ArtBeat offers free, family-friendly events in April

ArtBeat returns to Henderson this month with three different entertainment lineups and arts and craft vendors.

"All of the acts are new," said Nicole Johnson, a spokeswoman with the city of Henderson cultural arts and tourism department. "This is the first time all three are performing in Henderson."

The city plans to offer the free family-friendly entertainment at the Henderson Events Plaza, 200 S. Water St. There also will be arts and crafts vendors, which will open at 6:30 p.m. Concerts will start at 8 p.m.

ArtBeat was created in 2009 after the city received a grant from Target, which sponsored the city as long as Henderson offered family-friendly and free events.

"People liked it," Johnson said. "It's a good opportunity for local artists to introduce their craft to a new audience."

In 2011, more than 6,100 people attended both the spring and fall ArtBeat line ups.

The spring lineup is scheduled to feature three different genres, Johnson said.

"We have the '80s, country and Lousiana jazz," Johnson said. "We look for a variety (of performances) and try to have something different every time. We want to make it as diverse as possible."

ArtBeat is scheduled to kick off Friday with Bow Wow Wow, an ' English band from the 1980s.

Country band The Farm is set to perform Friday.

Based in Nashville, Tenn., The Farm consists of three lead singers -- Krista Marie, Nick Hoffman and Damien Horne. Each has a different background and sound that comes together to make the band.

Marie has classical and jazz experience with a country background. Horne has a soulful feel and has opened for singers such as John Legend. Hoffman was a country singer.

"We weren't just personally different, we were musically different," Marie said. "We just were going with the flow, and it snowballed from there."

Marie said before they were a band, the trio sat down in 2010 to work on music together. At the end of their session, they had a song.

"People asked if we were going to become a band," Marie said.

But the trio had different musical ambitions and didn't want to form anything. They just enjoyed writing together.

After a few songs, they couldn't ignore how well they jived together.

"I couldn't have ever imagined we'd come this far," Marie said. "We said if we were going to do this we would be betting the farm. And that's where the name came from -- The Farm."

In 2011, the band was signed by Warner Bros Records Inc. Its first album is scheduled to be released in July,

"The name is to be announced," Marie said.

Marie said each track on the 12-song CD sounds a little different.

"I put the CD on in my car to listen," Marie said. "It was like listening to my iPod on shuffle. You're not going to get the same thing in each song."

While performing in Henderson, people can expect the same thing.

"We are three distinct styles," Marie said. "You'll hear some soul. And of course, you'll hear Nick rocking out with his fiddle. It's like a party on stage."

More information on The Farm is available at thefarmmusic.com.

Big Sam's Funky Nation is slated to perform from 8 to 9:30 p.m. April 27. The band features trombonist Sam Williams .

For more information, visit hendersonlive.com.

Contact Henderson/Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 387-5201.