Live music, weather and tomatoes

By Terry Joe Wiles

 

I had the best visit with a gentleman on a bench waiting for my number to be called inside at the doctor’s office. It started with our health issues and drifted through alcoholism, New Orleans and spirituality.

 

He said that New Orleans was his home until Katrina tore things up, and you could tell what a heartbreak he felt after that disaster, his church’s charity work for the misplaced from the floods and boat rescues.

We stopped just short of his personal loss of lives of friends and neighbors, but I could see the pain in his eyes. He has been living in Van Buren, Arkansas, ever since Katrina.

 

Support local, live music

 

So I steered the talk to my big year of living in New Orleans and getting to play music on Bourbon Street. He knew all the hotspots that I recalled, and some that I didn’t. I really enjoyed it.

 

That could’ve been the first time in a long time that I wasn’t on Facebook or glaring at my cell phone. That was nice for a change.

 

Oh yes, It’s the season for hot weather and tomatoes. I got mostly cherry and grapes. We are getting way too many, too fast. I’m eating tomatoes three times a day. I tried black cherries, and they are great.

I suppose they have Cherokee purple DNA, but they’re special.

 

As for live music this week, tonight it’s “Jazz at the Museum.” David and Donna Deaton will put on this evening’s music featuring “The Al Grezch Trio” with special guests.

This free live-music event has turned out to be a gold-letter day on the calendar. It will showcase popular, classic and jazz tunes and will feature Al/piano, David Hoffpauir/guitar and Dale Fraze Sr./drums along with horns or vocals. Join us for an evening of smooth Jazz. Downbeat at 6:30 tonight.

 

Bring a friend.

 

“Sierra Bravo” and The Spiro Eagles Lodge will have a dance on Saturday. Scot Francis and Billy Hoffman will combine their two styles of songs that cover a wide spectrum. It will be fun.

 

The dance will start at 7 p.m.

 

The Fort Smith Senior Activity Center on Cavanaugh Road will feature Mike and Lisa, and a wide variety of line-dancing songs. Gather your friends and join in the fun evening. It will begin at 7 p.m. Friday.

 

My Good Friends, “The Shady Oak Tribadours,” will be at Crocky’s Cafe in Hackett, Arkansas, on Friday. It’s part of the Summer Fire Gospel Concert Series.

 

This family event will not only have good food, but it’s good for the soul. On Saturday, “Paul and Back in the Day” will take the stage. The music will start at 6 p.m. both nights, See you there.

 

“The Stagemasters” is a true country dance band. From classic to modern, this band paces its shows that mix your favorite slow and fast tunes that keeps the dance floor full. The music will start at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Muldrow City Limits. Get there early for a good seat. Crowds of more than 100 people have been recorded lately.

 

Dawn’s Diner in Red Oak will have “59 South” on Friday and James Williams on Saturday. There will be good vittles and awesome music. Both nights of dancing will begin at 7 p.m.

 

“Make It a Double” has become regulars at Veterans of Foreign Wars Building in McAlester — so much so, the band almost has become the VFW McAlester house band. The reason that this band is popular is this band plays all the right tunes — country with a little bit R&R. Connie and Dave Abbott are seasoned performers. Catch them starting at 7 p.m. Saturday. Be there!

 

“59 South” will be at the Mighty Crab, located at 5707 Rogers Avenue in Fort Smith on Saturday. You can crack a claw and enjoy the band’s music. The band will play from 6-9 p.m.

 

That ain’t all that I got to say, but it’s a good place to stop. Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes. They encourage and lift me up. I have lost too many friends and family already. I am doing my best to hang on — good Lord willing.

For additional information about any live-music events or to let me know about any other such venues, call or text message me at (918) 649-5736 or e-mail me at [email protected].

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