Bands battle for Hay St. title

By Jennifer Williams
Guest Writer

A musical showcase for local bands began at Yakety Yak café on Hay Street in Fayetteville on Oct. 9. Similar to “Battle of the Bands,” the winners get a chance to be heard on 91.9 FM Fayetteville State University radio, a performance recording and a cash prize.

On Thursday nights three bands perform, and the audience votes for their favorite. At the end of October, votes will be tabulated and a winner chosen.

“Fayetteville is one of the toughest circuits around to actually be successful in,” said Ernesto Cristobal, lead singer of the local band “Mandala.”

“Musicians never get the time of day in a military town where everyone has a different perspective of what ‘good music’ is.”

There is a small cover charge at the door, and with that, patrons receive $1 off a beer or coffee, and also the chance to hear some music and vote for their favorites.

Yakety Yak is also known for its Friday night drum circle, which combines local talent and spectators who want to participate beating on many different kinds of drums. The café is fast becoming a prominent place to go in Fayetteville.

Down the road from Yakety Yak is Huske Hardware Brewery, which hosts a popular Open Mic Night every Monday and gives locals a chance to play music for a loyal, ever growing crowd.

In addition to small local venues, Hay Street, which is in the heart of downtown Fayetteville, is known for the International Folk Festival. This annual event celebrates diversity and brings diverse cultures and ethnicities together.

As for Cristobal and his band, they perform religiously every Monday at Huske Hardware even though many of their fans will soon be deployed or stationed elsewhere.

“It’s hard to build a fan base when the people that you play for will be gone in six months,” he said.