Tag Archives: South on Main

Tonight on South on Main stage – Shamarr Allen

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Shamarr Allen Get a taste of “True Orleans” with Shamarr Allen’s blend of jazz, hip hop, funk, brass and soul. Shamarr is a full time member of Galactic and has collaborated with many renowned artists such as Willie Nelson, Patti Labelle, Harry Connick Jr. and more.

Show begins at 8 pm. Purchase advance tickets for $8 or pay $12 at the door. Tickets do not guarantee you a seat. To reserve a table please call (501) 244-9660.

“Many New Orleans musicians blend jazz and brass band music with bounce, hip-hop, funk, soul, R&B and more. Shamarr Allen has a name for his blend: True Orleans.” – Will Coviello, Gambit Weekly

Shamarr Allen is the definition of New Orleans Music! Hailing from the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans, Allen has influences in jazz, hip hop, rock, funk, funk blues and country. He is the lead vocalist and trumpeter of his band “Shamarr Allen and the Underdawgs”.
In addition to performing with his band, Allen has collaborated with many renowned artists such as Willie Nelson, Galactic, Mannie Fresh, Patti Labelle, Harry Connick Jr. and Lenny Kravitz to name a few. In addition to displaying his skills on the frontline as a lead performer, Allen is also a music composer, writer, producer and multi instrumentalist. With a scintillating and unique sound, look and examplary talents, Allen transcends musical boundaries. He is the True Orleans Experience!

Oxford American’s Archetypes and Troubadours kicks off with Rev. Sekou on South on Main stage

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Rev. Sekou [ARCHETYPES & TROUBADOURS SERIES]Tonight (9/26) at 8:00 PM – The Oxford American magazine is excited to welcome Rev. Sekou to the South on Main stage! This is the first show of their Archetypes & Troubadours Sub-Series. Doors open at 6:00 PM, with dinner and drinks available for purchase at that time. The series is made possible in part by presenting sponsors Chris & Jo Harkins and J. Mark & Christy Davis, as well as their season sponsor University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Single tickets are $28 (General Admission), $34 (Reserved), and $36 (Premium Reserved). Please take a look at this very important ticketing and seating information before purchasing your tickets (view reserved seating chart).

Noted activist, theologian, author, documentary filmmaker, and musician, Reverend Osagyefo Sekou was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and raised in the rural Arkansas Delta. His music is a unique combination of North Mississippi Hill Country music, Arkansas Delta blues, Memphis boul, and Pentecostal steel guitar. In May 2017, he released In Times Like These, produced by the six-time GRAMMY nominated North Mississippi Allstars. AFROPUNK heralded the ”deep bone-marrow-level conviction” of his first album, The Revolution Has Come. The single, “We Comin,’” was named the new anthem for the modern Civil Rights movement by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Paste Studio celebrated this consummate entertainer’s barn-burning performance saying, “Rev. Sekou delivers the spiritual performance we need now.”

A leading public intellectual, Rev. Sekou has signed a five-book deal with Chalice Press—a publisher of progressive religious thought. The Press has republished Rev. Sekou’s Urbansouls: Meditations on Youth, Hip Hop, and Religion and Gods, Gays, and Guns: Essays on Religion and the Future of Democracy. His forthcoming work focuses on the contemporary civil rights movement, particularly Ferguson and Black Lives Matter.

Parker Millsap returns to South on Main stage tonight

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“Witnessing Parker Millsap sing for the first time is a jarring experience, because the sights and sounds just don’t seem to match up: the slightly built [Oklahoman] has a bluesy, powerful rasp of a howl that sounds equally suited for juke joints or church tents.” —Rolling Stone

Parker MillsapTonight (September 18) at 7:30 PM the Oxford American welcomes Parker Millsap back to the South on Main stage!

Doors open at 5:30 PM, with dinner and drinks available for purchase at that time. This show is a special addition to their 2019-2020 Concert Series and is made possible in part by Downtown Little Rock Partnership.

Tickets are $25 (General Admission), $30 (Reserved), and $32 (Premium Reserved)—available via Metrotix.com or (800) 293-5949.

At 26 years of age, Oklahoma native Parker Millsap is quickly making a name for himself with his captivating live performances, soulful sound, and character-driven narratives. He’s had a string of highlights in recent years including his network television debut on CONAN, a performance with Elton John at the Apple Music Festival in London, an Austin City Limits taping and an Americana Music Association nomination for Album of the Year. He has also received praise from The New York Times, The Boston Globe, LA Times, Austin Chronicle, and Rolling Stone to name a few.

He first picked up an acoustic guitar at nine, then plugged in and went electric after getting into Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan, eventually starting a cover band with classmate, Michael Rose who still plays bass with him today. Over the years he recruited musicians Daniel Foulks (fiddle) and Andrew Bones (Drums) to join his band.

