Hot Springs Hot Spots Magazine - March 2013

MARCH 2013

VALLey OF SOund PG 21 MORE THAN JUST A SPA CITY PG 36 PUNK ROCK CARTOONIST pg 14

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CHRIS MOSHER: DOING WHAT HE LOVES TO DO

IN THIS ISSUE: ON THE COVER

MOSHER

HISTORIC IN THE PARK ANGEL’S IN THE PARK

KNOWN ONLY AS MOSHER CHRIS MOSHER

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CIARA CERRATO ciara@hshotspots.com

SALES

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RESTAURANT LISTING

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WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE SPA (EVENT CALENDAR) MARCH

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VALLEY OF SOUND

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THE INDEPENDENT MUSIC FESTIVAL WITH HEART

VALLEY OF THE VAPORS EVENT LISTINGS

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MAKE THE RIGHT CALL

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EATS

HISTORIC IN THE PARK Just like carriage rides and fountains historic hotels are a prerequisite for charming small resort towns. A mainstay for Hot Springs is great food, and in downtown Hot Springs it does not get much better than Angel’s in the Park.

A staple among the handful of fine dining establishments in the downtown area, Angel’s in the Park has a multitude to offer. One thing that cements the restaurant’s reputation is its prime location, located in the lobby of the historic Park Hotel with a stylish outdoor veranda that boasts a primo view of the Grand Promenade, it is a pleasurable setting for anyone dining or enjoying a nice cocktail. A delectable menu of hearty Italian dishes accompanied by a variety of sauces ranging from butter to vodka. On top of the cuisine the restaurant offers a full bar, so if

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you are wanting an after dinner cocktail or a glass of chianti from their extensive wine list, Angel’s in the Park is the perfect place for a quaint and savory meal with friends and loved ones.

Angel’s in the Park also offers pizzas baked in a classic wood oven. If you are uncertain about how to start off the meal the knowledgeable and savvy wait staff will steer you in the right direction with the crab cakes generously topped with a roasted red pepper cream sauce and fried spinach, and the antipasto platter is also pleasing to the palette. The candle lit ambience along with the touch of subtle log flames incased near the dining area create a traditional Italian dining atmosphere. The European flair of the hotel’s

Story by Jim G. Miller

preserved Spanish Revival architecture is warm and thought provoking.

Like its sister restaurant located on Central Avenue, Angel’s in the Park offers a full menu of classic Italian entrees, the two major exceptions being that Angel’s in the Park offers other amazing dishes that include either tilapia or veal cooked to succulent perfection with risotto and mixed vegetables or your choice of other pastas. Last but not least, and even if you are delightfully full, stay for one more Frank Sinatra song and try one of their many Italian style desserts. I recommend the crème brulee…the chocolate of course.

Angel’s in the Park is open only for dinner Monday through Saturday starting at 5 pm.

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MUSIC

KNOWN ONLY AS MOSHER After moving around the country and living in California where he was modeling with people like Dave Navarro of Jane’s Addiction and John Dolmayan from System of a Down, Chris Mosher has returned to settle back in Hot Springs, the one place he calls home.

Mosher — as he is known by all — is a born & bred Arkansas rock star. Playing since he was fifteen after witnessing his brother-in-law learn a song on a guitar, Mosher knew immediately that it was something that he wanted to master.

“I’m inspired by many of my local friends who are musicians. We’ve been playing with one another for so many years that we’ve come to respect and almost look up to each other,” said Mosher who is currently

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working on his first album scheduled to be released this Summer.

Whenever Mosher isn’t playing at a local Hot Springs venue, he is working as an emcee/ DJ at Longshots Saloon across from Oaklawn racetrack, which is also one of the many venues he plays in the state. Being around him for about an hour, it made sense that someone would pay him to talk to people. Musicians do not always have to be up on a stage singing or playing an instrument to be identified for who they are.

For many of them, it’s just a presence or a state of being.

Mosher still finds time to unplug and play his music. When he isn’t working he’s often collaborating with other artists in the area. With influences like Layne Staley of

Story by Jim G. Miller

Alice in Chains, Jason Mraz, Sam Cooke and Otis Redding, the notion of singing, as well as playing the guitar, occupies much of Mosher’s interest when it comes to writing songs and lyrics. “I listen to good vocalists, if you’re a good singer songwriter I can’t get enough of it.” Mosher makes it a point to refer to all of the local artists who have put in their daily grind playing gigs throughout the state just doing what they love to do.

The new album will be comprised of more than just acoustic songs as Mosher continues to expand the play list before heading back to the recording studio. Uncertain of exactly what the future holds for him, Mosher knows one thing for certain: once the pursuit of being a musical artist becomes a job rather than enjoyment, that will be when he quits the business altogether.

Until then, it’s just all about jam time.

hot springs

ALBUMS ON REVIEW Contribution Courtesy of & Written by Jim G. Miller

White LIARS wYOMIng

No strangers to Hot Springs, this folk duet considers spa city to be their second home.

