Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul - Q&A

We are rolling through our 10x10 Arts Series this season. We're already halfway through the series lineup, and it's only November! Up next we have Irish fiddle player Eileen Ivers, and the band Immigrant Soul on Thursday, November 15. Ivers has been called "the Jimi Hendrix of the violin" by The New York Times, and “the future of Celtic fiddle” by The Washington Post.

Eileen Ivers We caught up with Eileen and the band a couple weeks ago to ask them a few questions before their arrival in Northwest Arkansas. We like to dig a little deeper into our artists, and find out the important stuff. You know, like their favorite beer, and the last movie they watched.

1. We love the fusion of cultures with your music; explain the creative process when collaborating with different cultures.

I like to stay true to the essence and spirit of Irish Music while bringing elements from other cultures which enhance the musical experience without diluting the original emotions and rhythmic sensibility.  Irish music and her people have travelled around the globe ...the music has often integrated with other roots music naturally and that is another dimension I like to explore.

2. What makes Irish music so popular around the world?

I believe part of it is the accessibility of the various rhythms and the honest emotions that people of all cultures can relate to.

3. Come on, tell us a story...

Once upon a time there was a little girl who thought the fiddle wasn't cool ...

4. What’s the bands favorite beers?

Eileen: Negro Modelo

Greg: Newcastle Brown Ale

Buddy: Top three: Guinness when in Ireland, ice cold Heineken anywhere else, O'Douls when a beer is untimely.

Lindsey: A Guiness is tough to beat

Tommy: Root ...beer

5. What’s the difference between a fiddle and a violin?

A violin has strings and a fiddle has straaannnngs ... Other than that, it's the style with which it is played. Although, I have heard Itzhak Perlman called his 'Strad' a fiddle!

6. Who are your musical inspirations?

My teacher from County Limerick in Ireland, Martin Mulvihill, but listening to great folks like Miles Davis, Stephane Grappelli, Jeff Beck and many, many others would have been influences as well I'm sure.

7. Most favorite place travelled around the world?

I have been blessed to play around the world, but, I have a special place in my heart for Ireland ...and the beauty of every corner of the U.S. of A. never gets old.

8. Last movie you watched?

Been awhile ...but, I enjoyed Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes.

9. What kinds of art have been an inspiration to you?

Being intrigued with mathematics I love Escher's works and the insightful book "Godel, Escher, Bach".

10. Is there something you enjoy collecting?

Always a fan of collecting handmade gifts from globel travels ...our home is a real ethnic wonderland.

11. What has been a memorable place to perform and why?

One of the more unforgettable moments has been guesting with The National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center with the late and great Marvin Hamlisch conducting.  My recently deceased father-in-law from County Monahan, Ireland recited his "American Wake" poem in the house of the decendant of Irish heritage ...poignant beauty in a magical performing arts center.

12. Is there a dish you love to cook when you are home?

Off the road there is nothing like home cooking ...a few hours of nurturing home made spaghetti sauce is a comforting night at home.  

13. Was there some great advice you received as you began your artistic journey?

Don't be afraid to improvise ...know the structure and theory then just jump ...

14. What profession other than yours would you most like to attempt?

While in grad-school studying mathematics I was on track for a career with NASA ...a dream job ...a different dream took hold.

Eileen Ivers & Immigrant SoulDon't miss Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul next Thursday, November 15 at 7pm. They're bringing a piece of Ireland right to your door, and you can snag a seat for as little as $10. See you there!

Arts & Economic Prosperity in NWA

Exciting news is coming out of Northwest Arkansas! Just in time for National Arts and Humanities month, Americans for the Arts has released the economic impact results for nonprofit arts and culture organizations in Northwest Arkansas. At an Arts & Prosperity breakfast this morning, Walton Arts Center officials reviewed the study results and discussed the impact on the community.

The Arts and Economic Prosperity IV study was funded by the Walton Arts Center, Northwest Arkansas Council and the Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce, and there were 25 nonprofit arts and culture organizations that participated from Benton and Washington counties.

Arts & culture organizations generated $46 million in total economic impact in 2010, the year the study was conducted, compared to the previous study in 2005 that reported an economic impact of $16 million. That means during five shorts years and a down economy, the impact of the arts has almost tripled in NWA!

NWA arts and culture also generated $4 million in government revenue and supported 1,488 full-time equivalent jobs; almost double that of similarly sized regions. Even the total economic impact of $46 million was $5 million higher than in similar study regions. The study also showed that an arts attendee spends an average of $20 beyond the cost of their admission.

