Sunpie Barnes and the Louisiana Sunspots
March 11, 7:00PM
New Orleans music icon Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes and the Louisiana Sunspots, his world-class 6-piece band, will be performing at 7:00, Saturday, March 11, at the historic Lyric Theater on the Harrison square. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are now available for $15.
It is no exaggeration to say that Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes is one of the most talented and compelling artists we have ever welcomed to the Lyric stage. Having interned as a river guide right here on the Buffalo, he has been a National Park Ranger in Louisiana for most of his life, spent time as a professional football player with the Kansas City Chiefs, is a photographer, actor, and author, a former high school biology teacher…and his multi-instrumentalist skills, great band, and beautiful baritone vocals make blues/zydeco fusion music that has to be experienced to be understood—but
from the first chord, you’re hooked for life!
Sunpie recently completed a 58 city tour spanning 34 countries, playing in the bands of both Paul Simon and Sting in their “Paul Simon and Sting Together” tour. Along with his musical group, he has traveled worldwide playing festivals with his unique style of what he calls Afro-Louisiana music incorporating blues, zydeco, gospel, Caribbean and African influenced rhythms and melodies. He is a multi-instrumentalist, master accordion and harmonica player, and also plays piano, rubboard, talking drum, and dejembe. His sound is known as Bouje Bouje music meaning “music that moves” and is Louisiana music at its best. Sunpie has performed for over 20 years at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and shared the stage at festivals with artists from across the globe including Willie Nelson, BB King, Dr. John, The Neville Brothers, Willie Dixon and Phish. He has recorded 6 critically acclaimed CDs with his compositions currently featured in 16 Hollywood film productions.
When Sunpie plays in Harrison, it is always to a packed house!
With sponsorship by Neighbor’s Mill Bakery & Café, the Ozark Arts Council is thrilled to invite you to the return of a Lyric Theater favorite, Sunpie Barnes and the Louisiana Sunspots! Tickets are on sale now; head to our ticketing page or call (870) 391-3504 early to choose your favorite seats!
Ben de la Cour, 2016 Kerrville “New Folk” Award Winner, presented by Crooked Creek
March 18, 7:00PM
Ben de la Cour has lived a different kind of life. After growing up in Brooklyn, he set out to see the world as an amateur boxer, bartender, janitor, and agricultural worker in Havana, London, Los Angeles and New Orleans before settling in Nashville. Influenced as much by giants such as Townes Van Zandt and Warren Zevon as by Nick Cave and The Gun Club, Ben de la Cour has managed to meld all of these influences into a uniquely modern, haunting and sometimes darkly humorous sound that is all his own. Says No Depression magazine, “Ben de la Cour’s songs are
brimming with urgent authenticity. There is thematic hardness and vulnerability throughout, but what distinguishes de la Cour’s songs from lesser guitar-and-anguished-vocals hacks is the raw humanity of his delivery and the potency of his way with words.” According to Crooked Creek Concerts founder Aaron Smith, Ben’s music is more Hamlet than Howard Stern, and deals with some adult issues, so parental guidance is suggested for those under 18.
On March 18 at 7:00, the Ozark Arts Council welcomes the second chapter of 2017’s Crooked Creek Concert Series with 2016 Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk Winner Ben de la Cour, with an opening act of local talent, Scott and Karen Fancher. Tickets are available online through the OAC ticketing page or at (870) 391-3504.
Chicago songwriter Heather Styka is not afraid to go where others fear to tread. Beneath “sweet, soulful vocals” (Portland Press Herald) and “nimble fingerpicked guitar” (Dispatch Magazine) lie narratives of vulnerability, strength, and wanderlust, played and sung with fierce and fearless honesty. An award-winning writer with a #3 album on the FOLK-DJ charts and a Kerrville “New Folk” finalist already at the age of 28, she has performed for over a decade, released four full-length albums, and toured from coast to coast. Now, Heather Styka is coming to Harrison’s Lyric Theater with Ronnie Long for a 7:00 concert on Thursday, January 26.
