Sarah Woolf of Follow the Woolf has your guide to Arkansas’ music scene. This week, go see blues legend Taj Mahal at the Ozark Folk Center and the final Jazz in the Park with the Rodney Block Collective.

Around Little Rock

Wednesday 9/26
Jazz in the Park with the Rodney Block Collective / Little Rock River Market – 400 President Clinton Ave / 6-8 / Free
Closing out the September sessions is the one and only Rodney Block.  This free event hosted by the Little Rock River Market in partnership with the Art Porter Music Education brings you some of Little Rock’s best jazz. The Collective is partnering with the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Beta Pi Omega Chapter Connection/Social Action Committee to “Rock the Vote.” Register, confirm and update your voter registration status so you’ll be ready in November.  For this special event, The Rodney Block Collective featuring Bijoux Pighee, is bringing a very special surprise guest performance.  Don’t miss out as Jazz in the Park comes to a close. Kids are welcome.  Beer, wine and soft drinks will be available for purchase.
Karen Jr / TAE (Inside Hotel Frederica) – 625 W. Capitol Ave / 6-8 / $
Local singer-songwriter Karen Jr.  will be sharing new songs as well as old favorites, telling the stories behind her songs, and performing them with her band of great musicians.  Come out for a night of great food from a True Arkansas Eatery (TAE) and great songs and storytelling from Karen Jr.
Charlotte Taylor / The Tavern Sports Grill – 17815 Chenal Pkwy Suite F101 / 6-9
Come enjoy happy hour at The Tavern with Little Rock’s Lady of the Blues, Charlotte Taylor.  Sit out on the patio if it’s nice, or head inside if it’s raining.  One way or another, there’s going to be great food, great music and great times.
Bad Reputation: Joan Jett documentary / Riverdale 10 Cinema – 2600 Cantrell Rd. / 7-10 / $11
One night only screening!  The theatrical version of the film comes with an exclusive, brand new solo performance by Joan made specifically for these 9/26 screenings to follow the feature. They’ll also have special merchandise to offer as giveaways, some signed records and other fun stuff.  Don’t miss this very special one-night-only theatrical screening on this Rock & Roll Hall of Fame legend. Make sure to get your tickets!
Toby Driver with Colour Design / Vinos
Toby Driver (Brooklyn, NY), who is best-known as the bandleader for the alt-goth experimentalist Kayo Dot, brings his solo performance to Vino’s in support of his latest album They Are the Shield. As a solo performer, he combines guitar, keyboard and voice to explore dark, austere neofolk with a subtle progressive and sometimes unsettling edge.  Opening the show will be Little Rock’s own alternative, post-hardcore band Colour Design.
Thursday 9/27
Potluck & Poison Ivy featuring singer-songwriter Kevin Gordon / The Joint Theater & Coffeehouse – 301 Main St. #102 NLR. / 6-9 / $35 (Price includes dinner and show)
One of the hottest tickets in town and one of the most unique nights out in the city, the dinner and storytelling of Potluck and Poison Ivy takes a turn tonight down to North Louisiana for a night of storytelling and songs from singer-songwriter and “juke-joint professor emeritus” (Rolling StoneKevin Gordon.
Amythyst Kiah / South on Main – 1304 Main St. / 8-10 / $32-$25
The Oxford American is excited to welcome Amythyst Kiah to Little Rock for their first show in their 2018-2019 Americana Series. A professed Southern Gothic, this alt-country blues singer-songwriter from Johnson City, Tenn. has a commanding stage presence that is matched only by her raw and powerful vocals.  Working interchangeably with banjo, acoustic guitar or a full band (Her Chest of Glass), Amathyst Kiah’s ability to cross the boundaries of blues and old-time through her own unique reinterpretation is not to be missed. Make sure to reserve your tickets online here. Tickets will not be available at the door.
Randy Rogers Band / Revolution Music Room – 300 President Clinton Ave / 8:30-11:30 / $20 advance, $25 day of show
Classic red dirt country from Austin, Texas, the Randy Rogers Band is a Rev Room favorite. The Powell Brothers from Houston, TX open the show. Get your tickets here!
Friday 9/28
Brian Nahlen & Nick Devlin / Cajun’s Wharf – 2400 Cantrell Rd. / 5:30-8:30
There’s no better way to wind down the week in Central Arkansas than on the big swinging deck of Cajun’s listening to the sound of singer-songwriter Brian Nahlen play his originals and some of your favorites accompanied by the one and only Nick Devlin as you watch the river roll by.
The Sword, Iron Tongue, Tranquilo / Revolution Music Room – 300 President Clinton Ave / 8:30 / $18 advance $20 day of show.
Hard rock and metal fans of Central Arkansas, this show is for you.   After 15 years of nonstop recording and touring the hard rockers from Austin, Texas are taking a well-deserved hiatus following their U.S. tour ending in October. Come on out for The Sword’s special show and wish them well.  Joining the show will be Little Rock’s own hard rock supergroup Iron Tongue and Little Rock’s Tranquilo. Make sure you get your tickets!
Mark Edgar Stuart / South on Main – 1304 Main St. / 9 / $10
Memphis singer-songwriter, and Pine Bluff native, Mark Edgar Stuart and his band of talented musicians are coming to South on Main in support of his upcoming release Mad At Love. Mark will also be playing songs from his two previous albums, Trinity My Dear (2015) and Blues for Lou(2013) which was named record of the year by the Memphis Flyer, and is a favorite of mine.  Opening the show is Little Rock folk duo Fret and Worry.
Republican Hair and The Dangerous Idiots / Stickyz Rock N’ Roll Chicken Shack / 9 / $10 advance, $12 day of show
Republican Hair’s Facebook description and bio says it best: “This is the sound of the sun exploding while you’re drinking a cherry icee.  My Vonnegut at your Adam Ant.  Coming to a 7-11 near you.”  Republican Hair, out of Nashville, conjures the flamboyant musicality of The Cars, Devo and the Talking Heads, as well as the dark satire of author Kurt Vonnegut and the wry observational wit of David Sedaris. Opening the show will be Little Rock’s own Dangerous Idiots, currently out in support of their re-issue, 10th anniversary, of their debut self-titled album.  This is going to be fun show for rock & rollers, creatives and people just lookin’ for a good time. Find your tickets here!
William Blackart Album Release with Fiscal Spliff and Colour Design / White Water Tavern – 2500 W. 7th St. /
After 11 years since his last release, Central Arkansas singer-songwriter William Blakart is back with Return.  He’ll be playing songs from the album and from his previous work.  Backed by a semi-full band, William will be kicking the night off so he can visit and celebrate this special night with you and enjoy the music of Little Rock’s Fiscal Spliff and Colour Design.  For a special sneak peek of the album, visit his website.
Tiko Brooks / 109 & Co. – 109 Main St. / 9 / $5
The bearded balladeer returns to 109 for a night of smooth soul and R&B.  Grab one of 109’s expertly crafted cocktails, find a spot on one of their comfy couches and let the worries of the week melt away.
Lydia Lunch Retrovirus with Mouton and Listen Sister / Four Quarter Bar / 10 / $10
Lydia comes to Four Quarter backed by an all-star cast of sonic brutarians who have played with almost everyone, from rock & roll royalty Sonic Youth to the punk jazz prog band, The Flying Luttenbachers. They will bring a no-holds barred survey of her musical output from 1977 to today.  With a musical legacy of shrill No Wave to hard rock, from smoky jazz noir and illustrated word to macabre psychedelia, this will be a show music lovers and music historians won’t want to miss.
Saturday 9/29
Momandpop Record Release Show / South on Main – 1304 Main St. / 10 am-1pm / $5
Don’t miss this brown bag lunch and kids concert with husband and wife duo Momandpop.  Bobby Matthews and Virginia Ralph worked in separate careers for 20 years: Bobby an elementary art teacher, and Virginia as a teaching artist and touring performer in a children’s theater company. They now join forces with their debut record Look Closer. This will be a special afternoon for parents and kids alike. Brown bag brunch items for parents and kids will be available for purchase at the event.  Tickets are available here.
The Big Damn Horns / Stickyz Rock N’ Roll Chicken Shack – 107 River Market Ave. / 9:30 / $8
Little Rock’s favorite party band returns to Stickyz for a night of your favorite blues, soul, rock, pop and R&B tunes.  This band of 12, featuring some of the Rock’s most talented musicians, is sure to have you on your feet and dancing the night away.
Sunday 9/30
The Salty Dogs / White Water Tavern – 2500 W. 7th / 5-9
Bring the kids and come on down to the White Water Tavern for this special early Sunday night show with Little Rock’s favorite rockin’ country band, The Salty Dogs. Local singer-songwriter Justin Teal Morgan will open the show, and the kitchen will be open.

