Music will be aplenty around downtown Eureka Springs this weekend.
The 76th annual Original Ozark Folk Festival, the longest-running folk festival in the country, gets underway Thursday, Nov. 9 and will continue through Saturday, Nov. 11.
“This year we are featuring rising stars of the folk world and celebrating the American songwriter,” according to a post on the event’s Facebook page. “The festival includes The Barefoot Ball, Hedgehoppers, The Ozark Folk Fair, offering two days of free live music and an Arts and Crafts show.”
Main events will be at The Auditorium, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, with the Hedgehoppers, a Eureka Springs class of square-dancing third-graders, who perform a traditional Ozark dance and song.
“For over 60 years, every third-grader has had the chance to participate as a Hedgehopper, making it a beloved and cherished tradition that brings the entire town together,” according to the event’s website. “And this year, we’re taking it up a notch — upper classes will also be showing off their musical talents.”
From 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday, The Ballroom at Basin Park Hotel will host the annual Barefoot Ball, featuring “classic honky tonk country” band Jumpsuit Jamey and the Can’t Wait to Play Boys along with The NightTimers.
The Auditorium basement will host The Ozark Folk Fair beginning at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 10, and Saturday, Nov. 11, with free music.
Trout Fishing in America and Matt the Electrician will headline the day’s performances at The Aud with concerts Friday night while John Fullbright and the trio of Melissa Carper, Brennen Leigh and Kelly Willis will headline the main stage show on Saturday night.
While the main events of The Ozark Folk Festival will be held at The Auditorium, 11 other venues around downtown will host musicians as part of the festival weekend. • The Balcony Restaurant at Basin Park Hotel will host Dale Kellison at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Papa Doug at 6 p.m. on Friday, Jeff Lee beginning at noon on Saturday and Mountain Alice at 6 p.m. on Saturday night. Mike Gruning will perform at 5 p.m. Friday at Jack Rabbett’s Whisky Bar, also at Basin Park Hotel.
• The Top of the Crest at Crescent Hotel will have Tim Hillwood at 6 p.m. Thursday. La Cena will feature the Michael Wouters Duo at 5 p.m. Friday. Will Allen will perform at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Frisco Sporting Club.
• Chelsea’s has a full weekend of shows including Alex Hawf Revue at 9 p.m. Thursday, Gary Lawrence at 4 p.m. and Eureka Strings at 9 p.m. on Friday, The NightTimers at 4 p.m. and Chucky Waggs and the Company of Raggs with Say Darlin’ Say at 9 p.m. will entertain on Saturday and John Henry & Brennan take the stage at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 12.
• Slane Tavern will host Jimi Gibbons at 7 p.m. Friday and Randall Shreve at 7 p.m. Saturday.
• The New Delhi Cafe will have music from The Bad Jacksons on Thursday and Vintage on Friday and Saturday.
• Wanderoo Lodge and Gravel Bar will host Los Roscoes beginning at 5 p.m. on Thursday, 96 Miles at 7 p.m. Friday and Dale Kellison at 7 p.m. Saturday.
• Gotahold Brewing will have Jake Reno at 5 p.m. on Saturday.
• Missy’s White Rabbit Lounge will have The Bad Jacksons at 8 p.m. on Friday and Jeff Horton Trio at 8 p.m. on Saturday.
• Spring on Main will have shows from Treja Vu at 6 p.m. on Thursday and Dylan Hawf as part of “Bluegrass Brunch” on Sunday.
• The Rowdy Beaver Den will have Coyote Claw Band at 8 p.m. Friday, Randy Warren at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dale Stokes Band at 8 p.m. on Saturday and Mountain Alice at 1 p.m. Sunday.
For more information on all the events of the weekend visit the Original Ozark Folk Festival page on Facebook.
