Posts in category: Live Jam

It plays like the lore from the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Deb Docherty began a career in the entertainment industry when she was discovered in the early 1980s while standing at a phone booth in Downtown Pittsburgh. An agent saw her from the street asked her if she was interested in modeling.

Though she was initially studying marine biology, she seized the opportunity. She began working with local retailers and department stores like Gimbels.

“Our mother was a model, too, and when you see the pictures of my mother and Debby at the same age, it gives you goosebumps – she had my mother’s grace,” said Michael Docherty, one of her six siblings. “She was a natural.”

After five years under the lens, she parlayed her modeling work into a thriving career behind the camera.

She founded the Docherty Modeling and Talent Agency in 1987. She funded the business with a credit card because banks weren’t eager to give a woman a loan, according to Jared Pascoe, the agency’s director.

In November 2020, Docherty was diagnosed with ALS. On Tuesday, she died at 63 years old.

Docherty was born in DuBois, Pa., and grew up in Wexford. She spent many years in Edgewood, where she raised her son, Daniel. In recent years, she moved to Fox Chapel.

“She was my mentor,” said Pascoe. “She spent years advocating and developing talent, thousands of careers, and has impacted the Pittsburgh entertainment community.”

Docherty opened the agency on Market Street across from Froggy’s bar, knowing that’s where advertising executives would hang out. The agency expanded from Pittsburgh into Ohio and brought up local talent like Zachary Quinto and Joe Manganiello.

Docherty had a knack for identifying potential in someone, even if they didn’t see it themselves, Pascoe said.

Pascoe was promoted to lead the agency shortly after Docherty’s diagnosis, but she remained in an advisory role. He said he is grateful for her guidance.

“I think most people are one helping hand away from where they want to be, and it’s amazing to have someone like her that recognizes something in you,” Pascoe said.

“One thing she said to me that was so freeing: when I first started, I would pay such close attention to the details and be so afraid of messing up that sometimes I got in my own way. She told me, it’s ok to (mess) up. We all (mess) up. Just own it. Don’t try to hide it. Learn from it,” Pascoe said. “That was one of the last conversations we had.”

Docherty’s brothers, Michael and John, became more involved with the agency as her health waned.

As he got more enmeshed in the company, Michael saw how his sister impacted the people she worked with.

“Especially on the talent side, as soon as they heard my last name, they would immediately tell me about how she went above and beyond helping them,” Michael Docherty said. “Any agent is going to support their talent, but she would do things like drive up to New York with models on her own dime to introduce them to agencies there.”

Donna Belajac, owner and president of Pittsburgh-based Donna Belajac Casting, said Docherty ran her agency with “integrity.”

“She took actors under her wing, was kind and was always trying to think of solutions to problems, even in their personal lives. I remember one young model was having emotional problems and financial issues. Deb was running out in the middle of the night to her house to see if she was OK.”

Docherty could see creative solutions others didn’t see.

“At first, I’d say that a suggestion didn’t make sense, but then it would turn out great and I’m like, ‘Damn Deb.’ She always had a different take on things and it was really valuable.

Belajac and Docherty first met in the early ’80s when Belajac was working as a casting director for a production company. Docherty was a model for different fashion accounts in Pittsburgh. Their friendship sparked when Docherty gave her a gift of sorts.

“I would cast her in commercials,” Belajac said. “I must have mentioned to her that it was an adolescent dream of mine to be a model. She talked with the photographer shooting the Gimbels ads and worked with a stylist to put me in an ad.”

When Belajac began her own modeling agency, Docherty signed with her and helped train new models. Eventually, Docherty decided to break out on her own and they were competitors for 10 years.

“We were vying to for the same models,” she said.

After they both had kids, they realized they preferred different sides of the business.

“I liked casting, and she liked the modeling side,” Belajac said. “So we swapped. And that set it up the way it is in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles where casting directors and talent agents are separate.”

“We became dear friends,” she said. “She was one of the best people I know.”

She is survived by her son Daniel Schapira (Praneeta), her partner David Volk, sisters Karen James, Kathleen Docherty, Maureen Docherty, Cathy Bigham, and her brothers John Docherty, Bob Docherty, Michael Docherty, stepmother Patricia Docherty and stepchildren David Schapira and Stacy Shay.

She was preceded in death by her parents John and Jacqueline, her stepbrother William Carlisle, her nephew David Docherty and her ex-husband Evan Schapira.

A celebration of Docherty’s life to be held on May 5, 2023, at Allegheny RiverTrail Park in Aspinwall. Donations are welcome to the ALS Association of Western Pennsylvania.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — The Rochester Lilac Festival is coming up soon to celebrate springtime in Upstate New York. This will be the 125th time that the event is being held.

This year, the festival will begin on Friday, May 12, and will end on Sunday, May 21. The festival is open during those days between 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The public is invited to check out the largest collection of lilacs in North America. According to the festival, over 1,800 bushes and over 500 different varieties of lilacs will be showcased at the festival.

However, lilacs aren’t the only thing attendees can look forward to. During the 10-day spring celebration, there will be multiple events, vendors, and shows for visitors to enjoy. Below is a breakdown of the festival’s main events and concerts, as well as parking information, a map of the festival grounds, and vendors.

Festival Schedule:

Concert List:

Festival organizers released the concert line-up for the festival in early March, with Pigeons Playing Ping Pong being announced later as a surprise headliner on the first day of the festival.