Heather Styka should be a good fit for all of those who have loved live entertainment at the Lyric: with training both as a poet and an actor, she is equal parts wordsmith and entertainer. Colored by a quirky sense of humor and peppered with confessional storytelling, Styka’s live shows are intimate and candid as late night conversation. Heather started writing and performing as a teenager in the Chicago suburbs. Honing her craft among Chicago’s long-standing folk community, she hit the road after graduating with a degree in creative writing.
With a very direct storytelling style, Styka is noted both for her nimble fingerpicking and for her essential poetry and vocal purity. As Tim Carroll of FolkWords says, her “unique delivery combines the influences of a fragile Irish air, the warm effervescence of upbeat Americana, soulful country, and mournful blues.” Her eclectic background shines through both in style and in subject matter; songs like “Love in the Multiverse” and “Caspian Sea” reveal Styka’s intellectual curiosity—and her passion for philosophy, history, and theoretical physics—while the earnest and catchy pop sensibilities of “Careful With My Heart” caught the ears of a number of peers who now cover that song, including Joe Jencks (Brother Sun) and Scott Cook.
Styka’s latest album, The Bittersweet Tapes (2016), “tugs the ear on first listen and greets you like an old friend on subsequent visits” (Simon Rigby, Indie Music Portal). These gut-punch pretty songs nod to traditional folk, classic country, and even garage rock, carried by Styka’s emotive vocals. With such diversity, she is recommended for anyone who likes Iris DeMent, Feist, Aoife O’Donovan, Joan Armatrading, Damien Rice, Josh Ritter, Gillian Welch, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Leonard Cohen, or Bonnie Raitt. In other words, Heather Styka will fit well into the Lyric’s catalogue of great artists, from Eric Bibb to the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and is sure to delight everyone who attends this Thursday’s concert.
The Ozark Arts Council, in association with Crooked Creek Concerts, presents Heather Styka, with special guest Ronnie Long. Tickets are $10 and available by clicking any of our Get Tickets links, or by calling (870) 391-3504. The Ozark Arts Council will also be sponsoring Business After Hours for the Harrison Regional Chamber of Commerce prior to the show. Those who attend the 5:00 Business After Hours event will be able to discount their tickets by $2 each. Ugo’s Pizzeria will be running a ready-to-eat single portion special for Business After Hours/Heather Styka attendees, as well, so that you can catch a bite to eat without having to leave the square. (To get the special ticket price when you purchase online, just enter the code BAH when you check out.)
Marvelous Misfits Vaudeville Variety Show December 3 Show CANCELLED
RESCHEDULING for January, 2017 (Will still be an 8:00PM showtime) Tickets will be on sale presently!
The Marvelous Misfits Vaudeville Variety Show,
headquartered in Little Rock, but with performers from all over the country, features juggling, hooping, magic, mentalism, comedy, theater, singing, sideshow
and dancing acts. The show is different each time, with a rotating cast of performers. Paul Prater (who marvelously mystified many when he performed solo at The Lyric a few years ago) is your emcee for this night of fun, excitement and incredible entertainment. You may see a little sideshow, some mind-reading, or maybe some magic; you never know what Paul will provide!
Paul’s co producer is Arty Dodger—the Dapper Dabbler in Danger, the Virtuoso of Vaudeville, the Beethoven of Balance, the Juggernaut of Jugglers, and Devourer Incendium. A small town boy with Southern charm, Arty Dodger has spent years honing his craft of the art of juggling and balance. With the influence of early vaudeville and variety performers, Arty boasts a wide repertoire, including stilt walking, fire eating and hat, cane, and cigar manipulation as well as high energy juggling with fire, knives, and any other inanimate object that beseech him. (Better look lively in your seat or he may try to juggle you!)
Paul and Arty have assembled a group of performers that never fail to amaze and entertain, and they will be #LiveAtTheLyricat 8:00pm on Saturday, December 3!
New Year’s Eve EVE Party
w/The Downtown Livewires!
December 30, 2016 – 7:00PM to Midnight
(Party Begins at 7:00, Live Music Begins at 8:00)
The Downtown Livewires, based in one of the fastest growing regions in the nation, Northwest Arkansas (Bentonville/Fayetteville), play high energy Electric Blues/Rock, Memphis blues, and legacy blues. Audiences of their shows love to dance and sing along, no matter the venue, whether it be clubs, festivals, private parties, concerts, or city events. Now, they’re coming to The Lyric to provide music for our five-hour-long New Year’s Eve EVE Party! Come at 7 to grab some drinks and food, find a seat with your friends, and be ready for the show to begin at 8!
