Broadway Subscriptions vs. Create Your Own Subscription: Which is the right package for you? 

There are so many ways to enjoy the upcoming season at Walton Arts Center, including series subscriptions, options to create your own personalized subscriptions and, of course, purchasing single tickets. With an option to suit each preference, schedule and budget, we’ve created the following guide to help explain the differences between our two most popular options, the Broadway Subscription, Broadway Sampler and the Create Your Own Subscription.  

Broadway Subscriptions  

Broadway subscribers get the best seats at the best price for all Broadway shows, along with priority access to new shows, discounts on most other shows during the season and free ticket exchange and replacement. This package allows patrons to see all six shows in the upcoming season, SIX, Sept. 12-17; TINA – The Tina Turner Musical, Dec. 12-17; Jagged Little Pill, Jan. 23-28; Company, Feb. 20-25; Aladdin, March 26-31; To Kill A Mockingbird, April 16-21; and get first access to three bonus shows: The Cher Show, Nov. 19 & 21; Les Misérables, Jan. 2-7; and Hairspray, May 3-5. 

Six-show Broadway subscription packages range from $326 to $478 for Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and Thursday matinee, and $381 to $533 for Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening, and Saturday and Sunday matinees. Package prices vary depending on seat location and include all fees. Dates, programs and prices are subject to change. 

Full Broadway Subscriptions are only available until the first show in the Broadway season, so act fast! 

Broadway Sampler 

For the busy Broadway lover, the Broadway Sampler gives patrons early access to all Broadway shows in the season, including the P&G Broadway series and bonus shows. Just select three or more of the following shows to curate your package: SIX, The Cher Show, TINA: The Tina Turner Musical, Les Misérables, Jagged Little Pill, Company, Aladdin, To Kill A Mockingbird and Hairspray. 

Subscription packages start as low as $147 for three shows. Broadway Sampler subscribers also have no exchange fees for one performance and get discounts and reduced fees on Broadway tickets. 

Create Your Own 

Our most flexible option, the popular Create Your Own subscription allows patrons to curate their own package from a wider range of shows in our seasonriber-only benefits. 

Choose shows from any series, except for Starrlight Jazz Club and West Street Live, to make your three, five or seven-show subscription package. The more shows you add in a Create Your Own subscription, the more you save+. Three-show packages get $2 off each ticket, five-show packages get $3 off each ticket and seven-show packages get $5 off each ticket. 

In addition to the ability to customize their subscription, Create Your Own subscribers also get early access to the season’s shows before single tickets go on sale to the general public later this summer, early access to new shows added throughout the year and discounts on most shows, including Broadway. 

Start building your Create Your Own package from these shows: 

10x10 Arts Series 

  • Scythian: Ukraine to Appalachia, September 10* 

  • As We Speak: Béla fleck, Zakir Hussain and Edgar Meyer featuring Rakesh Chaurasia, November 4* 

  • Mariachi Herencia de México presents A Very Mariachi Christmas, December 21* 

  • Galvin Cello Quartet, January 30* 

  • Aquila Theatre’s Fahrenheit 451, February 15* 

  • Ailey II, February 27* 

  • Drum Tao, March 12* 

  • Take 6, April 12* 

  • Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, April 26* 

LOL@WAC  

  • The Capitol Fools, October 26 

  • The Rocky Horror Picture Show Halloween Party, October 30 

  • Menopause the Musical 2: Cruising Through “The Change,”® March 2 

  • John Waters’ End of the World, May 1 

Bonus Shows 

  • Les Misérables, January 2-7 

  • VoiceJam Competition, April 13 

P&G Broadway Series 

  • SIX, September 12-17 

  • TINA – The Tina Turner Musical, December 12-17 

  • Jagged Little Pill, January 23-28 

  • Company, February 20-25 

  • Disney’s Aladdin, March 26-31 

  • Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, April 16-21 

Coca-Cola Night Out Series 

  • The Music of Sam Cooke, September 7 

  • The Cher Show, November 19-21 

  • David Foster & Katharine McPhee, February 29 

  • Pilobolus Re: Creation Tour, March 14 

  • Hairspray, May 3-5 

 Land O’Lakes Concert Series 

  • Devon Allman & Donavon Frankenreiter, September 5 

  • Tanya Tucker, October 4  

  • JOHNNY CASH: Official Concert Experience, October 14-15 

  • Lorrie Morgan’s Enchanted Christmas, December 1 

  • Squirrel Nut Zippers’ Holiday Caravan, December 19 

Kellogg’s Kids and Family Series 

  • Paw Patrol Live! “Heroes Unite,” September 29-October 1** 

  • Walton Arts Center & SoNA Present The Snowman: A Family Concert, December 10* 

  • American Girl Live! In Concert, February 3 

  • BRUSH Theatre’s Poli Pop!, February 13* 

  • tutti frutti’s The Boy Who Cried Wolf, March 5 

  • NORTH, April 28* 

  • Compagnia TPO’s +ERBA – A Forest in the City, May 14-15* 

*Shows not eligible for discounts. 

**Discount available to select shows 

+ While not all shows are eligible for discounts, they do count toward your package level. All shows must be purchased in one transaction to receive the discount. You can add more later, but you will keep the same package level all year. 

 

More information about West Street Live and Starrlight Jazz Subscriptions will be available soon. Single tickets to all 2023-24 shows will go on sale later this summer. Follow us on social media to be the first to hear about new shows, on sale dates and more!  

Q&A with the Producers of Madagascar The Musical

Don’t miss Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria as they bound out of the zoo and onto Walton Arts Center’s stage in a musical adaptation of the animated movie, Madagascar. This brand-new musical from Dreamworks will leave audiences with no choice but to “Move It, Move It!”  

Ahead of the performances June 2-3, we sat down with the producers and found out what makes this show so special. 

What are the challenges you faced adapting this animated movie into a musical theater production? 

When you have a film franchise as popular as Madagascar, the challenge becomes knowing which parts of the story to tell while giving audiences what they expect to see. As we bring these beloved characters to life, I believe we have found the right balance of heart and humor that won’t disappoint and will be fun for the whole family.   

Why do you think Madagascar lends itself to being a musical theater adaptation?  

It was a no-brainer. The larger-than-life characters and the colorful backdrop from the film made the leap to stage an easy one. The fun part is figuring out how to bring the animated world to life through scenic elements and using stage craft to enhance the story. We must give credit to Kevin Del Aguila for his great work with the book and our composers Joel Somellian and George Noriega. These elements really propel the story and make it feel like a party.  

What are the biggest differences between the film and the theater production and can you explain what led to these choices?   

