2012 Artists & Performers

Fayetteville is home to many talented musicians, actors, comedians & performance artists. This year we handpicked over 30 acts (and counting!) to be a part of Last Night Fayetteville. Learn a little more about them below, and be sure to check our schedule of events so you don't miss out on anything! 

Randall Shreve & the Sideshow brings their own wine-soaked flavor of indie rock to audiences around the country.  Their music, which has been described as “Vaudeville Rock,” derives its unmistakable sound from influences such as Queen, Muse, The Beatles, and Jeff Buckley, but plays them against the dark and sultry backdrop of cabaret.    While the rock is thoroughly modern, it exudes the ambition, grit and glamour of Old Hollywood, and manages to transport the listener back in time to an earlier era.   Fans have come to expect not only exceptional musicianship from their live shows, but a unique entertainment experience. They never leave disappointed.

Groovement is a 6-piece funk-rock band that embodies the soul of Northwest Arkansas – fun, unpredictable, and full of life.
 
  Groovement sounds as if Cee Lo Green and Robert Randolph flew the Mothership across the Galactic and landed in a patch of Maroon 5 colored Red Hot Chili Peppers a few Meters from Motown; more easily described as: high-energy funk-rock. They bear catchy melodies, big harmonies, tasteful solos, and funky grooves you can dance to. Deitra Magazine claimed Groovement as, "a surprising find of funky original tunes that got the crowd boogying out of their seats, as well as some unique renditions of unexpected covers."

  The strong, soulful voice, and playful personality of Groovement frontman, Alex Carr, helped him win the Arkansas Idol competition that landed him a free ticket to Hollywood as one of the 2011 American Idol contestants. In addition to their decorated singer, the band possesses many years of professional experience and over 30 local award show nominations from Adam Becker (keyboards/organ/synth); Trey Burkett (guitar, vocals); Bryan Burkhart (drums, vocals); Jacob Johnson (sax, guitar, vocals); and Carlton Rinehart (bass, vocals).

3 Penny Acre is a musical collaboration between three songwriters: Bayard Blain, Bernice Hembree, and Bryan Hembree. Fans and critics have identified their unique, Ozark-inspired sound as distinct, yet universally appealing. Listeners in all corners have come to appreciate their attention to lyrics, harmony, and carefully crafted acoustic arrangements steeped in roots music traditions but with a focus on fresh, new songwriting.

Shortly after forming as a band, 3 Penny Acre won the 2008 Walnut Valley Festival (Winfield, Kansas) NewSongs competition. The exposure the win brought 3 Penny Acre helped to solidify their path as emerging artists in the folk and roots music world. The band set their sites on touring extensively over the next 4 years. The relentless touring helped 3 Penny Acre to build a loyal and growing fan base across the nation. The band coupled their touring schedule with success on radio. Their sophomore album “Highway 71”, released in the summer of 2010, debuted on the folk radio charts at #3, including the title track “Highway 71” as the #1 song, and held that position for two months. When the annual charts were compiled, they had a top 10 song of 2010 and a top 40 album of 2010.

3 Penny Acre built upon their radio success with "Highway 71" and toured extensively to support the album, including performances at some of the most revered venues/concert series/festivals across the nation such as Kerrville Folk Festival, Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, St. Louis Folk and Roots Festival, Gallivan Center (Salt Lake City), Eddie's Attic, Madison Square Park Concert Series, The Dosey Doe, The Ram's Head, The Blue Door, and many more.

The Artist’s Laboratory Theatre is an experimental theatre company based in Fayetteville, AR.  They have been described as “more evidence of the burgeoning theatre scene in northwest Arkansas” in American Theatre magazine.

“Found Fayetteville” is a humorous interpretation of  “found-in-Fayetteville” material, and follows a format to their last sheet fort show, “Show and Tell”. The company took public submissions, and featured in the New Year’s Eve performance is: Craig’s List ads, Roger’s Rec graffiti, pages of young creative writing, love letters, photographs, and home videos—all found in Fayetteville. “Found Fayetteville” is one of many in a series of performances in a giant sheet fort. Mature audiences only.

