Memorial Day Music in the City

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In the ultimate show of City With Soul strength, local musical artists and venues have banded together to present live music at three venues over two days during Memorial Day weekend.

Eighteen Jackson-based bands are set to play at three Jackson venues – Hal & Mal’s, Fondren Guitars and The Flamingo – on Friday and Saturday, May 27-28th! Brad Franklin, a local promoter and one of the founders of Jackson Indie Music Week, said The Flamingo’s Ahmad Thompson, artist DevMaccc, promoter Alex Coats, and musician and Fondren Guitars’ owner Patrick Harkins “brought the weekend together.”

“Jackson showed up… and turned what could have been a disappointing moment for our creative community into a triumphant one,” Franklin added, referencing the cancelation of JXN Fest, which had been slated for May 27-29 at Buddy Butts Park. Harkins, whose Fondren Guitars will serve as a venue, recounted the short turn of events that led to the collaboration. “I woke up on Friday with the idea of putting some of the displaced bands from the festival at the shop,” Harkins said. “When I got to work, Ben, who is the store manager and also plays in five of the bands that were planning on playing at the festival, had the same idea. Then I got a call from Brad Franklin, who had the same idea. Then, immediately the phone started ringing, and it rang all day with bands wanting to have a gig at our shop to cover their canceled gig. So it just sort of came together with the help of everyone.”

Vendors or artists who had planned to participate in next weekend’s JXN Fest are also invited to contact the individual performance venues to inquire about setting up or selling.