Eureka! A nationally syndicated travel show has found us.
Host DJ BBQ spent July 18-21 filming an episode of his TV show, “LOST IN,” at several iconic Eureka Springs locations. The episode will spotlight Eureka Springs’ food scene, outdoor recreation and music, with segments filmed at the Crescent Hotel, Mud Street Café Annex, Lake Leatherwood City Park, Sparky’s Roadhouse Café and more.
The Times-Echo caught up with the filming crew on Saturday, July 19, when they were filming a performance of backwoods funk band The 1 Oz Jig in Basin Spring Park. According to DJ BBQ, the purpose of “LOST IN” is to avoid big cities.
“We’re finding those hidden gems. We’re not hitting the big cities. That’s too easy!” he said. “We want to find those cool places, those local joints that people from the state know.”
Jeff Kearney, guitarist and singer for The 1 Oz Jig, said he was excited to be featured on television. It’s his first time in front of the camera, Kearney said, and he loves that it takes place in Eureka Springs.
“Eureka’s just unique, and that seems to be more of a rarity in this world,” Kearney said. “It’s unique in its uniqueness. It’s a place where you can be yourself, even if you don’t fit into societal archetypes.”
Earlier in his trip, DJ BBQ visited Sparky’s Roadhouse Café, Intrigue Theater and Mud Street Café Annex. He described Sparky’s as a “classic diner but quirky as hell, super inclusive.”
“That’s one of the things I love about this town,” he said. “It’s almost like the queer capital of Arkansas.”
Founded in 1994, Sparky’s has had decades to perfect its eclectic menu of international and American fare. DJ BBQ said he loved spending time with the restaurant’s founders, Ruth and Dave Hager.
“Dave kept giving me all these different salsas. That tomatillo salsa could bring about world peace,” he said. “It was a really fun experience with good food … their half-pound burgers and those garlic-cheese fries. That was a heart attack waiting to happen, but it was a delicious heart attack.”
During his visit to Intrigue Theater, DJ BBQ was invited to take part in the show hosted by illusionists Sean Paul and Juliana Fay. He remembered a part of the show when Sean Paul was trying to make Juliana disappear.
“He tripped on the stage. I thought it was misdirection – he took out a lamp and some glasses,” DJ BBQ said. “A lot of the magic there is he got up from that fall, because I would’ve been down for good.”
He continued, “He bounced right back up, and she disappeared. The show must go on. He tripped really well … Superman Sean Paul.”
His trip to Mud Street Café Annex was extra special, DJ BBQ said, because his team got to film underground looking up into the café.
“They don’t really open it up that often, but they did for us,” he said. “We saw the magical healing powers of Eureka Springs.”
At Mud Street, he enjoyed the prime rib deli sandwich with homemade horseradish and mustard sauce. DJ BBQ praised the sauces at the café.
“Those super potent condiments … they’re like condimenteliers over there making next-level condiments,” he said.
The best thing he saw at Mud Street?
“I met Fonda. I met Penny. I met all the drag queens that are going to be performing tonight at Eureka Live,” he said. “They’re fabulous.”
Coming to Arkansas, DJ BBQ said, he wasn’t ready to see that level of inclusiveness.
“It’s a celebration of everything queer and love and eccentric people. It’s like, ‘Go for it,’” he said. “Watching five drag queens walk down the street looking extra fabulous? That’s awesome!”
He continued, “I lived in London for 20 years. We see that there, but I didn’t expect to see it in Arkansas and I saw it here in Eureka Springs. It gave me faith in life and America.”
For more information on the show, visit www. lostinseries.com.