What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1476581
MONICA HOOPER NWA Democrat-Gazette W hat's new at this year's Fayetteville Roots Festival? "So much, but not so much," says Bryan Hembree, one of the organizers of the Fayetteville-based music and culinary arts festival. He explains that while the urban festival focused on roots music and exceptional cuisine made from local sources had a "downtown core" for a decade, the pandemic canceled the festival in 2020 and forced it all outdoors in 2021. This year the festival is back at full speed with an impressive musical lineup, a plethora of famous local and national chefs who will take over Fayetteville restaurants and offer up bites around town — as well as workshops at Roots HQ , free concerts at Ozark Natural Foods and Maxine's and other events all within walking distance of Fayetteville's Town Center. "Not to be cheesy, but it's returning to our 'roots' of how the festival has been structured before," Hembree explains. "It has been three calendar years since we did that, and so a lot of people that might be coming to the fest for the first time [might] go, 'This is different,' or whatever. It really is new, but not new." Hembree says that the Roots HQ crew are really excited to host music and culinary takeovers at new spaces in the Fayetteville Public Library. Several of the free community events will take place at the library including "Ozarks at Large" concerts with Reggie James Gospel, Dead Horses, Rachel Ammons, Radio Free Honduras, The Brother Brothers and more. There is reserved seating for festival passholders, and the rest is first-come, first-serve. In 641 Deli, there will be a free Taste and Talk series at 9 a.m. Aug. 26, and then a Roots Pop-Up Cafe at 11 a.m. on Aug. 26-27 will have affordable options. "There's a beautiful new teaching kitchen right there at the library," Hembree says of Friday and Saturday Taste and Talk workshops. "We have the capacity right there at the library for our chefs to do all the prep work they need to do. And so that allows us to center that program there at the library." A free songwriting workshop is scheduled for Aug. 26, and a free jam session on Aug. 27 will be at Roots HQ. Hembree adds that he's excited that this year's festival is walkable since all of the events are centered in downtown Fayetteville. "Even if someone's not coming to the festival, when you go downtown during Roots weekend, it's like, 'Wow, something's happening. There's a liveliness and an energy downtown," Hembree enthuses. Ticketholders will enjoy headliners Joe Purdy, The Woods Brothers, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, Bettye LaVette, Taj Mahal, Melissa Carper and Brady Blade Sr. & The Hallelujah Train. Local talent will include Smokey & the Mirror, Rachel Ammons, Meadow Makers, Dandelion Heart, Dylan Earl and more. For tickets and more information on the Fayetteville Roots Festival visit fayettevilleroots.org. AUGUST 21-27, 2022 WHAT'S UP! 3 Back To Its Roots Food, music and fun define Fayetteville festival Maggie Rose will perform during a late night show for the Fayetteville Roots Festival at George's Majestic Lounge. The Nashville- based singer/songwriter has dreamed up her own unbridled collision of rock'n'roll, soul, folk, funk and R&B. She is about to release her third studio album, "Have a Seat." Tickets for the Aug. 26 George's Majestic Lounge show with Leyton Robinson start at $22. (Courtesy Photo) See Roots Page 38 COVER STORY FAQ Fayetteville Roots Fest WHEN — Aug. 25-27 WHERE — All over downtown Fayetteville COST — $25-$399 with many free performances INFO — fayettevilleroots.org Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway perform at the Fayetteville Public Library the first night of the Fayetteville Roots Festival. (Courtesy Photo/Samantha Muljat)