The biggest difference is the new music and the focus on pivotal moments from the original story. Film allows you to cover more time and space in the storytelling, but in theater you have to focus on important moments. The use of original songs in these moments enriches the story. 

Is this a show for kids or for the whole family?  

This is for the whole family. It is visually stimulating and very funny. It will keep everyone entertained and having a good time. I mean the penguins alone … come on!  

How can this show get younger audiences interested in theater and Broadway?  

Live theater is a magical experience. Seeing a show like this come together with the lights, sets and music will give a joyful, positive message will always inspire future storytellers and supporters of the arts.  

What about the story of Madagascar makes it so beloved worldwide and what is exciting about this new adaptation?  

I think the story resonates with people of all ages. We all get restless and want to find where we belong, but we can’t do it alone. It’s a simple story of adventure and community wrapped in a party. And you watch it come to life right before your eyes. What’s not to love? 

Volunteer Appreciation Month: Leslie Redmon

At Walton Arts Center, we truly depend on our volunteers on a daily basis – but especially on show days! They greet you when you walk in the door, help you get your ticket at  Will Call, scan your ticket when you go into the theater and help you find your seat. But that’s not all… they assist with educational programs, special events and assist with administrative tasks. We have a dedicated corps of volunteers that are involved in every aspect of the theater, providing thousands of hours of service each year.  

The show couldn’t go on without our volunteers. From all the staff at Walton Arts Center, THANK YOU to each and every volunteer.  

During April, Volunteer Appreciation Month, we will be highlighting a few of the amazing people who help make up our outstanding team of volunteers. 

For Leslie Redmon, local social media guru and mom, volunteering is the best way to see new shows, and to experience what she calls “the perks,” including complimentary tickets and social opportunities.  

Redmon started volunteering in 2022, though she has been coming to see shows here since she was in middle school. Her first Broadway show as a volunteer was Fiddler on the Roof, a show which she has loved since high school. “It was amazing to be in the presence of the amazing cast and crew of a show I already knew,” she said. As a lifelong patron, she loved the atmosphere at Walton Arts Center and knew she wanted to be a part of it. Redmon gets to use her natural people skills to greet patrons and make sure their entire experience is memorable.  

One time, ahead of a shift, Redmon was getting some sushi across the street and started chatting with a cast-member from Bluey’s Big Show. “It was nice to interact with someone from the show and to let them know that we appreciated what they were doing here,” Redmon said. “Especially in what feels like such a small town, volunteering lets you meet so many different people.” She didn’t watch “Bluey” with her kids before meeting the cast member and volunteering during the run – now it is regularly on the TV in their home.  

About volunteering, Redmon says, “Jump in and do it! Sometimes it can be intimidating as a younger person to start something new, but the other volunteers and staff are so welcoming and are so helpful,” she said. “Volunteering is easy, it’s typically during nights, so I can easily do it while my kids are already in bed!”  

Alongside being a mother and a volunteer, Redmon loves to take pottery classes, garden and make videos that go “kinda-viral” on social media. Redmon was a twirler in the band at the University of Arkansas, performing for 80,000 people regularly during football games. She got into theater later in life, but love of the arts runs in her family – her uncle is the saxophone player in Earth, Wind & Fire and author of Anita Baker’s “Sweet Love,” for which he won a Grammy®. Seeing her uncle play at the Walmart AMP was one of her first dates with her now husband.  

The complimentary ticket program, volunteer appreciation night, trivia nights and other social gatherings are just a few “the perks” of volunteering at Walton Arts Center. There is also an incredible sense of community that is established inside and outside of the performance hall, and you can be a part of it! If you are looking to make new friends in a fun, creative environment and to support the arts in your local community, volunteering at Walton Arts Center is a great way to get involved. For more information, please visit waltonartscenter.org/volunteer. 

Volunteer Appreciation Month: Annee Littell

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! Our dedicated corps of volunteers are involved in every aspect of what we do—helping in the administrative office, box office, the Friends lounge, ushering in the hall and more.  

Our volunteers make a difference not only to the success of our organization and visiting artists, but to our community. Volunteers help create unique experiences for the first-time visitor or the patron that has been with us for our 30-year history (some of our volunteers have been here that long too).  

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month here at Walton Arts Center and over the next few weeks, we will be highlighting some of the amazing people who help make up our outstanding team of volunteers. 

 Annee Littell has been volunteering at Walton Arts Center for 27 years. “I was here in Fayetteville before Walton Arts Center was ever built. I was thrilled when it came into being and thought, ‘Volunteering will give me a chance to see more art.”  

“When I moved here decades ago, it was just a little college town,” Littell continued, “But it is still that funky place I knew back then. Walton Arts Center has spiffed it up and now people come here to share their art. It is an arts destination! Now, the arts are much more accessible – especially as a volunteer. I get to learn so much about arts and entertainment and I get to see things that I wouldn’t have before.”  

Littell’s favorite memory is using her volunteer complimentary tickets to take her daughter to see Kinky Boots. The complimentary ticket program allows volunteers to work up to receiving tickets to shows that are presented at the venue, and Littell turned their day at the theater into a party, with access to the lounge and a great show to top it off. 

Littell is a lifelong learner, springing from her experience living in Istanbul, Turkey at just 17 years old. Littell was an educator and particularly loves working education shows, where students from schools all across the area come to Walton Arts Center for a field trip, to see a show made just for them. “I love all of the things Walton Arts Center for kids through the educational programs. I was a teacher for years and I know how much those arts experiences change their lives.”  

She volunteers at multiple places across the community, helping at the library, donating her time removing invasive plant species and visiting people in hospice. She also enjoys gardening, knitting and she fosters dogs.  

If you are looking for a way to experience more performing arts or to support the arts in your community, volunteering at Walton Arts Center is a great way to get involved. For more information about volunteering, please visit waltonartscenter.org/volunteer. 

Volunteer Appreciation Month: Ben Walworth

At Walton Arts Center, we truly depend on our volunteers on a daily basis – but especially on show days! They greet you when you walk in the door, help you get your ticket at  Will Call, scan your ticket when you go into the theater and help you find your seat. But that’s not all … they assist with educational programs, special events and with administrative tasks. We have a dedicated corps of volunteers that are involved in every aspect of what we do, providing thousands of hours of service each year.  

The show couldn’t go on without our volunteers. From all the staff at Walton Arts Center, THANK YOU to each and every volunteer.  

During April, Volunteer Appreciation Month, we will be highlighting a few of the amazing people who help make up our outstanding team of volunteers. 

