Hot Springs is keeping funky and bit edgy by being on the forefront of reintroducing live music acts during the covid-19 pandemic. Of course, it's up to individuals to decide whether to attend, but it's our civic duty to encourage extreme caution and adherence to the rules set forth by health and government officials. That said, if you can't live without live entertainment, you have a few options.
The Long Run, an Eagles tribute band, will perform one, maybe two shows at The Legendary Vapors club on 315 Park Ave. in Hot Springs on Saturday evening.
The event is a benefit for an orphanage in Kenya. Tickets are $100 for "VIP" front-row seating, $75 for reserved seats and $50 for general admission. The band will perform at 6 p.m. for an audience that will be limited to 150 people and again at 9 p.m. if the first show is a sell-out. There will be also be a live auction at 8 p.m.
Patrons must have their own masks; temperatures will be checked; questions will be asked of patrons and social distancing will be practiced. The Hot Springs National Park Rotary Club is sponsoring the event and the orphanage in Africa.
For more information, call Rotary Club member Rollin Caristianos at (501) 318-8782 or see the website OneBlockataTimeKenya.com.
The Long Run is a Colorado-based band whose members are Mark Trippensee on vocals, drums and percussion; Steven Weinmeister on vocals, guitars, mandolin and piano; Adam Rey on vocals and guitars; Reece Morse on vocals, keyboards and acoustic guitars; and Bill Hopkins on vocals and bass guitars. (Both Weinmeister and Hopkins are former members of the band Firefall; the former as lead singer for 22 years and the latter as the bassist for 27 years.)
• Skillet will perform, along with opening act Ledger, at 7 p.m. Saturday at Magic Springs Theme and Water Park, on East Grand Avenue (U.S. 70) in Hot Springs. Admission, included in the park's admission price, is $59.99; $39.99 for those shorter than 48 inches and those over age 55. Up to $15 off those ordering online at MagicSprings.com/buy-tickets.php. Season passes are $79.99.
• Jocko Deal will perform at 9 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights at The Big Chill, 910 Higdon Ferry Road, Hot Springs (thebigchillhotsprings.com).
• Scenic 7 will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday at The Trough Bar and Grill, 833 Central Ave., Hot Springs.
• Country singer Rodney Atkins will perform, with Mayday by Midnight opening the show, at 7 p.m. Saturday for Mud Daze 2020 at Carter Off-Road Park in Alexander. Tickets, $35.04, are available through ticketbud.com. For more information, see carter
offroadpark.com. The park is at 7498 Anderson St., Alexander.
STAY TUNED
James Snyder, one of the organizers of the "drive-in" movie venue in the parking area of the former Windsong Performing Arts Center, just off Crystal Hill Road near the junction of Interstates 40 and 430, reports that he is working on putting together a music event.
"I am thinking of doing a socially distant camp-out music fest where all the artists are broadcast over the FM transmitter, and the ticket includes a hammock and a set of FM headphones ... [I'm] thinking of Labor Day weekend and hoping to pull it off with 90% local artists and a regional headliner or two."
• The Summer Camp Music Festival is urging fans of live music venues, festivals and promoters to go to the website saveourstages.com and add their names to send a letter to Congress.
"Without inclusion in the next stimulus bill, this might be the last chance for your favorite independent venues, festivals and promoters. Tell your reps that the support for independent venues must be included ... Ask your legislators to support and co-sponsor S. 3814/H.R. 7481, the RESTART Act."
Some of the many supporters include Brandi Carlile; Bonnie Raitt; Band of Horses; The Beach Boys; Beach House; Chris Smither; Chris Stapleton; Carole King; Cher; Earth, Wind and Fire; Don McLean; Drive-By Truckers; Hayes Carll; Henry Rollins; John Mayer; and John Paul White.