Music and Mayhem

Highlights 

 

Fall Back

Daylight Savings Time retires this weekend, which means it will be even darker when you wake up on Sunday. Set your clocks back one-hour on Saturday night. The official time change occurs at 2 a.m. Sunday.

 

Music and Mayhem

It’s music frenzy this week. First, it’s Halloween and the clubs are stepping up their game like we’ve never seen before. Second, it’s George’s 82nd birthday. The Dickson Street club has lined up some super shows for the next few days. And finally, it’s homecoming for the Hogs, which means there will be more folks in town to celebrate. Check out the Music Listings on page 10 to find out where you want to party. The crush of costume contests and Halloween parties are on both Friday and Saturday.

There’s also the big Masquerade Ball at the Town Center on Friday night sponsored by Community Access TV. For a list of Halloween events happening around NWA check out 8 Days a Week on page 5.

 

George Winston Sunday afternoon at the WAC

Grammy-winning pianist and composer George Winston will make a tour stop in Fayetteville for a 2 p.m. show Sunday at the Walton Arts Center. Winston is one of the most versatile solo pianists performing today. Perhaps best known for his Professor Longhair and New Orleans influenced tunes, he says that he plays three styles: the New Orleans style, stride, which is the style of Fats Waller and Teddy Wilson and “folk piano” a style that he came up with in 1971, inspired by R&B, rock and folk. He says he treats the piano as an Afro-American tuned drum as well as using the natural overtones of the piano. Winston generally asks those who attend his concerts to bring a canned food item for local food banks and he is making this request of those who attend the WAC performance. Tickets are $30.50-$42.50.

 

Afinidad

Jazz ensemble Afinidad with pianist Edward Simon and saxophonist David Binney has chosen the Walton Arts Center for the world premiere of “Sorrows and Triumphs.” Together with five other jazz musicians Afinidad will perform two shows at the intimate Starr Theater on Friday.

 “Sorrows & Triumphs” consists of short pieces that showcases the improvisational skills of the individual members of the ensemble. The music is a blend of jazz, Latin and classical.

Simon was born in Venezuela and classically trained at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and the Manhattan School of Music. As a teenager, he performed with Herbie Mann, Manny Oquendo and Paquito D’Rivera.

Jazz Times chose Binney, who is the the co-leader of Afinidad, as one of the “young players who have created an alternative jazzscene.”

Joining Simon and Binney are vocalist Gretchen Parlato, bassist Scott Colley, guitarist Adam Rogers and percussionists Antonio Sanchez and Rogerio Boccato.

Tickets are $20.50 to $35.50. Shows are at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Categories: Features