Each of the below concerts is free to attend, however, those looking for a more “elevated” experience can purchase a VIP ticket to view the concert on a party deck.

All proceeds made from the VIP tickets for the concert on May 19 will go directly towards 490Farmers — a community garden on state-owned land.

Special Events:

Saturday, May 13:

• The Lilac Parade will be held at 10:30 a.m. The parade will begin on South Avenue at Science Parkway before heading towards Highland Avenue and ending near Goodman St.
• The 2023 Lilac Wine Tasting Expo will take place through two separate sessions. The first session will be between 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. while the second session will be 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. If you can’t wait for this event, you can purchase VIP tickets and enjoy the event an hour early.
• Art in the Park is a juried art show featuring original work from across the nation. The show will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and continue on Sunday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Wednesday, May 17:

• Seniors Day will feature special entertainment on the Lilac Center Stage, lunch specials, and more time to view the gardens and lilacs. The main stage entertainment will begin at 10:30 a.m.

Saturday, May 20:

• The Rochester Lilac Craft Beer Festival will take place between 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The expo will feature many breweries, craft cider makers, and distilleries. If you want to attend this event earlier, you can purchase a VIP ticket online to attend an hour early. All tickets are available online.
• The Lilac Health & Wellness Expo, presented by Evans Bank and Whole Foods, features products related to health, self-care, nutrition, weight loss, and personal development. The expo will go until May 21.

Sunday, May 21 (Last Day!):

• The Lilac 5K/10K, presented by the JCC of Greater Rochester, will be held starting at 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Big Top Tent. The event will benefit Champion Academy, an organization aiming to help teens overcome trauma. Registration is available on the event’s website.
• The Dunkin’ Dash, another race held this day, is for people of all ages and will provide donuts from Dunkin’ Donuts. Those who participate in the race will get a donut and a T-shirt.

Festival Map:

Food Vendors:

The festival will feature a multitude of food vendors and trucks located throughout the many areas of the festival grounds — located at the Purple Crosswalk, Beyond the Arches, Garden Battles Loop, the Big Top Food Tent, the traffic circle trail, and near the arts and crafts show.

These vendors will include Big Kahuna, Macarollin’, Wraps on Wheels, Le Petit Poutine, Abbott’s Frozen Custard, and Sticky Lips BBQ.

A full list of the areas on festival grounds that have food vendors, as well as the list of vendors, can be found on the Festival’s website.

Parking:

Organizers say that those who are driving to the festival have two choices for parking According to the website, the price for parking is $7 per car:

• The first parking option is next to 1000 Elmwood Avenue, which is located just south of the festival site.
• The second option is located at 1065 Elmwood Avenue.

Alternatively, on weekends, there is a shuttle service to and from the festival that operates from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. On May 13, the day of the parade, the shuttle will start running at 8:30 a.m. Those looking to use the shuttle may park at Monroe Community College’s Brighton Campus.

Bob Dylan debuted his cover of the Grateful Dead’s 1970 song “Truckin’” in Japan Wednesday night.

The legendary singer-songwriter has performed a handful of Dead tracks in the past, but he’s never played “Truckin’,” which tells the story of a drug bust at a New Orleans hotel where Jerry Garcia and his bandmates were staying.

Dylan has long been a fan of the Grateful Dead, touring with them in the ‘80s and releasing the live album Dylan & the Dead in 1989. It’s long been rumored that at one point he asked if he could join the band but was rejected after the members put it to a vote.

“Truckin’” is one of the songs Dylan wrote about in his latest book, The Philosophy of Modern Song. “The Grateful Dead are not your usual rock ’n’ roll band,” he noted. “They’re essentially a dance band. They have more in common with Artie Shaw and bebop than they do with the Byrds or the Stones. Whirling dervish dancers are as much a part of their music as anything else. … With most bands, the audience participates like in a spectator sport. They just stand there and watch. They keep a distance. With the Dead, the audience is part of the band – they might as well be on the stage.”

Dylan is currently on the road with his Rough and Rowdy Ways tour, which continues across Japan before a series of European dates that run until July 9.

Okay, folks, this is not a drill. The Muppets Mayhem series is finally coming to Disney+, and when I say “everybody is in it,” I really mean EVERYBODY IS IN IT.

Muppets media is well-known for its hilarious cameos — who doesn’t love the Muppets? — but this musical film, which follows the house/jam band Dr. Teeth And The Electric Mayhem as they try to record their first album after 40 years, has all the justification it needs to pack in the guest stars like fans at a Phish concert.

You want musicians? Series stars Lilly Singh and Tahj Mowry (as a pair of record execs) pair up the band with EDM stars DeadMau5 and Zedd, while an in-film documentary clip features Chris Stapleton, Lil Nas X, and Tommy Lee paying homage to the fictional band and even crediting them with their influence.

Weird Al makes an appearance in the clip above, as do Cheech and Chong. Kesha shows up. Not only does Morgan Freeman show up, but he also does so rocking a bright blue wig and matching fedora! There’s even a Grease/Anchorman-style Stan gang war after Dr. Teeth accidentally upsets the Beyhive AND the Swifties at the same time (have mercy on his soul, Jesus)!

You can check out the trailer above and catch all episodes of the series on Disney+ beginning May 10.

