 pm

Take Cover

JJ’s Grill on Steamboat
Music
8:00 pm

The Odds

JJ’s Grill – Springdale
Music
8:30 pm

Raised on Radio

JJ’s Grill on Dickson
Music
9:00 pm

Best Night Ever: 2010’s Pop Dance Party

JJ’s Live
Activity
9:00 pm

DJ Mike Poe

Smoke & Barrel Tavern
Music
9:00 pm

Rackensack

Kingfish
Music
9:30 pm

Ozark Riviera / Cooper Mohrmann

George’s Majestic Lounge
Music

Saturday, August 20

7:00 am

Fayetteville Farmers’ Market

Fayetteville Square
Community
9:00 am

Black-Owned NW Arkansas Expo

TheatreSquared
Community
10:00 am

Super Saturday: LEGO Freeplay

Fayetteville Public Library
Family
3:00 pm

50th Annual Ice Cream Social

Headquarters House
Community
5:00 pm

HeatWave Home Brewing Competition

Core Brewing – Springdale
Activity
6:00 pm

Opening reception: A Show of Crowns

Local Color Studio Gallery
Art
6:00 pm

Rachel B & Table for Three

Sassafras Springs Vineyard
Music
7:00 pm

Anderson Brothers Jazz Trio

Roots HQ
Music
7:00 pm

Baala: Tale of Kanha

Walton Arts Center
Performance
7:00 pm

Dale Stokes

Mojo’s East – Citizens Drive
Music
7:00 pm

Matteson Gregory

Six Twelve Coffeehouse & Bar
Music
8:00 pm

Jamie Wolfe & The Wranglers

JJ’s Grill on Steamboat
Music
8:00 pm

Rochelle Bradshaw & Hypnotion

Railyard Park – Rogers
Music
8:00 pm

The Big Sad / Tao of Lucy / Rant

Nomads Trailside
Music
8:30 pm

Comedian Dale Jones

The Grove Comedy Club – Lowell
Comedy
8:30 pm

Covington Creek

JJ’s Grill on Dickson
Music
8:30 pm

Freddie Mercury tribute band

George’s Majestic Lounge
Music
8:30 pm

Repo’d Trailers

JJ’s Grill – Springdale
Music
9:00 pm

DJ SYCA: Back to School

Smoke & Barrel Tavern
Music
9:00 pm

Gimme Gimme Disco Dance Party

JJ’s Live
Activity

Sunday, August 21

2:00 pm

Bass Vibes Patio Party

Kingfish
Music
4:00 pm

The Red Lens / Matt Magerkurth

The Momentary – Bentonville
Music
6:00 pm

Jenna and the Soul Shakers

Mojo’s East – Citizens Drive
Music
8:00 pm

Dummy / Olympics

Smoke & Barrel Tavern
Music