Sarah Woolf of Follow the Woolf has your guide to Arkansas’ music scene. This week, go see Steve Martin and Martin Short, Gurf Morlix and more

Around Little Rock

Thursday 11/29
Gurf Morlix/ White Water Tavern – 2500 W 7th St. / 8 / $15
The great singer songwriter Gurf Morlix returns to the White Water for another unforgettable intimate night of song from his 40-plus years as an artist.  From his work with such artists as Lucinda Williams, Blaze Foley, Warren Zevon, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Robert Earl Keen, Mary Gauthier and more to crafting his own unique sound and vision on his eight solo records, Gurf Morlix is a musician that music lovers and lovers of song won’t want to miss.
Friday 11/30
Matt Treadway Trio/ Bar Louie (Pleasant Ridge Town Center) – 11525 Cantrell Rd. / 8
Wind down the week with some “straight -ahead jazz” from Little Rock’s own jazz guitarist Matt Treaway and his trio.  Great music, drink specials and no cover – you can’t lose.
Gil Franklin Project/ Spectators Grill & Pub – 1012 W. 34th St. NLR / 8
Come on across the river for some tasty eats, cold brews and some down home blues from Little Rock bluesman Gil Franklin.
Steve Martin and Martin Short / Verizon Arena / 8 /  $59.50-$89.50
Do not miss this once-in-a-lifetime chance to see these two legendary comedians that have been entertaining us since the 70s as they bring their critically acclaimed show to Arkansas. Get your tickets here.
The Artisanals/ Stickyz Rock N’ Roll Chicken Shack – 107 River Market Ave / 9 / $10
The Artisnals, from Charleston SC, bring their unique blend of 70s Heartland rock and Alt-Americana to the Rock in support of their newly released debut self titled album. I think Rolling Stone describes them best:“ The Artisanals sounds like Heartland rock & roll built for trans am stereos, mushroom trips, and the boom box in Jeff Spicoli’s bedroom.” Get your tickets here .
Groovement/ Four Quarter Bar – 415 N. Main St. NLR / 10 / $8
Time to hit the dance floor with the six-man funk-rock group from Fayetteville, Groovement. They’ve been described as what you’d hear if Led Zeppelin caught a Soul Train with Grouplove and they threw a party while headin’ down the tracks to Motown. They’ll get you on the dance floor with their catchy originals, big harmonies, funky grooves, and impressive solos, and keep you there with their unique twist to some creative covers.
Saturday 12/1
Holiday Hangout Live from the Brewhouse 2018/ Lost 40 Brewing – 501 Byrd St. / 2-4
One of the most anticipated events of the year is finally here! The White Water Tavern & Last Chance Records Holiday Hangout is the weekend that brings together friends, musicians, artists and more to the White Water for an unforgettable three days.  Unfortunately, once tickets went on sale, it also sold out in a matter of days, but you can get a taste of it, as Lost 40 welcomes some of the Hangout artists to the brewhouse for a special acoustic afternoon of music.  Hangout artists include Isaac Alexander, Tim Easton, Kevin Kerby and Todd May.
Puddles Pity Party/ UA Pulaski Tech: Center for Humanities and Arts – 3000 W. Scenic Dr. NLR / 7:30 / $25 standing room, $40-$55 reserved seating.
Puddles, the sad clown with the golden voice, brings his one-man show to Pulaski Tech’s Center for the Humanities and Arts for a special night that will mix laugher with sadness as Puddles puts his unique performance to some classic covers, mostly pop and classic rock, with corresponding video, and audience participation for a special one night show like none other. Get your tickets here.
The Here and Now/ Hibernia Irish Tavern – 9700 Rodney Parham Rd / 7:30 / $8-$15
The Little Rock Folk Club closes out its 2018 concert series with a special show by an Irish folk band from Austin, Texas, The Here and Now, as they feature songs from their latest album The Winding Stair, and songs from their first album, Ladybird, for a rousing night of, jigs, reels, waltzes, flings and lovely songs. Get your tickets here.
Mountain Sprout/ Jimmy Doyle’s Country Club / 8
Grab all your rowdy friends and head on over to Jimmy Doyle’s as those wild men from the hills of Eureka Springs take the stage for a night of psychobilly, hillbilly, bluegrass like only the boys can do. The Arkansas River Bottom Band will keep the party going afterwards. Just don’t forget your designated driver, Uber, Lyft or taxi.
Ben Miller Band with Big Red Flag/ Stickyz Rock n’ Roll Chicken Shack – 107 River Market Ave. / 9 / $10
From Joplin, Mo.,  The Ben Miller Band brings their original blend of bluegrass, Delta soul and Appalachian Mountain Music to the Stickyz stage. Opening the show is the Ragtime Gypsy Grass of Little Rock’s own Big Red Flag. Get your tickets here.
Strangelove: The Depeche Mode Experience with DJ Big Brown/ Revolution Music Room – 300 President Clinton Ave. / 9 / $15 advance
I’ve always wanted to see Depeche Mode in concert and friends that have say it was one of the best concert experiences ever.  Strangelove, from LA, Calf.,  brings a meticulous career spanning, pitch-perfect, theatrical stage concert recreation that not only includes favorites from Depeche Mode’s debut Speak and Spell, but also from their latest 2017’s Spirit for a musical journey across this legendary band’s catalog. Get your tickets here.
Sunday 12/2
Kalu and the Electric Joint/ Stickyz Rock n’ Roll Chicken Shack – 107 River Market Ave / 8 / $8
Psychedelic soul from Austin Texas with a touch of soul added by guitarist Jonathan “JT” Holt along with Nigerian born frontman Kalu James’ West African heritage. With songs and a sound forged at Austin’s legendary Continental Club, a weekly residency that was only supposed to last a month that turned into three years and adding in Austin drummer/percussionist John Speice, and bassist Eddie Torres for a unique blend of ethno-funk and neo-soul sound sure to pack the dance floor and lift you up.  Kalu and the Electric Joint is celebrating the release of their latest album Time Undone. This is a show you don’t want to miss.