Whether or not they say this to every audience they play to may be uncertain. But one thing that is absolutely certain is that their intimate stage presence is conveyed in their live studio recordings. Their second album, Wyoming, resonates that familiar feeling of couth dejection displayed in the sorrowful countryfolk twang of Justin Kinkel-Schuster’s voice.

Formerly the front man of Theodore, Schuster branched out last March with drummer Andrew Bryant to tour and write songs. Based in St. Louis, Water Liars invoke what can only be felt by reading someone’s private journal. If you are going to check out any song on their new album, listen to “Cut a Line,” reminiscent of something Johnny Cash may have written, Schuster’s vocals revel in the clever opening chorus of this track. Set to release early this month, they will be on tour with the album in Hot Springs during the Valley of the Vapors Independent Music Festival.

HHHH

SINKANe MARS

Ahmed Gallab’s multi instrumental tribal funk rhythms combined with the deep and provocative resonance of his lyrical style exhibits a foot tapping, body shaking, all around feel good vibe in Sinkane’s latest album, Mars. If Shaft had been a passive Berkley College Professor rather than a crime fighting badass, Sinkane would have done his soundtrack. Gallab, the Sudanese son of two actual college professors reveals his wealth of musical knowledge from the past and present in this second full-length album. Well worth a listen, and definitely worth the cost of admission during this year’s Valley of the Vapors Independent Music Festival.

HHHHH

JAMAICAN QUEENS WOrMFOOD

When listening to “Water,” the first track on the Jamaican Queens newest album, aptly titled Wormfood, you cannot help but grin at the cleverly twisted lyrics fashioned by this Detroit based band with two former members of Prussia. Their music has a touch of Ben Folds angst accompanied by their self-coined ‘trap pop’ sound that uses a lot of bass synth, drum, and bass samples.

While Wormfood starts off on a lighter somewhat macabre note, the album becomes more serious with songs like Wellfleet Outro. This track is the first one accompanied by female vocals and it is carried by a somber melody that methodically pulls you in deeper and truly shows the band’s versatility. Still under the radar but worth looking out for as they stroll through Hot Springs on March 17th at Low Key Arts.

HHHHH ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR: Jim Miller is a photographer and co-director of the recent documentary film, VOV: An Independent Music Festival. You will probably see him stage front this year awkwardly moving to the music while shooting pics & videos during this years festival.

Do you agree with our Reviews? Leave your feedback on our reviews at hshotspots.com.

Submit your own Reviews! Send your new release album reviews to info@hshotspots.com

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VENUES

LIVE SHOW LISTINGS EVERY WED

7pm Wednesday Night Poetry, 9pm Karaoke—FREE

THURS 3/7 STAR & MICEY, CAROLINE STORY—FREE Pop/Indie Rock/Americana FRI 3/8 THE ROCKETBOYS, MIKE MAINS & THE BRANCHES,

DINNER AND A SUIT Indie/Rock/Pop SAT 3/9 VINYL THIEF, COSBY, NERVES JUNIOR Electro-Rock/Indie/Rock/Electronic Pop Rock TUES 3/12 WE ARE VOICES, STATE & MADISON—FREE Indie/Rock THURS 3/14 Loves IT!—FREE Folk/Country Gold/Americana/Pop/Appalachian FRI 3/15 FOUL PLAY CABARET, BOHANNONS Burlesque/Garage/Southern Rock SAT 3/16 tHE SEE, MERCiES, THE END OF AMERICA Indie/Beach Core/Forest Pop/Rock/Folk/Americana SUN 3/17 CELLO FURY Cello Rock TUES 3/19 BEHOLD THE BRAVE, CHROME PONY, CHRISTIAN LEE HUTSON—FREE Rock/Indie Rock/Rock n’ Roll/Country/Folk/Americana FRI 3/22 THE MANSION FAMILY, UNCLE JOE & THE BACKSLIDERS’ CHOIR Radio Rock/Folk SAT 3/23 AIR REVIEW, ADAM FAUCETT & THE TALL GRASS Rock/Folk/Soul THURS 3/28 BEN ROBBINS—FREE Indie/Rock/Folk FRI 3/29 POP PISTOL, THE SOUND OF THE MOUNTAIN Rock and Roll/Indie/Electronic/Post-Rock/Shoegaze SAT 3/30 Opportunist, BURNt, THE InNer PArty Experimental/Rock n’ Roll/Punk THURS 4/4 RAY TARANTINO—FREE Indie/Rock/Folk FRI 4/5 DANIEL MARKHAM, RTB2 Rock

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SALT & PEPPER [9PM-1AM] FRI/SAT 3/29-30 RODGE (5-8pm), CRASH MEADOWS [9PM-1AM]

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Larry Womack and Nancy Johnsen [6-10PM] JOSH JORDAN [7-11PM] JOHN CALVIN BREwER BAND [7-11PM] JOHN CALVIN BREwER [7-11PM] Larry Womack and Nancy Johnsen [6-10PM] JOSH JORDAN [7-11PM] JOSH JORDAN [7-11PM]