Growing up in Branson, Mo., Ben Walworth’s family loved seeing shows, often driving down to Walton Arts Center to see the latest Broadway hit. Walworth started attending college at the University of Arkansas in August 2020, and with restrictions still in place, it was hard to connect with like-minded people. Now, as a junior marketing major, Walworth has been volunteering at Walton Arts Center for a few years, alongside getting involved in lots of activities on campus.  

“I instantly fell in love with the whole volunteer experience,” Walworth said. His favorite memory is working Hamilton in spring 2022 – he loved meeting different audiences each night.  

“It's really helpful as a college student to get to engage with people outside of the college setting,” he continued. “It has been really cool to get to know all of the volunteers. Lots of them graduated from the University of Arkansas, even from the school of business, and I have been able to get advice and different perspectives from them, all while working alongside them.”  

About volunteering, Walworth says “you should just do it! It is so flexible; you create your own schedule and there are tons of opportunities based on what you enjoy.” His favorite part about volunteering is how welcoming the staff and volunteer team are. 

Outside of volunteering, Walworth loves to read and visit art museums. He has been a lifelong fan of the arts. Walworth plays piano, saxophone and was a drum major during high school. 

If you want to be a part of the behind-the-scenes team that makes performing arts happen, or if you need volunteer hours for a student-run organization, volunteering at Walton Arts Center is a great way to get involved. For more information about volunteering, please visit waltonartscenter.org/volunteer. 

 

How Rescue Dogs Are Trained to Play Sandy in Annie

Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman

It’s no secret that the dog who plays Sandy in Annie has been stealing the spotlight at every show since the musical first premiered in 1976. And it’s no exception for the latest national touring production starring Ellie Pulsifer in the title role, coming to Walton Arts Center May 5-7. 

Since Annie’s inception, Bill Berloni has been training the Sandys. Sandy, according to the script by Charles Strouse, Thomas Meehan and Martin Charnin, is described as medium-sized, sandy color of an indistinguishable breed. 

Before Annie was on Broadway, Berloni, who was a 20-year-old aspiring actor at the time, who was asked by one of the musical’s producers to find a dog and train it to be Sandy. From that moment, he made training rescue dogs for the stage his passion and career.   

For the new national tour, Addison and Georgie play Sandy. “We look for dogs with well-balanced temperaments. That's it. If they're well-balanced, then they can learn anything,” Berloni said of what makes the perfect candidate to be a stage dog.

Bill Berloni, Annie’s touring dog-trainer.

Sandy has a pivotal role in the story. The character is on stage for about fourteen minutes with 15 - 20 stage cues a show.  And the Sandys cast are always rescue dogs. Addison was rescued four years ago from a North Carolina animal shelter, one day before she was set to be euthanized. While Georgie was saved from nearly being turned over to a Pennsylvania high kill shelter. “Animals end up in shelters for many reasons. But many of them end up there because of family hardships or a death in the family— not because of any behavioral issues. We hope to find those animals and hopefully adopt them.” explained Berloni.   

Training the dogs to be on a big stage with thousands of people in the audience takes about two to three years. First, they get healthy and housebroken. Then trainers use a basic obedience course where the rescue dogs learn how to walk by your side, sit, stay, lay down, sit up and come when you call them.  

 “Our training begins a conversation with them unlike any conversation they've ever had before,” explained Berloni of his process. “Every behavior has a reward. And for the most part, the reward is love. So, there's never any, ‘if you do that, this is your punishment.’ There is: ‘I'd like you to do this. And if you do, you'll get a reward.’ It's a much slower process.”  

Annie’s director, Jenn Thompson

Once that’s mastered, the dogs learn their cues for the show. For this production of Annie, the rehearsal process with the cast began about a month before the first performances. Pulsifer spent many hours bonding with Addison and Georgie by feeding them, walking them and even sleeping with them. “What differentiates our dogs from other pets is that they learn to listen to other people, as opposed to just listening to me,” Berloni said. If at any time the dogs don’t want to perform, they don’t have to and they retire from their stage careers.   

What’s even more special about this version is that it’s directed by Jenn Thompson, who played the orphan named Pepper, in the original Broadway production. She’s known Berloni since she was 10 years old. For this new tour of Annie, he’s the only person on the creative team that has worked on the show before. With new eyes on the story, music, scenery and costumes – it gives this version a fresh perspective that audiences may not have seen before. 

“It's been really emotional to be together in some ways,” Thompson said of their reunion. “I still look at Annie a little bit like a 12-year-old. Being with him has been like coming home.”  

While Thompson says it's her first time directing a production of Annie, Berloni disagrees. “It's 1978 there's all these kids on Broadway. They're bored. So, they come up with an idea to do their own production of Annie onstage in between shows. Jenn directed the eight orphans doing their version of Annie. I knew she was a director because she was always bossing everyone around,” Berloni joked.   

Like Thompson, who found her calling for directing at a young age, Berloni discovered his passion through Annie too on the day he rescued a dog to play the part. “That one dog helped me find what I do the best.” He hopes, with every Sandy, it helps audiences see a different perspective on animal adoption.   

Annie teaches kids and kids-at-heart to hold on to hope when times get tough, just when we needed it most. You and your young theatergoers have five chances to see this new warm-hearted production. Tickets start at $29.

10x10 Questions with Fiercely Original Group Duwendé

Duwendé is an award-winning a cappella vocal band and the headlining event of this year’s annual VoiceJam A Cappella Festival April 14-15. This six-person group is known for their fiercely original bass-and-beatbox style, earning acclaim across the globe. They have performed at the Java Jazz Festival in Jakarta, the United Nations, Save the Children Benefit Dinner, The Bill Clinton Global Initiative, World AIDS Day, Sundance Film Festival and more. With over 10 million views on Youtube, Duwendé is fast on the rise to an exciting and dynamic future. 

In keeping with our 10x10 series, we sat down with Duwendé’s Ed Chung ahead of their performance at Walton Arts Center at 8 pm on Friday, April 14.  

 What can audiences expect from your performance?  

Audiences can expect to get up and dance! The music we choose to perform tends to appeal to multiple generations of music lovers, so there’s something for everyone to love. 

What is the favorite part of your set? 

The opening number! It’s fun to catch audiences by surprise and to give them an idea of what’s about to happen for the remainder of the set. 

What drew you to the a cappella musical form?  

We all have varied musical backgrounds, but we share a common interest in classic ‘80s and ‘90s pop and R&B, particularly artists like Michael Jackson and Prince. Jackson’s use of beatboxing and vocal “instruments” in his recordings led us to learn from other artists, and eventually, led us to a cappella. Legendary groups like Take 6 further solidified our personal interests in pursuing the art form professionally. 

