Homegrown band Mojo Brown will be a big part of the fun for Arts Alive Saturday.

This local group will hold court in the historic Eureka Theater. The free concert will take place at 7 p.m., which allows time to see many of the art venues or dine before the show.

For those of you that have not experienced the 1939 structure, it is a must see. The theater is a architectural treasure, but to add top local talent to the stage and do it for free is a real treat.

The band assures us that it is an all ages show, so don't hesitate to bring the kids on down. In these trying economic times it is fun without the fee.

At one point all the members of Mojo Brown were working members of our local Costco outlet, and this was before they even had a name. According to band members they were going to play for a Costco company party, but hadn't decided on a name yet. As they event neared one of the guys said, “Hey, we have got to come up with a name!” Band member Jon Turney said, “When my brother and I were younger we wanted to be a band named Mojo Brown and the Hell Hounds.”

With time running out, the band opted for Mojo Brown, but the Hell Hounds didn't make the cut. What began with a bunch of working buddies in August of 2005 evolved into a tight band named Mojo Brown that is putting their own twist on the Blues.

These close knit musicians range in age from a young of 25, all the way to 52, with the rest in the middle. Anthony Coglaiti sings vocals and works a Martin 218. He is also the cat that wrote the Humboldt County Blues and if you are a local you can really relate to it. Aaron Dean is the newest member of the band and one of its most enthusiastic supporters. Dean says, “These guys are great, they are friends first and band members second.”

He adds vocals and plays guitar with the group.

James Kahn plays the hell out of his Pearl drums and in a magnificent grasp of the obvious is quoted as saying, “Drums go boom.”

Jon Turney slaps a Peavey bass around the stage like he owns it and also contributes vocals and considerable song writing skills.

Matt Bigham works with a Fender Strat on command, but when threatened he pulls out his Washborn maple topped acoustic guitar and really get serious.

Mojo Browns goal is to entertain through performing good music. They speak of black magic kind of Louisiana blues that congers up visions of the old south, but a little on the Delta side.

Their second CD is in the works, but their initial offering, “Shades of Blue” is a surprise mixture of blues and light rock. With tunes like “Bluesman” and “Elvis On My Speed Dial,” it is easy to see the direction these guys are taking.

One tune is dedicated to the road that they take to practice every week, and frankly Tim Mullen Road kind of captures the spirit of this band of friend's first musicians. Make no mistake about it, these guys get along and have fun along the way.

Shows are lots of fun to perform the way the band mates do it. Before they start any show the members gather in a circle and down a shot of their favorite drink...Bushmills!

Then they pick up their tools of the trade and put on a blues show that gets better with time. They always say, “We are in constant evolution, nothing is set in stone.”

That constant evolution continues this May Arts Alive, as Mojo Brown does a 7 p.m., free concert at the historic Eureka Theater, 612 F. St . Make the Saturday event special and visit Arts Alive venues before the show. Dinner after the show will complete a wonderful night out. Remember it is an all ages show.