3/10 3/12 3/17 3/19 3/24 3/26 4/2

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REDDIRT RENEGADES MIKE MAYBErry LARRY LEE CHESSIR SENSOry 2 ARRON OWENS

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VENUES

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EVERY SUN EVERY MON EVERY TUES

KARAOKE WITH CHUCKIE D BRIAN BEARDEN or DAVID BALL Lightnin Lee Langdon OR SALT & PEPPER DUO

Wed 3/6 THURS 3/7 FRI/SAT 3/8-9 WED 3/13 THURS 3/14 FRI 3/15 SAT 3/16 WED 3/20 THURS 3/21 FRI 3/22 SAT 3/23 WED 3/27 FRI/SAT 3/29-30 WED 4/3 FRI 4/5

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FRI 3/8 SHANE SIMANton SAT 3/9 CHRISTINE DEMEO FRI 3/15 DAYTON WATERS SAT 3/16 MOONSHINE MAFIA FRI 3/22 DUEL CARB SAT 3/23 MOSHER FRI 3/29 ARRON OWENS SAT 3/30 MOONSHINE MAFIA & CHRISTINE DEMEO FRI 4/5 CHRIS HENRY SAT 4/6 MOONSHINE MAFIA

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ARTS

PUNK ROCK CARTOONIST Scene: Seattle. 1987. Grunge, sometimes known as Seattle Sound, is on the up and up, and a young artist named Pat Moriarty has gotten his first sequential art piece published

by Fantagraphics publishing.

“Working at fantagraphics was a little like getting punched in the face as a young aspiring cartoonist. I was among some of the best in the business,” said Moriarty. Being thrown into the fire with names such as Robert Crumb, Daniel Clowes, Harvey Pekar, and many other established cartoonists, allowed for Moriarty to step up his approach and do what he had wanted to do ever since he was a kid growing up in Chicago.

“My dad was a cartoonist back in the 1950s, and back then cartoonists were like rock stars and were cool, so that’s immediately what I

14

wanted to be, no one ever bothered to correct me,” laughed Moriarty.

As a result of being a punk rock artist in the 1980s, when working for Twin Tone Records in Minneapolis, Moriarty’s illustration style was immersed in the technical do-it-yourself ethics borrowed from the underground punk movement.

A late bloomer to the underground style, it took Moriarty years to establish the dark, crosshatched style that people now look for when they hire him to do freelance.”

“When Bill Solleder had approached me about doing a poster for the Valley of the Vapors, the first thing I did was look at old posters from previous years. I told myself that I had to go above and beyond to make mine better than all

Story by Jim G. Miller

the rest. Usually when doing work for a band, I’ll just immerse myself in the music and start sketching my ideas, drawing and drawing until something works. With the VOV Poster, I had the idea of the vapors and a guitar in a valley with music. The theme this year was leather, and at first I just had a guy playing a guitar wearing a leather jacket and leather boots, and I thought I have to make something different, and then it came to me one night while I was laying down in bed half asleep. In an almost dyslexic moment, it occurred to me to switch the subjects and have the guitar playing another guitar that had human like characteristics.” The weird factor is a trademark in much of Moriarty’s illustrations, and it is this style that transcends his work beyond that of your run of the mill illustrator.

When he isn’t getting paid for a freelance gig or whenever he’s not working on a short

hot springs

Conceptual sketch (above) and Valley of the Vapors event poster (right). comic, he is teaching at the Seattle Institute of Art. “I keep myself educated about the latest trends in art by teaching,” said Moriarty. While pen and ink is becoming old school in the new age of digital illustration, Moriarty still stands alongside a respective echelon of established pen and ink cartoonists.

Moriarty will be at Red Beard’s in downtown Hot Springs Thursday March 14th for an art show featuring some of his illustrative and sequential art pieces from both his punk rock days as well as some of his present day work for other bands and various projects.

“I always tell students and other aspiring cartoonists that a good way to get better as an artist is to see yourself in print. There is a transformation visually when you see it printed on the page,” said Moriarty who will be leading two educational workshops during this year’s Valley of the Vapors Independent Music Festival, Friday March 15th at 4 pm on character design for comics and on Saturday March 16th he will be presenting an illustration workshop on how to do comics and storyboards. For more information regarding these workshops visit www.valleyofthevapors.com and for more information about Pat Moriarty or to see more of his work visit his website at http://home. earthlink.net/~cartoondepot/