How did you come up with your group name?  

Like most bands, we took a vote! In the early days, we each put name suggestions into the proverbial hat and narrowed our choices down to two — Duwendé and Challenge of the Super Friends. It remains a hot debate whether we chose wisely. 

“Resist the urge to do what everyone else is doing.”

- Ed Chung

Do you have any pre-show rituals or warm-ups?  

We run a specific part of a song that we want to make sure we execute properly. We will often take the last moment before hopping onstage to do a collective fist bump and remind each other to have fun and that we have each other’s back.  

Pick 5 words to best describe your work.  

Exciting, original, energetic, nostalgic and authentic. 

What song, artists or genres are you currently listening to?  

Our individual music tastes vary wildly, but a few artists that we all enjoy currently are Beyonce, Bruno Mars, Harry Styles and the like. Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and Prince are always in the rotation as well. 

What is a unique memory that you have from travelling the world?  

Our first tour of Japan stands out as a favorite memory. Knowing that we had quite a strong fan base there, we were so excited to finally be able to travel to the country but didn’t know quite what to expect. It turned out to be an amazing experience! The country, the people and the sold-out shows were all remarkable and we ended up experiencing a tour that, quite frankly, will forever be hard to top. 

What is the best advice you have received about being an artist?  

Resist the urge to do what everyone else is doing and do whatever you can to make your own mark. 


You’ve performed at so many notable events, can you talk about what these experiences have meant for your career?    

While we’ve been fortunate enough to be able to perform for some truly career defining events, the main takeaway for us has been the common thread through it all — the power that music has on people. Whether it’s for five people or 5,000 people, there’s a mystical exchange of joy that happens when music is performed live and we feel privileged to be able to play a part. 

Don’t miss the aca-spectacular kickoff to VoiceJam with Duwendé. All tickets are $10.

Get to Know your 2023 VoiceJam Competitors Pt. 2

The annual VoiceJam A Cappella Festival has become a fan-favorite event of the season, hosting an entire weekend of opportunities to experience, learn, perform and compete. The weekend kicks off with professional headliner Duwendé on April 14 and continues with an entire day of workshops for anyone interested in learning more about a cappella.  

The grand finale, the VoiceJam Competition is back and better than ever, bringing some of the best a cappella groups from across the country to Walton Arts Center at 7:30 pm on Saturday, April 15. Keep reading to get to know this year’s competitors. 

A-Side – College Station, TX 

How did your group get started?   

Our group originally started in the early 2000s. While other high schools were focusing on show choir, our choir director, Travis Angel, wanted to do something different. He discovered contemporary a cappella for high school students and loved the challenge and musicality that comes from the genre. Each year a new group is created with new sounds, memories and dance moves.  

What is the musical background of your group?  

Our group is filled with students who have sung in traditional middle and high school choirs, as well as people who played in band and participated in musical theater. Two of our members were named top two percent of bass high school singers in the state of Texas. Our group members also play multiple varsity sports, lead clubs as presidents, help create the yearbook, run the school store, dance professionally, volunteer countless hours and more! 

Tell us about your set. Do you have a favorite part of it to perform?  

Our set is extremely fun to sing. We try to make every element of the music have purpose – the silence is just as important as the singing. We hope to spread a message of hope even through complex situations. Sometimes it takes a twisted journey to get to where we need to be but in the end, we can be thankful for the destination. 

Does your group have any pre-show rituals?  

Other than the freak out and nerves which is universal to all performing groups? While the girls get ready, the guys listen to the entire Pink Floyd album Dark Side of the Moon in the dark while lying on the floor.  

 

Mind the Gap – Eugene, OR 

How did your group get started? 

Mind the Gap was founded in 2007 by a few students at the University of Oregon. Since then, we have been performing at gigs around the Pacific Northwest as well as competing at the national level. We aim to create a fun and welcoming environment to make music together. 
 

Tell us the musical background of your group. 

Our group is made up of all different types of students at the University of Oregon. Although we do have some music majors in the group, our areas of interest span from economics to environmental studies. However, our experiences with music are similar in that a lot of us have grade school choir experience and some of us play an instrument or two. A lot of members have also gotten into arranging pieces for the group which has been super fun as an activity to collaborate and grow our knowledge and experience together. 
 

Tell us about your set and do you have a favorite part of it to perform? 

As a group, we decided on the story and message we wanted to convey through our set, which has really helped us all connect with the music. We’re really proud of what we’ve created together and can’t wait to perform at the VoiceJam Competition in 2023. 
 

Does your group have any pre-show rituals? 

Usually, myself and the music director, Chloe Scheid, will say a few words to the group and give other group members an opportunity to hype each other up. We have a usual set of warm-ups that we run through too. After the show, we always huddle in a circle and express our feelings about the show and chant a phrase relevant to the performance together. Traditions like these affirm our sense of community. 

 

Euphoria – Allendale, MI 

How did your group get started?  

Our group consists of 15 very talented individuals of all voice parts, a variety of majors and varying levels of musical experience. We all come together for our shared love of music and performance. We typically perform pop, indie and rock genres, but we are open to trying anything!  

Tell us the musical background of your group.  

Our set takes the audience on a journey through the response to grief. However, we leave room for interpretation, so anyone can apply the emotions to any particular situation they have experienced.  

Our favorite piece to perform is “Moderation” by Florence and the Machine. We focus on the bounce back that typically happens eventually after a breakup or loss, trying to convince yourself that you are okay. The song is sassy and jazzy and our soloist brings the house down. Overall, our set is reflective and emotional, while still being upbeat and exciting to listen to. We have put our hearts and souls into this set and we are beyond excited to bring it to the VoiceJam stage! 

Tell us about your set and do you have a favorite part of it to perform?  

We always have a group speech, usually our president will speak to get us in the zone. We then have a chant, where we say, "We sing, you listen, we all experience, Euphoria!" It never fails to get us in the performance mindset.  

Don’t miss the aca-spectacular musical showdown. Tickets are $27 plus applicable fees, or purchase a combo ticket to see both Duwendé and the VoiceJam Competition for $29.

Get To Know Your 2023 VoiceJam Competitors Pt. 1

The annual VoiceJam A Cappella Festival has become a fan-favorite event of the season, hosting an entire weekend of opportunities to experience, learn, perform and compete. The weekend kicks off with professional headliner Duwendé on April 14 and continues with an entire day of workshops for anyone interested in learning more about a cappella.  

The grand finale, the VoiceJam Competition is back and better than ever, bringing some of the best a cappella groups from across the country to Walton Arts Center at 7:30 pm on Saturday, April 15. Keep reading to get to know this year’s competitors.  