Around Arkansas

Mountain View

Friday 9/28
Taj Mahal / Ozark Folk Center State Park – 1032 Park Ave / 7-9 / $30-$40
Ozark Folk Center State Park is proud to welcome Grammy award-winning blues legend Taj Mahal and his trio as part of the park’s Celebrity Concert Series.  This performance will be recorded for the fourth season of the Ozark Highlands Radio, a syndicated radio program produced at the park and carried by a growing list of affiliates across the country.

Bentonville

Friday 9/28
Chris DeClerk / Pedaler’s Pub – 410 SW A St. / 7-11
Central Arkansas singer-songwriter Chris DeClerk is “stoked” to be back in Northwest Arkansas at the Pedaler’s Pub for two long sets of acoustic soul originals and choice covers, so grab one of their tasty wood fired pizzas, grab a cold brew and sit back for a night of great music.

Conway

Saturday 9/29
Charlotte Taylor and Gypsy Rain / Kings Live Music – 1020 Front St. / 8:30 / $5
Central Arkansas’ Lady of the Blues, Charlotte Taylor, brings her band Gypsy Rain to Kings for a night of classic blues music that is sure to get those toes tappin’ and feet to dancing. Little Rock indie rockers Do It, Henry will open the show.
RELATED: Check out more great music coverage from Sarah Woolf!
(Image courtesy of Taj Mahal)