GET TO KNOW YOUR 2022 VOICEJAM CONTESTANTS: PART 2

Last week, we brought you a look at four of our talented groups who will battle it out in the 2022 VoiceJam Competition. This week, we want to introduce you to the rest of the a capella groups who will vie for the VoiceJam Champion title on Saturday, April 9!

In addition to the highly anticipated a cappella competition, Walton Arts Center will host a day of masterclasses and workshops. More information about those events is available on our website.

Without further aca-do, here are the final three competitors that are sure to knock your socks off on Saturday.

KeyHarmony

WAC: Tell us about the musical background of your group.

KeyHarmony: We are an all-female collegiate group from the University of Central Florida. While we do all have some sort of musical background, we are not exclusively music majors. Our group has a multitude of majors including education, aerospace engineering and theatre.

WAC: Tell us about the different levels of a cappella experience in your group. 

KeyHarmony: Our group has a range of a cappella experience. We have women who have never done a cappella before and women who have been doing a cappella for up to seven years.

WAC: Tell us about your competition set.

KeyHarmony: Our competition set is a mix of alternative pop and R&B and our set contains three soloists. The theme of our set is moving on from heartbreak and realizing your worth. What makes our set special is that each piece was arranged by our current members.

WAC: Does your group have any pre-performance rituals?

KeyHarmony: Before each performance, we stand in a circle and harness our energy by doing "power poses."

WAC: Tell us about your group’s most memorable performance story. 

KeyHarmony: Our most memorable performance story is winning our first first-place award at SoJam! We performed “Muddy Waters” by LP, “Women (Oh Mama)” by Joy Williams and “Freedom” by Beyonce ft. Kendrick Lamar.

Fifth Measure

WAC: Tell us about the musical background of your group.

Fifth Measure: Everyone in our group has some kind of musical background, whether we’ve taken vocal lessons, grown up doing school choirs, been in theatre, are part of a band or just love the camaraderie of being part of a group that loves music.

WAC: Tell us about the different levels of a cappella experience in your group. 

Fifth Measure: Our group ranges from people who have been part of the a cappella group for almost three years now to people that are doing it for their first year.

WAC: Tell us about your competition set.

Fifth Measure: Our set has a lot of funk to it. It is very upbeat and groovy, but the songs still have a lot of meaning and purpose packed into the lyrics. Our set is special because we have chosen some unique pieces that people wouldn’t expect to hear as a cappella arrangements, and we have a nice selection of one classic song, one popular modern song an unknown song.

WAC: Does your group have any pre-performance rituals?

Fifth Measure: The most important pre-performance ritual is our whole group warming up together. We take the time before going on to really get into the mindset of our performance. It really bonds us together before we go on stage!

WAC: Tell us about your group’s most memorable performance story. 

Fifth Measure: We can’t think of a specific memory but It we all love being around and are very supportive of each other. At the end of the day, this is just fun for all of us and we like working together and sharing the music we make with people!

A-Side

WAC: Tell us about the musical background of your group.

A-Side: A-Side is a high school group. All students have been in choir for several years and are enrolled in both choir and the vocal ensemble during the school day. These students are very involved in the music program. They perform in musicals, many have been in the all-region choir for several years and just this year 4 of the members were members of the Texas All State Choir (a very high honor in the state of Texas). Many are graduating and going on to study music in college.

WAC: Tell us about the different levels of a cappella experience in your group. 

A-Side: The experience of the students in this group is very different. Some have been a part of the group since before COVID-19 and have performed numerous times on various stages for a cappella competitions. Some have been in since COVID-19 and have worked on recording projects and local performances.

WAC: Tell us about your competition set.

A-Side: Our competition set is taking competitive a capella back to the basics; it lets the music speak for itself. It has become a trend to have a consistent theme or story. We aren’t doing that anymore. Each song has a story to be told and they don’t have to coincide. We have two soloists and a featured soloist. Our set is special because we completely stripped the idea who A-Side used to be. We reinvented ourselves and our sound. Mostly importantly, we did it together as a team.

WAC: How did your group hear about VoiceJam? 

A-Side: We have heard about VoiceJam for years but have never had time in our schedule to apply. We decided to do different events and competitions this year and try to do bigger things! Getting into VoiceJam has been such an amazing experience. We have challenged ourselves in ways we never have before and have worked harder than ever. We can't wait to share and learn at VoiceJam.

WAC: Does your group have any pre-performance rituals?

A-Side: Before we compete, the boys always go to a dark/quiet spot to listen to the entire album of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon.

WAC: Tell us about your group’s most memorable performance story. 

A-Side: Our most memorable performance has to be getting picked for the wild card performance for Acatex and having to go from soundcheck to performance in less than an hour.

A Conversation with Aaron Burr, Sir.

A version of this interview was first run in Celebrate! Arkansas Magazine.

 Josh Tower is no stranger to the stage. In addition to playing Simba in the Broadway production of The Lion King, Tower has many other impressive Broadway and touring company credits including School of Rock, Motown the Musical and Ragtime. Now, he’s taking his shot in the role of Aaron Burr in the Angelica company of the smash-hit musical Hamilton, appearing at Walton Arts Center March 22-April 3.

Josh Tower

Hamilton is the story of America then, told by America now. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, Hamilton has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theater. Tower recently chatted with Walton Arts Center to talk about the show and its widespread appeal to audiences.

Tower: What it’s like to tour with such a wildly popular show?

Tower: It’s an amazing experience to be on tour with this show. It’s always received really well, though some audiences are more-quiet than others, the energy is the same. We’re excited to be back up and running, and people are excited to be back seeing live theater again.

WAC: Our audiences are certainly excited to be back in the theater, and about Hamilton! What is it that makes this show so special?

Tower: I think the release of the Hamilton [proshot] on Disney+ kept people’s interest and that the love of the show peaked. It’s a completely different experience live, and I do think folks are craving their own night at the show. Theater is such a special fleeting moment. Every show is different. Some of the cast may change; some people are out on vacation, sick, injured, etc., and then swings and understudies jump in where needed. Little mistakes are made every single show... not always the same. And, the audience is different every night with each having their own collective personality. It’s special every night. 

WAC: Hamilton is known for incorporating genres that aren’t traditionally heard in musical theater. How did that affect your preparation for the role of Aaron Burr?

Tower: First of all, I love rap and hip hop, mostly old school, R&B, pop, musical theater tunes... all of it. This music is so full of ear worms that it’s pretty easy to get into its groove. I prepped for Hamilton like I do for all shows, with lots of memorization. I often fall asleep at night, during rehearsal weeks, playing the music of a respective project on my headphones in hopes of some sort of discovery in my subconscious. That’s the homework part. I rehearsed Hamilton every day for four weeks during the day while I was doing School of Rock at night across the street at the Winter Garden Theater. It was an intense time for sure.

WAC: Something else that I’d imagine is difficult to prepare for is Aaron Burr’s historical perception as the bad guy in this story. It’s even a theme that the character explores in the show. How do you see him as a man and as a character?
Tower: Well, of course he’s not the bad guy, and of course he’s misunderstood… says every actor about their perceived bad guy! Burr was a father, a husband, a feminist, an incredible writer and a man like many others; flawed in his own way. What Burr could never shake was that he could never figure out, through his education and station in life, how Hamilton, this outsider from nowhere, could outshine him even with all of his own flaws and behaviors that would have destroyed many men and their careers. Hamilton pushed his buttons and pushed his good nature.

WAC: When you look at Burr in that light, I think everyone can relate to some aspect of who he is – villain or not. What are some of the other central themes or messages that audiences relate to most in Hamilton?

Tower: The main themes to me are love, destruction, redemption and forgiveness. The main aspect that I think audiences can relate to is the look of the cast. That is the cast on stage reflects them and they reflect us. We are truly a beautiful melting pot of a country. Our show has no prescribed look to it and every company is different. With so many nationalities on the stage it is a statement in itself. While these real-life characters are largely white, color just seems to fade away during the course of the show. Washington is Washington, Hamilton is Hamilton, Angelica is Angelica. Et cetera. It’s really, really special, and an aspect of which I’m so proud… to look on that stage and see someone who looks like you is inspiring. Inspiration is where big dreams start, conversations are had and new discoveries are made.

WAC: What a lovely sentiment. What is your personal favorite part of the show or of this cast?

Tower: My favorite part or moment of the show is “Yorktown!” We have an amazing group of dancers in the show and when they’re doing their thing there is nothing like it! The number ends with all of us on stage together claiming victory. It’s amazing! The fact that they sing and dance the whole show is pretty astounding. Many shows have a dance ensemble and a separate singing ensemble.

 WAC: And what about your favorite part as Burr?

 Tower: I also love the songs "Wait for It" and "Room Where It Happens” as a tandem. Both are strong looks at the inner Burr. But in “Wait for It,” that public mask that he wears – that we all wear – is taken off for just a moment and you can take a peek. By the end of the number he puts the mask back on. In “Room Where It Happens”… well, that’s where the mask fractures and cracks, in my mind, in an almost grotesque way. He’s never the same after that. The spiral downward begins. 

 WAC: It has been such a treat to see the show through your eyes. Thank you for sharing all of this with us. What else do you hope that audiences take away from the show?