Arts and culture also have a tremendous opportunity to grow as a form of cultural tourism. On average, non-residents spend $36 on lodging, restaurants and transportation. The research showed that 76% of audiences surveyed at arts events said the event was the primary purpose for their trip.

Mike Malone of the Northwest Arkansas Council was among the speakers who discussed the significance of the findings. The Northwest Arkansas Council deals with infrastructure, and highways and water are typically what people associate with them, he said. However, when it comes to recruiting good businesses and talent to NWA, the area’s social and cultural infrastructure become equally important. “All of it matters greatly to building a better Northwest Arkansas,” he said.

Our President and CEO Peter B. Lane said a few words as well. "We have a large vision here at Walton Arts Center as we look forward to the expansion of our Fayetteville campus, the construction of a new facility in Bentonville and finding a permanent home for the AMP. If NWA arts and culture organizations have tripled their impact in the last five years, then what great things can we accomplish in the next five?"

Participating organizations:

Caravanserai - what does it mean??

Our next 10x10 Arts Series show is just around the corner; Caravanserai: Majid Bekkas Gnawa Ensemble with Brahim Fribgane. If you're anything like me, you're looking at that first word wondering how to even pronounce it, let alone figure out what it means. Let me break it down for you phonetically: Kara-van-sir-eye. There, see? It's not that hard. :)

Majid Bekkas Gnawa EnsembleNow, let's talk about what it means. From their website: Caravanserai: A place where cultures meet creates new pathways for Americans to experience the diversity of contemporary Muslim artistic expressions by introducing U.S. audiences to exciting and dynamic artists from the Muslim world. Sounds pretty interesting, right?

We're very much looking forward to hosting this performance next Thursday, October 18 at Walton Arts Center. They are only traveling to four places in the United States this year (Tennessee, North Dakota, Minnesota and Arkansas)!

Brahim FribganeAs per usual, we like to find out more about these artists before they arrive. There were so many things we wanted to ask, but alas, we had to temper ourselves to make sure we don't overwhelm them. :) Read on to find out more about the artists behind Caravanserai: Majid Bekkas Gnawa Ensemble with Brahim Fribgane.

1. What are you most looking forward to on this US Tour?

Majid  - The chance to share my culture and my community with American people and to let them discover our music and way of life - the things they cannot learn in books or through movies or television.

Brahim - Looking forward to sharing  the art and music that I learned back home. And to connect with American audiences in terms of seeing us differently than how the media portrays us. I want to share with happiness because whatever you feel in music we all feel it together. We are the same inside.

2. What size of audiences and whom do you typically perform for in Morocco?

Majid – Mostly festivals with many young people - some have thousands of peope like the Essaouria Gnawa World Music Festival which can have as many as 50,000 in the audience. Sometimes I do concerts in theatres and special places for people that know about music like teachers and students at universities in Morocco that are much more intimate. I alos perform in jazz clubs in Europe.

Brahim – I performed with Hassan Hakmoun and Peter Gabriel at Woodstock in 1994 and some big festivals in Europe. I also do a lot of jazz clubs and more intimate setting with with my jazz group Club d’Elf and Medeski, Martin and Wood and a band called Moving Picture with Adam Rudoloph.

3. Explain the tradition of twirling the hat?   Why do only men do it - is it a religious act or just something fun to do?

It is not a religious act like a dervish. It is not about connecting with the divine or achieving a trance or anything. It is just fun. It is to make people smile and add color to the performance. One legend goes that the first slave emancipated by Mohammed named Bilal was asked to be the first mushin (the person who calls people to prayer). Mohammed’s cousin Ali was having trouble with his wife and Bilal created the quarqabs (the castanet we play)and the twirly hat to sing and dance and make them happy to bring Ali and his wife back together.

4. What is your most favorite Moroccan dish/meal to prepare?

Majid - My specialty is fish tagine cooked with tomatoes, garlic and olive oil spiced with cumin, pepper, paprika, lemons and parsley.

Brahim – sfinge it is a fried bread like a donut that makes me think of home. Mint tea with sugar too.

Other members of the ensemble: Sidi Abellfattah El Houssaini likes ice cream vanilla, Fath Allah Chaouki likes shell fish, Abdelhafid Oummane likes couscous with chicken and vegetables, Mesbah Chaouki likes bouzroug (mussels), and Abdessadek Bounhar likes everything…he is an “every-terian.” (<--ha! We love this!)