■  ■  ■ TODAY ■  ■  ■

LITTLE ROCK

 ◼️ JJ’s Grill, 12111 W. Markham St.; (501) 414-0848; jjsgrill.com

8:30-11:30 p.m.: Markus Pearson

◼️ Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 107 River Market Ave.; (501) 372-7707; stickyz.com

8-11 p.m.: Elise Trouw, with Monsterboy Lives ($15-$120)

◼️ Sullivan’s Steakhouse, 17707 Chenal Parkway; (501) 817-3971; sullivanssteakhouse.com

6-9 p.m.: Ken Wiley Trio

◼️ Twin Peaks, 10 Shackleford Drive; (501) 224-1790; twinpeaksrestaurant.com

6-9 p.m.: Bluesboy Jag

◼️ Undercroft, Basement of Christ Episcopal Church, East Capitol Avenue at Scott Street; (501) 375-2342

8 p.m.: Wildflower Revue — Amy Garland Angel, Mandy McBryde Harrison, Cindy Woolf ($10)

◼️ White Water Tavern, 2500 W. Seventh St.; (501) 375-8400; whitewatertavern.com

4 p.m.: Blues jam (no cover)

◼️ Willy D’s, 322 President Clinton Ave.; (501) 244-9550; willydspianobar.com

8 p.m.: Matteo Ellis, Alissa Musto, Susan Erwin Prowse

NORTH LITTLE ROCK

◼️ Center for Humanities and Arts, 3000 W. Scenic Drive; (501) 812-2831; uaptc.edu

7:30 p.m.: Naturally 7 ($25-$55)

MAUMELLE

◼️ Tavern Round the Bend, 26611 Arkansas 365; (501) 800-1123; tavern-round-the-bend.business.site

7:30-10:30 p.m.: Ashley Morris hosts open mic

BENTON

◼️ Valhalla, 226 W. South St.; (501) 316-4082; valhallabenton.com

6-9 p.m.: Cam Shelton

◼️ Native Dog Brewing, 125 Madison Ave. SE; (870) 231-3451; nativedogbrewing.com

7 p.m.: West Miller

CONWAY

◼️ JJ’s Grill, 1010 Main St.; (501) 336-0100; jjsgrill.com

8:30-11:30 p.m.: Derek Herndon

EL DORADO

◼️ Mad House 101, 101 E. Locust St.; (870) 444-3008; madhouse101.business.site

8 p.m.: Mason Halstead

EUREKA SPRINGS

◼️ Gravel Bar at Wanderoo, 216 W. Van Buren; (479) 363-6755; wanderoolodge.com

5 p.m.: Los Roscoes

FAYETTEVILLE

◼️ George’s Majestic Lounge, 519 W. Dickson St.; (479) 527-6618; georgesmajesticlounge.com

8:30 p.m. Shakedown Strings, with Noah Richmond & friends ($10)

FORT SMITH

◼️ Temple Live, 200 N. 11th St.; (479) 222-6186; templelive.com

8 p.m.: Blackberry Smoke, with Robert Jon & The Wreck ($39-$69)

HOT SPRINGS

◼️ Bourbon in the Bay, 5321 Central Ave.; (501) 520-5522

6:30-9 p.m.: Jerry Lewis

◼️ Jose’s Mexican Grill & Cantina, 5361 Central Ave.; (501) 525-9797; josesmexicangrill.com

5:30-8:30 p.m.: Jacob Flores

TEXARKANA

◼️ 1923 Banana Club, 223 Front St.; (903) 824-7674

6 p.m.: Piano Man

■  ■  ■ FRIDAY ■  ■  ■

LITTLE ROCK

◼️ The Hall, 721 W. Ninth St.; (501) 406-1364; littlerockhall.com

8 p.m.: Judah & The Lion, with Realfiction ($29.50-$104.50)

◼️ Historic Arkansas Museum, 200 E. Third St.; (501) 324-9351

8 p.m.: MarQuis Hunt and Mood

◼️ JJ’s Grill

8:30-11:30 p.m.: Blackstrap

◼️ Midtown Billiards, 1316 Main St.; (501) 372-9990

2-4 a.m.: Chris Baker Band

◼️ Old State House, 300 W. Markham St.; (501) 324-9685; arkansasheritage.com

5-8 p.m.: Dopolarians

◼️ Rev Room, 300 President Clinton Ave.; (501) 398-1323; revroom.com

8 -11:45 p.m.: Rave Reunion, featuring DJ Icey, DJ Sleepy Genius, DJ Ewell, DJ Haze and DJ Rainmaker ($20)

◼️ Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack

8-11:45 p.m. Huckleberry Jam, with the Chris Baker Band and Chris Bayles ($10-$60)

◼️ Shooters Bar & Grill, 9500 Interstate 30; (479) 287-9892

8 p.m.: Arriba Chihuahua, La Reunion, La Alianza, Manuel Reza

◼️ Sullivan’s Steakhouse

6-9 p.m.: Eric Ware Duo

◼️ Vino’s, 923 W. Seventh St.; (501) 375-8466; vinosbrewpub.com

7-11 p.m.: Tornado Relief Benefit Show

◼️ White Water Tavern

8 p.m.: John R. Miller, Leo Rondeau ($15)

