It may seem like there are a lot of choices on this weekend’s calendar, but after a closer look, there is really only one; To Bikes, Blues & BBQ, or not to Bikes, Blues & BBQ.
If you like hanging out with about a million (unofficially) motorcycle men and women, listening to blues music, and eating pulled pork sandwiches, you need to head down to Dickson Street, the fairgrounds, the track center, Baum Stadium, Parsons Stadium in Springdale or Eureka Springs (those dudes and dudettes are everywhere).
If that’s not your thing, just chillax for a couple days. It’ll all be over on Sunday.
Friday
For Bikes, Blues & BBQ fans, George’s Majestic Lounge has music all day long with Eoff Brothers, Nace Brothers, Ben Miller Band, and more beginning at noon on Friday.
Legacy Blues Lounge has Earnest “Guitar” Roy, who looks like a badass, plus his middle name is “guitar.”
We published a list of official Bikes, Blues & BBQ events earlier this week. Highlights for Friday night include lawnmower races at 5 p.m. at the fairgrounds, the people’s choice BBQ competition at 6 p.m., and country star Jamie Johnson at the AMP.
Smoke & Barrel Tavern tends to be a nice mix of locals and bikers during Bikes, Blues & BBQ. Friday night, they’ve got The No. 2 Band, Devil’s Promenade, and Tyrannosaurus Chicken.
If you’re in the camp of avoiding the rally altogether, you’ll likely not see many bikers at Greenhouse Grille for the Walter Savage Jazz performance. We’re guessing there won’t be a lot of leather at Hjem for Matt & Gus Smith, either.
Saturday
There’s more BBB partying happening at George’s Majestic Lounge on Saturday with Eoff Brothers, Oreo Blue, Nace Brothers, Ben Miller Band, and more.
Smoke & Barrel Tavern has music all day long on Saturday too, with Carly Marx, Wally Matthews, Adam Cox, East of Zion. Locals Damn Arkansan and Kansas City, Mo. band Adam Lee & The Dead Horse Sound Co. will close out the night.
Kingfish has locals Darren Ray and Charliehorse on the patio Saturday night.
Whether you like bike parades or not, you should be aware of the Parade of Power, happening at 3:30 p.m. Here’s this year’s parade route.
Official Bikes, Blues & BBQ events will conclude just after midnight with the Miss Bikes, Blues & BBQ Finals on the Dickson Street main stage.
In the non-BBB world, JR’s Lightbulb Club has locals Glory Bones and Forever Blowing Bubbles. They ought to be able to drown out the engine noise.
Sunday
Terra Studios is hosting a Kid Art Day on Sunday beginning at 1 p.m. with music by Marshall Mitchell, singing cowboy.
Tunes-wise, Smoke & Barrel Tavern has a Sunday night show with Austin rockers The Blind Pets.
Also, Hammontree’s Grilled Cheese has an Art/Rock Show called Magical Damage Carnival. Art by Laura Whitfield, Owen Buffington, Josh Whitcomb, Kayla Moore, Brian Abel, Kim Abel, and Kale Ogle will be on display. Music will be provided by Moon/Ruin, Grim Creeper, and XX (DJ Zach Wait).
Happy Birthday Locals!
Kacee Vojdani, Amy Guerber, April Frusher, Cody ‘Cbum’ Yancey, Judy Smith Paynesmith, Sarah Doege, Mandy Bunch, Nick Manos, Tony Pirani, Travis Rohrbough, Alan Gwin, Sarah Adams, Ben Coulter, Lee Warden, Amanda Haguewood, Anna Maya, Jeremy Bradsher, Jamey Evans, Kimberly Faith Henderson, Amanda Hice, Jimy Flowrance, Urban Furnishings, Rachel Loftin, Meredith Martin-Moats, Megan Morrison, Vita LoMonaco Dentis, Shelby Rheam, Sumer Treece, Michelle Linn, April Strout, Bianca Gatchell Rucker, Boyd Logan, Amy Ko Smith, Aaron ‘Tiny’ Smith, Jim Johnson, Nocona Ridge, Brad Henson and Jessica Suttle.
The List
Friday, Sept. 30
- George’s Majestic Lounge: Bikes Blues & BBQ events
- Hjem Restaurant: Matt & Gus Smith
- Rogue Pizza Co.: Jimmy Mark Harris Band / Red Ambition
- Washington County Fairgrounds: Bikes, Blues & BBBQ events
- Walton Arts Center: Bikes, Blues & BBQ bands
- Kingfish: Jake Schaffer
- Smoke & Barrel Tavern: The No. 2 Band / Devil’s Promenade / Tyrannosaurus Chicken
- Dickson Street: Bikes, Blues & BBBQ events
- Baum Stadium: Bikes, Blues & BBBQ events
- Greenhouse Grille: Walter Savage Jazz
- AMP: Jamey Johnson
- Foghorn’s on College: Tiffany Christopher
- JJ’s Grill: Ocie & the Heartstrings
- Billy’s Grill: Leah & The Mojo Doctors
- Jose’s: Russ & Mike / Ouachita
- Mojo’s Pints & Pies: Robert Hatfield Band / David Kimbrough Jr.
- Rowdy Beaver Den: FOS Project / One Night Stand
- Legacy Blues Lounge: Earnest “Guitar” Roy
- ROTC Grill: Ransom
Saturday, Oct. 1
- Fayetteville Square: Farmers’ Market
- Fayetteville Public Library: Darcy Pattison
- Ozark Natural Foods: First Saturday
- George’s Majestic Lounge: Bikes, Blues & BBQ events
- Washington County Fairgrounds: Bikes, Blues & BBBQ events
- Walton Arts Center: Bikes, Blues & BBQ bands
- Dickson Street: Bikes, Blues & BBBQ events
- Smoke & Barrel Tavern: Carly Marx / Wally Matthews / Adam Cox / East of Zion / Damn Arkansan / Adam Lee
- Baum Stadium: Bikes, Blues & BBBQ events
- Kingfish: Darren Ray / Charliehorse
- Legacy Blues Lounge: Chris Cameron Blues Band / Bobby Rush
- Scarpino: Big Bad Gina
- JJ’s Grill: Steppin Stones
- Billy’s Grill: Ransom
- Hooters: The Great Scotts
- Mojo’s Pints & Pies: Toe Funk Jam Band / Darrell Brooks
- Rowdy Beaver Den: Ouachita River Band / One Night Stand
- JR’s Lightbulb Club: Glory Bones / Forever Blowing Bubbles
- Speakeasy: Leather & Lace Costume Party
Sunday, Oct. 2