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EAT/DRINK

RESTAURANT LISTINGS FriED GOAT CHEESE APPETIZER FROM ANGEL’S IN THE PARK

16

Akers Market & Deli

CENTRAL PARK FUSION

4198 Malvern 262-0500

200 Park Ave 623-0202

ANDREW’S

Cheese Corner

410 Central 623-3200

303 Broadway 624-3040

Angel’s in the Park

Classics Bar & Grill

211 Fountain Street 609-0767

4813 Central 525-7172

Back Porch Grill

Colorado Grill

4810 Central 525-0885

320 Ouachita 623-7992

Belle Arti

Diamondhead grill

719 Central 624-7474

245 Independence 262-1565

Belle of Hot Springs

Doc’s Pizzeria

5200 Central 525-4438

1018 Airport 760-2227

BLEU MONKEY GRILL

Don Juan

4263 Central 520-4800

1311 Albert Pike 321-0766

Brick House Grill

English Muffin

801 Central 321-2926

4307 Central 525-2710

Buffalo Wild Wings

FAT JACKS

4104 Central 525-9453

101 Central 623-5225

BUBBA’s CATFISH TO GO

Fisherman’s Warf

5411 Central 762-3474

5101 Central 525-7437

CAFE 1217

Fuji Japanese SteakHouse

1217 Malvern 318-1094

608 E. Grand 321-1688

Cajun Broilers

Gilligan’s on Lake

2806 Albert Pike 767-5695

5200 Central 525-3319

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Hawg’s Pizza

McClard’s BBQ

Rod’s Pizza Cellar

1442 Airport 767-4240

505 Albert Pike 624-9586

3350 Central 321-2313

Hesters Family

Mel’s Diner

Roland’s BBQ

1204 Central 321-9906

1603 Airport 767-0595

200 Higdon Ferry 625-3079

Higdon Square Café

Mi Pueblito

ROLANDO’S

706 Higdon Ferry 623-7744

2070 Airport 760-4647

210 Central 318-6054

Hollywood Pizza

MOOYAH

Salsa’s

5737 Central 520-0900

3954 Central 520-5000

4324 Central 520-5305

HUNAN PALACE

MR. WHISKERS

Sam’s Pizza Pub

4737 Central 525-3344

1538 Malvern 262-3474

401 Burchwood Bay 525-0780

Jason’s Burgers

MUELLER’s BISTRO

Smokin’ in Style

148 Amity 525-0919

111 Crawford #B 501-623-7005

2278 Albert Pike 767-9797

Jose’s

Osaka Japanese

Smyly’s Crab Shack

5361 Central 525-9797

3954 Central 525-9888

4916 Central 525-3442

Kings Restaurant

TACO MAMA

Stubby’s BBQ

3310 Central 318-1888

1209 Malvern 624-6262

3024 Central 624-1552

KJ’s Grill

TREJO’s MEXICAN

Taco Pronto

1834 Airport 767-0063

3040 Albert Pike 760-2316

423 Central 525-7309

La Hacienda

Porterhouse

WELDON’S MEAT MARKET

3836 Central 525-8203

707 Central 321-8282

3911 Central 525-2487

Longshots Bar/Grill

RAZORBACK PIZZA

Whistle Stop

2720 Central 624-4344

4330 Central 525-1616

2608 Albert Pike 760-6700

LUNA BELLA

Rocky’s Corner

ZOE’s CAFE

104 Grand Isle 520-5862

2600 Central 624-0199

2230 Malvern 321-2921

tuna tartar tacos from CENTRAL PARK FUSION Crab Legs FROM THE PORTERHOUSE

OYSTERs ROCKEFELLER FROM ANDREW’S 17

FIRST ANNUAL PDF TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS Lake Ouachita

At the Crystal Springs Launch Ramp

March 16, 2013

TAKE OFF • 6:00 am WEIGH IN • 3:00 pm

Entr y Fee $150 per Boat

with $100 of the fee going to Parkinson’s Disease Foundation Prizes: $500 to the Big Bass Weigh In every 2 hours except for the final weigh in. The Final Winner will receive the Grand Prizes donated by our sponsors from: JensArt • Custom Creek • Road Kill Taxidermy • Ouachita Liquor Additional prizes given by the following Sponsors:

Lure Concepts • Real Deal Baits • Jig Miester Custom Lures • Stasheos Custom Jigs BassGrubb Hand Poured Baits • Holsters Custom Lures

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EVENT CALENDAR MArCH Mar 1-APR 15 Tulip Extravaganza

15-19 THE VALLEY OF THE VAPORS

INDEPENDENT MUSIC FESTIVAL

at Garvan Woodland Gardens

6FIRST WEDNESDAY CHILDREN’S at Garvan Woodland Gardens

SERVICE: WHEN WOMEN COME MARCHING HOME at Central Theater, 1008 Central | 6:30pm

8-11 SUN BELT

CHAMPIONS

DOWNTOWN GALLERY WALK

at Lake Ouachita, Crystal Springs Launch Ramp

at Historic Downtown Hot Springs

17 FIRST EVER TENTH ANNUAL

at Hale Bathhouse, The Muses 3 Arts Cafe and Bookstore

at Summit Arena at Bridge Street Downtown

at Hill Wheatley Plaza

APR 4-6, 11-13

16 FIRST ANNUAL PDF TOURNAMENT OF APR 5

BASKETBALL WORLD’S SHORTEST St. PATRICK’s CHAMPIONSHIP DAY PARADE

9DRIBBLE DRIVE

at The Woodland Auditorium in Hot Springs Village

at Low Key Arts, 118 Arbor & Various FIVE STAR DINNER THEATRE PRESENTS “JAKOV SMIRRNOFF” Downtown at FIve Star Dinner Theater Venues thefivestardinnertheatre.com

