THURSDAY 1/21
The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra performs “Something New” — a program featuring Terry Riley’s “In C” and Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 1 — at St. James United Methodist Church, 7 p.m., $25. Richard Smith performs at The Joint, as part of the Argenta Acoustic Music Series, 7:30 p.m., $20. Comedian Tracy Smith is at the Loony Bin at 7:30 p.m., $7 (and at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, $10). Nashville swing-and-ragtime group Woody Pines performs at the White Water Tavern with local country singer-songwriter Bonnie Montgomery, 9 p.m. Eureka Springs jug band Sad Daddy plays at Maxine’s in Hot Springs, 9 p.m., $7. Southern rockers Jeff Coleman and The Feeders play at the Afterthought, 9 p.m., $7.
FRIDAY 1/22
The Clinton School for Public Service hosts a panel discussion on the Arkansas Repertory Theatre’s new production of “Peter and the Starcatcher” at Sturgis Hall, noon. The Monterey Jazz Festival, featuring Nicholas Payton, Ravi Coltrane, Gregory Clayton, Raul Midon and others, is at UCA’s Reynolds Performance Hall, 7:30 p.m., $27-$35. Comedy troupe The Main Thing premieres its new production “Little Rock and a Hard Place,” 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, $22. Local rap collective Young Gods of America — Goon Des Garcons, Cool Chris, Fresco Grey, Taylor Moon and more — performs at Vino’s. Nashville-based Little Rock native Elise Davis performs at South on Main, 9 p.m., $10. With the closing of Juanita’s, that venue’s Friday night Salsa dancing group has relocated to the Clear Channel Metroplex, 9 p.m., $5-$10.
SATURDAY 1/23
The propulsive and brilliant instrumental funk group Funkanites play at the Afterthought, 9 p.m., $7. Tragikly White plays at Stickyz, 9:30 p.m., $10. The Protomen, a fascinating band that is known for “composing original concept albums loosely based on the popular video game series ‘Mega Man’ ” (per Wikipedia), plays at Vino’s with Brit Brigade and Madman Morgan.
SUNDAY 1/24
Local favorites Adam Faucett & The Tall Grass, Bad Match and Bad Boyfriends perform at Vino’s in a benefit for KABF 88.3 FM, presented by KABF’s “Over/Underground,” 3 p.m., donations.