Tower: At the end of the day, if you don’t like a certain tune in the show, another one that’s a different style will hook you in. If the music doesn’t do it for you then you hook into the history aspect of the show. There’s really and truly something for everyone. We are all so happy to share this incredible work of art with you again. Enjoy it! Love it!

Limited tickets are still available for Hamilton. Visit waltonartscenter.org for details.

Get to Know Your 2022 VoiceJam Contestants

VoiceJam A Capella festival is always a favorite event at Walton Arts Center. We’re so excited to get back to a full-swing, in-person event this year on Saturday, April 9. In addition to the competition, expect a day of masterclasses and workshops that are sure to be fun, educational and aca-awesome!

The headline event is the VoiceJam competition, which sees a cappella groups from schools and communities across the country compete in a vocal smackdown. Keep reading to get to know just a few of our 2022 competitors!

The Ozarks

WAC: Tell us about the musical background of your group.

The Ozarks: Founded during the height of the pandemic, The Ozarks A Cappella is an organization dedicated to providing a unique educational and musical experience for high school students in southwest Missouri. In 2020, we noticed that students were unable to have musical experiences in the traditional classroom sense. We wanted this group to be an outlet and opportunity for any high schooler in the Ozarks to make musical excellence, forge friendships, and grow as people.

WAC: Tell us about the different levels of a cappella experience in your group. 

The Ozarks: Our current members are all grades 10-12 coming from nine different high schools in the southwest Missouri area. Three members will be attending the A Cappella Academy this summer in Los Angeles; and one member, Zach Liesen, won outstanding Vocal Percussion at ICHSA quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals last year. This group was recently nominated for two Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards for Best High School Solo and Best High School Song. Our directors are/were members of collegiate a cappella groups, The Beartones and Sound Bearrier at Missouri State University.

WAC: Tell us about your competition set.

The Ozarks: Our specialties cover a wide range, but since we have started, we have stayed in the pop and R&B range. In our set we will have three soloists. Emily Jenkins will start our set with a song called “From Fire” originally performed by the artist Perta. Next, Lilly Jackson will solo the song “War In Your Arms,” originally by Australian artist Ben Abraham. Finally, we will close with Michael Thurston soloing the tune “Higher Power,” original performed by Coldplay. There is not a particular theme to our set this year but, in it you can sense the pain that is created when there is lack of trust in a relationship.

WAC: How did your group hear about VoiceJam? 

The Ozarks: In past years our directors attended and competed with the group The Beartones. From that experience we saw how immersive and educational this festival is, and wanted to come back with The Ozarks. Being so close to Fayetteville and NWA we think it is very important to foster the continued growth of a cappella in the region.

WAC: Does your group have any pre-performance rituals? Tell us about them!

The Ozarks: This will actually be one of our first live performances and first live competition ever. So not yet! We were lucky enough to win the International Championship of High School A Cappella in its virtual format last year, and we are looking forward to competing in-person.

­­­­­­­­­­­VIBE

WAC: Tell us about the musical background of your group.

VIBE: We are a supergroup of different collegiate/high school a cappella groups from various regions of Texas. The ages range 17-30.

WAC: Tell us about the different levels of a cappella experience in your group. 

VIBE: We consist of 12 members - some currently active in high school/collegiate programs, others continuing involvement through festivals/competitions. Most of our members have competed in the Varsity Vocals ICCA/Open finals, been featured in a national Cheerios campaign and recorded for Patti LaBelle’s Christmas album Home for the Holidays.

WAC: Tell us about your competition set.

VIBE: We have no theme for this set - we sing what we love. We are passionate about creating a series of magical moments that we can invite the audience into. Our style lends to the pop/R&B sound, and we love to travel the decades with our song choices. For this set, we will feature a powerhouse trio for our middle piece and a mesmerizing showman for our finale.

WAC: Does your group have any pre-performance rituals?

VIBE: We LOVE a show circle! Feeling that sensation together right before heading out on stage is so special. We remember why we love what we do and promise each other that we’ll enjoy the next few minutes as we leave it all on the stage and create new memories for years to come.

WAC: Tell us about your group’s most memorable performance story. 

WAC: Definitely performing at Carnegie Hall for the 2018/19 Varsity Vocals Open Finals. Such a humbling experience being on a stage with so much rich history.

Green Tones

WAC: Tell us about the musical background of your group.

Green Tones: Green Tones was founded in 2008 as a contemporary a cappella group at the University of North Texas. Green Tones has evolved since then to become more than your average collegiate a cappella group. The group now gigs across around the DFW area, competes in competitions nationwide and produces professional-level content.

WAC: Tell us about the different levels of a cappella experience in your group. 

Green Tones: A portion of Green Tones members were heavily involved in high school a cappella -- competing in competitions like ICHSA and TVAC -- but for some of the group's members, Green Tones is their first step into the a cappella world. Green Tones cultivates an environment for each individual musician to constantly flourish and effortlessly evolve.

WAC: Tell us about your competition set.

Green Tones: Our set, entitled "The Eden Project," represents the duality of man and the human experience. Each song illustrates a unique, complex emotion. The group's first song, "The Feeling," represents a detached, escapist state. "All My Life" represents the chaotic confusion of overwhelming emotions. The closer, "Flesh and Bone," represents the acceptance of maturity.

WAC: How did your group hear about VoiceJam?

Green Tones: In our last competition season, Green Tones competed in VoiceJam 2019.

WAC: Tell us about your group’s most memorable performance story. 

Green Tones: In 2020, Green Tones had the exciting opportunity to open for Pentatonix and Jay Leno at the Verizon Theatre in Grand Prairie, TX.

 Essence

WAC: Tell us about the musical background of your group.

Essence: We started as a student group about five years ago. After we all graduated, it took about two years for us to decide to try again and now we are a community group. What brought us back together was really just going out in the world and realizing that what we had was a super experience and we weren't going to replicate it with anyone else.

WAC: Tell us about the different levels of a cappella experience in your group. 

Essence: Our levels of experience are generally very similar. Some of us have about one to two years difference of experience on each other. But as far as a group, what we’re doing now has us all on the same level, it seems.

WAC: Tell us about your competition set.

Essence: We currently have five soloists all at different parts of the set. Our set is created of three songs from three separate genres. I think that really is a good example of the sort of group we are. We collect all sorts of styles, stories, and songs to make a performance that may be unpredictable or surprising. Our direction is to hopefully highlight the growing pains that come with being a young adult and maybe some of the first times we've ever had to figure things out truly alone. Our music now revolves a lot more around the struggle of having to fill your own space and figuring out exactly what to do with our new-found freedoms and adulthood. The confusion of isolation, the desire to rekindle, and to concede to the fact that we still need others and make mistakes despite how hard we try to be independent.

WAC: How did your group hear about VoiceJam? 

Essence: This will be some members third time performing in VoiceJam, and others their second time. We all participated in the past as member of Natural State of Mind high school group in one iteration or another.

WAC: Does your group have any pre-performance rituals?

Essence: This specific group of singers hasn't found one yet, but I look forward to seeing what that might be. It's a new era for us with a new temperament of people

Carrying on the Tradition of Broadway at Walton Arts Center: Announcing the 2022-23 Season

Walton Arts Center will conclude its 30th Broadway season with Hamilton coming later this month, and Fiddler on the Roof as the finale of the 2021-22 Procter & Gamble Broadway series! Since the beginning of Walton Arts Center, touring Broadway has been a main element of our programming. Our team works tirelessly to bring the best theater, performers and shows to Northwest Arkansas. The titles that Walton Arts Center has hosted over the last 30 years shine as brightly as the marquees on Broadway! From classics like The King and I, Les Misérables and CATS; to musical comedies like Avenue Q, The Book of Mormon and Spamalot; and brand-new shows like Jersey Boys, In the Heights and Finding Neverland, Walton Arts Center has been thrilling audiences with touring Broadway shows for three decades.  

Now, Walton Arts Center is thrilled to announce another stellar lineup for the P&G Broadway Series in 2022-23. With a combined count of 26 Tony Awards®, this is Walton Arts Center’s most awarded season to date. Broadway subscriptions are on sale now and include:

My Fair Lady

Pretty Woman: The Musical

Chicago

Tootsie

Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Hadestown

Life is beautiful at Walton Arts Center, especially for our subscribers, who get the best seats at the best prices and so much more!

• Priority purchasing opportunities for Walton Arts Center shows and special engagements

• Great deals on other tickets: 10% discount on most other shows during the WAC season

• No exchange fees and free ticket replacement service. Our exchange policy allows you to exchange your seats for tickets to another performance within the same production.

• Payment plans available

• The latest news through our weekly e-newsletter

Six-show Broadway subscription packages range from $312 to $463 for Tuesday and Wednesday evening and Thursday matinees, and $367 to $542 for Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening, and Saturday and Sunday matinees. Package prices vary depending on performance selected and include all fees. 

But hurry!  

Subscriptions are available now, only for a limited time and can be renewed or purchased online at waltonartscenter.org, by calling the subscriber concierge at 479.571.2785 or in person at the Walton Arts Center Box Office weekdays 10 am until 2 pm. Single tickets to all Broadway and other shows in the 2022-23 season will be available later this summer.

