The Arkadelics perform during September's Live@5 concert.
Entry is $10 for ARTx3 members and $15 for nonmembers. Pay at the door. Complimentary beer, wine, and nonalcoholic beverages are included. THIS EVENT IS FOR GUESTS AGES 21 and OLDER.
The long-running concert series Live@5 features jazz, blues, and rock & roll at 5 p.m. on the first Friday of each month!
Live@5 is presented by MK Distributors.
Additional support provided by Simmons Bank.
The Arkadelics began in 2022 as a project by Wightman Harris and his wife Karen. Harris broke into the music business with a splash as agent and manager for the late great bluesman Michael Burks. Giving up road management after securing Burks legacy, Harris discovered he had absorbed much of Burks music through attending hundreds of shows. The bass patterns were ingrained in him, thus he decided to begin to perform with various entities. Together with his wife, Karen who provides the heartfelt vocals, they began performing their brand of music.
The Arkadelics were formed as an outlet for the couple to express their fondness for blues and R&B along with more traditional roots, Americana selections and original songs. Joining forces with South Arkansas veteran vocalist and musician, Bob Wagnon from Fordyce, formed the beginning of the Arkadelics. Wagnon's strong vocals coupled with Karen Harris's vocal prowess, provides the basis to wrap instrumentation around. The next piece of the puzzle was finding the best fit for guitar. Dan Sokoloski has been in the Central Arkansas scene for many years and most recently a longstanding stint with the Gil Franklin Band. Sokoloski has shown he is a great fit providing finesse and fire for the Arkadelics. The final piece was put into place with the recruitment of journeyman drummer Lance Womack.
The Arkadelics hit the ground running in 2022 despite the limitations of the pandemic. Their first show was opening for none other than the great Ray Wylie Hubbard at Fordyce's Cotton Belt Festival. Next up the Newport's Delta Arts Festival came calling and along with an appearance at the long running Strawberry Jam, The Arkadelics were on the map. Adding to their resume included an invitation to perform for Pine Bluff’s Port City Blues Society’s prestigious monthly showcase and various all-star music shows supporting community causes. The band has made a home performing regularly at Hibernia Irish Tavern in Little Rock as well as River Bottom Winery in Roland. Gigs at Four Quarter in North Little Rock and in Hot Springs Village are providing venues in the local area for the Arkadelics to continue to make their mark.