◼️ Willy D’s

8 p.m.: Matteo Ellis, David Rasico, Alissa Musto, Johnny Fritts

NORTH LITTLE ROCK

◼️ Four Quarter Bar, 415 Main St.; (501) 313-4704; fourquarterbar.com

7 p.m.: Dogtown Throwdown, with Chris DeClerk

◼️ Spectator’s Grill, 1012 W. 34th St.; (501) 791-0990

8 p.m.-12 a.m.: Greg Madden

MAUMELLE

◼️ Tavern Round the Bend

9 p.m.: Karla Case Band

CAMDEN

◼️ Native Dog Brewing

7 p.m.: Cory Cross

CONWAY

◼️ JJ’s Grill

8 p.m.: Jason & Robby

◼️ Kings Live Music, 1020 Front St.; (501) 205-8512; kingslivemusic.com

8 p.m.: Akeem Kemp Band ($5)

◼️ Skinny J’s, 2235 Dave Ward Drive; (501) 358-6586; skinnyjs.com

7 p.m.: Josiah Spicer

◼️ Taylor’s Made Café, 283 Arkansas 365; (501) 470-3322

7:30 p.m.: Jocko & Chuck

FAYETTEVILLE

◼️ George’s Majestic Lounge

6 p.m.: Boss Tweeds ($8)

8:30 p.m.: Kitchen Dwellers, with Sicard Hollow ($20-$23)

◼️ Walton Arts Center, 495 W. Dickson St.; (479) 443-5600; waltonartscenter.org

7:30 p.m.: VoiceJam A Cappella Festival ($27-$29)

FORT SMITH

◼️ The Majestic, 817 Garrison Ave.; (479) 551-2424; majesticfortsmith.com

7 p.m.: Chad Prather & The Ragamuffins ($20-$25)

HOT SPRINGS

◼️ Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa, 239 Central Ave.; (501) 623-7771; arlingtonhotel.com

7:30-11:30 p.m.: Sensory 2 Band (lobby)

◼️ The Big Chill, 910 Higdon Ferry Road; (501) 624-5185; chillhotsprings.com

9-11:55 p.m.: Rockey Don

◼️ Central Cabaret & Nightclub, 1010 Central Ave; (501) 627-4075; centraltheatrehs.com

8 p.m.: Dawson Hollow ($10-$250)

◼️ J&S Italian Villa Restaurant & Bar, 4332 Central Ave.; (501) 525-1121; jandsitalian.com

6-9 p.m.: Jacob Flores

◼️ The Ohio Club, 336 Central Ave.; (501) 627-0702; theohioclub.com

8 p.m.: Christine DeMeo

◼️ Pop’s Lounge at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, 2705 Central Ave.; (501) 363-4784; oaklawn.com

4-8 p.m.: Cliff & Susan

9 p.m-1 a.m.: Pamela Hopkins Band

HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE

◼️ The Beehive, 220 Minorca Road; (501) 777-8176; beehivehsv.com

7-9 p.m.: Caitlin Dickerson

MAGNOLIA

◼️ Mulekick, 2158 N. Jackson; (870) 562-2600; mulekick.square.site

7-10 p.m.: Shaw Revolver

MORRILTON

◼️ Cedar Lounge Bar and Grill, 1222 ½ E Broadway St.; (501) 354-8937

8-11 p.m.: Sweethome Band

◼️ Point Remove Brewery, 102 S. Crestliner St.; (501) 477-4080; pointremovebrewingcompany.com

6-8 p.m.: Kordsmeier

OZARK

◼️ Byrdfest Adventure Center, 7037 Cass Oak Road; (479) 667-4066; byrdsadventurecenter.com

9 a.m.: Byrdfest 26: The Schwag (Grateful Dead tribute), Nonstop Reggae Band (Bob Marley tribute), Moonlight Drive (Doors tribute), Tom Petty tribute band, Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band, Miles Over Mountains (Illinois bluegrass), Huckleberry Jam ($50-$95)

PINE BLUFF

◼️ Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, 701 S. Main St.; (870) 536-3375; asc701.org

6-8 p.m.: Cabaret, hosted by Lindsey Collins

TEXARKANA

◼️ 1923 Banana Club

8 p.m.: Cedric Watson

■  ■  ■ SATURDAY ■  ■  ■

LITTLE ROCK

◼️ The Hall

8 p.m.: Moonchild, with Austin Antoine ($26.50-$46)

◼️ Hibernia Irish Tavern, 9700 N. Rodney Parham Road; (501) 246-4340; hiberniairishtavern.com

7-10 p.m.: The Five Six Band

◼️ I Can Arts & Resource Center, 1040 Angel Court (East End community); (501) 888-4140; icanarkansas.com

12-2 p.m.: HisStory

◼️ JJ’s Grill

8:30 p.m.: Barrel House Rhythm Section

◼️ Midtown Billiards

2-4 a.m.: Delta Project

◼️ Nexus Coffee & Creative, 301 President Clinton Ave.; (501) 295-7515; nexuscoffeear.com

10 a.m.-12 p.m.: Amber Violet

◼️ Rev Room

9-11:45 p.m.: North Mississippi Allstars ($22 advance; $25 day of show)

◼️ River Bottom Winery, 13810 Combee Lane (Roland); (501) 519-5666; bobrookfarms.com

12 p.m.: Steve Crump Band

3 p.m.: Sam Allbright

◼️ Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack

7-10 p.m.: Bluesboy Jag (patio)

8-11:45 p.m.: Bad Habit, with Caitlin Dickerson ($8-$60)

◼️ Sullivan’s Steakhouse

6-9 p.m.: David Higginbotham Trio

◼️ White Water Tavern

9 p.m.: Funkanites ($15)

