THURSDAY 7/28
Rodney Block hosts a summer “Block Party” at South on Main, the (rescheduled) tribute to neo-soul singer Maxwell, 9 p.m., $15. Ben Creed brings his comedy to the Loony Bin through Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Thu., 7:30 and 10 p.m. Fri.-Sat., $8-$12. Club Sway hosts “A Moment in HerStory,” a watch party for the Democratic National Convention hosted by state Rep. Clarke Tucker and Democratic state Senate candidate Will Bond, 7:30 p.m., free. The Lacs blend Southern rock with Southern rap at Revolution, 9 p.m., $15-$18. Standup comics Mary Beth Poppins and Richard Douglas Jones join the band deFrance at The Joint as part of the “Lyrics and Laughs” series, 8:30 p.m., $7. Austin’s Adam Carroll takes the stage at the White Water Tavern with Chris Carroll, 9 p.m.
FRIDAY 7/29
The Peacemaker Music & Arts Fest at Fort Smith’s Riverfront Park features performances from The Old 97s, American Aquarium, The Ben Miller Band and Turnpike Troubadours, Fri.-Sat., $19-$199. Country music’s Kevin Fowler, who took a dig at the country industry this year with single “Sellout Song,” plays the Electric Cowboy, 9 p.m., $10. Acoustic string band National Park Radio comes home to Harrison for a show at North Arkansas College’s Durand Center, 7 p.m., $10. The Main Thing continues its run of “Forever Hold Your Peace” at The Joint, Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m., $22. Verizon Arena hosts an “I Love the 90s” showcase, featuring Salt n’ Pepa, Vanilla Ice, Kid n’ Play, Tone Loc and Young MC, 7:30 p.m., $55-$68. The Big Dam Horns play Cajun’s Wharf, 9 p.m., $5.
SATURDAY 7/30
Arkansas State Archives hosts “Heroes of Arkansas Folk Music” symposium at 1 Capitol Mall (Big Mac), 9 a.m., free, 682-6900 for details. Dwight Yoakam caps off Magic Springs’ “Down on the Farm” day with a concert at 8 p.m., preceded by Arkansongs’ Stephen Koch at 6:30 p.m.; starting at 10 a.m., families can enjoy a Little Mr. and Mrs. Farmer contest, square dance performances, 4-H science activities and a “large farm equipment” display, $55-$65. Former U.S. Rep. Ed Bethune signs his book, “A Pearl for Kizzy” at WordsWorth Books, 1 p.m., free. Alyssa Edwards headlines a drag show at Club Sway ahead of her appearance on television’s “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 2,” 9 p.m., $25-$45. Tennessee Stiffs play the back room at Vino’s with Fried Pies and Jeremiah James Baker, 9 p.m., $6.