Friday, November 13, 2026
If you’re looking for something to do in Topeka this Friday night, here’s a show that deserves a spot on your calendar.
International Blues Challenge winner Héctor Anchondo is coming to The Backroom Bar at Compass Point for an intimate evening of raw, unfiltered blues, presented by the Topeka Blues Society and Compass Point, home of Dirty Girl Adventures.
Anchondo isn’t your average blues guitarist. Raised on a Missouri farm, he grew up surrounded by country music, Latino rhythms, and American roots music before finding his voice in the blues. Today, his award-winning guitar work, soulful vocals, and storytelling have earned him recognition on the international blues stage.
Friday’s performance strips everything down to the essentials: one musician, his guitar, and an audience close enough to experience every note.
Expect intricate fingerpicking, gritty slide guitar, original songs from his acclaimed Roll the Dice album, and the stories behind the music.
The Backroom Bar at Compass Point is particularly well-suited for this kind of performance. Located in the heart of NOTO, the venue offers an intimate atmosphere where audiences can actually connect with the artist rather than watch from across a crowded concert hall.
With limited seating, this is one of those shows you’ll want to make plans for sooner rather than later.
Show details
Friday, November 13
Doors at 6 p.m. | Music 7–10 p.m.
Compass Point — 800 N. Kansas Ave., Topeka
Tickets available online or in person at Compass Point events
A full bar will be available, with food truck details still to be announced. Compass Point also participates in NOTO’s Common Consumption Area.
Our recommendation? Grab a friend, head down to NOTO, and spend Friday evening listening to some outstanding live blues. Opportunities to experience an internationally recognized musician in a room this intimate don’t come along every weekend in Topeka.
For ticket information, visit the Compass Point Facebook page or follow the Topeka Blues Society.
This Is Topeka | Supporting local music, local venues, and the artists who keep our city alive.
