Lineup set for year’s final Local Show Music Menagerie

The lineup is set for this month’s Local Show Music Menagerie, which is scheduled for 7-9 p.m. Friday at 300 Whittington Ave.

The talented lineup includes musical guests Tommy Stanco and Harris Felton, storyteller Elmer Beard, dance troupe The Dixie Darlins, photography by Mary Buffington and music by Chana and Randy Caylor.

“With the harvest moon on the horizon and the first glimmers of the change of seasons, we say goodbye to another summer and open our arms to the coming fall. What a great show we have lined up for you this month with a menagerie of beautiful talent. Oct. 28 will be our last show of the year, so grab your friends and family and come on out for some fun, laughs and great entertainment,” said Chana and Randy Caylor in the show’s monthly newsletter.

The youngest of nine kids in a musical family from Dallas, Stanco began singing and reciting poetry by age 6. He launched his children’s entertainment career in 1988 touring both solo and with a troupe performing in Texas and Oklahoma. He has taught music, writing, creative dramatics and art classes and, as a classical guitar performance major, has been lead guitarist, producer and arranger for poets and songwriters. Stanco now resides in Hot Springs and continues to write and perform as a solo act and teaches classical guitar at Big Event Music. His book of poems and songs entitled “Hot Springs Tonight” is awaiting publication and, at age 56, he has begun work on his first CD, “Long Shot.”

Growing up on a farm is a great place to get in touch with one’s creativity and channel the music of days gone by, the newsletter said. This is where Harris found his love for Appalachian bluegrass music that tells the stories of real life. Grandson of Arkansas Champion Fiddle player Hank Ayers and nephew of local musician and entertainer Mark Ayers, Harris’ love and passion for music was definitely inherited from his family. “I love playing the music that my parents, grandparents and great grandparents played as a way of sharing joy with others,” he said.

Dance troupe The Dixie Darlins is made up of 12 women who perform dance routines and provide fun entertainment in the community. Led by Ginger Yates, the group enjoys performing at civic centers, nursing homes, churches and for special occasions. The troupe will also perform for the Women’s Chamber of Commerce ninth annual Dancing For a Cause event on Oct. 9 at the Hot Springs Convention Center.

Beard is a writer, poet, author, editor and scholar. His book entitled “The Challengers” is full of untold stories of African-Americans who changed the system in one small southern municipality, the newsletter said. Beard is an eight-term city councilman and among the Challengers of whom he writes. He will be signing his books at Friday night’s event.

Buffington is a Hot Springs native and professional wedding and portrait photographer of 11 years. Although she specializes in several types of photography, she said photographing and empowering women is what sets her heart on fire most.

Tickets can be purchased at the door for $10 per person or two for $15.

Individuals interested in being featured at the Local Show can email Caylor at thelocalshowmm@gmail.com.