PROGRAM: GRASS SOCK ANIMALS

7SCREENING OF THE DOCUMENTARY,

23 THE WITNESS AT WOODLANDS

17-18 COUNTDOWN TO CELTIC SPRING at Garven Woodland Gardens

21-22 10 ARKANSAS SALES AND USE THE ART OF Pysanky Eggs with Bob Byers

TAX SCHOOL

at Garvan Woodland Gardens

at Hot Springs Convention Center

FIRST FRIDAY WITH THE MUSES

APR 5-14 THE LITTLE FOXES at The Pocket Theater

SATURDAYS Hot Springs Farmers Market at Transportation Depot 121 Orange St

“Salsa Night” Dancing at Vina Morita Restaurant and Winebar, 610 Central, Suite B

19

VALLEY OF SOUND

Story by Ciara Cerrato Photography by Jim G. Miller

THE INDEPENDENT MUSIC FESTIVAL WITH A HEART

Peelander Z

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MUSIC FESTIVAL

For those of us here in Arkansas, the first day of spring is quickly approaching.

As if it were an invocation of this most beautiful season of the city of spas, so too does the Valley of the Vapors music festival draw near, and the locals are getting excited.

Not only is it one of the only rock festivals in Hot Springs, but it is the only independent music festival in the state, and as musicians and fans flock from far and wide, it soon becomes clear that this little ar tistic oasis is definitely not a mirage. Ar tists will travel from as near as down the street and from as far as across the Pacific Ocean to perform, and the result is an assor tment of sounds and emotions just as colorful and refreshing as the budding newness that will soon explode through our little green valley this spring. And explode it will, because the ar tists, locals, and volunteers have been preparing.

Low Key Ar ts is the organization that hosts the festival as well as housing the majority of the performances, and much of the work is done by volunteers. The Low Key Ar ts building is nestled at the crystal strewn base of a ridge of foothills connected to Hot Springs Mountain. Also called Nor th Mountain, this is the mountain with the greatest concentration of the for ty-seven hot springs for which the city is named, and like the for ty-eighth spring, this venue acts as a channel through which all kinds of ar tistic energy has been bursting for years. Not only does ar tistic expression thrive here, but also the volunteer spirit and a little something Arkansans like to call southern hospitality.

As the festival has grown, so has the network of volunteers, and only until recently has there been an official volunteer coordinator. This year Jamie Perros fulfills the role. Since Perros has been involved with the festival, which has been nearly from the beginning almost a decade ago, she finds no other festival that compares to the hear t and generosity of the VOV. With bands like P Lander Z from Japan, or Funeral Suits from Ireland, showing these travel-weary musicians a little t.l.c. is not only impor tant, it is a par t of our culture

22

Justin Kinkel Shusterof Water Liars

hot springs

here in Hot Springs. “I have never seen bands treated so kindly,” says Perros. “That is what we want to be instead of a big, impersonal festival. It is a place where bands can feel appreciated and at home, where when they come in, their fans have baked them a lasagna or bought them fresh socks.” As a way to show the bands some love and create fun and memorable moments among the ar tists, volunteers, and festivalgoers, the VOV has star ted a new tradition where volunteers can adopt a band. Laughing, Perros reminisces about the time she adopted the Unstoppable Death Machines when they came through in the middle of touring. “All I did was give them some books from a thrift store and new socks, and the moment I handed them their gift they took their shoes off right then and changed their socks, thanking me. I realized then that it was the little things that really matter.” For tired, touring bands, things like a shower, a meal, or a place to crash for the night are a

big deal, which is something Crystal Meyers, the hospitality coordinator, knows well. While many larger festivals don’t put such special focus on these matters, it is a strength of this festival’s volunteer force.

At the VOV, rather than being elusive creatures the audience may observe from afar, the musicians are people that you can talk to, that you can reach out and touch. The founder of the festival Bill Solleder points out the intimacy of the performances, “The distance of the barrier between the stage and the crowd at larger festivals is the size of the entire low key venue.” Because it is a smaller festival, bands can actually relax here; rather than work, it is a vacation. At the big festivals, bands often perform as a career move. At the Valley of the Vapors, it is about performing and enjoying the music at hear t rather than finding a big break or trying to land a big record deal.