5. How did you learn how to play your instrument? When?

Majid - I learned to play guembri in Sale where I was born with a master named Bahaman. I started playing guenbri and banjo when I was fourteen in the early seventies.  There was a band called Nass Ghiwane known as “The Beatles of Morocco” that inspired me.

Brahim -  I was thirteen or fourteen. I was born in Casablanca and I was influenced also by Nass Ghiwane. The first instrument I learned was harmonica because of Bollywood movies I saw often at the cinema when I was a kid.

6. What are 3 goals of your performances? What do you want audiences to walk away with?

Majid – First to have the audience accept and enjoy it, the second is if we can have people sing and participate with us like clap or whatnot we feel like we are sharing, and third to bring the message of love and peace in this world. Musicians are the best ambassadors.

Brahim – First to tell people that Muslims are not only what they see on tv and read in the papers - burning flags and being violent. We are people of peace like them. Also that people will learn about my amazing culture and my language and my tribe from the Souss or South part of Morocco, and third that we are making peace with music and music with peace. 

7. What makes you unique from other performers?

Brahim - Every musician plays with his own hands, and his own life influences. That is what makes me unique. Your roots and experiences make you “you” and this makes the sound you play or the song you sing unique.

Majid Bekkas Gnawa Ensemble in Morocco. Photo by Hassan Abdellaoui.

8. Do you have any superstitions or backstage rituals, before you go on stage?

Everything that we do we say “bismillah” before we eat, before we put on our clothes in the morning, before we do anything. It is a blessing and a prayer and it means “in the name of God.”

9. Is there something you enjoy collecting?

Abdelfattah {ensemble member} collects percussion instruments and noisemakers. We all like to fish, and play soccer.

10. Was there some great advice you received as you began your artistic journey?

Brahim- The great musician Ali Farka Toure told me “whenever you play your instrument, be yourself, do not try to be anyone else. “

Majid – When I released my album African Gnoua Blues I received a call from from famous American jazz legend Archie Shepp and he told me “You are in the right direction. Now I understand how near gnawa is to the blues and jazz.” Then he invited me to play with him in Paris!

11. What profession other than yours would you most like to attempt?

Abdelfattah - ice cream maker

Brahim - When I was young I wanted to be a merchant marine so I could sail and see the world.

Abdelhafid – carpenter

Mesbah – electrician

Abdessadek – sales…business

Fath Allah -  only gnawa nothing else

Majid – teacher…but I want to me a musician all my life.

Turns out we're not too different from our friends across the globe. I mean, who doesn't like ice cream? Come join us for their performance on October 18, and don't forget to come early for the pre-show conversation at 6pm!

If you'd like to find out more about Caravanserai, please visit their website.

Celebrating "20 Years" in Northwest Arkansas

We are celebrating our 20th anniversary here in Northwest Arkansas, and the old saying "time flies when you're having fun" seems to ring true to us during this time. It hardly seems that its been 20 years since we opened our doors to the community, let alone that some of our employees have been here for just as many years (be sure to tell them how youthful they look. :) )!

To commemorate and preserve our history, Walton Arts Center commissioned local artist, Kathy Thompson to create an original project.

Kathy Thompson's work in progress for WAC. Taken at Thompson's studio in Fayetteville.Kathy Thompson has become known for her H Boxes, mixed-media boxes that arrange treasured artifacts into dynamic and resonant compositions. These richly textured and inventive works explore the intersection of objects, history, memory, and the formal language of assemblage.

Without much direction from Walton Arts Center, Ms. Thompson undertook the task of rummaging through our archived materials, as well as conducting interviews with staff, patrons and others in the local arts community.

"Broadway" photo by Ironside PhotographyWhat came out of Thompson's hours and hours of research were 20 beautiful boxes that encompass not on Walton Arts Center's history, but also some history (and nods to the future) of Northwest Arkansas.

Our staff and Ms. Thompson are hard at work installing this exhibition, titled "20 Years," in our gallery for an event we're hosting this Thursday, October 4; "Treasures & History: A Gallery Open House" from 5:30pm - 8pm. Please join us as we unveil this project that has been "20 Years" in the making!

Moving day! Kathy's boxes getting prepped for installation

Woody at 100: The Woody Guthrie Centennial Celebration exhibit

This year marks the 100th birthday of Woody Guthrie. An article in The New York Times a few weeks back offers an interesting perspective on the celebrations surrounding the 100th birthday of Woody Guthrie.