Now, without further ado, here is a deeper look into our 2022-23 Broadway Series:

My Fair Lady

Aug. 9-14

From Lincoln Center Theater, which brought you The King & I and South Pacific, comes “a sumptuous new production of the most perfect musical of all time” (Entertainment Weekly), Lerner & Lowe’s My Fair Lady. Director Bartlett Sher’s glowing production is “thrilling, glorious and better than it ever was” (New York Magazine). “Every so often a revival comes along that reminds you how indispensable great theater can be” (NY1).

Boasting such classic songs as “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “The Rain in Spain,” “Wouldn’t it Be Loverly” and “On the Street Where You Live,” My Fair Lady tells the story of Eliza Doolittle, a young Cockney flower seller, and Henry Higgins, a linguistics professor who is determined to transform her into his idea of a “proper lady.” But who is really being transformed?

Pretty Woman: The Musical

Sept. 20-25

Arkansas Premiere

Pretty Woman: The Musical, based on one of Hollywood’s most beloved romantic stories of all time, springs to life with a powerhouse creative team ted by two-time Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray, Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde).

Brought to the stage by lead producer Paula Wagner, Pretty Woman: The Musical features an original score by Grammy®-winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance (“Summer of ’69,” “Heaven”) and a book by the movie’s legendary director Garry Marshall and screenwriter J.F. Lawton. Pretty Woman: The Musical will lift your spirits and light up your heart. “If you love the movie, you’ll love the musical!” (BuzzFeed News).

Chicago

Nov. 8-13

Tony Award for Best Musical Revival

After 25 years, Chicago is still one musical with everything that makes Broadway shimmy-shake: a universal tale of fame, fortune and all that jazz, with one show-stopping song after another and the most astonishing dancing you’ve ever seen. No wonder Chicago has been honored with six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy and thousands of standing ovations. As the show celebrates its 25th anniversary, you’ve got to come see why the name on everyone’s lips is still… Chicago.

Tootsie

Jan. 17-22

Call it “musical comedy heaven” (Rolling Stone). Call it “the most uproarious new musical in years!” (The Hollywood Reporter). Call it Tootsie! This laugh-out-loud love letter to the theater tells the story of Michael Dorsey, a talented but difficult actor who struggles to find work until one show-stopping act of desperation lands him the role of a lifetime. Featuring a hilarious Tony-winning book by Robert Horn and an outrageously clever score by 2018 Tony-winner David Yazbek (The Band’s Visit, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), this New York Times Critic’s Pick is “a joyful delight” (The Washington Post) that’s “so packed with punchlines, it should be called a jokebox musical!” (Bloomberg). “In these turbulent times, when the world seems out of balance, we need a place to let the good times roll,” raves Rolling Stone. “Tootsie it is!”

Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Feb 9-19

Tony Award for Best Musical

Arkansas Premiere

Pop the champagne, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is the winner of 10 Tony Awards – including Best Musical.

 Enter a world of splendor and romance, of eye-popping excess, of glitz, grandeur and glory. It's a world where Bohemians and aristocrats rub elbows and revel in electrifying enchantment. Welcome to Moulin Rouge! The Musical. Baz Luhrman’s revolutionary film comes to life on stage, remixed in a new musical mash-up extravaganza. Directed by Tony Award-winner Alex Timbers, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a theatrical celebration of truth, beauty, freedom and – above all – love. With a book by Tony Award-winner John Logan; music supervision, orchestrations and arrangements by Tony Award-winner Justin Levine and choreography by Tony Award-winner Sonya Tayeh, Moulin Rouge! is more than a musical – it’s a state of mind.

Hadestown

May 23-28

Tony Award for Best Musical

Arkansas Premiere

Welcome to Hadestown, where a song can change your fate. Winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards including Best Musical and the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, this acclaimed new show from celebrated singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and innovative director Rachel Chavkin (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812) is a love story for today…and always.

Hadestown intertwines two mythical tales – that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone – as it invites you on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back. Mitchell’s beguiling melodies and Chavkin’s poetic imagination pit industry against nature, doubt against faith and fear against love. Performed by a vibrant ensemble of actors, dancers and singers, Hadestown is a haunting and hopeful theatrical experience that grabs you and never lets go.

Fayetteville Film Fest Celebrates and Nurtures Arkansas Filmmakers: A Q&A with Russell Sharman

Walton Arts Center has partnered with Fayetteville Film Fest to bring an evening of narrative and documentary films created by Arkansas filmmakers on Friday, Feb. 25, at 7 pm.

Fayetteville Film Fest selected five titles for inclusion in Arkansas Filmmakers Showcase that will be screened in two blocks with a 15-minute intermission.

“The films selected for this year’s Arkansas Filmmakers Showcase shine a light on the incredible range of filmmaking talent across the state of Arkansas,” said Russell Sharman, co-executive director of the Fayetteville Film Fest.

This is an exciting event for Fayetteville, Northwest Arkansas and Arkansas as a whole. Walton Arts Center is thrilled to host the Arkansas Filmmakers Showcase and recently sat down with Russell to learn more about the films selected for this event.

WAC: Why is it exciting or important to highlight Arkansas filmmakers?

Russell: The Arkansas film industry continues to grow at an exciting pace, with more national and international productions finding their way to the state - and to Northwest Arkansas in particular - every year. But we’ve also seen incredible growth in the local filmmaking community over the past decade.

Still shot from the film Session 1 by Arkansas filmmaker Jazymne Black

Those two trends work together in a kind of artistic and commercial ecosystem. The more local productions generate talented and well-trained crew, not to mention quality, award-winning content that showcases the region, the more attractive the state becomes to outside investment from studios and production companies. Celebrating and nurturing that homegrown filmmaking community is an integral part of that ecosystem. And that’s what regional, grassroots film festivals like the Fayetteville Film Fest, and so many others, are all about. It’s not just getting to screen films you might not otherwise have the chance to see. It’s about celebrating and nurturing that community.

WAC: Were most of these films also shot or cast in Arkansas?

Russell: All 5 of the films in the Arkansas Filmmakers program were shot right here in Arkansas.

Still shot from the film Good Gorgeous Hell shot in Fayetteville by Arkansas filmmaker Reed Cash Carson

WAC: Can you tell readers about the process by which these films have been chosen?

Russell: Each year we screen dozens of amazing short and feature length content at the Fayetteville Film Fest. And we always highlight which films have an Arkansas connection so our audience can experience just how amazing the homegrown talent can be. For this program, we selected a few films that we felt represented the broadest possible range of Arkansas-based cinema from our most recent fest. We couldn’t be more excited to give audiences another chance to experience these little cinematic gems on the big screen.

WAC: What was the criteria for film submissions to be considered?

Movie poster from the film And the Winner Is by Arkansas filmmaker Michael Day

Russell: We have a range of criteria for any film submitted to the annual festival. And submissions are open right now! Folks can find all of the details on our website www.fayettevillefilmfest.com. Submissions are open until July 31st. But Arkansas filmmakers can submit FOR FREE until May 31st.

WAC: What can audiences expect from these selections? Are they fictional, shorts, documentaries, etc.?

Russell: This program of short films includes two documentaries and three narrative films, so a little something for everyone. That includes one of our annual pitch prize winners, which is an exciting event we host each year during the festival. Filmmakers get a few minutes to pitch their film idea, and we give the winner $2,000 to help make their film! Good Gorgeous Hell won the pitch price in 2020 and we were able to screen the finished film last year. The program also includes two films - And the Winner Is and Once Forgotten - made by recipients of our Micheaux Award, a film fund that supports filmmakers of color from across the state.

 WAC: What are some of the themes that the films explore? 

Russell: The themes are as varied as the films themselves, but there does seem to be a consistent interest in probing questions of justice and past trauma. Which is not surprising given the past couple of years. I think we can all identify with the themes these films are exploring.

WAC: Can you tell readers a little about Fayetteville Film Fest’s history and how long you’ve been around?

Still shot from the film Once Forgotten by Arkansas filmmaker Obed Lamy

Russell: The Fayetteville Film Fest is a grassroots, local film festival now in its 14th year. It was founded by a core group of filmmakers and film lovers and continues to be an all-volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating independent film and fostering a community of filmmakers right here in Arkansas. We host an annual film festival each fall in downtown Fayetteville, and have created various initiatives to support the local filmmaking community, including the Fayetteville Film Prize and the Micheaux Award and Film Lab.

WAC: Are there opportunities to volunteer or be a member of Fayetteville Film Fest?

Russell: As an all-volunteer organization, we are ALWAYS looking for volunteers. Whether that means helping out at our annual event - in exchange for free tickets and a snazzy t-shirt - or getting involved year-round. We’d love to hear from you!

Movie poster from the film Part of the Kingdom by Arkansas filmmaker Makenna Cofer

WAC: What do you hope that audiences take away from viewing the Arkansas Filmmakers Showcase?

Russell: We hope everyone walks away with a new appreciation for the exciting talents coming out of our region and our state. Most of the films in this program were made by student filmmakers. This is the next generation of filmmakers. And we can’t wait to see what they do next.

WAC: Is there anything else you’d like readers to know about the Arkansas Filmmakers Showcase or Fayetteville Film Fest?

Russell: Our mission is to build and support the filmmaking community. We’d love as many partners in that mission as possible. For more information on how you can help, visit our website www.fayettevillefilmfest.org.