This misty gorge is an appropriate place to share and connect, its ancient, native name being Manataka, or the place of peace. Perros describes the creative beauty surrounding the VOV, “You can see rolling hills for miles, mineral deposits jutting from rocks, baby foxes playing right outside. It’s hard to get this kind of inspiration from ar tificial things in big cities. Emphasizing the connection between the ar tists and the audience comes naturally at this festival as well. It is what it is built on as a volunteer driven event, and after all it is a festival about sharing. Whether we are sharing our ar t and music, our ideas and generosity, or our friendship and love, it’s about sharing the things that make us creative beings -- and having a blast doing it.

The trail shows are a unique aspect of the week. It is the kind of performance that embodies so much of the independent festival experience in Hot Springs. At these noontime

Laura Stevenson and the Cans

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MUSIC FESTIVAL

Parts and Labor

performances, festivalgoers not only get to enjoy some of the best new independent music in the country, but they get to do so on the top of our blooming mountains as the audience and ar tists hike up together along with their kids, or dogs, and whoever else wants to join in the fun. These shows are often acoustic sets performed by bands that may not typically play unplugged, and they are some of the most special moments during the festival. It is a time when the ar tists get to experience a par t of the city most people passing through do not. Perros explains, “The bands become locals when they are here.”

The workshops are also an exciting par t of the festival that the locals look forward to every year. It is a truly par ticipatory experience. Deciding they wanted more hands-on, educational events, the volunteers

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of the festival began hosting and suppor ting workshops ranging a variety of topics and skills. Ar t as well as music is a large focus of the workshops. Last year, you could build your own instrument with Yuri Landman, learn how to knit with Kelly Deal, or learn about the history of rock music. This year, Seattle ar tist Pat Moriar ty, the same ar tist that illustrated this year’s festival poster, will host an illustration workshop. You can also learn about block printing with Dana Falconberry. If you have ever wanted to learn how to breakdance, Derek Brooks will teach you for free. In fact, all of the workshops are free, and they will all be held at Ar t Church Studios at 4p.m. every day of the festival.

Far from being a niche festival, there is a show and workshop for everyone at The Valley of the Vapors Independent music festival. “We are not a 1-dimensional

festival,” says Perros. From the up beat, lyrically driven Gashcat to the eclectic funkiness of Sinkane, no sound remains unexplored. A varied collection of ar tists, ideas, and sounds converge in this modest city during the spring. “There is a different motivation and tone for each ar tist, some are fun, some are hear tfelt and powerful.

There is nothing like this.”

If you want to be a par t of the creativity and spirit of community that is Hot Springs this season, you might find yourself at the Valley of the Vapors Independent Music Festival March 15-19. And, just as the ar tists visiting from oceans away, before you know it you will feel right at home as you share music, ideas, fun, and friendship.

For a full event schedule, see page 26 following or go to valleyofthevapors.com.

VENUES

EVENT LISTINGS FRI 3/15 Low Key Arts, 118 Arbor ST. 7:00 PM / $7 / All Ages Architects (kc), Nat Rufus/Blacklist Royals (tn), Talk Normal (ny),

Nonagon (il), Sound of the Mountain {AR} (Winners of The Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase)

Midnight After Party with Pagiins (ar)

WORKSHOP Art Church Studios, 301 Whittington AvE.

4:00 PM – Free Pat Moriarity illustration workshop SAT 3/16

Low Key Arts, 118 Arbor ST. 7:00 PM / $7 / All Ages

Frontier (il) , Grandchildren (pa), Water Liars (ms), Jack Topht (ny),

Kentucky Knife Fight (mo), Stagnant Pools (in), Perpetual Werewolf (ar),

Midnight After Party with Teenagers (ar)

Secret Show 6:00pm / ALL AGES—FREE Psychic Twin Performs in a secret location to be announced that day on Twitter and Facebook

WORKSHOP Art Church Studios, 301 Whittington AvE.

4:00 PM – Free Pat Moriarity illustration workshop Trail Show Noon – Free / All Ages Family History/Chase Pagan (ar) Meet at The Superior Bathhouse,

SUN 3/17

329 Central Avenue for a 1 to 2 mile hike into The National Park for an unplugged performance

Low Key Arts, 118 Arbor ST. 7:00 PM / $7 / All Ages

Laura Stevenson (ma), So Many Dynamos (mo), Fol Chen (ca), Funeral Suits (Ireland),

Jamaican Queens (mi), Midnight After Party with Booger Sugar (nj)

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Secret Show 6:00pm / ALL AGES—FREE IDIOT GLEE Performs in a secret location to be announced that day on Twitter and Facebook

hot springs

SUN 3/17 WORKSHOP Art Church Studios, 301 Whittington AvE. 4:00 PM – Free Breakdancing Workshop with Derek Brooks

(Continued)

Trail Show Noon – Free / All Ages WATER LIARS (MS) Meet at The Superior Bathhouse, 329 Central Avenue

MON 3/18

for a 1 to 2 mile hike into The National Park for an unplugged performance

Low Key Arts, 118 Arbor ST. 7:00 PM / $7 / All Ages

inkane (Sudan/USA), The Yellow Dogs (Iran), Gashcat (la), Roomrunner (md),

Jaill (wi), Single Mothers (Canada), Détective (ca)

Midnight After Party with Bird Cloud (tn) Secret Show 6:00pm / ALL AGES—FREE THE BLACK ATLANTIC {NETHERLANDS} Performs in a secret location to

be announced that day on Twitter and Facebook

WORKSHOP Art Church Studios, 301 Whittington AvE.