Do you know much about Woody? I have to admit that I knew his name, that he was a singer and he wrote "This Land Is Your Land," and that was about the depth of my Woody Guthrie knowledge.

Guthrie is best known for being a singer/songwriter who chronicled the hardships of the American people, his people. Married at a young age, and with three small children to support, Woody Guthrie made the trek across the United States from Texas to California looking for work after the Dust Bowl made it nearly impossible for him to find a job. Leaving his family behind, and enduring a grueling journey looking for work, only added fuel to Guthrie's musical career.

Did you know he was also an artist? He began drawing cartoons and caricatures, and then moved on to painting, drawing, sculpting and more. His passion for visual arts continued on throughout his life, and even provided an income for him at times. Guthrie often made a living as an advertising designer, portrait artist, sign painter and other visual arts marketing trying to provide for his family throughout his journey.

Walton Arts Center is proud to host a new archival exhibit titled Woody at One Hundred: The Woody Guthrie Centennial Celebration 1912-2012 . The exhibition was unveiled Friday, August 24 in partnership with the Fayetteville Roots Festival and Woody Guthrie Archives, and will remain in the Joy Pratt Markham Gallery through September 20. Admission to the gallery is free and open to the public.

This exhibit consists of a collection of Woody Guthrie's lyrics, diaries, notebooks, correspondence, photographs, artworks, and includes reproduction items, featuring Woody's original handwritten lyric "This Land Is Your Land", providing a broad overview of Woody's creative legacy dated from 1932-1955.

We hope you'll stop by our gallery, and discover a side of Woody Guthrie you may or may not have known about!

 

An AWE-some week with local educators!

Walton Arts Center just wrapped up another amazing year with the AWE Institute! We had such a great time meeting new participants, and welcoming old friends. We're already looking forward to next year!

Arts With Education (AWE) Institute is a week-long professional development for educators. It prepares teachers to use the arts to make teaching across the curriculum more engaging and effective (recent focus: literacy, social studies, and math). AWE involves teachers in hands-on, interactive workshops presented by John F. Kennedy Center experts, with support from local Teaching Artists.

This year marked the 21st annual AWE Institute!  For one week in July we welcomed 45 teachers, 20 visiting administrators and staff from Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, 23 children from Fayetteville Boys & Girls Club and 5 Teaching Artists from our local region and from The John F. Kennedy Center into an incredible week of learning. This year we also spent one full day at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art learning new art forms to integrate into core curriculum teaching.  

Over the years, Walton Arts Center’s AWE Institute has trained over 400 teachers. For every year these teachers include arts integration instruction in their curriculum, more than 1200 students benefit from the engaging and effective teaching techniques learned at AWE.

Visual essay by an AWE teacher depicting population

Putting their new strategies to work with children from the Boys & Girls Club in Fayetteville

AWE Institute funding is provided in part by Crayola® with additional funding from Arkansas Arts Council and Walton Arts Center supporters and benefactors.

For more information on AWE Institute, call Dr. Patricia Relph at 479-571-2773.

**This blog post brought to you by Katharine Williams in our Learning & Engagement department. Thank you Katie!**

 

Artosphere Festival Orchestra stuns audiences of all ages!

On Sunday, the Artosphere Festival Orchestra was in Siloam Springs to kick off the first of their three performances as a part of the Artosphere Festival. Monday, the orchestra performed for an audience in Fayetteville as a part of the 10x10 series and mixed and mingled with those in attendance as part of a post-show party. 

Artosphere Festival Orchestra. Photo by Ironside Photography

Under the direction of Maestro Corrado Rovaris, the orchestra wowed audiences with performances they won’t soon be able to forget.  Don’t take our word for it, see below what the audiences had to say about the performances:

“I feel so lucky to live in such a lively arts community. The Artosphere Orchestra was just fabulous!”

“My ears went to heaven!!”

“I want to thank the underwriters from the bottom of my heart, for making it possible for my family to experience a performance of this magnitude. It was breathtaking! We would not ordinarily be so privileged to hear such talented musicians. God has blessed you all with incredible talent, and you have blessed us this evening.”

“Running through the forest. Romantic. Like I’m being chased. One accord, one instrument. Tip toeing. Falling into a pit. Renewed happiness.”

“I loved how shiny the tuba was! Great job!”

“Amazing! Definitely want to learn to play more instruments and continue my musical career.”

“Some of the best orchestral music I have experienced, and I am 80 years old, play cello, and my mother was a concert pianist. Roberto Diaz- excellent violist. Cannot say enough for him. Wish I could hear more. The last piece by Elgar was so beautiful with Rovaris, conductor, bringing out the best in the musicians. Thanks!”