Arkansas Filmmakers Showcase Schedule

Good Gorgeous Hell (29:05)

• Director: Reed Cash Carson

• A manic single father with a mysterious black eye desperately tries to win back the love of his 10-year old son on a delirious day in Arkansas. Based on the writer/director's real childhood.

Session 1 (9:18)

• Director: Jazmyne Black

• A young Black woman contemplates the struggles of her role in life in modern-day society over the course of a day. Her quest for answers uncovers a shocking revelation.

Once Forgotten (23:27)

• Director: Obed Lamy

• Reframing the story of three enslaved individuals lynched in Washington County, Arkansas, in 1856 as a local community undertaking to reestablish the truth of the events surrounding their lynching and honor their memory.

And the Winner Is (14:32)

• Director: Michael Day

• Sydney Davis finally wins the most prestigious award for best film director. While he believes he has created more opportunities for Black filmmakers, his wife, Tonya, believes he may have compromised his morals and beliefs to secure the award.

Part of the Kingdom (29:57)

• Director: Makenna Cofer

• An investigation of the unique struggle LGBTQ+ students face at Christian universities, specifically at John Brown University. Discussion surrounding the LGBTQ+ community is full of heated tension in Siloam Springs. Part of The Kingdom amplifies the voices of the LGBTQ+ students at JBU, providing them with a platform to share their story. This piece tackles conversations that are uncomfortable for most Christian communities, teaching us that it should be safe to be known.

Additional upcoming film events presented in partnership with the Fayetteville Film Festival include Best of 2021 Fest at 7 pm on Saturday, March 12, and Indie Films Artosphere at 7 pm on Thursday, May 26. Film selections for these two showcases will be announced at a later date.

 Tickets to each of these film showcases are available now for $15 plus applicable fees. Purchase tickets in-person at the Walton Arts Center Box Office weekdays 10 am until 2 pm, by calling 479.443.5600 weekdays 10 am until 5 pm or by visiting waltonartscenter.org.

Live Music Meets Classic Film at Walton Arts Center

Described as “not classical...but not not classical” (David Srebnik, SiriusXM Classical Producer), Invoke continues to successfully dodge even the most valiant attempts at genre classification. The multi-instrumental band’s other ‘not-nots’ encompass traditions from across America, including bluegrass, Appalachian fiddle tunes, jazz and minimalism. Invoke weaves all of these styles together to create truly individual music written by and for the group.

Invoke has written and performed three film scores, bringing their most recent to the Walton Arts Center on Thursday, February 17. Lotte Reiniger’s The Adventures of Prince Achmed, the oldest surviving full-length animated film, tells the story from the famous collection of Middle Eastern folk tales, One Thousand and One Nights. Our hero, Prince Achmed, must face many challenges to save the life of his true love. Invoke’s improvisatory score matches the story’s mix of lighthearted and more sinister themes, weaving an epic tale to match the groundbreaking animation.

 Recently, Zach Matteson and Karl Mitze of Invoke sat down with Walton Arts Center to answer some questions.

 WAC: What can the audience expect from this performance?

 Zach: The Unexpected! When we wrote the score for this silent film, the initial steps involved a group improvisation while watching the movie. Subsequently, we each took parts of the film and created scores that are essentially road maps leading us back to those inspiring moments from the original improvisation. Each time we perform it, it's slightly different, which makes it really exciting for us, and most importantly the audience. In addition, expect to be swept away by the stunning, groundbreaking imagery provided by the 1926 film by Lotte Reiniger, as well as enjoy a little "introduction" to the sound world of Invoke. 

 WAC:  What's a memorable experience you've had while performing this work?

 Zach: At the first showing, we were able to work with students from Austin Chamber Music Center's Summer Music Festival which really bolstered the sound and scale of the music. It was a tremendously fun time working with them – getting them to explore sections of group improvisation, think quickly on their feet, and maybe learn a few new tricks for their own future musical endeavors. 

 WAC: What drew you to this performance field?

 Music has been a large part of my life and family. I come from a long line of music teachers, performers, and ethnomusicologists, so it felt really natural to be a part of this musical world somehow. Chamber music in particular became really my passion because of the freedom it provides in artistic expression as well as the deep friendships it must cultivate in order to thrive. 

 WAC:  Who do you define as "visionary?" Why?

 Karl: Caroline Shaw. She is so fearless and authentic in the way she crafts her art and has created a style of music that is all her own. I’m always trying to emulate that authenticity when I’m writing for our group even if that seems oxymoronic, I suppose I mean that I aspire to be as true to my own style as she is to hers.

 WAC:  To stay at your optimum performance level, how many hours a day do you rehearse?

 Zach: We usually rehearse about 12-15 hours a week at this point in our careers. In addition, a lot of our weeks are now spent on the road, in a classroom talking to students, or on the concert stage so we don't have as much time as we once did when we were still in University. These days, we spend a lot of time on the preparation side to really utilize every minute of our rehearsals to our greatest advantage. 

 WAC:  If you weren't in this performance field, what would you be doing now? 

 Zach: I really like the process of learning new skills and there's something about music that always feels like I'm learning a new thing every time I play. So, I'm not sure of a particular singular profession that I would stick to but I've always wanted to learn to drive a big rig on the highway...maybe I'd do that for a couple years before heading into the bartending world, and then in my later years getting a cabin in the woods just to write poetry for a couple more. 

 WAC: What did you turn to as a creative outlet in 2022?

 Karl: A lot of dungeons and dragons and writing/storytelling! It’s the counterbalance to my musical writing in certain ways. Both use the same creative muscles but when I’m getting burnt out on one, the other can be a welcome gear shift.

 WAC: What songs, artists, or genres of music are you currently listening to?

 Karl: When I’m trying to chill or especially when I’m traveling I’ve been playing the George Strezov soundtrack to the video game Surviving Mars. For more active listening I’ve been jamming to Million Masks of God by Manchester Orchestra and Modern Country by William Tyler.

 WAC: What's the #1 thing on your Netflix watchlist?

Karl: I REALLY need to finish Dark. I’m only one episode in and I fell off for no particular reason. I’ve heard such great things about it and it hasn’t been spoiled for me yet so that’s my next big watch.

Zach: I second this!

WAC: What are 5 words that best describe your work?
Zach: Storytelling, Family, Risky, Humourous, Disruptive (like in a field not necessarily on stage)

Known for bringing unforgettable and unique experiences to Northwest Arkansas, Walton Arts Center welcomes Invoke’s The Adventures of Prince Achmed to its stage. Hear Zach talk more about this exceptional performance and why it’s a “can’t miss” for audiences.

This performance is presented as a part of the 10x10 Arts Series and the center’s Mosaix programming initiative. Tickets are just $10, and available in-person at the Walton Arts Center Box Office weekdays 10 am until 2 pm, by calling 479.443.5600 weekdays 10 am until 5 pm or by visiting waltonartscenter.org.

Celebrate Your Valentine's Date Night at Walton Arts Center

Nothing says, “I love you,” quite like the gift of live entertainment. Ditch the conversation hearts and roses this year, and treat your Valentine to Walton Arts Center tickets instead!

With Valentine’s Day falling on a Monday this year, you can surprise your sweetie with tickets to a date-night to see the Sullivan Fortner Trio or American Patchwork Quartet appearing at Walton Arts Center that weekend.

Sullivan Fortner

On Friday, February 18, the Jazz virtuoso Sullivan Fortner will provide the perfect soundtrack to a romantic and inspiring night of music.

Saturday, February 19, has American Patchwork Quartet, that draws on a repertoire of centuries-old American folk songs that highlight America’s immigrant roots.

But that’s not all...

This year, when you purchase any Walton Arts Center or Walmart AMP tickets or gift certificates through our box office in the month of February, you’ll receive a special offer from some of our favorite local businesses. Just present your ticket receipt at the businesses below to redeem your offer. 

• Crown Beauty Bar: 10% off services and a free gift with purchase of a product

• Pearl’s Books: 10% off total purchase

• Riffraff Fayetteville: 15% off storewide

• Spark Café: Buy one single scoop cup or cone, get a second one free

• Zuzu's Petals & Gifts: Free delivery on Valentine's Day with any purchase over $50 (while availability lasts)

• ELXR Yoga Lounge: $15 off a 5-class package or 50% off the first month when purchasing a membership

• Onyx Coffee Lab: 10% off whole bean coffee

• Gearhead Outfitters: Free tote bag and mystery gift with purchase

• Block Street Records: 10% off everything in store.

joyUS justUS

In addition to the great discounts at local business, Walton Arts Center has plenty of shows will make anyone swoon. From live music like Darrell Scott and Tower of Power, to dance like Circa Sacre and CONTRA-TIEMPO joyUS justUS, and of course Broadway classics like Fiddler on the Roof and A Chorus Line, there is something for everyone. And Walton Arts Center even has your little Valentine’s covered with family and children’s programming like Popovich Comedy Pet Theater.

Show the loves in your life that you care more than the boring old box of chocolates and flowers! Valentine’s Day shopping is made easy by the myriad of entertainment offerings that the we have coming up!

For more information about the Valentine’s Day Specials, visit waltonartscenter.org/valentines-day-deals. Visit waltonartscenter.org or amptickets.com for a complete list of upcoming shows. Can’t decide which show to choose? Then get a gift certificate that can be redeemed at either venue.