◼️ Willy D’s

8 p.m.: Matteo Ellis, David Rasico, Alissa Musto, Johnny Fritts

NORTH LITTLE ROCK

◼️ Elks Lodge #1104, 123 E. Broadway; (501) 374-1004

7-10 p.m.: Eddie Haskell Project

◼️ Filling Station, 3623 John F. Kennedy Blvd.; (501) 246-9750

2-5 p.m.: Spring Palooza

◼️ Four Quarter Bar

4-9 p.m.: Crawfish boil, with Shannon Boshears Band

BENTON

◼️ Valhalla

6:30-9:30 p.m.: Brian Ramsay

CADDO VALLEY

◼️ Betty’s Big Country Dance Hall, 102 Crystal Palace Drive; (870) 403-0373; bettysbigcountrydance.com

8 p.m.: Mike Mayberry and the Slow Hands

CLARKSVILLE

◼️ Wrecked Canoe, 1100 E Main St.; (479) 754-0092

6-9 p.m.: Shaw Revolver

CONWAY

◼️ JJ’s Grill

8 p.m.: Mister Lucky

◼️ Kings Live Music

8:30-11:30 p.m.: Get Off My Lawn ($5)

◼️ Skinny J’s

7 p.m.: Jay Hancock

◼️ TC’s Midtown Grill, 1611 E. Oak St., Suite 19; (501) 205-0576

9 p.m.-1 a.m.: Thorn

EL DORADO

◼️ Mad House 101

8 p.m.: Two Shot Blondie

FAYETTEVILLE

◼️ George’s Majestic Lounge

8:30 p.m.: Jonteal ($10-$12)

◼️ Walton Arts Center

7:30 p.m.: VoiceJam A Cappella Festival ($27-$29)

FORT SMITH

◼️ Temple Live

8 p.m.: Casey Donahew Band ($25-$39)

HOT SPRINGS

◼️ Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa

5:30-8:30 p.m.: Jacob Flores (Fountain Room)

7:30-11:30 p.m.: Sensory 2 Band (lobby)

◼️ The Big Chill

9-11:55 p.m.: John Calvin Brewer Band

◼️ Frontier Club, 2700 Central Ave.; (501) 620-4000

8 p.m.-12 a.m.: Pleasantly Blue

◼️ Kuntry’s Blue Collar Bar & Grill, 6480 Central Ave.; (501) 293-1571

8-11 p.m.: The Rusty Roosters Band

◼️ The Ohio Club

8 p.m.: Christine DeMeo

◼️ Maxine’s Live, 700 Central Ave.; (501) 321-0909; maxineslive.com

9 p.m.: Hans Gruber & the Die Hards, Rattlesnake Milk, Cosmic Cream

◼️ Pop’s Lounge at Oaklawn

4-8 p.m.: Cliff & Susan

9 p.m-1 a.m.: Pamela Hopkins Band

HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE

◼️ The Beehive

7-10 p.m.: UnRaveled

MAGNOLIA

◼️ Mulekick

7-10 p.m.: Alex & Liv

MORRILTON

◼️ Cedar Lounge Bar and Grill

8-11 p.m.: Jamie Jones & Jeff Riley

OZARK

◼️ Byrdfest Adventure Center

9 a.m.: The Schwag (Grateful Dead tribute), Nonstop Reggae Band (Bob Marley tribute), Moonlight Drive (Doors tribute), Tom Petty tribute band, Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band, Miles Over Mountains (Illinois bluegrass), Huckleberry Jam ($50-$95)

TEXARKANA

◼️ 1923 Banana Club

8 p.m.: Carol Miles & friends

WINSLOW

◼️ Ozark Folkways, 22733 N. U.S 71; (479) 634-3791; ozarkfolkways.org

6 p.m.: The Boss Tweeds

■  ■  ■ SUNDAY ■  ■  ■

LITTLE ROCK

◼️ Hibernia Irish Tavern

2:30-5 p.m.: Traditional Irish session

◼️ River Bottom Winery

3 p.m.: Don Walker

FAYETTEVILLE

◼️ George’s Majestic Lounge

3 p.m.: SAA ($10-$25)

HOT SPRINGS

◼️ Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa

11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Jacob Flores

3-5:45 p.m.: Stardust Big Band – Crystal Ballroom ($10)

◼️ Central Cabaret & Nightclub

7 p.m.: Battle of the Bands: Last Band Standing: Round 3 – The 52 Crew, Wildside, Porter Crews ($5-$250)

LONSDALE

◼️ StudDuck Beers, 128 Bassett Trail; (501) 482-1044; studduckbeers.com

4-6 p.m.: Sawyer

■  ■  ■ MONDAY ■  ■  ■

LITTLE ROCK

◼️ JJ’s Grill

8 p.m.: Travis Mobley

CONWAY

◼️ JJ’s Grill

8 p.m.: Shane Thornton

EUREKA SPRINGS

◼️ Wanderoo Lodge

6 p.m.: Sprungbilly

■  ■  ■ TUESDAY ■  ■  ■

LITTLE ROCK

◼️ Hibernia Irish Tavern

7 p.m.: Open mic hosted by James Kersey

◼️ JJ’s Grill

8:30-11:30 p.m.: Byron Hayes

◼️ Willy D’s

8 p.m.: Matteo Ellis, Susan Erwin Prowse

CONWAY

◼️ JJ’s Grill

8:30-11:30 p.m.: Travis Mobley

FORT SMITH

◼️ Temple Live

8 p.m.: C-Kan/ MC Davo/ Dharius ($30-$39)