“To Band: Good music! I like the drum. I like the music! Even the lights! The tuba rocks! Love, Lily Pierce! P.S. I am a kid!”

If you missed out on the first two performances, there’s still one more opportunity left to see the Artosphere Festival Orchestra during the Artosphere Festival Finale right here in Fayetteville this Friday, June 22 at 7pm when they help close out Artosphere 2012 with a bang!

Sound the trumpets - We have a Grand Prize Winner!

Becky Foster is the Grand Prize Winner for our Artosphere Photo-a-Week Challenge! Becky submitted this photo the first week for our theme "Water."

photo by Becky Foster

Becky has won the following:

  • 2 tickets to our "greenest" show next season - Shrek The Musical
  • Giftcard to a local restaurant
  • Inclusion in the 2013 Artosphere book
  • Inclusion in an article to a local monthly publication
  • A feature in our WAC Weekly email that reaches over 18,000 patrons

Thank you to everyone that participated in our first ever Artosphere Photo-a-Week Challenge. You all had some amazing photos, and you truly made the photo challenge FUN! We are already looking forward to seeing your submissions next year!

Artosphere Festival Orchestra rehearsal reported by an untrained ear

Hey everyone, Amanda Smith here! I just had the pleasure of sitting on stage while the Artosphere Festival Orchestra rehearsed, and all I can say is WHOA. I was in band (played the clarinet), and even played some concerts on the Walton Arts Center stage, but this was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.

Artosphere Festival Orchestra rehearsal. It's hard to be sneaky on stage!

First off, I love all the unspoken cues. As soon as Maestro Rovaris walks on stage, the musicians immediately sit up straight and give their undivided focus to him. I would have waited for him to say something like “Everyone, it’s time to begin” or, “Quit practicing and look at me!”, but that’s not the way it works when you’re a professional. And with the nod of a head, or the flick of a wrist, the orchestra knows exactly what Maestro Rovaris wants.

Maestro Rovaris during rehearsal

For me, sitting in with the orchestra while they practice was almost like going to a wine tasting. If you like to drink wine occasionally, like I do, you may not be able to pick up the different flavors and notes that distinguish a cabernet sauvignon from a pinot noir or a merlot. However; when you taste them all side by side, you can tell.

I’ve attended a few symphony performances over the years, and to be honest I couldn’t tell a great difference between them aside from the fact that they played different pieces. But sitting amongst the musicians as they rehearse, and seeing the tweaks that Maestro Rovaris gives them as they play the same piece over and over, I could actually pick up on the variances between the oboe and the violin playing the same notes, but not playing them the same, ending a note too soon, or a section not being “on the same page.”

While I know not everyone can come and sit on the stage while the orchestra practices, I suggest taking in more than one of the Artosphere Festival Orchestra performances over the next week and a half. You may surprise yourself by noticing something you never did before.

You can find the schedule, and purchase tickets, for the Artosphere Festival Orchestra here.

Artosphere Photo-a-Week - Weekly winner #4

We have reached the end of our first ever Artosphere Photo-a-Week Challenge, and we have to admit we're a little sad. It has been such a fun time seeing all of the submissions, and we are really looking forward to doing this again next year!

Our final winner is Pat Cortez! Her beautiful "Music" photo really captured our attention. Thank you Pat for sharing this!

Photo by Pat Cortez             We'll be announcing our Grand Prize winner soon, so stay tuned! 

Alley 38 - An interactive theatre experience

Have you heard about Alley 38 yet? It's described as "a theatrical walking expedition through uncharted places," but we didn't fully grasp the idea until we actually went on the walk. Whoa, you guys. This is such a fun performance!

Conceived and produced by Artist's Laboratory Theatre (ALT), Alley 38 is part of the Artosphere Festival. ALT received an Artosphere Partner Grant to help bring the idea to life.

Patrons meet at the corner of Block and Spring street in Fayetteville (free parking at the meters after 5pm), and without giving too much away, are divided into two groups. There is a guide in each group, and you remain with them throughout the evening. Winding through the alleys of downtown Fayetteville, a story develops along the way and you find yourself anxious to find out "What is happening next??"

Here's a map of the area covered in Alley 38. While there is a lot of walking, there is plenty of stopping to rest along the way (sometimes you even get a chair!). There is also a brief (about 10min.) intercession where free drinks and snacks are offered.