Outside The Lines, a trio of seasoned musical professionals, bring a unique brand of eclectic acoustic music to its performances.  Stan D'Aubin (mandolin & vocals), Ed Nicholson (guitar & vocals) and Emily Kaitz (bass & vocals) perform in a wide variety of styles ranging from swing to jazz, folk, Latin, bluegrass and blues.  Audiences are apt to hear some recognizable cover tunes along with plenty of originals, particularly D'Aubin's new-grass instrumentals and Kaitz's humorous compositions such as "Tornado Season in Tulsa," "Shallow End of the Gene Pool" and "To Be A Wood Bee."

Outside The Lines was formed in early 1999 when D'Aubin and Nicholson, both ex full-time professional musicians who were working at the corporate headquarters of Tyson Foods, began getting together for lunch-hour jams.  The two later brought in singer-songwriter Emily Kaitz on bass and Springdale wunderkind violinist Jenee Keener, who at the time was a junior in high school.  As a quartet Outside The Lines recorded a debut CD in 2000.  In September of that year Keener left to pursue an academic and musical career in Nashville, and since that time has played with many luminaries, including her current gig as fiddle player with Blake Shelton.  D'Aubin, Nicholson and Kaitz continued on without her as a trio and recorded another CD together in 2010.

Outside The Lines has performed at venues in Arkansas including the now-defunct Acoustic Sounds Cafe in Little Rock, Crawdad Days and the Lyric Theater in Harrison, Arts Center of the Ozarks in Springdale, GoodFolk Productions, the Walton Art Center's Starr Theater, and First Night in Fayetteville, and the Little Ole Opry in West Fork.  They have also travelled to Kaitz's old stomping grounds in Texas to perform in Austin at Artz Rib House and in Belton at Mary Hardin Baylor University's "Highways & Byways" series.

The Institute of Jugglology  was created to destroy the myth that what goes up must come down.  So far they have failed miserably, but are not ones to let gravity have the last word.  Galen Harp and Ella Winters combined forces in 2005 to create new juggling that makes everyone smile.  Recently they moved closer to their impossible goal by placing sixth in the International Juggling Teams Championship.

Since 2001, the Ozarkian duo of Kelly Mulhollan and Donna Stjerna have toured steadily and produced six CDs. Both Kelly and Donna are accomplished songwriters and play a plethora of acoustic instruments including acoustic guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and harmonica. The group's repertoire is primarily their own original, roots-based compositions (a genre hybrid they term "folkgrass") interspersed with new arrangements of traditional songs. The twosome has also created several very popular children's shows and educational workshops which they perform under the name Toucan Jam.

Lead by Ceramic Cow Productions’ founders, Mark Smith and Julie Gabel, “Phunbags Comedy Improv” is Northwest Arkansas' Only Short-Form Comedy Improv troupe, creating on-the-spot, in-the-moment gut-bustin' comedy based upon audience suggestions and participation! You can also see them perform monthly at the UARK Bowl on Dickson Street in Fayetteville. Check out our websites, www.phunbags.org or www.ceramiccowproductions.org

Troy A. Gittings has been doing comedy in the region for the last two years. He has opened for marquee acts such as Carlos Mencia and Bobcat Goldthwait. As founder of local comedy collective Fools on Parade and inventor of the football bat, Troy knows how to party and likes ‘em big as well as round. He cannot lie. He’s like the George Washington of comedy, but less fortunate with the ladies.

Claudia has a unique and instantly recognizable voice. She is a stylist who can breathe new life into a standard, magically infusing her soulfulness and personality into the music. Claudia's talent was nurtured from her youth. She grew up in Fayetteville, Ark. - the heartland of America - where the corners of Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas meet. Her interest in music was sparked early on, and she began playing piano at age eight. Classical lessons followed, along with encouragement from her uncle, Kermit Burson, who was a professional guitarist. Claudia's musical training continued through her school years, and upon entering college she studied classical piano with Beatriz Pilapil at the University of Arkansas. In 1976, Claudia enrolled at Berklee School of Music in Boston, followed by a fruitful period of performance in Houston, Texas, where she met and played with people like Don Wilkerson and Arnett Cobb to name a couple. Since returning to Fayetteville in 1998, Claudia has gained a regional following through her many performances. This CD marks her long-awaited debut recording as a leader. The recording has the advantage of showcasing Claudia with her working rhythm section, Steve Wilkes on drums and Mike Johnson on bass. The extraordinary empathy among these musicians was earned through a regular Sunday brunch gig at the local bistro, Copeland's Famous New Orleans Restaurant, and through countless club dates, festivals, and a featured performance in the Walton Arts Center's Jazz Series.