VIBE – Dallas, TX  

How did your group get started? 

After several years of performing together in college, many of us wanted to continue singing with each other. VIBE was created as an outlet for our artistic needs. As we continued to compete in various competitions, we began collecting new family members from across the country who were equally as passionate about a cappella as we were.  

What is the musical background of your group? 

Our style spans many music genres including pop, soul, indie and R&B. Regardless of the song, we always put our soulful flare on anything we sing. 

Tell us about your set. Do you have a favorite part of your set to perform?  

One of our favorite moments in the set is the “Human Heart” number. It's a gentle and vulnerable reminder that we – as musicians, friends, families, and performers – only have one heart to offer in this life and to make the most of every moment.  

Does your group have any pre-show rituals? 

Before every performance, we start with a group circle offstage where we collectively do a breathing routine to get the nerves in check and to unify with each other one last time before heading out to perform. 

 

Walk the Line – Rockwall, TX 

How did your group get started?   

We already had a vocal ensemble at Rockwall High School but decided to start an a cappella group in 2015. We have competed and attended competitions every year since, including twice at the International Championship of High School A Cappella competition – we won second place last year.   

What is the musical background of your group?  

We love to perform at competitions and festivals. Being on stage is the best part of a cappella. We also love recording our music and are proud to have both albums released on all platforms. We have had a few songs featured on Voices Only and Varsity Vocals’ best of a cappella albums BOHSA albums in the past few years. We’re excited to have our third album come out later this year! 

Tell us about your set. Do you have a favorite part of it to perform?  

Our set follows a love story from the relationship’s conception to its demise. We love performing “Reckless Driving” by Lizzy McAlpine and Ben Kessler because it illustrates the intense, combative perspectives of two people drifting apart. It’s emotionally charged, and our choreography helps tell the story in an impactful way.  

Does your group have any pre-show rituals?   

Before every performance, we set time aside to rehearse our set and then have some circle time together. It's a time for us to connect with each other on a deeper level and talk about anything and everything. We usually start with words of encouragement and gratitude. It lifts us up and puts us in a collaborative state for the day. While getting ready for the shows, it’s also not uncommon for a few TikToks to be made for bonding and community engagement. 

 

Trillium – Dallas, TX 

How did your group get started?   

Our group started as an idea between co-creators Hannah Howard and Wennie Grogan. Towards the end of our senior year, we decided we didn’t want our a cappella journey to end yet, so we decided to create a vocal group based in Dallas, hoping to reach people with our creative play on a cappella and have a space to have fun and create. We got our name, Trillium, from a beautiful flower with many colors, highlighting our group's goal to continue growing together as musicians and pointing to our group motto: “bloom from within.”  

What is the musical background of your group? 

All of our members come from a former high school a cappella group and competed nationally. We are super proud of our group members – they all bring creativity and fun to the group. 

Tell us about your set. Do you have a favorite part of it to perform?  

Our set is composed of three songs, which gradually get slower and show an almost reversed sense of growth throughout the songs. Our favorite song to perform is called “The Intro,” and when you come see us perform you will find out why! 

Does your group have any pre-show rituals?  

Not really any pre-show rituals yet, maybe a small prayer before we go on. 

Don’t miss the aca-spectacular musical showdown. Tickets are $27 plus applicable fees, or purchase a combo ticket to see both Duwendé and the VoiceJam Competition for $29.

Celebrate International Women's Day with All-Female Latin-Alternative Band LADAMA

March 8 is International Women’s Day – part of larger recognition of Women’s History Month in March – which celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. It also raises awareness about discrimination and provides avenues of support to help vulnerable women across the world.  

Each year, the organization behind the celebration identifies missions to help forge a gender-equal world. One of the missions for 2023 is elevating the visibility of women creatives and recognizing them as a pulse of inspiration.  

In honor of International Women’s Day and this year’s mission to celebrate women’s creativity, we are drawing attention to an upcoming performance by the international all-female musical powerhouse, LADAMA, at Walton Arts Center Thursday, March 30 at 7 pm. 

This is a group of women who make music that truly inspires. They deliver an utterly unique experience as they flow from the electric to acoustic, from Spanish to English to Portuguese, and from the high plains of Venezuela to the Columbian coast. Their art transports us to a future where the world communicates across continents and cultures through sound and story. This quartet of Latin American female musicians – Mafer Fernanda, Lara Klaus, Daniela Serna and Sara Lucas – create a cross-cultural collaborative project, empowering women and children through the power of music. 

“We met in 2014 at OneBeat which brings together musicians from around the world to create socially engaged projects and compose music together,” said Lucas. Fernanda remembers the musical residency program as the first place she experienced other women playing music professionally.  

“Music should be a right, not a privilege.”

-Daniela Serna

The four women always individually wanted to educate and empower young people, and together, they knew they could collectively impact their communities through sound. For several years after residency at OneBeat, they crowdsourced and raised money to tour in their countries – Columbia, Venezuela, Brazil and the United States. More than just perform, the women decided to host workshops for anyone interested, because they believe that everyone is capable of creating music and art. “As educators, we are talking about the music industry and about how to use music as a tool of creation and social change. Both the musical and educational sides of what we do are very important to us,” said Klaus.  

“We’re not sharing just music, but its oral tradition and its ancestral knowledge. Music should be a right, not a privilege.” Serna said. Their music features traditional Latin instruments – typically male-dominated skills – blended with modern percussion and genre, such as pop.  

OYE MUJER, the group’s second full-length album, is a declaration to women and a call to humanity. This collection of songs in English, Spanish and Portuguese channel the personal experiences of being human amid global crises, unprecedented climate destruction and immigration. While each “dama” (lady in Spanish) takes her turn delivering powerful vocals, the other women support her as instrumentalists and arrangers, a beautiful symbolic image of women supporting female changemakers throughout history.  

“Mysterio,” their first single, is a celebration of femininity.  It’s about female emancipation and is an invitation to embrace our bodies and to embrace diversity, declaring “there is no one ideal body type,” said Serna. “It's important to use songs as an educational tool to sing to generations of women who aren't going to be oppressed by patriarchic ideas. These are the kinds of conversations we want to start.” 

Now that you’ve met the musical group LADAMA, meet the amazing individual women who make up the band.

Mafer Fernanda 

Mafer Fernanda is a bandola llanera performer, self-taught composer, community organizer and educator. As a teaching artist, she works for The Lullaby Project, an initiative of Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute. The program pairs parents and caregivers with professional artists to write and sing personal lullabies for their babies, supporting maternal health, aiding childhood development and strengthening the bond between parent and child. She also works for the Afro-Latin Jazz Alliance, a performing and educational organization that aims to preserve the music of the Americas, emanating from African and indigenous roots, through the entry point of jazz. 