Purchase tickets or gift certificates online, by calling 479.443.5600 weekdays 10 am until 5 pm or in-person weekday at the Walton Arts Center Box Office 10 am until 2 pm or the Walmart AMP Box Office 10 am until 5 pm.

WAC Observes Black History Month with Virtual Performance of Civil Rights Story

The observation of Black History Month dates back to 1915, when Carter G. Woodson, now known as the “Father of Black History,” created an organization called the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. In 1926, Woodson initiated the first “Negro History Week” on February 7 to celebrate and raise awareness of Black history. In 1976, this turned into a month-long celebration and was renamed Black History Month.

Highlighting the accomplishments and history of people of color in theater is a Walton Arts Center priority all year long. During Black History Month 2022, we are so pleased to be bringing Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom a new musical filled with traditional and original gospel and freedom songs.

Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom is being presented as a virtual performance, and tickets are just $10 per household. Ticketholders will receive a link on Thursday, Feb. 3, to view the performance that will be active through Wednesday, Feb. 16. The virtual performance also includes a question and answer with Lowery and Jessamyn Rongey, a teacher from J.O. Kelly Middle School in Springdale.

The uplifting performance tells the inspiring true story of Lynda Blackmon Lowery, the youngest person to walk all the way from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in the 1965 Voting Rights March. Jailed nine times before her 15th birthday, Lynda and her friends and neighbors fought alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to secure the right to vote for African Americans. Ally Sheedy (The Breakfast Club, High Art, “Psych”), adapted the award-winning memoir by Lynda Blackmon Lowery for the stage. 

The Selma to Montgomery marches that Lynda bravely participated in were held along the 54-mile highway from Selma, Alabama, to the state capital of Montgomery. The non-violent activists aimed to demonstrate the desire of African-American citizens to exercise their constitutional right to vote. Peacefully protesting against segregationist repression, Lynda and the Alabama marchers were part of a broader voting rights movement underway in the American south. By highlighting the racial injustice of voting rights, the activists helped to pass the Voting Rights Act – a landmark achievement of the civil rights movement.

While Lynda and her fellow marchers set forth with peaceful intentions, they were not met with the same consideration. The protest went according to plan until the marchers crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge, where they encountered a wall of state troopers and county posse waiting for them on the other side.

Televised images of brutal attacks on the protesters shocked American and international news audiences. Amelia Boyton, who had helped to organize the march, was beaten unconscious. A photo of her lying on the road to the Edmund Pettus Bridge appeared on the front page of newspapers around the world.

Despite her young age, Lynda was not spared from the brutality on the day that came to be known as Bloody Sunday. She was mercilessly beaten by a police officer during the march. She needed seven stiches above her right eye and 28 stiches to the back of her head.

In all, 17 marchers were hospitalized and 50 treated for lesser injuries. Despite the senselessness of the attacks, the photos roused support for the Selma Voting Rights Campaign. President Johnson issued an immediate statement "deploring the brutality with which a number of Negro citizens of Alabama were treated.”

Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom unflinchingly tells the story of the often-brutal period of Civil Rights history in the United States. The show includes video of actual events and stylized dramatizations. Some of this content might not be appropriate for children under 10.

Tickets are $10, plus applicable fees, and are available for purchase in-person at the Walton Arts Center Box Office weekdays 10 am until 2 pm, by calling 479.443.5600 weekdays 10 am until 5 pm or by clicking here.

Bringing Arkansas History to Life

As a part of its commitment to arts education and the students of Northwest Arkansas, Walton Arts Center provides a rich lineup of live educational arts performances through the Colgate Classroom Series. Students come to the venue and experience live theater. Since 2020, this service is offered at no cost to the students or the schools.

In addition to school performances, the Colgate Classroom Series also offer public performances so that families can attend and learn together. With affordable ticket prices, this is way for parents and children to experience the thrill of live theater as a family, while giving them a meaningful topic to discuss afterwards. Parents and students alike will find the performances to be inspirational, moving, historically-accurate and thought provoking.

Bringing educational content to the stage is always a goal of Walton Arts Center – as is actually creating the content or facilitating the creation of educational theater. Trike Theatre’s production of Digging Up Arkansas, appearing on Saturday, Jan. 29, is an original play dedicated to Arkansas history.

The creation of Digging Up Arkansas came about when talking with educators throughout the region, Walton Arts Center staff noticed a common thread: students were not engaging with Arkansas history. When our education team heard about this problem, they knew that the arts could help bridge the gap. So, they enlisted the expertise of Arkansas playwright Mike Thomas and Trike Theater to create Digging up Arkansas, an original play designed to teach Arkansas history to students in a new and exciting way.

Digging Up Arkansas tells the story of three writers from the Federal Writer’s Project. They were sent to Arkansas to collect and present its history to the president. Along the journey, some of the train’s crates holding artifacts are rocked loose. Now with everything out of order, they have to work together to get the artifacts recategorized. The play uses artifacts, songs, stories and audience participation to teach Arkansas history.

Nearly 70,000 students, representing every county in Arkansas, have experienced Digging Up Arkansas since it started in 2010. Research, conducted with professors from the University of Missouri, Texas A&M University, and WAC's former VP of Learning and Engagement Laura Goodwin, measures the benefits of the original stage production Digging Up Arkansas. By randomly assigning school groups to participate in this program, researchers found that students who experienced Digging Up Arkansas demonstrated greater historical content knowledge, specifically content that is mandated by state curricular standards. Additionally, participating students demonstrated increased enthusiasm for learning history, greater historical empathy, and an increased interest in the performing arts.

These findings suggest that there are valuable educational benefits from arts-integrated learning opportunities provided through school partnerships with arts organizations. In recent years, studies have documented a decreased emphasis in arts and humanities instruction that correlates with the rise of test-based accountability pressures in public schools. One potential way for schools to fill this gap includes partnering with arts and cultural organizations to provide arts learning opportunities through arts integration.

Ever since the production first toured the state, Walton Arts Center and Trike Theatre have gotten requests from teachers to tour Digging Up Arkansas again. With these upcoming performances, the organizations are essentially creating Digging Up Arkansas 2.0.

Trike Theatre’s upcoming performances of Digging Up Arkansas will be filmed by students through a partnership with Springdale Public Schools. That footage will be used to create a video version of the play along with teaching resources. The ultimate plan is to have the project completed in coordination with the professional development cycle for Arkansas History in 2024 which will make the program on-demand for teachers across the state.

The play aligns with 3rd through 5th grade Arkansas history curriculum goals. The show engages young people in Arkansas history through drama. Through music and interactive theater experiences, the play brings Arkansas history to life right in front of students’ eyes. The show takes distant concepts and facts and transforms them into a tangible experience that students can latch onto and learn from.

Trike Theatre’s production of Digging Up Arkansas has two showings on Saturday, January 29 at 2 pm and 4 pm. Tickets start at $10, plus applicable fees.

An Officer and a Gentleman: Reimagining a Classic

The brand-new musical An Officer and a Gentleman had completed training, shined up its boots and was ready to hit the ground running with its national tour in early 2020…then the pandemic shut the production down.

“On the one hand, it was really difficult,” says Producer Stephen Gabriel. “But then there was a terrific positive.” The lockdown allowed the show’s creators to completely rework the production, he explains. After a “tremendous amount” of rewrites and swapping out songs, Gabriel says the productions “made leaps and bounds from what we originally had.”

Appearing at Walton Arts Center January 4-9, this love story follows two people going through different, but parallel struggles. A Naval officer candidate must learn to balance his ego with the ever-present demands of his strict drill sergeant. He falls for a local woman struggling to improve her life while working in the backbreaking conditions at the local factory.

This uplifting story comes packed with beloved music from the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s. In addition to the Academy Award®-winning hit “Up Where We Belong,” the musical includes smash hits like “Renegade” by Styx, “Higher Love” by Steve Winwood, “Love Is a Battlefield” by Pat Benatar and others by Rick Springfield, Wilson Phillips and Melissa Ethridge.

“I hope that if people know the songs, they love how we’ve used them. And I hope if they don’t know the songs, then they just found a whole cache of favorite new tunes,” musical director Dan Lipton says.

Those who love the 1982 movie will get a dose of nostalgia, while still enjoying a lot of surprises. The show’s creative team wanted to bring the musical out of the 80s and into the present by placing a priority on the way that women are portrayed. Off the screen and onto the stage, the women are smarter, stronger and more empowered, explains writer and director Dick Scanlan. “Since 1982, the world has changed and our political perspectives are different,” Scanlan says. “We’ve really rethought the young women in the story.”

An Officer and a Gentleman is guaranteed to delight those who love the film as well as those who are new to the story. With a charming love story, toe-tapping songs and stunning choreography, this breathtaking production celebrates triumph over adversity and includes all of the iconic romance you’d expect.

With eight performances, tickets prices for An Officer and a Gentleman start at $41 plus applicable fees.

And don’t forget to make your theater night even more fun with show-themed cocktails that you’ll learn to make yourself at the Officer and a Gentleman cocktail class on Friday, Jan. 7. You’ll make and enjoy two cocktails along with light appetizers. Tickets are $35, and space is limited so act fast.