Sam Letchworth lives by the Oscar Wilde motto: “If you want to tell people the truth, you have to make them laugh – otherwise, they’ll kill you.” And not that he knows what the truth is, mind you, but that “by laughing at things we can understand them.” A modern-day bard, Sam entertains from a grab-bag of social commentary, shameless ruminations on his personal life, and songs on subjects from Valentine’s Day to the drug war, from drinking pineapple Schnapps to circumcision.--

Fayetteville Word War is BACK, and this time, we've even got a sheet fort of our own! 5 local poets will perform their poetry in competition for the entertainment of the audience! There will also be a local musician or two throwing some of their original work at you, including John Henry. Don't miss this chance to hear the best original writing and performance in all of Fayetteville!  We'll be in Matt Miller Studio at 7pm SHARP! Last year we packed out our venue, so make sure you're on time if you want a great seat!

History: Fayetteville Word Wars is a variety show which celebrates original writing of all kind in Northwest Arkansas. The show is maintained and hosted by Houston Hughes, a nationally recognized and awarded slam poet and Fayetteville local.

Jocelyn studied and performed Improvisational comedy at The Groundlings Theatre in Hollywood, Ca. Locally she performs with Phunbags Comedy Improv. This has been a busy year for Jocelyn. New to stand-up in 2012, she has performed at the KC IMPROV, The Looney Bin in Little Rock and the UARK Bowl. She shot in two independent feature films (Gordon Family Tree and Sympathy Pains) a short independent film (Fatty in Wonderland) and a web series (Pumphandle, USA). She has performed works developed during the NWA Prison Stories Project, Arkansas Playwrights Workshop (Goat Song Revel) and was selected as a featured reader in the NWA performance of Listen to Your Mother (a national series of live readings by local writers in celebration of Mother's Day.)

Shaking it up with NWA families since 2005, Shaky Bugs is an interactive song and dance party for the under 5 crowd and their fans! Ms Jules and her guitar leads the crowd through a high energy , singing, dancing, shaking experience. Shaky Bugs is specifically for the under 5 crowd, but the whole family will enjoy making music together and singing songs that will last forever.

Blossom’s Burlesque is a unique and lively tribute to the art of burlesque. This troupe of professional and amateur artists presents neo-burlesque, a fresh take on a centuries-old theatrical form, integrating contemporary dance with old-school vaudeville to produce a sexy, witty, and thoroughly engaging performance. Join Blossom’s for a fun, unforgettable evening.

During his career, Marshall has performed for small groups and for the masses.  Although he continues to travel and perform at a variety of events, such as clubs, fraternity/sorority parties, weddings, business after hours functions, private parties and such - the children's presentations have become his life blood and his life's work. The Marshall Mitchell Cowboy presentation is based on his recordings "Cowtails and Little Red Wagon Trails" and “Traildrive Stew."

Marshall’s creative mission is to educate children of all ages with an interactive performance that is upbeat, fun and based on the history of everyday cowboy life out on the trail and at home on the ranch, to enrich the lives of children with examples of the cowboy view of honor, self respect integrity and honesty all tempered with a little bit of humor, and to inspire children to become who they want to be; and through song and story allow them to travel a dusty trail in hopes of discovering who they really are.

Founded in 2009, Fayetteville’s TerraNova Tribal Bellydance Company specializes in American Tribal Style® bellydance, a modern improvisational dance form that fuses elements from Middle Eastern, North African, Indian and Flamenco traditions. TerraNova offers certified instruction in ATS® and is available for workshops and performances throughout Northwest Arkansas. Visit www.terranovatribal.com for class schedules, or call 479.222.1050 for more information. TerraNova Tribal is a FatChanceBellyDance® Sister Studio.