HOT SPRINGS

◼️ Central Cabaret & Nightclub

7 p.m.: Richard Smith (guitars)

◼️ El Padrino’s Mexican Grill & Cantina, 1609 Albert Pike Road; (501) 623-2406

6-9 p.m.: Jacob Flores

■  ■  ■ WEDNESDAY ■  ■  ■

LITTLE ROCK

◼️ Jazz in the Park, River Market Pavilion – East, 400 President Clinton Ave.; (501) 320-3503

6-8 p.m.: Marquis Hunt

◼️ Rev Room

8-11:45 p.m.: The Brook & The Bluff, with Savannah Conley ($20 advance; $25 day of show)

◼️ White Water Tavern

7 p.m.: Todd Albright ($10)

BENTON

◼️ Chepe’s Mexican Grill, 17324 Interstate 30 Frontage Road; (501) 794-6656

5:45-8:45 p.m.: Jacob Flores

FAYETTEVILLE

◼️ Morano’s

6-9 p.m.: Brick Fields

FORT SMITH

◼️ Temple Live

8 p.m.: Clutch, Amigo the Devil, Nate Bergman ($39-$59)

HOT SPRINGS

◼️ Garland County Library, 1427 Malvern Ave.; (501) 623-4161

6 p.m.: America’s Art Form Concert: Lakeside High School Students Swing into Spring

PINE BLUFF

◼️ RJ’s Sports Grill, 128 S. Main St.; (870) 850-7887; rjs-grills.com

8-11 p.m.: Wednesday Night Blues Jam

■  ■  ■ TICKETS ■  ■  ■

◼️ Sting performs at 8 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Walmart AMP in Rogers, and tickets, $50.50-$190.50, go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at the Walmart AMP box office, by calling (479) 443-5600 or by going to amptickets.com.

◼️ In This Moment and Motionless in White, plus Fit for a King and From Ashes to New, perform at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 6 in The Theatre @ Simmons Bank Arena in North Little Rock, and tickets, $39.50-$59.50, go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at the arena box office and at ticketmaster.com.

■  ■  ■ ANNOUNCED ■  ■  ■

The 20th annual Valley of the Vapors music festival will be April 5-8, 2024, in Cedar Glades Park in Hot Springs and will be held in conjunction with the 2024 total solar eclipse.

To be included in Live Music listings, please submit your venue’s information before midnight on Sunday to: [email protected]

“HIGH POP OUT” could become a matter for ushers and other stone-cold helpers at Wrigley Field this season,

And not just around Father’s Day.

The Ricketts-era Cubs — who can sniff a dollar five Phish concerts away — have announced that they are the first MLB organization to add an “Official CBD Partner.”

The Chicago-based MYND Drinks — a 2019 startup — is the lucky assignee.

For approximately $10 (with tax), fans at Wrigley can purchase the hemp-driven beverage in one of three flavors — elderberry passion fruit, orange mango or lemon ginger.

THE ALLIANCE BETWEEN team and drink company became possible when Major League Baseball opened the CBD category with clear delineations. Closest chroniclers note that products with CBD (“cannabidiol”) are distinct from marijuana, which features both CBD and the psychoactive THC.

“We’re a wellness and recovery company that has hemp-based products,” Simon Allen, the CEO of MYND, told media.

Echoed Alex Seyferth, the Cubs VP/corporate partnerships: “MYND Drinks promotes overall wellness and helps ease the stressors of everyday life, just like a Friday 1:20 game at Wrigley Field.”

In support of the launch, Pat Hughes attempts to slip into a character cadence out of Jack Nicholson’s forgotten “Head” (1968) for an eight-minute YouTube video focusing on a more “precisely engaged” view of the Wrigley Field experience.

Great concept but the effort would have benefitted from some sharper script doctoring.

YEARS AGO, TAKING THE QUICK ROUTE to a happy day at Wrigley began with watching morning reruns of “The Beverly Hillbillies” within mug’s length of Ronnie Grousl, Jim Stuart and other original Bleacher Bums amid a sea of suds at the classic Ray’s Bleachers.

Now, in the socially expansive America of 2023, the Cubs and MYND Drinks are hoping what were once Joe Friday vices will become habits at their partnered concessions stands.

Later in the evening, will the high pop outs remember much about the game?

STREET-BEATIN’:

Select village of Arlington Heights employees are reporting that they have been told to anticipate hiring bump-ups as the specter of a new Bears village at Arlington Park moves closer to reality. …

The 2023 Masters survived wind, rain and the incursion of LIV goldpanners to post its largest viewership since 2018. Sunday’s marathon broadcast day — close to 12 hours — averaged 12M, including a record out-of-home audience touching 3M. Jon Rahm’s victory was as welcome at Butler Cabin as if the ghost of Slammin’ Sam Snead had dropped in live looking for a lost niblick. …

The bottom line about Big Ten commissioner-select Tony Petitti is that he’s a branding and marketing guy. He has an impressive background in major sports TV but will need a big break to restore B-10 football and men’s basketball to platinum-competitive for national titles, Not lost in the flurry is that the league’s chiefs didn’t overextend themselves to retain new Bears President Kevin Warren …

Bob Rosenberg deserves all grand salutes that have been coming his way as his amazing 57-year run as official scorer of the Bulls nears its end. “Rosie” was a gem of consistency, even to the point that his backstage personality seldom topped room temperature. But his dedication to position deserves some kind of enduring honor from the Reinsdorfs and helpmates. …