Purchase tickets for the show and the cocktail class by clicking below, by calling 479.443.5600 or by visiting the Walton Arts Center Box Office

Tickets Make Great Last Minute Gifts!

Everyone has someone on their shopping list who is just so hard to buy for! Gift giving can be so daunting – especially when you’re shopping in a last minute pinch. Most people have too much “stuff” as it is, and no one needs another candle. So, what do you get those hard-to-buy-for loved ones in your life? We suggest the gift of live entertainment!

Tickets to a Walton Arts Center show are a gift anyone would love to see under the tree or in their stocking. And depending on who it is that you’re buying for, maybe you’ll get lucky and be their plus one!

Take a look at our gift guide suggestions!

For Parents or In-Laws

Treat your parents or in-laws to a night at a classic Broadway show with Fiddler on the Roof or A Chorus Line.

Fiddler on the Roof (May 10-15) is filled with iconic songs and choreography, while telling the beloved story of life in a Jewish community in a pre-revolutionary Russian village.

A Chorus Line (June 24-26) shows a cattle call audition for a Broadway show, where dancers show off stunning choreography through catchy and emotional songs that recollect their lives.

A Chorus Line

For Your Significant Other

Darrell Scott

Nothing says “date night” like an intimate night of live music. Choose between any number of genres. Or better yet… why choose at all? Check out our Unilever Starrlight Jazz Club, West Street Live or Land O’Lakes Concert series shows for a fun night out together.

Sullivan Fortner Trio (Feb. 18) is led by the Grammy Award®winning bandleader, pianist and composer, and promises to be an unforgettable evening of music.

Darrell Scott (March 4) is a multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter whose masterful songs and charming demeanor are a gem in the Americana/Folk music movement.

Tower of Power (April 10) is an American-based R&B horn section and band that has been performing 50 years of funk and soul hits.

For Your Girlfriends

Make it a girls’ night out with the fun ‘80s musical, An Officer and a Gentleman or feminist cultural icon Fran Lebowitz.

An Officer and a Gentleman

An Officer and Gentleman (Jan. 4-9) is guaranteed to lift you up where you belong! Based on the hit movie, the 80s soundtrack to this brand-new Broadway musical is a must for girls’ night.

A Conversation with Fran Lebowitz (Feb. 4) promises to be an evening of sharp wit from a cultural satirist whose works are regarded as classics of literary humor and social observation.

For Kids

We’ve got something for evening the littlest theater fans this season! From performing pets to singing zoo animals, kiddos are sure to be amazed.

Popovich Comedy Pet Theater (April 28) features circus veteran and “America’s Got Talent” finalist Gregory Popovich alongside the extraordinary talents of his performing pets! 

Madagascar the Musical (June 3-4) follows all of your favorite characters from the hit movie as they escape from the zoo and find themselves on the unexpected adventure of a lifetime.

Madagascar the Musical

For Teens and Preteens

Now is the time to turn your teens and tweens into theatre lovers! In addition to Broadway shows, we’ve got two performances that they’re sure to love.

Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom (Feb. 3) is a new musical that tells he inspiring true story of Lynda Blackmon Lowery, the youngest person to walk from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama during the Voting Rights March in 1965.

VoiceJam Competition (April 9) brings together the best a cappella groups from across the country along to battle it out live on stage. Ticket to this one will make an aca-awesome gift!

Something for Everyone!

Walton Arts Center works hard to bring something for everyone to its stages throughout the year. Whether you’re gifting a music-lover, a theatre-aficionado, a dance enthusiast or a classical music fan, we’ve got you covered.

Don’t see anything in this guide that fits the bill? Take a look at our calendar or consider a gift certificate. You just might find the gift that will be the hit of the season! 

Tickets to these and all Walton Arts Center shows can be purchased in-person at the Walton Arts Center Box Office, by calling 479.443.5600 or by visiting waltonartscenter.org.

Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom

Give the Gift of the Arts this Holiday Season

The holidays are the most wonderful time of the year – a time where generosity flows and goodwill abounds. This is also the time of year where many people choose to make donations to organizations and causes they care about. If you are looking to support a cause that gives back to our community, consider making a monetary gift to Walton Arts Center this year.

As a nonprofit organization, Walton Arts Center shows and education programming are made possible by the generosity of our community. We depend on the donations from individuals and families, as well as corporate giving, to help us achieve our mission of bringing the best performances to Northwest Arkansas each year.

With a holiday gift to Walton Arts Center, you support Arts Education and Arts Access Initiatives that help build a better community here in Northwest Arkansas. A gift of any size helps share the arts with local school children through field trips and in-school residencies and also helps offer accessible programming to community members through programs like Take A Seat and the 10x10 Arts Series.

• $10 represents one ticket to a Colgate Classroom Series or 10x10 Arts Series performance

• $50 represents a family of five attending a world class performance through Take A Seat

• $100 represents six hours of professional development for one teacher through Arts with Education (AWE) Institute

• $250 represents a field trip for one classroom to a Colgate Classroom Series performance

Walmart Associates, Triple Your Impact!

Additionally, between December 6 and January 26, Walmart is matching associate donations 2:1 during its Season of Giving Back campaign as part of the Associate Giving Program (AGP).

This means that if a Walmart, Sam’s Club or an affiliated brand associate gives $5, Walmart will give $10. Walmart will match an associate’s donation up to $10,000 until the match cap of $3 million is met.

If you are a U.S. Walmart, Sam’s Club or affiliated brand associate, consider participating in the Season of Giving Back campaign by making a gift to Walton Arts Center through the AGP page on OneWalmart. While on the Walmart network, associates can access the Season of Giving Back campaign page and recommend a U.S.- based nonprofit to receive their donation.

We are so grateful for every patron who walks in our door and for every donation that helps to make it all possible. With your gift, you are making a difference to so many people. Thank you from all of us at Walton Arts Center. We wish you the warmest holiday and happiest New Year.

Cirque Mechanics Brings the Circus to Walton Arts Center

Enter the most unlikely setting for a circus - a factory where the workers are acrobats and the machines are circus props. Welcome to Birdhouse Factory!

See a contortionist perform on a turntable powered by unicyclists. Be captivated by the trapeze artist powered by the spins of an acrobat inside a giant wheel. Be stunned as the trampoline wall artists defy the laws of gravity. Giggle at the antics of the characters, be impressed by the acro-dancing and find yourself enchanted by the story of laughter, love, flight and birdhouses.

Birdhouse Factory was inspired, in part, by the masterful industry murals of Mexican artist Diego Rivera, the outrageous illustrations of cartoonist Rube Goldberg and the slap-stick humor of Charlie Chaplin’s film Modern Times. While these inspirations make Birdhouse Factory artful, nostalgic and funny, the true essence of the show comes from the circus.

Birdhouse Factory is a simple story of daily life in a “widgets” factory circa 1935 as workers are brought together by the most unlikely of events: a bird accidentally injured by the main steam boiler. The accident and caring for the bird, brings the workers closer together and inspires them to break away from the monotony of the assembly-line. They showcase their true inner talents and abilities by using their bodies and machines to build birdhouses in a more joyous and soulful way.

Come be amazed by Cirque Mechanics Birdhouse Factory on Thursday, November 18. Tickets are only $10 (plus applicable fees), making this a perfect show for the whole family. Tickets are available by clicking the button below, calling the box office at 479.443.5600 or by visiting the box office in person.

Music Made of Memories

Have you ever heard an old song and immediately been transported to different a place and time? Maybe you’re pushing a grocery cart through the store and a song suddenly floods your memory with images of your high school prom. Perhaps you’re getting your teeth cleaned when a song takes you right back in time to your wedding day. Or maybe it’s as simple as a song on the car radio reminding you of the carefree days of your childhood. That’s the power of music. It’s a universal language that we all speak, and it has the ability to invoke some pretty powerful emotions.

Walton Arts Center is celebrating two distinct eras of music that are bound to stir up some memories. Whether you lived through the time when the music was made, or became a fan after it was already popular, the Glenn Miller Orchestra and RAIN – A Tribute to the Beatles, The Best of Abbey Road Live! has the ability to move people.

Starting with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the sounds of big band, swing and jazz will ring in the air Thursday, Nov. 11 at 7pm. The legendary Glenn Miller was one of the most successful dance bandleaders back in the swing era of the 1930s and 40s. A matchless string of hit records, the constant impact of radio broadcasts and the power to draw a big audience, built and sustained the momentum of the music’s popularity. The group made a big impact right before and during the war, and had more hit records in one year than anybody in the history of the recording industry. In fact, its recording of “Chattanooga Choo-Choo” earned the first Gold Record ever awarded to a performing artist!

The Glenn Miller Orchestra packs a punch with a setlist that is sure to send audiences down memory lane with classics such as “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “Danny Boy” and “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree.” Not to mention their signature song, with which they would sign on and off at their engagements and radio broadcasts – “Moonlight Serenade. Today, the 18-member ensemble continues to play many of the original Miller arrangements both from the civilian band and the Army Air Force Band libraries.

Just as it was back in Glenn’s day, the Glenn Miller Orchestra is still one of the most sought-after big bands in the world. Their show is guaranteed to transport audiences back to the times of swing dancing, listening to music programs around the family radio and USO entertainment. Tickets prices to see the Glenn Miller Orchestra start at $10 plus applicable fees.