Parker’s first three full-length releases—2012’s Palisade, 2014’s self-titled LP, and 2016’s The Very Last Day—showcased a primal mastery of acoustic folk rock, with their flourish for revelation and fiery dynamics, all recorded with extreme precision, purpose and efficiency.

Parker’s newest album, Other Arrangements, (released via Thirty Tigers) finds him taking bold steps in new directions. Associated press says “Parker Millsap rocks harder than ever on his fourth album.” And Rolling Stone calls Other Arrangements Parker’s “tightest, sharpest and most infectious set of songs to date.”

Tonight at South on Main – Jackie Venson returns

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Jackie VensonSouth on Main welcomes back Jackie Venson back to its stage on Saturday, September 7. Show begins at 8 pm. Purchase advance tickets for $7 or pay $10 at the door. Tickets do not guarantee you a seat. Please call (501) 244-9660 to reserve a table.

It is legend that a blistering Jackie Venson guitar solo knocked Pluto straight out of planetary existence.

Venson’s “…astonishing mix of raw soul, superb musicianship and laid back grace…” (Austin American Statesman, June 2014) has been compared to the likes of Joss Stone, Amy Winehouse and fellow Austin native Gary Clark, Jr. Originally a classical pianist, Jackie picked up the guitar, shortly after graduating from Berklee College of Music, and made the giant leap from the tradition of classical music to the raw and gritty blues.

Enthralled with music since the age of 8, this young singer/songwriter/musician instantly captures your attention with a vibrant musical soul and passionate control of her instruments, that reach far beyond her tender age. As she mindfully blends Blues, Rock, R&B, Soul and more, with her introspective lyrics, the message is clear. When you’re listening to Jackie you hear the “Truth in Music”.

In recognition of her dedication to her craft, Bestfan.com said “Venson is no dilettante, wannabe performer, however a real staple of what a musician can achieve when they put in their 10,000 hours for both musical schooling, and late night pub sessions for practical honing.”

Her live performances revisits what makes music so powerful: emotion and passion. She thrives without the flash, instead favoring a clean sound, genuine soul, and meaningful connection with her audience. Music is not only what Venson does – but also defines who she is and reminds her where she wants to be: performing.

Having finished her second tour of Europe and the recent declaration of “Jackie Venson Day” (May 21st) in the “Live Music Capital of the World” Austin, TX, there’s no doubt she has every reason to lead the way with the trademark smile that accompanies her magnificent musicianship.

As part of SOMA After Dark – A Rowdy Faith is at South on Main tonight

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A Rowdy Faith :: SOMA After Dark Join South on Main for an evening with A Rowdy Faith  on Friday, September 6, as part of neighborhood-wide event SOMA After Dark. Concert begins at 9 pm. Purchase advance tickets for $7 or pay a $10 cover at the door. Tickets do not guarantee you a seat. To reserve a table, please call (501) 244-9660.

South on Main will offer a vegan menu that evening, in addition to their regular menu.

A Rowdy Faith is the partnership of Arkansas songwriters and long-time friends Alisyn Reid and Cate Davison, combining Alisyn’s folk/Americana with Cate’s Southern Gothic style. In 2012, Alisyn released a solo album and won 2nd place in the Ozark Folk Festival songwriting contest.

In 2016, A Rowdy Faith was a semi-finalist in the Arkansas Times Musician Showcase. In 2017, A Rowdy Faith released their first album as a duo. With the addition of Gene Reid on lead guitar and Ty Reid on bass, the band balances lighthearted banter with themes of death, heartbreak, ghosts and devils, and moving through pain.

Find a sampling of their music from their self-titled album on Spotify, iTunes, Bandcamp, or Amazon. You can also connect with the band on Facebook.

Tonight the Oxford American kicks off its Jazz Series at South on Main with Peter Martin & Romero Lubambo feat. Erin Bode

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Peter Martin & Romero Lubambo Featuring Erin Bode [JAZZ SERIES]The Oxford American magazine is excited to welcome Peter Martin & Romero Lubambo featuring Erin Bode to the South on Main stage!  The concert is tonight (September 5) at 8:00pm.

This is the first show of their Jazz Sub-Series. Doors open at 6:00 PM, with dinner and drinks available for purchase at that time. The series is made possible in part by presenting sponsor UCA College of Fine Arts & Communication, as well as their season sponsor University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

 

Peter Martin is an acclaimed jazz pianist, composer, arranger and educator. His touring career has taken him to six continents numerous times. In January 2011 Peter performed with a select group of jazz artists at the White House for a State Dinner hosted by President Obama, and he returned to perform for the Governor’s Dinner in February 2012 for the first family and other guests.