Mike Huff’s return to White Sox studio programming on NBCSCH is always welcome. The Hawaii native now looks more like a college professor than a hustling outfielder trying to stay in the bigs, but his knowledge of the game has that great digger’s spin. During his turn with the Sox (1991-93), he morphed into a regular contributor on the last iteration of the Steve Dahl-Garry Meier show over WMVP-AM (1000). …

There is more than casual concern at NBA HQ that the volatile Ja Morant steers clear of any major incidents during the NBA playoffs. A recent Washington Post deep dive painted a scary picture of an entitled young superstar operating on his own terms thanks in part to lax policing by the murderous department in his pro basketball home of Memphis. Morant and the No. 2 Grizzlies host LeBron James and the wobbly No. 7 Lakers in a WC-G1 Sunday (ABC, 2 p.m.). …

From the words-you-will-never-see-on-a-Scrabble-board scorepad, Shaquille O’Neal coined “dismantleization” after midnight on WBD / TNT overnight Tuesday. Kenny Smith replied: “What you doin’ making up a six-syllable word like that at this hour?” …

And 35th Street pincer Tom Connelly asks, “Is ‘Pedro Grifol’ Spanish for ‘Terry Bevington’?”

• Jim O’Donnell’s Sports and Media column appears Sunday and Thursday Reach him at jimodonnelldh@yahoo.com. All communications may be considered for publication.

Bob Dylan’s Rough and Rowdy Ways tour has stuck with a remarkably consistent setlist since it kicked off in November 2021. The show is heavy on tunes from Rough and Rowdy Ways, extremely light on hits, and features just a tiny smattering of Sixties tunes, including “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight,” “To Be Alone With You,” and “Most Likely You Go Your Way and I’ll Go Mine.”

Fans had essentially stopped anticipating surprises, but they got a big one Wednesday night at the Tokyo Garden Theater in Tokyo, Japan, when he broke out the Grateful Dead’s 1970 classic “Truckin’” for the first time in his career. Check out a fan recording right here.

“Truckin’” was one of the 66 songs he highlighted in his 2022 book The Philosophy of Modern Song. “Arrows of neon, flashing marquees, Dallas and a soft machine, Sweet Jane, vitamin C, Bourbon Street, bowling pins, hotels windows,” Dylan writes, “and the classic line, ‘What a long, strange trip it’s been.’ A thought that anybody can relate to.’”

Dylan is a longtime fan of the Grateful Dead. He toured with them in 1987 and considered Jerry Garcia a good friend. “There’s no way to measure his greatness or magnitude as a person or as a player,” Dylan told Rolling Stone when Garcia died in 1995. “I don’t think eulogizing will do him justice. He was that great – much more than a superb musician with an uncanny ear and dexterity. He is the very spirit personified of whatever is muddy river country at its core and screams up into the spheres. He really had no equal.”

“To me he wasn’t only a musician and friend, he was more like a big brother who taught and showed me more than he’ll ever know,” he continued. “There are a lot of spaces and advances between the Carter family, Buddy Holly and, say, Ornette Coleman, a lot of universes, but he filled them all without being a member of any school. His playing was moody, awesome, sophisticated, hypnotic and subtle. There’s no way to convey the loss. It just digs down really deep.”

This is the fifth Grateful Dead song that Dylan has added to his Never Ending Tour repertoire. Over the years, he’s also done “Friend of the Devil,” “Alabama Getaway,” “West L.A. Fadeaway,” and “Black Muddy River.”

Dylan’s Japanese tour continues Friday night with another show at the Tokyo Garden Theater. It wraps up April 20 at the Aichi Prefectural Arts Theater in Nagoya. He then heads to Europe in June for a long series of shows ending July 9 in Rome. That’s plenty of time for more surprise song picks like “Truckin.’”

Returning to Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena in June 2023, the concert series offers guests a premier outdoor concert experience featuring a newly-installed turf flooring for added comfort and first-class performances. Tickets to Foo Fighters on Aug. 10 will go on sale to the public on Friday, April 14 at 10 a.m. PT. The Summer Concert Series has welcomed more than 1.5 million fans at over 200 concerts spanning the past two decades, featuring such artists as Elton John, The Eagles, Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, Lady Gaga, Dave Mathews Band, Phish, Jackson Brown, Blake Shelton, Bruno Mars and Aerosmith.

This year, the concert series proudly welcomes Illenium, The First Annual Lake Tahoe Is For Lovers Music Festival Presented by Hawthorne Heights, Old Dominion, Sammy Hagar, Dierks Bentley, Foo Fighters with The Breeders, Sam Hunt and Brett Young, Darius Rucker and Drew Holcomb and Kane Brown. Guests can look forward to more exciting announcements to follow.

Lake Tahoe Summer Concert Series schedule (subject to change):

Illenium – Sunday, June 4

Hawthorne Heights Presents Lake Tahoe Is For Lovers Festival – Saturday, June 24

Old Dominion – Friday, June 30 and Saturday, July 1

Sammy Hagar – Friday, July 14

Dierks Bentley – Friday, August 4

Foo Fighters with The Breeders – Thursday, August 10

Sam Hunt and Brett Young – Sunday, August 13

Darius Rucker and Drew Holcomb – Saturday, August 19

Kane Brown – Thursday, August 31 and Friday, September 1

All tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. PT. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit Caesars.com/lake-tahoe, Ticketmaster.com or APECONCERTS.com.