Moving from the sounds of big band to the sounds of one of the BIGGEST bands of all time, RAIN – A Tribute to The Beatles The Best of Abbey Road Live! is an experience that is certain to appeal to music fans of all ages and invoke an array of emotions and memories. Appearing at Walton Arts Center on Friday, Nov. 12, at 8 pm, this mind-blowing performance takes audiences back in time with the legendary foursome that is “the next best thing to seeing The Beatles!” (Associated Press).

Little did anyone know that a Sunday night in 1964 would change the course of popular music, popular culture - and history, forever. Millions of Americans tuned into The Ed Sullivan Show to watch a group of four mop-topped Englishmen in dark suits who called themselves The Beatles. What they witnessed was a new and exciting brand of melodic, guitar-and-harmonies-driven rock 'n' roll that was as infectious as it was original and unique. After that performance, Beatle-mania quickly swept the country – and the world. Even today, the music of the Beatles, and their iconic album “Abbey Road,” is still beloved by all ages.

Together longer than The Beatles, RAIN has mastered every song, gesture and nuance of the fab four, delivering a totally live, note-for-note performance that’s as infectious as it is transporting. With songs like “Here Comes the Sun,” “Oh! Darling” and “Maxwell Silverhammer,” this adoring tribute will take you back to a time when all you needed was love, and a little help from your friends!

Experience one of the world’s most iconic bands with RAIN – A Tribute to The Beatles The Best of Abbey Road Live! Ticket prices start at $41 plus applicable fees.

Whether you lived through it, became a fan after it was first made popular, or are altogether new to the music, come be transported to a different time and place in history at Walton Arts Center with these two performances. The Glenn Miller Orchestra and with RAIN – A Tribute to The Beatles The Best of Abbey Road Live! are two shows that celebrate yesteryear and the undeniable power of music.

Tickets for these and all Walton Arts Center performances are available by clicking the buttons above, by calling 479.443.5600 or in-person at the Walton Arts Center Box Office.

Up Close and Personal with Hasan Minhaj

Hasan Minhaj

If you had the opportunity to sit down with a famous person and ask them anything, what would you want to know? Obviously, it would depend on who it was and what earned them their status as a celebrity. On Monday, Nov. 8, at 7 pm, Hasan Minhaj is coming to the Walton Arts Center stage ready to talk about his background, career and experiences in an intimate conversation with the audience.

In today’s political and social climate, there is an interesting form of entertainment that blends commentary and comedy, and at the top of those performers is Minhaj. He is an American comedian, writer, producer, political commentator, actor and television host. As a first-generation American, Minhaj has a unique perspective that clearly resonates with audiences.

Heena Patel will moderate the conversation with Hasan Minhaj.

In 2017, Minhaj earned rave reviews for his performance hosting the 2017 White House Correspondents' Dinner, and for his one-hour Netflix comedy special Hasan Minhaj: Homecoming King, which earned him a 2018 Peabody Award. Minhaj joined The Daily Show with Jon Stewart as a correspondent in November 2014, where he was Jon’s last hire. He continued on in that role after Trevor Noah took over as host the following year and remained on the show through August 2018. Most recently, Minhaj has joined the cast of Apple TV+’s The Morning Show.

Although he is currently touring in support of his newest one-man show, The King’s Gesture, his engagement at the Walton Arts Center promises to be much more special. Appearing alongside guest moderator, Henna Patel, A Conversation with Hasan Minhaj will give you a first-person point of view into his life, career and viewpoints. Questions will be sourced from the audience and public, for a truly one-of-a-kind experience. You can submit a question for Minhaj to answer by emailing info@waltonartscenter.org.

Ticket prices for A Conversation with Hasan Minhaj start at $50 plus applicable fees and can be purchased in-person at the Walton Arts Center Box Office weekdays 10 am until 2 pm, by calling 479.443.5600 weekdays 10 am until 5 pm or by clicking below.

Northwest Arkansas Couple Experienced the Real Come From Away

Jason (seated) and Britny (center) Yandell with their hosts in Newfoundland. (Photo courtesy of the Yandells)

Jason and Britny Yandell have been in Fayetteville for nearly 17 years. Just three years prior to their move here, 9/11 shook our country and the world. Most Americans can tell you exactly where they were when they found out what had happened, and some can recall even the most mundane details of that fateful Tuesday. Jason and Britny are no different, but their memories focus much more on a little town called Gander

Come From Away is the hit Broadway musical that tells the remarkable true story of what happened to the passengers of 38 diverted planes on 9/11. Rather than arriving at their intended destinations, 7,000 passengers were forced to land in the small town of Gander in Newfoundland, Canada. Jason and Britny were two of those passengers who were taken into the homes and the hearts of the local townspeople.

Returning home to the US from a vacation in Prague, the couple were on a Delta flight when they were rerouted. They had been in the air for seven hours when they were told they were being diverted. “No one could tell us why,” Britny remembers.

The captain came on the radio and announced they were going to land. Jason said, “I don’t think he even said where. Just we were going to land because of a national airspace emergency and that’s all he said.”

Jason said that after taxiing clear, they had to stay in the plane on the ground because there was fear that there could still be terrorists aboard planes. While on the ground, Jason said they found out what had happened.

“The captain said there was a terrorist attack and was really holding back tears – well, crying really – on the radio. And for the captain of a wide-bodied airplane, that is obviously not common, so we knew it was a big deal.”

A view of busses that transported the “come from aways” around Gander. (Photo courtesy of the Yandells)

The Yandells and their fellow passengers were kept on their plane for 18 more hours In total they had spent more than an entire day on the plane. “We got bussed out (to a neighboring town) and went to go get deodorant and toothbrushes,” Britny said. “We hadn’t brushed our teeth in 28 hours!”

At that little convenience store where they stopped for essentials, is where Jason and Britny’s story began their very own Come From Away experience.

“Judy was running the convenience store, and she immediately shut down the store,” Jason said.

Britney elaborated saying, “She made us get in her car!”

Jason went on to say, “She drove us to her house, made us feel at home and then just left us for the rest of the day in her home. She went back to open up the store and go to work.”

Originally, the Yandells had been assigned to stay in the small gymnasium that had been set up with cots. Instead, they (along with another passenger from their plane) were welcomed into Judy and Tom’s home, where they stayed for the next five days.

“They gave us their bedroom,” said Britny. “We didn’t know it at the time that we were in their room. They had been sleeping on the floor.”

The Yandell’s experience with the hospitality of the people of Newfoundland mirrors what audiences experience when watching Come From Away. One of the lines from the musical that always get audiences laughing has a clerk saying, “Thank you for shopping at Walmart. Do you want to come back to my house for a shower?” And that’s how it really happened. The locals literally opened their homes to the “plane people” and made sure they were as comfortable as possible.

“The only word that comes to mind is benevolence. The whole experience. I don’t understand how they did it, but I guess it’s just an innate behavior. It was northing they had to do, it was just what they’re used to doing.” Britny said.

“I think also, they understood the gravity of the situation – how much we were hurting because our country was under attack.” Jason added.

Another aspect of the musical that Jason and Britny got to experience firsthand was getting “screeched-in,” a fun ceremony to make those who ‘come from away’ official Newfoundlanders. They said a boat that sits on the bank in the little town was brought in to the gym for the party, where they all sat and were given shots of rum and made to kiss a cod.

The real “come from aways” experience the Screech-in ceremony (Photo courtesy of the Yandells)

“The ceremony was so much fun. We kissed the fish. We drank the rum – and it was potent!” Britny recalls laughing. “Everybody got in the boat,” Jason said. “And these are people from all over the world. It was really cool that we’re all together and bonding together, trying to make each other feel better.”

Jason and Britny could have never imagined that what they experienced in Newfoundland could one day be turned into a hit Broadway musical. In fact, Britny was taken by complete surprise when she first heard of the play’s existence on a “60 Minutes” segment.

“I was in the kitchen and was like, whoa, wait, time out. what… they’re doing a play about the experience we all shared on 9/11? Are you kidding me? So, I told Jason, we have to see this. I don’t know how we’re going to see it, but we have to.” Walton Arts Center gave Jason and Britny that opportunity.

Britny said that the musical could have been taken directly from their memories. When the question “Where were you on 9/11?” comes up, they said that they usually tell their incredible story, but there’s no way to fully make people understand how special it was. Britney says “We know the experience and I just love that more people can experience it now. Because, let me tell you, they nailed it. They really nailed every aspect.” She says of the musical.

The Yandells and the other 7,000 passengers experienced something truly incredible. Come From Away is the uplifting story of the power of the human spirit that Jason and Britny assure us is accurate. “We were there five days,” she said, “All the people that we met, all the different personalities, the stories they shared, we shared… They taught us love.”

Just like in the show, the day the planes were finally able to leave it started to rain. (Photos courtesy of the Yandells).

Five Reasons to Volunteer at WAC

We’re looking for people to join our team of dedicated volunteers! Jessica Temple, volunteer programs assistant, shares more about the program in this guest post.

