THURSDAY 4/12
The Conference on Political Reform at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute at Petit Jean explores the former governor’s political legacy on the 100th anniversary of his birth. It includes an array of political observers, journalists and scholars, 4 p.m., $25-$90. The conference runs through Friday. Banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck is widely regarded as one of the finest players in the world. He comes to Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville with his band The Flecktones, 7 p.m., $28-$52. For some country flavored rock with a literary bent, look no further than Kevin Gordon, who plays White Water Tavern with Bonnie Montgomery, 9:30 p.m., $5. CARTI’s 8th Annual Ragin’ Cajun Bash has food, music and more to benefit CARTI, River Market Pavilions, 6 p.m., $30 adv., $35 door.
FRIDAY 4/13
Fans of the chopped ‘n’ screwed sound won’t want to miss Decadence with Swishahouse CEO Michael “5000” Watts, who plays Revolution with DJ Derrty Deja Blu and VJ g-force, 9 p.m., $10 21 and older, $15 ages 18-20. Bonnie Montgomery plays a songwriters showcase at UALR’s Stella Boyle Concert Hall at 7:30 p.m. She’ll be performing excerpts from her opera “Billy Blythe,” as well as the upcoming opera “West Memphis Three” and the living painting “Enoch: A Story of the Watchers,” both of which feature text by Nathan Howdeshell (of Gossip renown) and composer (and sister) Holly Montgomery. Dikki Du & The Zydeco Krewe headline what’ll no doubt be a raucous affair at White Water Tavern, 9:30 p.m., $7. Up on The Hill, George’s Majestic Lounge has jam circuit faves Leftover Salmon, 8 p.m., $24. The Weekend Theater’s production of “Next Fall” continues, 7:30 p.m., $12-$16. The 33rd Annual Arkansas Scottish Festival boasts Scottish sports, dancing, music, food, drinks and more, Lyon College through April 15, noon, free.
SATURDAY 4/14
Flying DD has a boatload of heaviness, with Devildriver, Dying Fetus, Wretched, Impending Doom, 3 Inches of Blood, Job for a Cowboy and The Faceless, $21 adv., $25 d.o.s. The St. Vincent Family Health Fest includes free health screenings, presentations from hospital staff, healthy food samples and family activities, Promenade at Chenal, 10 a.m., free. The True Soul Revue brings the old-school funk and soul to the Oxford American’s SoMa offices, 7:30 p.m., $5. The hillbilly madmen in Mountain Sprout play an 18-and-older show at Stickyz, 9 p.m., $7. The Greasy Greens play the Big Swinging Deck party at Cajun’s Wharf, 5 p.m., $5 after 8:30 p.m.