Rockin' Springdale

Shreve kicks off Main Street Music Nites

"The Sideshow has always maintained a flair for the dramatic."

That's how we once described Randall Shreve's ensemble in What's Up! And even though Shreve has a new band -- called The Devilles, they're already at work on a new album, "The Devil and The End" -- that assessment promises even a solo Shreve will on Aug. 15 open this season's Main Street Music Nites with something different for Arts Center of the Ozarks audiences.

FYI

Main Street

Music Nites

Aug. 15 — Randall Shreve

Nov. 14 — Voxana

Jan. 16 — Smokey & the Mirror

May 14 — The Squarshers

COST — Season tickets for Main Street Music Nites can be obtained in the Serendipity Pick 3 package for prices ranging from $24 to $46

INFO — 751-5441 or acozarks.org

Described as "vaudeville indie rock" on Shreve's Facebook page, his music "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 but a unique entertainment experience. They never leave disappointed," his page concludes.

"It's a rock show that never stops," Shreve himself says.

The setting at the ACO -- cabaret seating in the downstairs gallery space -- promises an up-close-and-personal experience for Shreve's show and throughout this year's series, says Kathi Blundell, ACO administrative director.

New two years ago as part of the Serendipity Series were the concerts collectively called Main Street Music Nites. The shows take place in the downstairs art gallery, creating an atmosphere much like a house concert, Blundell says. Well-received by patrons and musicians alike, the series has been expanded to four performances this year.

"It was so great to sit back, have a glass of wine and enjoy the music in an intimate setting," Blundell says. "People loved getting to interact with each other and the musicians, too."

Following Shreve on Nov. 14 is Voxana, with vocalist Brittany Stephenson, who wowed ACO audiences last year.

Stephenson says she has been singing "since she was really little" but never really intended to do it professionally. Then she met Leo Mazow and became half of The Coverlets, dedicated to story songs from classic American folk music and pre-commercial country music.

Now she is also the vocalist for Voxana, joining Stephen Pruitt on vocals, guitar and drums and Edward Mekelburg on mandolin, lead guitar and backing vocals to create music they describe as modern folk.

"Voxana's set list is very diverse and offers a little something for everyone," Pruitt promises. "You're likely to hear country artists such as Waylon Jennings and John Prine, rock artist such as Young the Giant, Snow Patrol and Coldplay, as well as more roots-oriented folk such as The Lumineers and Trampled by Turtles." And, he promises, audiences will also hear original music layered "seamlessly throughout the set."

Husband and wife duo Smokey and the Mirror kicks off 2016. Based in Fayetteville, Bernice and Bryan Hembree gained a following as 3 Penny Acre with Bayard Blain but have most often been a duo since 2013. Their most recent CD, "Thin Black Line," came out in April. It "is more of a character study in human emotion, instead of human history," Bryan Hembree says. But, he adds, while the music may have changed, the passion he and his wife share about making it has not.

"We're in this for the long haul," he says. "We want to keep feeding this part of our lives. If they get that, they'll get the album" -- and the Jan. 16 performance.

Wrapping up Main Street Music Nites will be The Squarshers on May 14. Band members describe themselves as "a rag tag bunch of corn pone squarshin' grass pickers" and the genre of the music as "you name it." The band, which includes John Henry, Brennan Johnson, Patrick Calaway and a musician who calls himself Crowcephus, has recently performed at Chelsea's in Eureka Springs, Ryleigh's in Fayetteville and Creekfest in Dover.

NAN What's Up on 07/31/2015

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