Lara Klaus 

Lara Klaus is a Brazilian multi-instrumentalist, singer, composer, educator and music therapist. Klaus’ focus is on mastering traditional percussion on the pandeiro, alfaia, zabumba and other world music instruments along with the rhythms of Northeast Brazil. In addition to performing, Klaus has taught workshops for all ages throughout South America, Europe and the U.S. She participates in NGO Integrarte, where she works with musicians with Down syndrome, and for several years she was musical director of the Maracarte percussion group.  

Daniela Serna 

Daniela Serna is a Colombian composer, percussionist, educator and sound artist. She is the founder of La Perla, an all-female Caribbean folk band, who recently won the XXXI Festival de Gaita larga Francisco Llirene in Ovejas, Sucre. In 2014, she presented Bullerengue Covers, a sound installation exploring the sonics of tambour alegre, the hand drum. In 2012, she won a Señal Radio Colombia contest to perform with legendary folksinger bullerengue queen Petrona Martínez. 

Sara Lucas 

Sara Lucas is a singer, songwriter and guitarist.  As co-bandleader of New York- based Callers, a project she founded with multi-instrumentalist and composer Ryan Seaton, she has co-produced and released three full-length albums, Fortune, Life Of Love and Reviver. Callers has earned spots at festivals including Primavera Club and Tanned Tin Festival in Spain, Crossing Brooklyn Ferry at BAM, Festival de la Musica Nelle in Italy and the Hillside Fest in Ontario. In 2015, Lucas served as a facilitator for production workshops with youth in Brooklyn and Hudson, New York, with Found Sound Nation and Hear Be Dragons.  

LADAMA continues to use their platform to advocate and inspire, fostering generations of musicians and leaders. In the same way, women throughout history have raised their voice to advocate for change and equality, creating a more beautiful world of possibility and opportunity.  

Join us this women’s history month to hear this group of exceptional international women at Walton Arts Center on March 30. Tickets are only $10.  

Arkansas Filmmaker’s Showcase Celebrates Locally Produced Films

Walton Arts Center and Fayetteville Film Festival are collaborating to present an evening of films from Arkansas filmmakers and artists at 8 pm on Saturday, March 11. The Arkansas Filmmaker’s Showcase features seven short films from our growing movie industry here in Arkansas.  

Movies can make us laugh, cry, cheer and they can inspire us to create, especially when those stories come from our neighbors and fellow Arkansans. From all across the state, local directors are using film to spark conversation about life, from dating and family relationships to growing older and honoring memories. Join us as we see Arkansas through different lenses.

We sat down with a few of the directors ahead of the mini film festival to learn more about their films and what inspires them.

“Arkansas provides a myriad of locations that provide everything a filmmaker could be looking for, cityscapes, rivers, lakes, mountains, farms, ranches. You name it, you can find it in the Natural State.”

- Marc E. Crandall, Banana Triangle Six Director

Lemniscate 

Chuck Meré is a Fayetteville director, and his film Lemniscate depicts a father who must choose between being present for his daughter's scheduled visitation or indulging in his biggest scientific breakthrough, travelling to a parallel universe.  

The film was a real passion project for Meré, and seeing people respond so positively to it has been rewarding. “The film touches on a lot of important issues, like balancing work and family, and overcoming or being destroyed by the metaphorical man in the mirror. I think it's important that these messages are shared, and I feel honored every time I get the chance to show the film to a new audience.” 

Meré has called Fayetteville home for over 30 years and considers Northwest Arkansas the backdrop for his formative years. “My first steps into the world of video production were taken here through local cable access and it was here that I brought my creative visions to life,” Meré continued. “The inspiration I draw from this place is inescapable, infusing every frame of my work with the story of Arkansas, a story that has become intertwined with my own.” 

Double Trouble  

As the only co-directed film at the Arkansas Filmmaker’s Showcase, Levi Smith and Brett Helms’ film about two intrepid teenage boys is aptly titled Double Trouble. They share a similar vision for their movies – excitement – and the fun they had while filming shines through.  

Smith and Helms fondly remember running around suburban Arkansas, recording their stories on iPhones and camcorders, trying to capture their creative moments. So, deciding to study film at the University of Central Arkansas was a no-brainer. “We are still as much the passionate 11-year-olds with camcorders as we were then, only now we have equipment and a skilled crew,” said Smith.

Smith’s favorite part about filming Double Trouble was “running around the coolest arcade I’ve ever seen.” He also praised the expertise of the cast and crew. “It’s just a movie that all came together like chocolate and peanut butter. Everyone wanted to work towards something that we would remember for the rest of our lives.”  

“Film was created to entertain, and our films are no exception,” Smith said. “Beyond that, we always try to include meaning in our films. I believe we've done that with Double Trouble. It's a film that both lets you have a great time, and then lets you sit for a moment and contemplate what it means to get older and grow up. All in under 15 minutes!”  


Pomegranate 

Molly Wheat’s film, Pomegranate, captures the moment when two exes check in on each other. She is thrilled that her film will be screened again in Fayetteville.  

“The goal in making something is always for people to see it, and when you make things independently it's not always easy to even get eyes on your project,” Wheat said. “In addition to the Fayetteville Film Festival, Pomegranate has screened in NYC at New York Shorts International Film Festival and Arkansas Shorts in Hot Springs.” 

Wheat could not pick a favorite part of directing and filming Pomegranate. “Making a film in any capacity is so much work that you really have to love it to want to do it in the first place. To me, the electricity of being in it is so exhilarating.” Wheat also credited the strength of her film to her best friend of 15 years, Valerie Polston, who co-wrote and co-produced the film.  

Wheat was born and raised in Arkansas and often reflects on the unexpected inspiration and creativity in the state. “We don’t live in a place that is widely known as a hub for art or filmmaking, but there is talent everywhere. I've found myself surrounded by a community of professionals and really talented filmmakers,” she said. “So often our state is written off for unfair preconceived notions about the south in general, or for not providing a more metropolitan backdrop for stories. The state is beautiful and there are so many interesting stories to be told here.”

These are just a sampling of the films you can see at the Arkansas Filmmaker’s Showcase on March 11 at 8 pm. All tickets are $15! 

Other Films Screened at the Showcase: 

Flight (10:04)  

  • Director: Tyler Horne, Hot Springs – University of Central Arkansas student film  

  • A boy struggling to come to terms with his parents’ marital problems must face his worst nightmare and make a choice that he never wanted to make.  