Alley 38 runs through Sunday, May 27, and all performances begin at 7:30pm. At only $12/person, this is a perfect way to spend a spring evening discovering art, theatre and Fayetteville!

Alley 38 starting point

Artosphere Photo-a-Week - Weekly winner #3

The first ever Artosphere Photo-a-Week Challenge is almost over. We are down to our final week, and the theme for this week is "Music." We are really enjoying all the photos you all have been submitting!

This week's winner, Kelly Leong, submitted this beautiful photo of her interpretation of last week's theme "Sticks."

photo by Kelly Leong

Congratulations Kelly! Once again, it was difficult to pick just one. They were all beautiful!

Get your "Music" photos in this week, it's your last chance to enter the Artosphere Photo-a-Week Challenge!

Sticks, stones, sweat and heART

We are right in the middle of our Artosphere Festival, and while we do have Polyglot Theatre's We Built This City happening in our hall this Saturday, May 19, there is also a lot going on outside our theater!

As part of Artosphere's visual arts component this year, we commissioned two artists to build site-specific installations; Karst artist Massey Burke, and Stickworks artist Patrick Dougherty. Both artists began their residency last week, and what progress they've made these past few days! Of course, they have had help from local volunteers that have dedicated their time (and sweat) to helping both of these artists complete their pieces.

Dougherty and volunteers

Patrick Dougherty installation on Walton Arts Center's Tyson PlazaLocal apprentices learning sustainable building techniques while assisting BurkeWalton Arts Center will host an End-of-Construction Celebration for Massey Burke and her Karst project on Saturday, May 19 from 3pm-5pm at the installation on the Nadine Baum Studios lawn. Patrick Dougherty's piece will be finished by the following week, May 28.

If you're interested in learning about artists who work with nature, join us this Saturday, May 19 from 2pm-3pm at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art for a lecture with Patrick Dougherty and Robert Tannen. While the event is free, reservations are required due to limited seating, and can be made by clicking here.

BIG thank you to all the volunteers who are helping bring both of these projects to life on the Walton Arts Center campus. We truly appreciate your help, and could not have done this without your support. Northwest Arkansas truly is a wonderful community!

Artosphere Photo-a-Week - Weekly winner #2

Who knew we had such amazing photographers in our community? You guys are really bringing your a-game to the Artosphere Photo-a-Week Challenge! Once again, it was a tough decision this week, but we had to pick one. Drum roll please...Daniel Stadler is our winner for Week 2's theme "Trail."

Photo by Daniel Stadler

Week 3 has begun, and the theme is "Sticks." It's only Monday, but we've already received some beautiful photos for this week! Friday is the deadline for submissions, and you can send them to us through any of these channels:

Looking forward to another great week!

Q&A with Diavolo Dance Theater: Part 3

Today we're finishing up our Q&A with Diavolo Dance Theater. We have had so much fun getting to know more about this group of fascinating dancers, and we hope you have as well!

Diavolo will be performing two times this weekend; Friday, May 11 at 8pm and Saturday, May 12 at 8pm. As part of our 10x10 Arts Series, tickets to these performances start at only $10! We hope to see you here this weekend!

Photo by Kristi Khans

CaSon MacBride - dancer

1. How do you explain what you do to people that have never seen a performance or a photograph of your work?

When referencing Diavolo... I tell them i'm apart of an acrobatic dance company. Similar to cirque du soleil but with a more contemporary dance feel. And then I usually pull out my iPhone and show them our demo video.

2. What style of dance is your favorite to watch?

Nothing like watching really great classical ballet and smooth and groovin' first nations powwow dancing.  

3.Who is your artistic icon?

Bill Irwin 

4. Is there any part of Fearful Symmetries that you thought would be impossible to perform?

Jumping from Column to Column.... looks difficult. Though getting into the piece is also difficult ;-)

5. If you were not a performer today, what profession would you have chosen?

If I absolutely couldn't perform... I'd direct or teach. Lead and grow performers. 

6. Have you ever broken anything while performing?

No breaks but my third day with Diavolo I received 7 stitches just below my knee because of a mishap on Traj (the boat piece). And once while rehearsing a site specific piece with another choreographer I dislocated my ankle.  

7. If you can incorporated and object or structure into a performance what would it be and why?

A teepee. I think it would compliment Diavolo's Dreamcatcher and also bring a cultural element to already great work. There are alot of pieces to a Teepee which would make for great props to make choreography.

