Events at the Forge

Tribute to Townes Van Zandt
March 7th, 6-8pm

The Van Zandt Arts & Cultural District Foundation presents the second annual Tribute to Townes Van Zandt from 6-8 p.m., Saturday, March 7, 2020, at The Forge Bar & Grill in historic downtown Ben Wheeler.
The late Townes Van Zandt is often referred to as the most influential Texas songwriter of the 20th century. Musician Steve Earle says he was “the best songwriter in the world.” 
Performers imbedded in Townes Van Zandt music honor the legend in song swap style during the Tribute event. They include Matt Harlan, Chris Edwards, Shane Rendon, Grady Lee, Nick Brumley, and Cole Allen. Other musicians are invited to bring instruments and continue the tribute in an open jam session after the show.
Last year, in celebration of the 75th anniversary of Van Zandt’s birthday March 7, his family’s record company, TVZ Records, along with Fat Possum Records, released a new album, Sky Blue, a collection of unreleased songs created 47 years ago. Newly released this year are other records including a double LP compilation, The Best of Townes Van Zandt; reworked artwork and lyric sheet and remastered 180 gram vinyl, Townes Van Zandt/50th Anniversary Edition; and Our Mother The Mountain/50th Anniversary Edition. A limited supply of vinyls and CDs are available at the Tribute with proceeds benefiting the arts foundation and a larger variety are available online at www.townesvanzandt.com.
The Van Zandt family — former wife and literary executor Jeanene, and children J.T., Will, and Katie Bell — continue to illuminate his songwriting process and evolution.
“Townes always said that he did not measure his success by the charts, but by how many learning institutions will be studying his work 100 yeas from now,” Jeanene says. “My job is to make sure that all the material is there.”
Townes Van Zandt died January 1, 1997, at the age of 52 from cardiac arrhythmia while recovering from hip surgery. He is buried in the Van Zandt family plot in Dido Cemetery near Fort Worth. He came from a long line of Texas nobility. His three times great grandfather, Isaac Van Zandt, was a prominent leader of the Republic of Texas and the namesake of Van Zandt County in the Upper East Side of Texas. His great, great uncle Khleber Miller Van Zandt was one of the founders of Fort Worth. 
Although he was born into an affluent family, he endured poverty and often sang of folks living on the edge.He was a poet and songwriter beloved by his many fans and peers. Don Williams and Emmylou Harris had hits with his song “If I Needed You.” Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard reached No. 1 with their version of his song “Pancho and Lefty.”
His influence on Americana music is immense and continues today. Artists who cite Van Zandt as a source of inspiration include Bob Dylan, Neil Young, John Prine, Lyle Lovett, Guy Clark, Norah Jones, Robert Plant, Alison Krauss, and Garth Brooks to name a few. 
For more information on the Tribute to Townes Van Zandt March 7 at The Forge Bar & Grill go to theforgebenwheeler.com or call (903) 833-5970.
To learn more about the Van Zandt Arts & Cultural District Foundation, go to vanzandtacd.com.

Junebug Farm to Table Dinner
June 19, 2020

More information will be posted soon about one of the best nights of food, music and art.

Motorized Barstool Races
March 14th- Downtown Ben Wheeler

For Information on registration of barstool riders, rules, sponsorship and vendor information contact Kay Dorman at 903-571-0244

So what is this crazy Motorized Barstool thing anyway? Well, it started in 1978 when a can of bud cost 16 cents at the Quiet Man Bar on Knox Street in Dallas. The original circle of 6 barstool creators consisted of Bill Jenkins, Thomas Spangler, Johnny Gable, John Pullman, Mike Carr, and Keith Blackwell (the official woo hooer). Each man created his own version of a motorized barstool and then they began to race them outside the Quiet Man bar. Soon it grew to the Highland Park Cafeteria parking lot where Mrs Dewey Goodman announced the racers at a polished track. From there they moved to the Dart Bar of Cedar Springs followed by Lukes Outhouse. The tradition continued throughout Dallas, where Mr. Jenkins made the news with his barstool cannon blast that set off the alarm of a nearby liquor store.

The notorious Dallas Farmers Market quickly took up the event in full sponsorship along with Ben E Keith and Budweiser to blast the races city wide.  Bill Jenkins’ barstool train debuted (featuring a super charged 350cc Honda) coming in first place. In 1991 The races finally found their end at the Greenville Avenue St Pattys Day Parade. (This is the old school lower Greenville where legends were made.)

Last seen in 1991 the barstools have now resurfaced in Ben wheeler TX. The reincarnated reclaimed racers can be seen on display at the participating shops across the historic town of Ben Wheeler. Races to be held annually during the Over the Rainbow St Patty’s Day Party and at the Feral Hog Festival, which runs the 4^th Friday and Saturday of October.

Junebug Summer Fair
June 20-21

Details about Junebug will be released soon!

Hogfest, Ben Wheeler, TX
October, Dates TBD

We will post dates for Hog Fest as soon as they made available.