Down home Memphis blues in Northwest Arkansas? You bet—Just call THE DOWNTOWN LIVEWIRES! I’ve mixed countless bands over the years and these guys lay it down right. Always a pleasure to work with, too!
Their first CD, “Cruisin’ for a Bluesin,”came out August 2nd, 2013 with a Release Party (with 2 hours of live music from the band) at George’s Majestic Lounge on Dickson St in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Their new CD “I’ll Do It Today, But Not Right Now” came out in January, 2016.
The Downtown Livewires are exactly that! LIVEWIRES! It’s like hiring a party in a box; They come with enthusiasm, talent, energy and always bring a happy crowd! The Downtown Livewires is a group of dedicated, knowledgeable, well- rehearsed and hardworking professional musicians who come to play their hearts out and raise the roof every time…
~ Andy Green, Director of Productions, Downtown Bentonville, Inc.
The leader of the band is Roger Thomas from Bentonville, Arkansas. Roger was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee (South-Central, Oakhaven neighborhood) until he was 30 (with some time in Harrison, Arkansas, during high school), playing professionally there through his 20’s. Roger is known for talking and picking out people in the audiences with whom to have on-stage conversations, sometimes jumping off the stage and playing, dancing and singing within the crowd. He also invites guests to sing songs on-stage, and maybe even play tambourine.
Bob “Super Harp” Coleman is out of New Haven, Connecticut, and is a world-class harmonica player who also sings some of the lead vocals. Bob has played with blues legends all over the country throughout his illustrious career.
Dan Doebele from Kansas City, Missouri is an absolute beast on lead electric guitar, is known by all other professional musicians to be one of the elite guitarists in the region, and plays slide with anything handy!
Kurt “Where’s Kurt?” Haas is on keyboards and vocals from Lone Star, Texas, and is known for his stellar new arrangements of old blues songs.
The rhythm section of Mark Vanderhoof on drums and Jan Sallings on bass is one of the most tenured blues rhythm sections in the country, and audience members often find themselves fixated on their musicianship and killer beats and fretboard runs.
The Downtown Livewires put on a show that is out of this world, absolutely engaging, full of fun and great party music, in which audiences keep calling them back for more!
I am never surprised when Roger Thomas and The Downtown Livewires Band brings the largest crowd of the summer to our City of Bentonville’s Orchard Concert Series. They bring their own crowd, and they have a great following. Over the last two years, they have proven to be professional, and one of the best sounds of any band we hire. We will continue to hire them for events in our city.
~ David Wright, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Bentonville
Need more recommendations? See Roger’s personal Facebook page where he not only has 4,200+ “Likes,” but segments them by town/city based on where the band plays for events. The Downtown Livewires have fans from all over—and a lot of them travel to every show within a few hours’ drive…so don’t sleep on this, thinking that you’ll always be able to get tickets! This will be a sold out show!
Go ahead and “Like” and “Share” the band’s Facebook page, too; share the good times with your friends!
This is a great video of the band performing in the studio when they were recording their first single, “Just Say It Once”, released August 2nd, 2013:
Kaz Hawkins—winner of Blues and Soul Magazine’s 2014 “Rising Star” Award and Blues Matters Magazine’s “Best Studio Album of 2015” award, among many others—is taking a little trip away from Ireland in December…because, where else would anyone be when they could be downtown on the Harrison, Arkansas square at our historic Lyric Theater!
Tickets are on sale now for the December 17 appearance of Kaz Hawkins. Kaz has been favorably compared to both Etta James and Janis Joplin; mixing through the genres of music she finally found her niche in roots music bringing a fun,
inspiring and hopeful message with her debut album Get Ready self-released in August 2014…and, as indicated in the first paragraph, she’s been out conquering the world ever since!
Called “A Vocal Force” on stage, Kaz Hawkins envelops the fighting spirit of a true powerhouse singer. Kaz is loved for her down to earth attitude, brings fun to every performance and is loved not only by her fans, but anyone who meets her.