For a Few Dollars Fewer (4:17)  

Photo Credit: David Phelps

  • Director: Nick Loper, Siloam springs – John Brown University student film  

  • When an amateur bandit finds out that his bounty is just $10, he makes an ambitious attempt to make a name for himself among the great outlaws of his time.   

Banana Triangle Six (23:30)  

  • Director: Marc E. Crandall, Fayetteville  

  • A day in the life of an elderly gentleman, Hank Crute, as he deals with the trials and tribulations of a resident of Spring Valley Retirement Home – bad food, conniving females and an unexpected doctor’s visit.  

Boppie (6:33)  

  • Director: Ethan Gueck, Conway – University of Central Arkansas student film  

  • In an attempt to avoid the harsh realities of his grandpa’s imminent death, Stevie sets out to re-create some of his Boppie’s perfect pictures.   

 

 

Encouraging the Next Generation of Theatergoers with Shows Just for Kids

The Family Fun Series and Kellogg’s Kids Series at Walton Arts Center are your ticket to a night at the theater that the whole family will enjoy. From the hopeful classic Annie to the heartfelt adventures of Hiccup! and everything in between, these performances will keep the whole family on their toes and keep the kids in their seats!  

Find your voice in a feathery adventure with Acoustic Rooster’s Barnyard Boogie Starring Indigo Blume. New York Times best-selling author Kwame Alexander brings two of his beloved children’s books to the stage, Acoustic Rooster and Indigo Blume at 4 pm on Sunday, March 5. Blume and the other lovable characters like Dairy Parton, Duck Ellington and Chickee Minaj explore dozens of musical genres including country, rap, go-go and blues. They also tell a story about being scared, being brave, helping your community and believing in yourself. Tickets are $10!

And don’t miss an original adaptation of The Jungle Book, a tale of strength, loyalty and courage on Saturday, March 25 at 4 pm. Three local professional arts companies have teamed up to create the second collaboration in the nation of its kind. Trike Theatre, one of our artistic affiliates, creates extraordinary theatre experiences for young people and families, strengthens community and inspires young voices. Ra-Ve Cultural Foundation seeks to bring pieces of Indian culture to Northwest Arkansas and Megha Rao from Dhirana Academy of Classical Dance choreographed the production and instructed the local dancers. Come see the strength of the jungle. Tickets are only $10!   

Join the quest to find the great hiccup cure with Windmill Theatre’s Hiccup! The beloved Australian theater company returns at 4 pm on Sunday, April 16 with a brand new story of three unlikely friends who band together to try and cure an exceptionally stubborn case of the hiccups. A sleep-deprived camper, a cheeky quokka and an inventive emu embark on an epic journey through the outback that sees them frantically eat, sing and invent their way towards a cure before the sun comes up. Hiccup! is a hilarious musical extravaganza about working together and finding friendship. Tickets to this rocking, outback adventure are $10 for kids and $15 for adults. 

Just a week later, comes a heartfelt coming of age story. A Letter for Elena blends theater and dance to showcase the power of words and the complexities of loss. We join three friends, Frank, Lucy and Aïcha, on an emotional and captivating journey of remembrance and love that touches on the importance of connection. A Letter for Elena will also help children and adults start a dialog around difficult topics, such as grief and loss, as well as appreciation for life and friendship. A Letter for Elena takes the stage Sunday, April 23 at 4pm. Tickets are $10.

Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy

You don’t want to miss Annie, “one of the best family musicals ever penned,” according to the Chicago Tribune. Little Orphan Annie has reminded generations of theatergoers that sunshine is always right around the corner, and now the best-loved musical of all time is set to return in a new production – just as you remember it and just when we need it most. This celebration of family, optimism and the American spirit remains the ultimate cure for all the hard knocks life throws your way. See this Tony Award®-winning musical May 5-7. 

Movies adapted into theater productions help get kids interested in theater with a story and characters that they already know and love like Madagascar the Musical June 2-3. Join Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria as they bound out of the zoo and onto the stage in this live musical spectacular. This smash hit musical features all of your favourite crack-a-lackin' friends as they escape from their home in New York's Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien's Madagascar. This brand-new musical from Dreamworks will leave audiences with no choice but to "Move It, Move It!" 

Tickets to these shows and more can be purchased online at waltonartscenter.org, in person at the box office weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or by calling (479) 443-5600.  

Meet LADAMA, The Future of International Music

LADAMA is an all-female musical group that harnesses the musical flavors of their respective countries, seamlessly creating a unique blend of enthralling sound. These sisters in song and spirit blend Spanish, English and Portugese languages with elements of cumbia, maracatu, onda nueva, pop, soul and R&B. Their music transports us to a future where the world communicates across continents and cultures through sound and story.

Their self-titled album reached No. 1 on both iTunes and Amazon’s Latin music charts. Their second album, Oye Mujer, was released in 2020 and was called “irresistible and universal” by critics. LADAMA has performed at TED, the Monterey Jazz Festival, ESPN’s “The Latino Experience” and NPR’s “Tiny Desk.”

In keeping with our 10x10 Arts Series, we sat down with member of the band, Mafer Bandola, ahead of LADAMA’s performance at Walton Arts Center at 7 pm on Thursday, March 30.

1. What can audiences expect when they come to see the performance?

“They can expect a sonic experience where the future is a world that communicates across continents and cultures, with sound and story. The audience can expect to see the joy and freedom in the musicality of four women from four countries on one stage, engaging in a Pan-Latinx whole.”

2. What do you hope audiences leave with after they see you perform?

“We hope they can leave the venue thinking about how diversity is essential to create new visual and sonic narratives and how representation matters on stages.”

3. What do you wish you could tell your younger self about being an artist?

“Much of what you are going to experience has yet to exist. You will create it. Therefore, you will feel alone, but don't worry. You will also develop other meanings for community and belonging. Focus on finding spaces that make you feel safe to create. Remember to listen to your instincts and body, modify what doesn't let you grow, and try as many times as possible to improve your art, even if it involves walking through different disciplines.”

4. What is your favorite part of each performance?

“When we look at each other many times during the performance and recognize how much we enjoy playing live shows together.”

5. How did you come up with your group name?

“We created it based on the initials of our names, LAra, DAniela and MAfer: LADAMA, but we also realized that our band name means “The Lady” in Spanish. Later, we asked Sara if she wanted her initials to be on the band name, but she was okay not adding it. We were really excited about the name and still are!”

6. Do you have any pre-show rituals or warm-ups? If so, what are they?

“Each of us has a different way of preparing ourselves before shows; mine is to canalize my energy for the performance, which is about bringing the focus on the present, breathing, stretching my fingers, arms, legs, and the rest of my body."