4:00 PM – Free PRINTMAKING Workshop with DANA FALCONBERRY Trail Show Noon – Free / All Ages DANA FALCONBERRY (TX) Meet at The Superior Bathhouse, 329 Central Avenue

TUES 3/19

for a 1 to 2 mile hike into The National Park for an unplugged performance

Low Key Arts, 118 Arbor ST. 7:00 PM / $7 / All Ages PeeLander Z (japan), My Gold Mask (il), Galaxy Express (South Korea), Pallbearer (ar), Pinkish Black (tx), The Royal Heist (ca)

Secret Show 6:00pm / ALL AGES—FREE PUJOL [TN] Performs in a secret location to be announced that day on Twitter and Facebook WORKSHOP Art Church Studios, 301 Whittington AvE. 4:00 PM – Free HOW TO MAKE A MIX TAPE Trail Show Noon – Free / All Ages KYLE CRAFT FROM THE BAND, GASHCAT (LA) Meet at The Superior Bathhouse,

***SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE***

329 Central Avenue for a 1 to 2 mile hike into The National Park for an unplugged performance

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MARCH MADNESS

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hot springs

MAKING THE RIGHT CALL Story by Jim G. Miller

IT’S NOT ALWAYS EASY TO BE A REFEREE: A REVIEW OF RULES & WAVE BYE BYE SUNBELT

Basketball is a civilized game. Well, for the most par t. It’s a spor t that does require an amazing degree of control and finesse.

It’s a spor t played with two teams of five people on a large cour t. The goal is for each team to make the most points possible in a game by putting a ball through a hoop.

Like most athletics, there’s usually a lot of sweating involved, and sometimes there’s a lot of yelling too, but it’s not always directed at the players.

Everyone has been to that high school or college game where the referee makes a wrong call and an angry coach, parent or fan begins breathing down his or her neck. The objective spectator might feel bad for the ref -- until the piercing sound of the whistle suddenly signals a foul on their favorite team.

It would seem that the stripped officials are moving targets for fans especially when the clock is ticking and spirits are high. Only in basketball are the fans usually right within

screaming range of the gaming officials.

Yes, these officiating gurus of the cour t, these always vigilant and unyielding umpires of basketball have their work cut out for them no matter what the stakes with every tip off. (And the euphoric sound of rubber tennis shoes squeaking on a freshly waxed cour t.) The competitiveness is like euphoria for avid basketball fans. Depending on which team your allegiance lies with, it sometimes is a dicey and strenuous atmosphere.

Immediately upon stepping into the gym, you are either at home or you are a guest.

Every year for the past six years, Hot Springs has been hosting the Sun Belt Conference which usually makes up about a dozen college basketball teams in the South East por tion of the United States. The team that wins gets into the big show with other March Madness teams vying for the National NCAA Championship. This year the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders are the number

one seed for both men’s and women’s which means they are currently favored to win the conference.

Look out for Arkansas State and the University of Arkansas in Little Rock as both men’s and women’s teams did well in the Western Division of the Sunbelt. This year is sure to be an exciting year for fans flocking into the Hot Springs Summit Arena from all across the country. For many of them it may be the last time that they come to Hot Springs since the Sunbelt conference will be moving back to New Orleans after this year.

While it’s an unfor tunate thing for major Sunbelt fans who live in Hot Springs, there is no doubt that many of them will make the trip down to the Big Easy to root for their alma maters, eat a hot dog, and if they’re close enough to the cour t possibly spit, curse, and yell their heads off at a referee, but only if they make the wrong call.

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C&C LIQUIDATIONS 625 ALBERT PIKE 501-609-9444 GET YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING DONE EARLY! GREAT DEALS! • TOYS • REMOTE HELICOPTERS • HUNTING GEAR • CAMPING EQUIPMENT • TOOLS • FURNITURE • REGULATION POOL TABLES $400.00 • GAS GRILLS • KITCHENWARE • TABLETS AS LOW AS $88.00

YOU NAME IT! IF THEY DONT HAVE IT, THEY CAN PROBABLY GET IT!

OUTDOORS

MORE THAN JUST A SPA CITY

By Jeremy Mackey

IF YOU WERE TO ASK SOMEONE THE FIRST WORD THAT COMES TO THEIR MIND WHEN YOU MENTION HOT SPRINGS, YOU WOULD ANSWERS TRACK,

PROBABLY SUCH

RECEIVE AS:

ARLINGTON,

RACE BATH

HOUSES, TOWER, AND ON AND ON THE LIST GOES. THERE IS A SMALL COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE HOWEVER, THAT WOULD ANSWER:

MOUNTAIN

BIKING,

KAYAKING, ROCK CLIMBING, OR FLY FISHING.

