What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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8 WHAT'S UP! JANUARY 16-22, 2022 EUREKA SPRINGS Cold Weather, Hot Licks OzMoMu brings outdoor festival vibe indoors MONICA HOOPER NWA Democrat-Gazette L auded as winter's only outdoor festival held indoors, the Ozark Mountain Music Festival will return Jan. 20-23 to the Basin Park Hotel in Eureka Springs. Now in its eighth year, the festival celebrates Americana roots music, bluegrass, folk and more. "The premise of the festival is that things are much quieter here in Eureka Springs in the winter, and we love the outdoor music festival vibe, so we created a similar music festival and brought it inside for the winter," says Gina Rambo, publicist for the 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa Basin Park Hotel. Last year's festivities were canceled due to covid, but now they are back in full swing with safety protocols in place. "We will be requiring proof of vaccination or a negative covid test at check-in. Festivalgoers will be able to stop by the welcome table at any point each day to go through their health check," says Mary Howze, activities director for the host hotel. "We will also ask the staff to continue to wear masks." More information on those protocols is available online. Covid precautions won't damper the fun though. In addition to a "jam"- packed music schedule, there are DIY souvenir events, whiskey and craft beer tastings, hatchet throwing, a clothing swap, ice skating and even a yoga session followed by mimosas to keep the party going between sets. Those staying at the Basin for the festival will have a chance to participate by wearing costumes that correspond to each night's theme: Toupee Thursday, Fictional Friday and Sequin Saturday. "We encourage a hotel door decorating contest for a chance to win a ticket back to the festival," says Howze, "and of course, we encourage all festivalgoers to spend time exploring Eureka Springs itself. Shopping, eating, in-town hiking, and more. "This year we are adding a listening room in our Cave area on the lobby level. The listening room will feature artists that have more than music to share, they have stories to go with it. The location is unique, and the setting is very intimate. We will encourage festivalgoers to participate in a quieter fashion in this area. We pulled the concept from the famous International Folk Festival that is held in Kansas City. It is a space that allows the artist a space to communicate with the crowd," Howze adds. Headlining the festival this year is Ghost of Paul Revere. The group includes Max Davis on vocals and banjo, Sean McCarthy on vocals and bass and Griffin Sherry on vocals and guitar. According to the band's website, they were described by the Boston Globe as a "Maine-grown, foot-stompin' holler-folk quartet [that creates] the type of music for which festivals are made." This year's lineup also includes Reverend Hylton, Chucky Waggs & The Company of Raggs, Country Jesus, The Lucky Pickers, Grace Stormont, Jenna & Martin, Atrium, Me and Him, Chicken Wire Empire, The Hillbenders, Opal Agafia featuring DeAnna Smith, John Depew, Good Morning Bedlam Duo, The Gravel Yard Bluegrass Band, Hosty Duo, The Hooten Hallers, Circus No. 9 and The Cate Brothers. What's Up! chatted with three of the bands: Chucky Waggs & The Company of Raggs Chucky Waggs & The Company of Raggs are scheduled to take the stage at 8 p.m. Jan. 20 on the first night of OzMoMu. Q. Can you tell me a little bit about how your current group came together and who everyone is? I understand that you were with Mountain Sprout formerly and have been active in the Eureka Springs music scene for many years. FAQ Ozark Mountain Music Festival WHEN — Jan. 20-23 WHERE — Basin Park Hotel, 12 Spring St. in Eureka Springs COST — $70 for all-access passes INFO — ozarkmountainmu- sicfestival.com The band Grass Fed plays at a previous Ozark Mountain Music Festival. This year's festival is Jan. 20-23 at the Basin Park Hotel in Eureka Springs. (Courtesy Photo)