Just a Little Swing for Christmas!
The Lisa Perry Quartet
December 10, 2017 at 7:00PM
Lisa Perry is a true renaissance woman. Any one of her talents would be enough to build a career on, but instead of so mundane an undertaking, she has followed the more enlightened path of building a life that integrates them all to bring joy and beauty to others.
Lisa grew up in a family that loves music and started singing and playing at a very early age. The daughter of a Texas Methodist minister, Lisa was surrounded by music both at church and in the home. Her grandfather—a cook on the Santa Fe Trail—played fiddle tunes for old-time barn dances. Her brother, Randy Crouch, fronts the Oklahoma band “Flying Horse” and has, for example, played fiddle and pedal steel on Lisa’s “Canyon Rose” album.
Music, art and nature are closely linked in Perry’s world.
“My maternal grandmother in Post, Texas would take us out to the canyons and we’d draw the things we saw,” Perry said.
“My dad’s mother was into working with thread and textiles.” Embroidery has been one of her favorite mediums for a long time. “My embroidery art is kind of the result of things both my grandmothers were teaching me when I was young,” she said.
Consider those names for a moment, and you’ll have an understanding of what the Lisa Perry Quartet brings; just for a start:
John Hartford won Grammys in three decades, wrote “Gentle on My Mind,” and was central to the soundtrack of O Brother, Where Art Thou
Vasar Clements is called “The King of Hillbilly Swing”
Bonnie Raitt has won Grammys for the “Americana” style, but is generally considered a blues slide guitarist…and is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Lisa brings that same sort of mixture to her performances, giving everyone something to enjoy. Her smooth jazzy vocal style has delighted audiences everywhere. A big fan of Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughn, Lisa performs favorites from the 30’s and 40’s along with many standards and a host of original material (she has written literally hundreds of songs). As the Cibola County Beacon (Grants, New Mexico) said, “Although it might be a little difficult to categorize, the music by Lisa Perry is captivating and different.”
Her renditions of nostalgic songs are enchanting to hear. It’s especially delightful when she sings such favorites as “On a Clear Day,” “As Time Goes By” and “Till There Was You.”
~ Chet Callero, The Daily Commercial (Leesburg, Florida)
Painter, gardener, embroiderer, singer, songwriter, instrumentalist Lisa Perry will bring her distinctive and captivating style to the historic Lyric Theater on the Harrison, Arkansas square to perform with The Lisa Perry Quartet on Saturday evening, December 10, 2016 at 7:00. Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Beltone of Harrison, tickets for this concert, “Just a Little Swing for Christmas!” are only $5.00 and are on sale now through the OAC’s ticketing web site or by calling (870) 391-3504.
Still on the Hill Presents a FREE
“Still a River” Concert
Still on the Hill presents a brand new show in this free community concert at the Lyric Theater, 7:30 on October 7! Not only is the concert itself free, but they will be giving away CDs to the first 100 families through the door. (Doors open at 6:30.)
Kelly & Donna Mulhollan of Still on the Hill are award winning ‘story telling-song writers’. Different from most singer-songwriters, this dynamic duo embellishes their songs with a host of unique instruments from the hills they call home. Many of these were hand-made by old-timers and have amazing stories that go with them.
The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra!
July 8 at 6:00PM
The world famous Glenn Miller Orchestra will be swinging back into the historic Lyric Theater on the Harrison, Arkansas square at 6:00 on July 8, 2017! After an initial pre-sale period to Ozark Arts Council members, ticket sales are now open to the public. (To be eligible for our ticket pre-sales—which for some events include ticket discounts—join the OAC today, and to be always up to date on OAC news, Be watching this site and subscribe to our OAC eNews.)
The first Glenn Miller Orchestra did not make it at all. It was a total and absolute economic failure. But Glenn knew what he wanted, held to that dedication and relentlessly worked to succeed. He launched his second band–the one that lives on today–in March of 1938. The Glenn Miller Orchestra has been a “hit” ever since.
