Amy LaVere.

Giving you the music a day early:

It has been two years since Memphis-based-but-Arkansas-loved rockers Lucero released their sixth studio album and major label debut, 1372 Overton Park. But in the fall of this year, the band found time between its busy touring schedule for time in a Memphis studio, recording a follow-up to 1372 Overton Park, and the album, Women and Work, will be released March 13, with an extensive tour kicking off in late February and continuing through late April. So finally new music from the rockers who mix their punkish roots with twangy country and beer-raising rock ‘n’ roll to create tales about girls, guitars, love and drinking. Want to hear some of the new songs before 2012? Bet you can when the band plays Rev Room with fellow Memphis act Amy LaVere — a blend of soul, torch country, folk and rock ‘n’ roll — kicking off the show. The music begins at 8:30 p.m. with tickets for the 18-and-up show $21.

As Play It Again Arkansas says, giving an Arkansas school child a musical instrument is more than just giving them a musical instrument. It’s giving them an opportunity for uncovering an unknown talent and a chance to believe in themselves. So the initiative allowing Arkansans to donate their used musical instruments to schools across the state is a good thing and in need of a benefit, such as Hornucopia, a benefit for Play It Again Arkansas at Stickyz. So bring a school band instrument (trumpet, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trombone, etc.) or $20 for admission, and enjoy the music of acts such as Katmandu, local rock act The GroanUps, The Rockets with their top hits from the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, and The Smittle Band. The music starts at 7 p.m.

Soul, R&B and jazz singer Lalah Hathaway (the daughter of the legendary Donny Hathaway) makes an appearance at Cajun’s Wharf for an event aptly titled A Night with Lalah Hathaway and presented by One Stone Productions. The music is from 7-10 p.m., and tickets are $25 for general admission and $50 for VIP. The “First Daughter of Soul” will be joined by two local artists as opening acts: soul/R&B artist Nicky Parrish with her band Kemistri and local gospel favorite Dee Dee Jones. VIP ticket purchases include a meet and greet, reserved seating and appetizers by Cajun’s Wharf. It’s a non-smoking event.

Movies in the Park in the middle of winter? Hey, it’s Christmas. It’s the season for taking risks. Let’s hope the weather cooperates (quick check of forecast says clear and temps in the 40s), because the free movie showing is the 2007 comedy-on-ice Blades of Glory, starring Will Ferrell, Jon Heder, Will Arnett, Amy Poehler and some other funny and unfunny people. The plot? Two rival ice skaters are banned from competing in the Olympic men’s single competition but couple up for the pairs. Hilarity ensues. The PG-13 movie gets going at 6 p.m. Again, it’s free. Before and after there’s the Arvest River Market On Ice offering ice skating, too.

Here’s Amy LaVere with her “Killing Him”:

Killing Him