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hot springs

Hot Springs is known widely for its spas, hotels, ar t galleries, and historic downtown.

However, one of its best kept secrets is for outdoor enthusiasts. Now the secret is out and Hot Springs is “More then just a Spa City.”

to Cedar Glades Park. Cedar Glades boasts over 10 miles of mountain biking trails ranging in difficulty from beginner to exper t and plays host to several Mountainbike races throughout the season.

For the outdoor enthusiast Hot Springs is the gateway to a huge playground, The Ouachita National Forest.

Two wheels not your thing? Perhaps kayaking would be a better fit. And we’re not talking booze cruising down a lazy stream or paddling flat water for hours on end. Those have their place, but we’re talking whitewater kayaking and, yes, it’s in your back yard! Just another hour and a half drive from Hot Springs lies the Cossatot State Park and Natural area. A pristine class III river that provides paddlers classic Ouachita whitewater experience. Like most of Arkansas’ rivers, the Cossatot is rain dependent, meaning it’s only runnable after a considerable storm. Like the Womble Trail, you’re going to need some gear and gain some experience. Enter Ouachita Outdoor Outfitters and you’ll find both. They’ve been gearing up kayakers for over 15 years. So where do you gain experience with whitewater if all our rivers are rain dependent? Why 30 minutes from town of course! The Ouachita River Whitewater Park is located in the town of Rockpor t just off Rivercreek Drive. What’s

Believe it or not but there is a place less than an hour from your comfor table bar stool at Maxine’s that people from all over the world travel to mountain bike. The Womble Trail.

The 37 mile trail spans from Nor thfork Lake and intersects with the Ouachita National Recreation Trail and has been deemed an EPIC trail by the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA). To get ready to ride the Womble, you’ll need some gear, a little experience, and some sound advice. All three can be found in Hot Springs and they’re less than 15 minutes apar t. For the gear and sound advice there is no better place than Parkside Cycle on Whittington Avenue. The locally owned shop can hook you up with everything you’ll need to get on the trails.

For the experience, just take a drive down

special about this place is that during the hot summer months, releases of water from Remmel Dam allow for floating oppor tunities and at the park a natural ledge provides waves and hydraulics for surfing kayaks.

Freestyle kayaking is akin to skateboarding or wake boarding where kayakers perform sets of tricks and maneuvers. None more fun than the aerial loop! While play boating alone is a stand alone spor t, it also can help newer paddlers develop the necessary skills for down river paddling. The Arkansas Canoe Club also utilizes the park for several events throughout the summer, including swift water rescue classes.

Perhaps you’re more ver tically inclined. Hot Springs is in close proximity to a lot of great rock climbing too! Now before you get excited that I’m about to divulge all of the climbing spots near Hot Springs, you should be aware that I’ve been sworn to secrecy by many climbers who like their spots to remain semi private. I can tell you, however, that if you have an inquiring mind, some map skills, and a sense of adventure you can quickly discover climbing areas on your own, which then you can share with me to remain secret. Don’t

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OUTDOORS

despair though, I’m gonna point you in the right direction. About 45 minutes nor th on highway 7 at Forked Mountain you will find both beautiful vistas, sunsets and some great climbing. Before you venture out on your own though, you should drop by Little Rock Climbing Center to get aquatinted with different climbing techniques to keep you safe. You never know, you just might meet some climbers from Hot Springs.

Not all of the outdoor activities that Hot Springs has to offer are adrenaline rushing action spor ts, but that doesn’t make them any less exciting. Fly Fishing is an excellent way to spend a relaxing afternoon in some really unexpected places. The Arkansas

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Game and Fish Commission stoke trout below all of the dams near Hot Springs. The two most popular fisheries being Carpenter and Blakely dams. Wading out into the water with a few friends, a box of “bugs”, and your fly rod to try and imitate the aquatic life that trout feed on is both challenging and exciting. If you really want to know what goes on under the surface, take a minute or two to sein some of the bugs from the river bottom, it’s pretty interesting. You can take that knowledge home and even try to tie some of your own flies. There are few things more gratifying than catching a fish on your own hand tied fly. Just like mountain biking, climbing, and kayaking there is a destination less than an hour

away that provides a more “wild” setting.

The Little Missouri River near Murfreesboro is a pristine fishery with several access points and it is one if the best kept secrets around. Jeff Guerin, local guide is also available for lessons and equipment rentals (www.littlemissouriflyfishing.com).

Whatever your outdoor inclination you can find it both in Hot Springs and the surrounding area. We’re for tunate to have these hot spots available to get outside with friends and family. So I say let the tourists have their downtown vacations. It’s the locals that know Hot Springs, the gateway to the Ouachita National Forest. It is more than just a spa city.