Across Arkansas

Pine Bluff

Friday 11/30
A Tribute to Blues Legend Bobby Rush/ Pine Bluff Convention Center – 1 Convention Center Drive / 7 / $20
An evening of food, entertainment, and fun as we honor the musical accomplishments and the Pine Bluff/Jefferson County roots of the one and only Bobby Rush.  Fried catfish, blues performances, a blues folk art show, a meet and greet with Bobby Rush, and a Blues Bash after party to keep the good times going.  Doors will open from 5-7 for vendor and exhibit viewing with the dinner, program, and dance from 7:00-10:00. Get your tickets here.

Hot Springs

Friday 11/30
Gurf Morlix and Donnie Picou/ Low Key Arts– 118 Arbor St. / 7:30 / $10
The great singer songwriter Gurf Morlix comes to Low Key Arts for an intimate night of song from his 40 + years as an artist.  From his work with such artist as Lucinda Williams, Blaze Foley, Warren Zevon, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Robert Earl Keen, Mary Gauthier, and more, to crafting out his own unique sound and vision on his 8 solo records Gurf Morlix is a show music lovers and lovers of song won’t want to miss. He will be supported by Atlanta strummer, Donnie Picou.  Get your tickets here.
DeFrance & Stephen Neeper & The Wild Hearts/ Maxine’s Live – 700 Central Ave / 9
Classic rock and roll from two of Arkansas’ best, DeFrance and Stephen Neeper & The Wild Hearts.
The Federalis, Turtle Rush, Fort Defiance– Maxine’s Live – 9
Rock and roll from Little Rock’s The Federalis, dirty psychedelic folkgrass of Turtle Rush, and Americana husband and wife folk duo Fort Defiance from Nashville TN.

Russellville

Friday 11/30
Laith, Dub Peveau, Luke Allen/ The Cavern – 300 W. B. St / 8 / donations for traveling artists.
Laith – Jonesboro, AR – punk, emo, indie, rock
Dub Peveau – Ambient acoustic
Luke Allen – Russellville, AR – acoustic
Bentonville
Saturday 12/1
Serrano-Torres / The Forge – 407 SW A St. / 8 / no cover
Serrano-Torres is a classically trained cellist who blends/arranges modern songs and composes original pieces for solo cello with a loop pedal creating a musical experience that is intimate and mysterious one moment, and the next, atmospheric and dynamic. He captivates audiences as he takes them into his cello world.
Conway
Saturday 12/1
Groovement/ Kings Live Music – 1020 Front St. / 8:30 / $5
Time to hit the dance floor with the six-man funk-rock group from Fayetteville, Groovement. They’ve been described as what you’d hear if Led Zeppelin caught a Soul Train with Grouplove and they threw a party while headin’ down the tracks to Motown. They’ll get you on the dance floor with their catchy originals, big harmonies, funky grooves, and impressive solos, and keep you there with their unique twist to some creative covers. Opening the show is Conway’s Ryan Hinman.
Dardanelle
Saturday 12/1
DeFrance/ Front Street Bar & Grill – 115 S. Front St. / 9
Classic rock and roll from Central Arkansas’ own DeFrance.  Get there early for Front Street’s 8 oz. bacon wrapped filet special for just $16.95.  Great food, great drinks and some good ole’ rock and roll sounds like the perfect Saturday night to me.
Fayetteville
Friday 11/30
Randy Rogers Band/ George’s Majestic Lounge – 519 W. Dickson St. / 9 / $20 advance, $23 at the door.
The Randy Rogers Band is classic red Dirt country from San Marcos, Texas  Get your tickets here.
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