There’s an age-old saying in theater: “the show must go on.” At Walton Arts Center, we say something similar about our volunteer team: the show can’t go on without them! We have a dedicated corps of volunteers that are involved in every aspect of the WAC—helping in the administrative office, box office, concessions, ushering in the hall and more. What is it about WAC that keeps this team engaged and keeps them coming back to volunteer? We asked and according to our volunteers, it’s the people, patrons, volunteers, shows and fun. We think you might agree that these are great reasons to volunteer with us too! 

Volunteers work closely with WAC staff

Volunteers at Walton Arts Center get to interact with a variety of people behind the scenes and during performances. Volunteers work alongside staff and crew at Walton Arts Center before performances to stuff and deliver programs, greet vendors, decorate, and set up for special events. At performances they provide excellent customer service to our patrons.

Volunteers are central to patron experience

For the volunteers at Walton Arts Center, the patron experience is the top priority. Volunteers are the first and last people patrons see when arriving at and departing from a performance! Our volunteers love interacting with our patrons and ensuring that they have the best possible experience. They make this a priority for patrons of all ages whether it’s helping students at education shows get to and from buses or scanning tickets for a family attending a Broadway performance. 

Volunteer relationships turn into friendships

The volunteer team is a great place to meet other service-minded individuals. Friendships are formed and socializing occurs as our volunteers work alongside each other in a supportive and creative environment.  

Volunteer perks include social activities

Volunteering isn’t all work and no play. There is an incredible sense of community that is established inside and outside of the performance hall. We host a variety of social activities like game nights, happy hours and potlucks for our volunteers! 

Volunteers are part of the show!

All of our volunteers share a common interest in support the visual and performing arts for our community. Our volunteers help us bring a variety of world class entertainment to the area and our volunteers are a vital part of that process.  

To sign up to receive more information about volunteering at WAC, create a volunteer profile by clicking below!

Live Music and Jazz Return to WAC in 2021/22

The greatest musicians in modern history began in clubs, cabarets, restaurants and listening rooms. With the 2021/22 season return of West Street Live and the Unilever Starrlight Jazz Club, Walton Arts Center gives patrons a special opportunity to see powerfully talented jazz and singer-songwriter artists in an intimate setting.

West Street Live

West Street Live features artists displaying a variety of genres from traditional roots music to immigrant folk songs in an atmosphere reminiscent of neighborhood listening rooms and nightclubs. The setting allows patrons to connect with both the music and the musicians.

Wild Ponies

Wild Ponies

Oct. 21

Wild Ponies look to their roots in Southwest Virginia for inspiration. The result is bold Appalachian music created by a multi-cultural band whose members span several generations.

Ray Bonneville

Dec. 9

With a greasy guitar style, horn-like harmonica, smoky vocals and pulsing foot percussion, Ray Bonneville is a hard-driving, blues-dipped, song-and-groove man writing about people on the fringe of society.

American Patchwork Quartet

Feb. 19

This group seeks to reclaim the immigrant soul of American roots music. Drawing on a repertoire of American folk songs, this group encourages audiences to discover their commonalities and bond across cultures and races.

American Patchwork Quartet

Darrell Scott

March 4

Darrell Scott wrote songs recorded by more than 70 artists including The Chicks, Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw and more. Darrell Scott’s lyrics make sense of the world around us – encouraging us to consider what’s at stake and our place in it.

Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem

May 5

Combining wit, camaraderie and songs that can shake or hush the room, this American Roots string band leave audiences humming and hopeful, spirits renewed.

Unilever Starrlight Jazz Club

The Unilever Starrlight Jazz Club celebrates America’s original art form by hosting top musicians from around the world in an intimate jazz club atmosphere with cabaret-style seating options and tiered seating.

The Huntertones

Sept. 10

The Huntertones brings people together around the globe with their high energy, horn-driven sound fuses inspired improvisation and adventurous composition melding jazz, funk, rock, and soul.

Jane Bunnett and Maqueque

Oct. 22

Jane Bunnett’s band showcase the finest musical talent from Canada, the U.S. and Cuba. The group were voted as one the top ten jazz groups by the prestigious DownBeat magazine.

Samara Joy

Samara Joy

Dec. 10

With a voice of velvet, Samara Joy’ star rises with each performance. At just 21 years old, Samara has performed in many of the great jazz venues in NYC and worked with legendary jazz greats.

Sullivan Fortner Trio

Feb. 18

A Grammy Award®-winning pianist, composer and band leader, Sullivan Fortner pulls distinct elements from different eras, preserving tradition while evolving the sound.

Clark Gibson Quintet

March 5

A star-studded original jazz music project featuring bandleader Clark Gibson on alto saxophone; trumpet performer, Sean Jones; trombonists Michael Dease; two-time Grammy®-nominated organist Pat Bianchi; and drummer Lewis Nash.

Subscriptions for both the West Street Live and Unilever Starrlight Jazz Series are available now by clicking the buttons above, by visiting waltonartscenter.org or by calling our box office at 479.443.5600. Single tickets for both series will go on sale later this summer.

Five Memories to Share through "My Walton Arts Center"

We recently marked our 29th anniversary at Walton Arts Center. To celebrate the milestone and in looking ahead to our 30th anniversary, we launched My Walton Arts Center, a year-long campaign to collect memories from patrons, volunteers, staff, artists and partners.

The project launches as we are gearing up for the return of Broadway shows and full-scale performances after over a year of modified operations due to the pandemic. During the performance suspension, we consistently heard from patrons and community members about how much Walton Arts Center means to them. This inspired us to capture those memories and celebrate our place in the cultural fabric of Northwest Arkansas for nearly three decades.

 We’re looking for all kinds of memories—the first show you saw at WAC, what you value most about WAC, a favorite memory attending a WAC event with family or friends, a time you got to be part of an educational experience or why you consider WAC to be your theater.

 Memories can be submitted in two ways.

Option one: call us and leave a voicemail! We’ve set up a special My Walton Arts Center voice mail box. Just call 479.571.2702 and state your name, the city you’re calling from and your memory.

Option two: visit our website. The My Walton Arts Center page on our website. Follow the instructions there to record your memory.

 Our goal is to incorporate memories from the community into our 30th anniversary celebration in 2022. By recording your memory, patrons give Walton Arts Center permission to use their voice or memory in next year’s celebration.

Five Ideas for Memories to Share

Your First Time at Walton Arts Center

WAC’s Grand Opening in 1992

We’ve been here for almost 30 years—did you see a show in our first season in 1992? Or maybe you discovered WAC when you recently moved to the area? Tell us how you found us and what the first performance you saw in our venue was!

A favorite show you’ve seen at WAC

In a normal year, we host over 500 events in the Northwest Arkansas region including Broadway, dance, classical music, VoiceJam, Artosphere and more. What is your favorite performance you’ve seen? Maybe a singer-songwriter you discovered through West Street Live, seeing touring Broadway show you’d waited years to experience, traipsing through Artosphere: Off the Grid with family or even a concert at the AMP? Tell us about it!

An Educational Experience

During a normal school year, over 26,000 students hop onto school busses to see an educational show at WAC. Did you take a field trip to WAC as a child? Maybe you’re a teacher who looks forward to bringing their students to a show—or even a parent who makes a point to be a field trip chaperone when your child is heading to WAC. Tell us what you learned from visiting WAC or why you enjoyed the educational show!

Your Performance at WAC

We want to hear from artists too! Touring performers visiting our venue often say that the Northwest Arkansas area is a hidden gem on their tour route. Have you performed at WAC before? Tell us why stopping here sticks out in your memory.

Special Events

WAC knows how to plan a party! We host special events like Art of Wine and the Masquerade Ball, but we also throw patron events too! Did you attend a gala, a private party or even a wedding at WAC? Tell us why your special night at WAC was one to remember.

Patrons enjoy Art of Wine: Uncorked! (Novo Studio)

2021 Artosphere Photography Contest Winners

This year Artosphere, Arkansas’ Arts + Nature Festival, returned following a year off during the COVID-19 outbreak. For the annual Artosphere photography contest, Arkansas-based photographers submitted original photos inspired by the theme “art in nature.” Adjudicator Rebecca Drolen, assistant professor of photography at the University of Arkansas, selected a grand prize winner and nominated several photos for the People’s Choice Award, which was voted on by members of the public. We are excited to announce the winners of this year’s competition!

Grand Prize Winner: Elijah Aron

“Black Vulture at Lee Creek” by Elijah Aron

Judge’s Statement: Aron’s dramatic photograph of a vulture has a dream-like quality that complicates the notion of a nature photographer as someone who simply documents.  Aron's intimate photograph inspires wonder as well as some intimidation at the beauty and closeness of these creatures.

Artist Statement: My dog Sonja and I were out in the woods testing a rare cine lens (the Schneider Xenon 50mm f0.95) when we stumbled upon this black vulture. I slowly approached it as Sonja waited nearby. I was only about 10 feet from the bird as I captured this shot before it flew to a higher position.

People’s Choice Award Winner: Jade Edster

“Frozen Bubble” by Jade Edster

The People’s Choice winner was chosen based on voting that took place via Walton Arts Center’s Facebook page.

Artist Statement: A picture of the way bubbles freeze in the extreme cold.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Artosphere Photography Contest. There are still several events left in this year’s Artosphere lineup, including a performance by Dover Quartet, the signature Trail Mix event, the Artosphere film series and Art Heist, a immersive true-crime theater experience! Find tickets, info and more at artospherefestival.org.