The legendary Glenn Miller was one of the most successful of all dance bandleaders back in the Swing Era of the 1930’s and 40’s. A matchless string of hit records, the constant impact of radio broadcasts and the drawing power at theatres, hotels and dance pavilion, built and sustained the momentum of popularity.
Glenn disbanded his musical organization in 1942 at the height of its popularity to volunteer for the Army. There, he organized and led the famous Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band. It went to Europe to entertain servicemen performing numerous live and radio shows. On December 15, 1944, Major Miller took off in a single engine plane from Europe to precede his band to France, disappearing over the English Channel, never to be seen again. The army declared him officially dead a year later.
With the release of the major motion movie “The Glenn Miller Story” featuring Jimmy Stewart and June Allyson in 1954, interest and popular demand led the Miller Estate to authorize the formation of the present Glenn Miller Orchestra. On June 6, 1956, and under the direction of drummer Ray McKinley who had become the unofficial leader of the Army Air Force Band after Glenn’s disappearance, the reformed Glenn Miller Orchestra performed its first concert and has been on the road ever since. Other leaders have followed Ray including clarinetists Buddy DeFranco and Peanuts Hucko, trombonists Buddy Morrow, Jimmy Henderson, Larry O’Brien and Gary Tole, and tenor saxophonist Dick Gerhart. Since January 2012, vocalist Nick Hilscher leads the band.
Today, the 18 member ensemble continues to play many of the original Miller arrangements both from the civilian band and the AAFB libraries. Additionally, it also plays some more modern selections arranged and performed in the Miller style and sound. The Glenn Miller Orchestra is owned and operated by Glenn Miller Productions, Inc., under license from the Miller Estate. Glenn Miller Productions, Inc., has the sole and exclusive right to use the Glenn Miller Orchestra name—so, this is not a “tribute to the Glenn Miller Orchestra,” but the orchestra that is in official and unbroken succession to the original.
The big-band business today requires almost constant travel as a result of an arduous schedule of one-night stands. The Glenn Miller Orchestra is “on the road” longer and more continuously than any other in the whole world, having celebrated its 60th year anniversary on June 6. It covers over a hundred thousand miles a year, working most every night for 48 weeks out of every 52-nearly 300 playing dates, performing for an “in person” audience that adds up to more than a half million people annually.
Just as it was in Glenn’s day, the Glenn Miller Orchestra today is still the most sought after big band in the world. But when it comes to seeing the Glenn Miller Orchestra in Arkansas in 2017, there is exactly ONE place to do it: #OnlyAtTheLyric!
After the overwhelming response to the special appearance of the world famous Glenn Miller Orchestra on June 26, 2016, the band will be returning to Harrison for it’s only Arkansas performance of 2017, 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 8!
On June 23 at 7:00pm, join us at the Lyric for a fundraiser for the Boone County Heritage Museum with An Evening with the Platters!
blues/zydeco fusion music that has to be experienced to be understood—but
Van Zandt and Warren Zevon as by Nick Cave and The Gun Club, Ben de la Cour has managed to meld all of these influences into a uniquely modern, haunting and sometimes darkly humorous sound that is all his own. Says No Depression magazine, “Ben de la Cour’s songs are
Aaron Smith, Ben’s music is more Hamlet than Howard Stern, and deals with some adult issues, so parental guidance is suggested for those under 18.
Paul’s co producer is Arty Dodger—the Dapper Dabbler in Danger, the Virtuoso of Vaudeville, the Beethoven of Balance, the Juggernaut of Jugglers, and Devourer Incendium. A small town boy with Southern charm, Arty Dodger has spent years honing his craft of the art of juggling and balance. With the influence of early vaudeville and variety performers, Arty boasts a wide repertoire, including stilt walking, fire eating and hat, cane, and cigar manipulation as well as high energy juggling with fire, knives, and any other inanimate object that beseech him. (Better look lively in your seat or he may try to juggle you!)
genres of music she finally found her niche in roots music bringing a fun,
the things we saw,” Perry said.
Lisa brings that same sort of mixture to her performances, giving everyone something to enjoy. Her
Arkansas square to perform with The Lisa Perry Quartet on Saturday evening, December 10, 2016 at 7:00. Thanks to the generous sponsorship of 