Peter performed on and arranged Dianne Reeves’ GRAMMY-winning release A Little Moonlight. He also appeared in George Clooney’s 2005 film Good Night, and Good Luck, as well as being the featured pianist and an arranger on the GRAMMY-winning soundtrack. Peter has performed, toured and recorded with Wynton Marsalis, Chris Botti, Betty Carter, Christian McBride, and Joshua Redman, as well as the Berlin Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic. In 2014 Peter was selected to tour with “Newport Now 60,” an all-star ensemble that toured nationwide in celebration of the iconic festival’s 60th anniversary.

In 1985, Romero Lubambo came to the United States, and brought with him a new sound in Brazilian jazz guitar.

Romero’s guitar playing unites the styles and rhythms of his native Brazilian musical heritage with his fluency in the American jazz tradition to form a distinctive new sound.

From the cool, sophisticated rhythms of his native Brazil to hard bop, Romero is a guitarist who’s comfortable in any musical setting. He is an uncommonly gifted soloist and musical improviser with a steady stream of unpredictably creative musical thoughts and the virtuosity to deliver them.

Lubambo is considered by critics to be “the best practitioner of his craft in the world today…the guitarist’s facility, creativity and energy are in a class all their own.”

In the decade-plus since Erin Bode began her professional recording career, she has garnered much critical praise for her pure voice, perfect pitch, and impressive phrasing and style. It is this talent, coupled with her reluctance to accept classification as a purely jazz vocalist that has led to reviews hailing her as “someone you won’t forget” and comparing her sound to the likes of Eva Cassidy and Norah Jones.

To date, Bode and her band have released eight albums and have toured the United States, as well as Italy, Asia, and Africa. The Erin Bode Group creates music forged from the Americana of its members’ Midwestern roots, infused with jazz grooves and made magic by Bode’s bell-like voice. Sophisticated arrangements and attention to phrasing, both vocal and instrumental, further distinguish the band’s fresh sound.

While Bode got her start singing standard jazz, her recent projects have been decidedly more pop-based. 2008’s Little Garden and 2010’s Photograph feature all original material by Bode, and showcase her love of poetry with songs that are rich in harmonic and timbral texture. For her most recent album, Here and Now, Erin has collaborated with producer and bassist Viktor Krauss, guitarists Matt Munisteri and Todd Lombardo, cellist Tara Santiago and GRAMMY Award-winning vocalist, Suzanne Cox.

 

Additional season partners include Stella Boyle Smith Trust, Cypress Properties, Inc., J. Mark & Christy Davis, Chris & Jo Harkins, Margaret Ferguson Pope—Thank You Aunt Margaret!, EVO Business Environments, Jay Barth & Chuck Cliett, Stacy Hamilton of Desselle Real Estate, Downtown Little Rock Partnership, Arkansas Arts Council, Department of Arkansas Heritage, Rosen Music Company, and Steinway Piano Gallery Little Rock.

4-Show Jazz packages are available beginning May 13 via Metrotix.com or by calling (800) 293-5949. Single tickets go on sale May 20 and are $35 (General Admission), $44 (Reserved), and $46 (Premium Reserved). Please take a look at this very important ticketing and seating information before purchasing your tickets (view reserved seating chart). Full season ticket pricing and options are also available in a consolidated format, here.

Tonight on South on Main stage – Folk Family Revival and John Evans

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Image result for folk family revivalHouston’s Folk Family Revival are bringing their dark Americana tunes to the South on Main stage this Wednesday, September 4.

Show begins at 8 pm with opener John Evans. Purchase advance tickets for $7 or pay $10 at the door. Tickets do not guarantee you a seat. Please call ahead to reserve a table – (501) 244-9660.

Wherever the Folk Family Revival plays, the ground underneath seems more a sanctuary than a stage. Sure enough, the Lankford family, Mason, Barrett and Lincoln, once filled a pew at a Magnolia, Texas church where the brothers became fast friends with their soon to be brother and lead guitarist Caleb Pace.

They played rock’n’roll in church for a time until the congregation found them a little too wild for their flock. So the family dug up their roots from that place and headed home to the little shed next to their parents’ house, the blue house, where the brothers honed their craft.

Beneath many hours of cosmic contemplation, tempered through many hours more of pressure and concentration, the boys fashioned a sound; clear and righteous, bold and forceful, complex and simple at the same time. Mason’s lyrics ride the narrow edge of paradox and preaching, while the rumble of the band pulses with a fury of sacred rage. They’ve come to shake the windows and rattle the walls. They will go down fighting.

With their record releases thus far, 2011’s “Unfolding” and 2015’s “Water Walker”, the band of brothers’ music has evolved and left fans guessing with each rendition of their ever-changing sound. With their new record, “Electric Darlin”, released June 2019, one can appreciate the multi-genre direction they’ll take with their new sound.

Over the years, Folk Family Revival has opened for legends such as Willie Nelson, Lucas Nelson, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Hayes Carll, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Eddie Money, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Merle Haggard, George Jones, The Marshall Tucker Band, The Suffers and Jon Foreman.