Former NHL player Raymond Sawada has passed away at the age of 38 after suffering a heart attack ‘while playing the game he loved’.

His family announced the tragic news via a GoFundMe fundraiser on Tuesday. Sawada played with the Dallas Stars during the 2008-09 season.

‘It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we share the devastating news of the sudden passing of Ray Sawada,’ the statement on the page read.

‘At age 38, Ray passed away on the evening of Monday April 10, 2023, while playing the game he loved. 

‘He leaves behind his loving wife, Nicole, his two young and incredibly amazing daughters, Victoria, nine, and Charlotte, six, and his supportive, devoted, and dedicated family and friends.’

Former NHL player Raymond Sawada has passed away at the age of 38. He leaves behind his wife, Nicole, and his two young and daughters, Victoria, nine, and Charlotte, six

Sawada’s family announced the tragic news via a GoFundMe fundraiser on Tuesday

Sawada joined Burnaby Fire in 2017. Seen in uniform with NBA Championship trophy in 2019

Tributes from the world of hockey poured with his former team the Stars posting on Twitter: ‘It is with heavy hearts we mourn the passing of former Stars player, Raymond Sawada.

‘Our love goes out to his family, friends, and all the people he impacted in hockey and as a firefighter in his community.’

Sawada, from Richmond, British Colombia, Canada worked as a firefighter in Burnaby city. 

Calgary Flames player Troy Stecher said on social media: ‘Heartbreaking news. Ray was an idol for a lot of Richmond Minor Players growing up. 

‘Not only was Ray a successful hockey player, he was a community hero and local firefighter. Thoughts and prayers to his family.’

The family statement continued: ‘He joined Burnaby Fire in 2017 and has been an integral part of the department where he served with distinction and honor.

‘Ray was such a bright light in the lives he touched. He enjoyed traveling with Nicole, the girls, and family and friends. 

‘He was a talented hockey player and a dedicated coach for his girls. Ray was passionately driven and motivated in everything he did, and the surrounding community will be left with a void.’

Tributes from the world of hockey poured in for husband and father-of-two after tragic news

Cornell men’s hockey team paid their respects on Wednesday: ‘We are devastated to learn of the passing of former Big Red captain Raymond Sawada ‘08. 

‘Our deepest condolences go out to Ray’s wife Nicole and their two children, his teammates, coaches, and all of the many people who Ray positively impacted in his life.’

Sawada played 11 games in the NHL after playing in the American Hockey League for majority of his career, making 287 appearances.

‘For the girls and Nicole, losing their dad and husband is going to leave a sad mark on their hearts and make for a long road ahead,’ the family statement added.

‘From the family, we are truly grateful for the love and support that we have already received. We appreciate every single message and act of kindness. We feel the love. It gives us reassurance that throughout this sad and difficult time, there are so many who love and care for the family.

‘If you wish to support Nicole as she grieves during this time, while she takes unpaid time off work, to a brighter future for Nicole and the girls. We thank you in advance and feel so fortunate for the love and kindness that people have shared since his passing.

‘We will honor his life with memories of joy and love and make sure that his bright light continues.’

With the passing of Jerry Garcia in 1995, his longtime collaborator Merl Saunders shared the difficult responsibility of keeping the late guitarist’s music alive. In the years afterward, the keyboardist continued to explore the music of the Grateful Dead with fantastic performances alongside his and Garcia’s latter-era group, The Rainforest Band.

At one particular Rainforest show at Club Toast in Burlington, VT on April 11th, 1996, the band, featuring Saunders on keys, Michael Hinton on guitar, Vince Littleton on drums, and Michael Warren on bass, received a Phish-y visitor, as guitarist Trey Anastasio added some firepower to the band’s performance. Anastasio joined the band just three songs into the first set and stuck around until the end of the show. He lent his guitar mastery to some classic tunes, including Grateful Dead numbers like “Dark Star” and “Fire On The Mountain”, in addition to some funky jams on “Let’s Go Get Stoned” and “Mystery Train”. Soundboard quality audio of the entire show recently made its way onto YouTube after many years in obscurity.

Kick back and enjoy, you won’t regret it.

Merl Saunders and The Rainforest Band – Club Toast – Burlington, VT 4/11/96

[Audio: nognuisagoodgnu]

Setlist: Merl Saunders and the Rainforest Band | Club Toast | Burlington, VT | 4/11/96

Set 1: Expressway to Your Heart, The Harder They Come, Built for Comfort[1], It’s in the Air (Konfusion)[1], Dark Star[2]

Set 2: We All Wanna Boogie[1], Caravan[1], Eduardo (Can You Hear Me Calling)[1], I Feel Like Dynamite[1], Let’s Go Get Stoned[1], Fire on the Mountain[1]

Encore: Mystery Train[1] [1] Trey on guitar. | [2] Trey on guitar; instrumental.

Notes: Trey joined Merl Saunders and the Rainforest Band on guitar from Howlin’ Wolf’s “Built for Comfort” through the end of the show. “It’s in the Air (Konfusion)” included a “Dixie” tease from Trey. “Dark Star” was performed instrumental and included a “China Cat Sunflower” tease from Trey. “I Feel Like Dynamite” included a full-band “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” tease. The rendition of “We All Wanna Boogie” from this gig appears on the CD Merl Saunders With His Funky Friends: Live!