7. Pick 5 words to best describe your work.

“Transformative, energizing, polyrhythms, alma (soul), and vida (life).”

8. What is the best advice that you have been given?

"It's okay to ask for help."

9. What songs, artists or genres of music are you currently listening to?

“I have created a playlist of what I have been listening to (click HERE for the link). I have been revisiting my roots through my oral traditions and reimagining Latinx futures with the new voices of other BIPOC artists.”

10. What unique or memorable experiences have you had while traveling worldwide to share your music?

“One time we went to a remote place in Europe, and a Venezuelan person in the audience told us they felt they traveled back and visited their happiest memories during our performance. They said, ‘I travel back to my country after 11 years, far from my people, thanks to your music.’ It was memorable to understand the power we have in our hands with the music we play.”

Experience the collaborative future of music with LADAMA. Tickets are only $10 and are available now.

Try Something New with 10x10 Arts Series

Walton Arts Center’s 10x10 Arts Series is curated for the curious and features exciting and innovative art forms, performances and experiences. Designed by our programming team specifically for our unique Northwest Arkansas community, it encourages all of us to dip into a new art form. At just $10 per ticket, the 10x10 Arts Series is the perfect way to explore and try something new.

10x10 performances typically include a post-show creative conversation with the artists so you can learn more about their work and background. Audience members are also encouraged to give their feedback about each performance they attend via a handwritten Post-It note. Notes are collected post show and shared with the artists and the programming team. 

LADAMA

At 7 pm on Thursday, March 30, experience a modern twist on Latin Alternative music with LADAMA, an international collective of women building community through sound. Blending South American and Caribbean styles like cumbia, maracatu, onda nueva and joropo with pop, soul, and R&B, these four women seamlessly create a unique blend of enthralling sound, transporting listeners to a future where the world communicates across continents and cultures through sound and story. 

 

New York Gilbert and Sullivan Player’s The Pirates of Penzance

Join the band of swashbuckling buccaneers, bumbling British bobbies, frolicsome Victorian maidens and the delightfully dotty “model of a modern Major-General” for a rollicking romp over the rocky coast of Cornwall. Presented in its original format at 8 pm on Saturday, April 1, this is your chance to see Gilbert’s incisive wit and Sullivan’s memorable score performed by a full orchestra.  

Duwendé

Kicking off this year’s VoiceJam A Cappella Festival, this award winning six-person ensemble presents a fiercely original take on a vocals-only music. Best known for their upbeat, electrifying bass-and-beatbox-driven funk/pop style, Duwendé gets the crowd on their feet with their exuberant sound, replicating a variety of instruments through their powerful and distinct voices. With ever-growing acclaim and fans all over the globe, Duwendé brings new life to the a cappella genre for contemporary audiences at 8 pm on Friday, April 14.  

 

Visceral Dance Chicago

Visceral Dance Chicago is a contemporary dance company dedicated to a bold and progressive world of movement that challenges audience expectations. In their Northwest Arkansas debut at 7 pm on Thursday, April 20, the company will present a diverse repertoire featuring emerging voices and distinguished, world-renowned choreographers. Named one of Dance Magazine’s 25 to Watch, the company “breathes life into the Chicago arts community with their ability to intertwine complex human emotions with the raw beauty of dance and physical movement,” according to Chicago Stage Standard.

 

Artosphere Festival Orchestra: An Evening of Brahms and Beethoven

Under the direction of Maestro Corrado Rovaris, this performance will honor Johannes Brahms Concerto for Violin and Cello in A minor, Op. 102 and Ludwig Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68 “Pastoral.” This performance at 7 pm on Tuesday, May 16, is a part of the annual Artosphere: Arkansas’ Arts + Nature Festival, which brings together world-class performers and the Northwest Arkansas community to celebrate and experience art inspired by nature.

A Letter for Elena

As an add-on, this season we’re presenting a $10 show for young theatergoers as part of our Family Fun Series that 10x10 audiences will also love. A Letter for Elena blends theater and dance to showcase the power of words and the complexities of loss. We join three friends, Frank, Lucy and Aïcha, on an emotional and captivating journey of remembrance and love that teaches young audiences about the importance of connection. This performance can also help children and adults start a dialogue around difficult topics, such as grief and loss, but its captivating delivery appeals to audiences of all types. A Letter for Elena comes to Walton Arts Center on Sunday, April 23 at 4pm.  

 

Honoring the Life and Legacy of The King of Soul

“I hope people leave the show with a smile, hope, love and the urge to do more.”

- Bradd Marquis

From the time he exploded onto the entertainment scene at age 19 to his untimely death at only 33 years old, Sam Cooke created the soul music genre and became an inspiration for music and social activism. In addition to being one of the most beloved artists of all time, Cooke advocated cultural pride and created opportunities for people to come together and celebrate love, life and each other. 

Bradd Marquis, a talented songwriter and actor, has created a brand new energetic and touching tribute show that will be at Walton Arts Center on Jan. 30 at 7 pm. He performs as Cooke himself, depicting the life and music of the legend in first person. Marquis, who has been continually creating and adapting this show since 2009, is also joined onstage by a live big band and will perform hits such as “You Send Me,” “A Change is Gonna Come,” “Wonderful World” and more.  

Marquis has had a lifelong connection with Cooke. “I realized I knew much of his music instinctively,” Marquis continued. “My grandparents played his music around the house when I was a child. I just wasn't aware of who I was listening to.” Later, when several people mentioned he looked like Cooke, he read Peter Guralnick’s book Dream Boogie, The Triumph of Sam Cooke.  

“My friend loaned me the book, and we listened to Sam Cooke's music all night,” Marquis said. “Everything came full circle in those moments, and I decided to take a deep dive into the life of Sam Cooke, which led to the beginning of this show. The show has taken on many forms over the years and will continue to. I am super proud of what it has evolved into.” 

Tribute shows are a great way to sing along to familiar songs or introduce new audiences to the legacy of a musician. Audiences to The Music of Sam Cook can expect “a history lesson, and if you are already familiar with him, you can expect a nostalgic trip down memory lane,” according to Marquis.  

“There is so much I love about performing this show, and most of it happens off the stage,” said Marquis, who loves to see different generations share the joy of music together. “I hope people leave the show with a smile, hope, love and the urge to do more. The urge to be a beacon of light in their community.”  

From his gospel roots to his pop hits, Cooke’s music paved the way for all genres of music that we know and love today. You have one chance to catch this rip-roaring tribute show on Monday, January 30 at 7 pm. Tickets start at $29.