Jimmy Miller, owner of the DeSoto Rock Shop on Central Avenue in Downtown Hot Springs, bought The Vapors in 2017 and has since been working on renovating and restoring the historic property.
In 2021, Darrell Faircloth came on board in a marketing position which became a managerial role after Tom Wilkins’ departure. Darrell, a frequent visitor to Hot Springs all his life, made the move from Dallas in 2019 with the intention of opening a BBQ restaurant but Covid put that on hold. In Dallas, he organized concerts and festivals and was in the hospitality sector for nearly 20 years.
Of the recently renamed Vapors Live, “I saw some opportunities in the entertainment scene and we’re filling them with a variety of shows,” Darrell said. “Our goal is not to compete with existing businesses but to offer what’s missing…something different.”
New events include stand-up comedy on the first Friday of every month, line dancing classes, and a series of plays starting with Stephen King’s Misery in August and Driving Miss Daisy in November. “If all goes well, we’ll have plays every other month so we’re not competing with the Pocket Theatre,” said Darrell.
“There seemed to be a disconnect with the local music community which is why we formed a house band and are now bringing in local and regional acts – deFrance, Nicky Parrish, Kim Donnette Band, and Zach Davis for starters. Our Open Mic night is morphing, and we’ll have some announcements about that very soon.”
Beginning in mid-August, Vapors Live will host Ladies Night on Thursdays with live music, wine specials, and an appetizer bar for the ladies. Rock Star Karaoke most Friday nights will offer karaoke to live music with the public singing on stage with the house band. That’s just the beginning. Stay tuned.
Vapors Live is located at 315 Park Avenue in Uptown Hot Springs. For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.vaporslive.com, or follow them @vaporslive.
