Folk-rocker Richard Burnett among two strong acts this weekend

Richard Burnett, who also performs with his bands Honeyshine, Catfish Jackson and Pope County Bootleggers, will perform a "freedom gig" on Friday and Saturday nights with just his guitar, dobro and a washboard player at Cathouse Lounge / Pied Piper starting at 8 p.m. both nights. No cover.

First, Americana / folk rocker Richard Burnett and the Electric Laundry Lady of Fayetteville will be performing a so-called "freedom gig" at Cathouse Lounge / Pied Piper Pub Friday and Saturday nights starting around 8 p.m. each night. There is no cover charge.

Burnett plays the guitar and dobro and sings, and his trusty assistant plays the washboard.

Burnett has several different bands -- Honeyshine, Catfish Jackson and Pope County Bootleggers among them -- but he says he particularly enjoys these "freedom gigs" where he and the Lady get to play "whatever we want," typically performing some originals as well as a wide range of alt-country, bluegrass, blues and old rock covers from the likes of Waylon Jennings, Muddy Waters (i.e. Rollin' and Tumblin'), Jerry Jeff Walker, John Prine, Johnny Cash, Dwight Yoakum and Freddie King.

I have seen Burnett perform solo and with his bands many times, and he puts on a good show. This'll be a fun one. The music will run till about midnight both nights.

Also performing both nights, but over at The Lumberyard, are members of the Hard-core Troubadours. On Friday night, they're holding a sort of informal jam session from 6 to 9 p.m., and Saturday night is their official reunion show.

This group till last year hadn't played together in nearly a decade. They were quite popular around town back in 2000-2001, after being founded by singer/songwriter Will Steele and Big Daddy Rabbitt. Since meeting back up last year, the group has played regionally around Missouri and Arkansas, including the Mountain Home Folk Fest and a number of clubs and other venues.

Their music would be classified as Americana, original roots, rock and country/blues, a.k.a. "Outlaw Country."

Steele, who released an album called "Sing Me a Memory" on Lone Star Records, has been described as having a voice that is "powerfully soulful. His songs reintroduce honesty and his rugged individualism puts him on the cutting edge of a brand of American music first called 'progressive country.'"

The group's show on Saturday will include special guest Dan the Baseman.

Following is the entertainment schedule for Eureka Springs venues for the coming week:

* Chaser's, 169 E. Van Buren, 479-253-5522: Tacos & Tequila, all night

* Jack's Place / Centerstage Live, 37 Spring St., 479-253-2219: Karaoke with DJ Goose, 8 p.m.

* New Delhi Cafe, 2 N. Main St., 479-253-2525: Skillet Lickers, 6:30 p.m.

* Rowdy Beaver Tavern, 417 W. Van Buren, 479-253-8544: Bike Night with DJ Mark / Win a 2-night stay at Ramada in Branson, 7:30 p.m.

* Squid and Whale, 37 Spring St., 479-253-7147: Open Mic Musical Smackdown with Bloody Buddy featuring Sky Smead, 7 p.m.

* Berean Coffee House, 4032 E. Van Buren, 479-244-7495: Live music with the Phillippe Quartet, 7 p.m.

* Cathouse / Pied Piper, 82 Armstrong St., 479-363-9976: Richard Burnett, 8 p.m.

* Chaser's: Brenda Myers Band, 8 p.m.

* Chelsea's, 10 Mountain St., 479-253-6723: Mockingbird 9 p.m.

Eureka Live!, 35 N. Main St., 479-253-7020: DJ & Dancing 9 p.m. to close

* Jack's Place / Centerstage Live: The Chad Emmert Band, 9 p.m.

* The Lumberyard, 104 E. Van Buren: Bike Night kickoff, 4 to 9 p.m. or later, food and drink specials, music and prizes, jam session with members of Hardcore Troubadours, 6 to 9 p.m.

* New Delhi Cafe: Barb Wire, 6:30 p.m.

* Rowdy Beaver Den, 45 Spring St., 479-363-6444: John Harwood, 7 p.m.

* Rowdy Beaver Tavern: Blew Reed and the Flatheads (blues from NWA), 7:30 p.m.

* Squid & Whale: Blue Moon, 9:30 p.m.

* Cathouse / Pied Piper: Richard Burnett, 8 p.m.

* Chaser's: Act A Fool, 8 p.m.

* Chelsea's: Chris Cameron Blues Band, 9 p.m.

* Eureka Live!: Live DJ and Dancing, 9 p.m. to close

* Jack's Place / Centerstage Live: The Chad Emmert Band, 9 p.m.

* The Lumberyard: Hardcore Troubadours reunion show, featuring Will Steele, Big Daddy Rabbitt and Dan the Baseman, 9 p.m.

* New Delhi Cafe: Skillet Lickers, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Bella Donna, 6:30 p.m.

* Rowdy Beaver Tavern (Highway 62): Third Degree, 7:30 p.m.

* Rowdy Beaver Den (downtown): Eclectones, 7 p.m.

* Squid & Whale: Allied Saints (Kansas City), 9:30 p.m.

* Chelsea's: Dead Tree String Band, 4-8 p.m.

* Eureka Live!: Customer Appreciation Night specials 5 p.m. to close

* New Delhi Cafe: Gospel Sunday Brunch with Brick-Fields, 11:30 a.m., Skillet Lickers, 5-8 p.m.

* Squid and Whale: Slam Boxx, 7:30 p.m.

* Chelsea's: Springbilly, 8 p.m.

* New Delhi Cafe: Skillet Lickers, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

* Squid and Whale: Charley Can't Surf, 8 p.m.