Sarah Woolf of Follow the Woolf has your guide to Arkansas’ music scene. This week, go see Earth, Wind & Fire, Red Octopus Theater Company, Dale Watson and more.

Around Little Rock

Thursday 5/16 – Saturday 5/18

Red Octopus Theater Company / The Public Theater – 616 Center St. / 8pm on Thursday, 8:30pm on Friday, 8pm Saturday / $10

Central Arkansas favorite original sketch comedy troupe is back with “Octopi in the Outfield,” a celebration of America’s pastime. There will be mature content.

Friday 5/17

Charlotte Taylor / Stickyz Rock n’ Roll Chicken Shack – 107 River Market Ave / 6-9

Come out to the patio and welcome the weekend with Central Arkansas lady of the Blues, Charlotte Taylor.

Charlotte Taylor

Trey Johnson / Unity Little Rock – 2610 Reservoir Rd / 7-9 / $10

Central Arkansas Americana duo Ten Penny Gypsy hosts Sounds of Unity showcasing the best singer-songwriters in Arkansas. This week, they welcome the feel-good rockin’ blues of Trey Johnson.

3rd Friday Poetry & Prose / Nexus Coffee & Creative – 301 President Clinton Ave. Suite B / 7-9

Logan Garrett and Nexus host a literary open-mic the third Friday of every month.  Bring your poems, short stories, songs, and humor to share, or just come and enjoy this welcoming environment.

The Main Thing / The Joint Theater & Coffeehouse – 301 Main St. NLR / 8-10 / $24 call 501-372-0205

Central Arkansas comedy trio The Main Thing, present their original comedy “Keep Your Chins Up,” a comedy review focusing on the agony of growing older.  “Original sketches, funny songs and bogus commercials take a look at cosmetic surgery, fad diets, exercise programs, and how to just give in and grow old gracefully.  Three actors play dozens of characters who are determined to battle Father Time.”

Dead Horses & Benjamin Jaffe / South on Main – 1304 Main St. / 9-11 / $10 advance, $12 at the door.

A night of indie folk music with Dead Horses in support of their latest album, My Mother the Moon,  which earned a spot on the list of Best Roots Music Albums of 2018 from No Depression magazine. Joining them is indie-alternative artist Benjamin Jaffe from the band Honeyhoney. Get. your tickets here.

Dead Horses

Dale Watson / White Water Tavern – 2500 W 7th St. / 9 / $15

The legendary Austin, Texas honky-tonk man, Dale Watson, returns to the White Water for a special Friday night record release show.

Jeff Coleman and The Feeders / Four Quarter Bar – 415 Main St. NLR / 10 / $7

Little Rock Rock & Rollers, Jeff Coleman and The Feeders bring their rockin originals and songs you know and love to Four Quarter for a show that’s always a good time. Four Quarter’s awesome late night kitchen has added a few new items to their very tasty menu.

Saturday 5/18

Beer & Loathing in Little Rock / Rebel Kettle Brewing – Co.822 E 6th St. / 11am-11pm

Come celebrate Rebel Kettle’s 3-year anniversary with the third annual Beer & Loathing in Little Rock music & craft beer festival. Beer yoga gets you warmed up at 10 am and the festivities start at 11 am with yard games from Heifer International, brats from the Rebel Kettle kitchen, food trucks Katmandu MOMO and Sauced Bar & Oven Pizza Truck, music from The Nightliners, Jason Lee Hale and the Personal Space Invaders, Amy McBryde and the Active Ingredient, and Sad Daddy, and of course those tasty Rebel Kettle craft brews.

Music in the Garden / Dunbar Garden – 1720 S Chester St. / 4-8 / $20 adults, $10 under 21, and kids under 12 are free.,  $25 at the gate

Come out to the garden for Dunbar’s spring fundraiser, enjoy live music from: McBroom and The Good for Nothings, Empress Beatrice and the Sun People, & Hemmed in Hollow, a plate of pork or veggie carnitas with ingredients from the garden prepared by Chef Patrick Herron, a specialty cocktail the “bee sting” prepared by in house mixologist Bo Bennett, all included in the price of the adult ticket.  While you’re there enjoy an art auction, chicken bingo, & a kids corner with hot dogs & chips. Let’s help keep Dunbar Garden growing.

Rikki D and Ricky “Quicksand” Martin / White Water Tavern – 2500 W. 7th St. / 9

Two Arkansas blues greats share the stage as drummer Ricky “Quicksand” Martin joins forces with 2019 Arkansas Blues Hall of Fame inductee, guitarist “Rikki D.”

Dale Watson

Big Freedia / Revolution Music Room – 300 President Clinton Ave / 9 / $20

The Queen of Bounce (a subgenre of hip-hop born out of New Orleans and known for its call and response style and lightning speed booty-shaking dance) New Orleans phenomenon –now national – Big Freedia returns to the Rev Room stage, and if you caught her and her incredibly talented troupe last time or if this is your first time, it’s a show/party you don’t want to miss. I know I won’t.

Charlotte Taylor / Four Quarter Bar – 415 Main St. NLR / 10 / $7

Four Quarter keeps the love local this weekend with Central Arkansas lady of the blues Charlotte Taylor and her band Gypsy Rain.

Sunday 5/19

Harrisong / The Rail Yard – 1212 E 6th St. / 4-7

Bring the kids and the fir kids and enjoy an afternoon in the yard as The Rail Yard presents its Sunday evening Music Series, todays feature is husband and wife Americana duo Harrisong.

Big Freedia

Around Arkansas

Rogers

Friday 5/17

Earth, Wind, & Fire / Arkansas Music Pavilion – 5079 W Northgate Rd. / 7 / $42-$66.50

Get your tickets here.

Saturday 5/18

The Avett Brothers / Arkansas Music Pavilion – 5079 W Northgate Rd. / 8 / $35

Get your tickets here.

Earth, Wind and Fire

Fayetteville

Sunday 5/19

Opal Agafia & The Sweet Nothings, Jesse Dean & Co, Caleb Ryan Martin / George’s Majestic Lounge – 519 W Dickson / 7 / $12 advance, $15 day of show

Hot Springs

Friday 5/17

KK & The Reverend Blues Revival / The Big Chill – 910 Higdon Ferry Rd. / 9pm-1am

Saturday 5/18

Justin Kinkel-Schuster, Isaac Alexander, William Blackart / Maxine’s Live – 700 Central Ave. /  9

DeFrance / Grateful Head Pizza –100 Exchange St. / 8-11

The Avett Brothers

Conway

Saturday 5/18

Trey Johnson & Jason Wilmon / Almost Famous Smoke House & Grill – 258 Highway 64E / 6:30 -9:00

Tyler Kinchen & The Right Pieces / Kings Live Music – 1020 Front St. / 8:30 / $5

Eureka Springs

Saturday 5/18

Jeffrey Lee / Gravel Bar at Wanderoo Lodge – 216 W Van Buren / 7-10

Opal Agafia & The Sweet Nothings

Fort Smith

Saturday 5/18

Granger Smith with Earl Dibbles Jr. / Temple Live – 200 N. 11th St. / 7-11 / $20 GA seats, $25 standing pit, $5 increase day of show.

Get your tickets here.

READ MORE: Check out the Weekend Plans!