The poles, the ropes, the canvas... and then there's the structure itself. The idea of living, dancing, playing on something that is created before your eyes I think would be amazing. Not a structure built before the show off stage behind the curtain; but a structure that the dancers have to discover piece by piece and manifest with an audience. 

8. Diavolo: Fearful Symmetries is described as being inspired by surrealism. Are you influenced by any surrealist artists?

My background is in American Indian Dance... I think in order to believe in the supernatural and the magic within everything you have to live in a surreal reality. Sherman Alexie... if you could consider his work surreal would be one. 

9. How does nature impact your artistic process?

Nature is inspiration, calm, home... you can't exclude yourself from nature. 

And nature is simple, unforgiving, fearless. You can distill anything that happens on stage, the life of a performance, to the simplicity of what is found in nature. When you remember that you can look for inspiration to play any role through how "nature survives".  

10. Do you have a personal way that you try to live a more sustainable life?

An aluminum water bottle that I refill as often as is convenient. Turn lights off when I leave (and TV's). Trying to not take advantage of food, resources, and energy while traveling just because someone else is buying. And I use the low flow flush on toilets when I go number 1. 

11. What is your favorite healthy snack?

Pizza & Yogurt... eaten separately.  

Q&A with Diavolo Dance Theater: Part 1

This week we have the brilliant Diavolo Dance Theater in our hall. Diavolo means "the day I learned to fly." Isn't that just the most wonderfully magic name you've ever heard? This 10-member dance company is made up of dancers, gymnasts and actors who deliver large-scale interdisciplinary performances that examine the funny and frightening ways individuals behave within their environment.

They will be in-residency for the week traveling to local schools to work with students, performing as part of our Colgate Classroom Series, and even instructing a Masterclass for people ages 14 and up. They will reach over 2,000 individuals in classroom and community settings this week. We are so lucky to have them in Northwest Arkansas!

Photo by Rose Eichenbaum

Diavolo is also part of our 10x10 Arts Series, and you know we love to grill them about the work they're doing so we can share it with you! Read below to find out a little bit more about the members of this interesting group that are spending the week in our community. Today we're talking with Jennifer Huffman, but come back tomorrow for more with some of the other company members!

Jennifer Huffman - Dancer

1. How do you explain what you do to people that have never seen a performance or a photograph of your work?

I scare them. They aren't expecting what they get sometimes, so in a good way I believe it scares them.

2. What style of dance is your favorite to watch?

Raw, athletic dancing

3.Who is your artistic icon?

I've never had one. There are many people I look up to for guidance; those that have taught me & continue to teach me.

4. Is there any part of Fearful Symmetries that you thought would be impossible to perform?

The first complete run-through we did, I was soooo exhausted at the end of the first half that I thought there was no way I could do an entire second half. But, I did... :)

5. If you were not a performer today, what profession would you have chosen?

Veterinarian

6. Have you ever broken anything while performing?

Possibly...

7. If you could incorporate an object or structure into a performance, what would it be and why?

I have always enjoyed climbing and playing on anything. I have never been afraid of heights, and love to fly through the air, so anything I can jump off of, do a handstand on, climb, slide, crawl or bounce on would be fun for me!

8. Diavolo is performing during our Artosphere Festival, which focuses on arts, nature & sustainability. How does nature impact your artistic process?

The different seasons put me in different moods, and therefore effect how I work that day, or what I decide to create when I do.

9. Do you have a personal way that you try to live a more sustainable life?

I do what I want to do. Dance to the beat of my own drum, and find something that makes me laugh everyday!

10. What is your favorite healthy snack?

A tie between avocados and ice cream sandwiches. :)

 

In The Heights student review

One of the things we love most here at Walton Arts Center is bringing students in to experience the theatre. No matter the age, they are almost always in awe of the lights, music and magic that happen on stage.

We received an email with a link to a blog post from one of the University of Arkansas' Visiting Student Program participants that came to see In The Heights with a student group, and it warmed our hearts so we wanted to share it with you!

Here's a little bit from Sangeun Cho's experience at In The Heights:

“It was a wonderful evening that I will not forget. I hope other international students will be able to have wonderful experience as I did at this program while studying at the University of Arkansas!”

Click here to read her entire blog post, and see some pictures!  

Q&A with SFJAZZ Collective

Yesterday you dipped your toe in the pool of the all-star jazz group SFJAZZ Collective. Today, we're taking a dive into the deep end! We like to hit up our incoming 10x10 Arts Series artists with a Q&A to get to know them better before they get here. Here's what SFJAZZ Collective drummer, Eric Harland had to say...

Eric Harland - drums

1. If you could do another tribute show, which artist would you choose and why?

I would personally choose James Taylor... mostly because I love his music and haven't had the opportunity to perform his music or with him. 

2. If you could choose one celebrity to play with, alive or dead, who would you choose?

John Coltrane would be my choice... 

3.What is the one piece of music that you wish you would’ve composed?

The theme to Star Wars...  

4. If you could change anything about the music industry, what would it be?

More financial balance so that the arts can remain an act of "expression" to success and not the act of "mimic" to success...

5. If you were not a performer today, what profession would you have chosen?

Maybe Computer Engineering...  Philosophy...  Winemaking...  can't really choose just one.  

6.You’ve covered some great names (Coltrane, Hancock, Monk and now Stevie Wonder); how do you decide? And, is there anyone that you haven’t done that you would love to?

We decide based on a voting process, about who we agree to be the next honored Artist.  As far as those we haven't played before...  I think everyone has a different outlook on that.  

7. What is your favorite Stevie Wonder song to perform and why?

Ah man...  he has too many great songs to narrow to just a favorite...  but some are "Higher Ground", "Golden Lady", "Superstition"...  and these are mainly do to their great melodies, feel, lyrics...  but wait...  THAT'S ALL OF STEVIE'S SONGS.....   :-)  

8. What song, artist, or genre of music do you secretly like, but are embarrassed to admit?

None...  I'm open to all music.

SFJAZZ Collective will be in Northwest Arkansas this Thursday, March 15 at 7pm. I hope to see you all at the show! Don't have tickets yet? No problem! They're still available and can be purchased here, or by calling the Walton Arts Center box office at 479.443.5600.

Mark Morris Dance Group

Mark Morris Dance Group (MMDG) is the next performance in our 10x10 Arts Series. They will perform Thursday, February 2 at 7pm, and with tickets starting at just $10 we hope you won't miss this amazing show! Let's take a quick time-out - did you know that you don't have to purchase tickets to the entire 10x10 series to get the $10 ticket price? Only interested in coming to MMDG? No worries; tickets are still only $10! Ok, glad we got that cleared up.

Grand Duo by Scott Suchman

In anticipation of Mark Morris Dance Group coming to Walton Arts Center, our Programming Assistant, Lydia Seifritz, took time to explain some traits unique to the company and why it's so amazing that they are coming here as part of their tour. Here are some fun facts about MMDG (I like bullet points; makes it easier to digest the information!):

  • Mark Morris is known for his choreography specific to the music; i.e. he starts with the music and choreographs around that rather than choreographing a piece and then choosing music.
  • Live music!! In the 30 years that Mark Morris Dance Group has been around they have always performed to live music. This is very unique for a dance company. And exciting! Great dancing & amazing live music in one performance?? Yes please!
  • The company will be performing three pieces that showcase their evolution over the past 30 years. The most famous piece, Grand Duo, is highly-acclaimed for the juxtaposition of the dancers movement to the classical music.
  • Many of the dancers in MMDG have been in the company for years; some almost 20 years! These 'seasoned' dancers are very unique as most dancers don't have careers that span that length of time.
  • MMDG is very involved in community outreach. In their Brooklyn studio they offer free classes to underprivileged children & adults. They also offer Dance for PD; movement classes for persons with Parkinson's Disease.

They will be conducting one of their Dance for Parkinson's Disease classes while in NWA, and you can sign up here. There will also be a Master Class for dancers age 14 + at the HPER on the University of Arkansas campus. Call our box office at 479.443.5600 to register for the Master Class.

Tune in tomorrow for a Q&A with some of the members of the Mark Morris Dance Group!

 

SoNA Masterworks II - Rach music & more

Classical music may not be for everyone, but the staff at the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA) is doing their part to help educate patrons on this particular style of music. SoNA is doing a great job at taking a usually niche style of music and making it more accessible.

Music Director, Paul Haas is so very, very good at explaining the symphony and all it's parts in laymen terms. SoNA has their Masterworks II concert coming up on January 21 at Walton Arts Center. The program is Russian composers Rachmaninov and Shostakovich, and to some that just sounds 'heavy.' Haas took some time to explain more about these composers and the pieces that SoNA will play on their January 21 concert over on the SoNA blog.

I can honestly say that I'm very excited to see this concert. I hope you will take the time to read Paul Haas' blog entry and get your tickets to Masterworks II!