What's Up

01/05/2025

We hear Fayetteville has a new mayor! We sat down with Molly Rawn a couple of years ago to learn more about her and were impressed with her drive and love for the community. You can get a sense of her background, upbringing and how she arrived to Fayetteville in this profile:

Molly Rawn is one of Fayetteville's biggest cheerleaders.

12/31/2024

For a wider array of New Year's Eve celebrations, check out our calendar. It has activities for earlier in the day and creative fun, as well as the traditional late night parties. See more in Dustin Staggs' compilation:

At The Theatre

12/31/2024

Tonight at the Auditorium in Eureka is the second annual Goblin Ball! For $25 in advance or $30 at the door, participants can dress in their most imaginative "formal goblin attire" and dance into New Year's Day with live bands and a disco ball drop. 7 p.m. until 3 a.m.

Eureka Springs is ringing in the new year with a party fit for goblins -- and humans who enjoy a bit of quirky pandemonium. The historic Auditorium downtown will host the second annual Goblin Ball, which will feature various performers, costumes and surprises from 7 p.m. on Dec. 31 until 3 a.m. on J...

12/25/2024

Anybody else watching “A Christmas Story” tonight? 🙋🏼‍♀️ Did you know that Daisy Airguns, which makes the famous Red Ryder BB gun, is based in Rogers? Here’s a few of its most surprising iterations and unexpected stories.
https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2024/dec/18/how-the-red-ryder-and-daisy-airguns-seeped-into/?entertainment-features-ourtown

12/22/2024

How many professional ballet dancers hail from Arkansas? It's hard to say exactly, but not all that many. We caught up with one of them for our profile today. Kelsey Corder of the American Midwest Ballet in Omaha returned home to the ArcBest stage this weekend as the Sugar Plum Fairy during the 39th production of the Nutcracker by Western Arkansas Ballet. Learn how she went from Alma to Louisville Ballet — nearly straight to the top! — in her amazing story.
https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2024/dec/21/profile-kelsey-corder-returns-to-arkansas-for/?features-profiles
(Submitted photos)

12/16/2024

Anybody else visited Stewart Family Christmas Lights yet? 🙋🏼‍♀️ Today, Friday and Saturday 37 North will be conducting a Christmas tour. It starts at the HUB Bike Lounge, includes a train ride on the A&M Railroad, and ends with a walk through Stewart lights. See April Wallace’s photos below for a little taste and Dustin Staggs’ story for more info:

https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2024/dec/14/37-north-offers-family-friendly-tour-of-region-to/?features-profiles

12/13/2024

Do you love Hallmark movies, or love to make fun of Hallmark movies? Today and tomorrow FSLT - Fort Smith Little Theatre presents "A Hall and Mark Christmas," which lovingly skewers the Hallmark holiday movie formula. Tickets are $7. Read more in Dustin Staggs' preview:
https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2024/dec/08/off-season-production-hall-and-mark-pokes-gentle/

12/12/2024

Lindsey Curry launched Grateful Vase about six months ago when she realized she could help repurpose wedding and event florals to brighten others' day at nursing homes, retirement facilities and memory care units. This Saturday the nonprofit is throwing a Christmas party fundraiser at the Garden Room on Dickson, starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are $35 and include hot cocoa, snacks, two prize tickets, entertainment and drinks! Learn more about the event and the organization:
https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2024/dec/07/grateful-vase-repurposes-event-flowers-t-01b8f6c7/?features-profiles
(Submitted photos)

12/07/2024

Fun performance of “Nutcracker in a Nutshell” by NWA Ballet Theatre this morning at Fayettevillle Public Library. Dancers performed excerpts of the ballet to a very young audience and answered questions about their roles. Their performances of the full production of The Nutcracker will be on stage at Arend Arts Center in Bentonville Dec. 20 and 21.

12/05/2024

If you're headed over to Eureka Springs to do some Christmas shopping this month, there's plenty of events to keep you busy while you're there. Tomorrow is the Board Game Christmas Parade (6-7 p.m.); tomorrow and Saturday is Meet the Makers: Arts and Craft Show at the Main Stage Community Center (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Saturday is a Christmas walking tour of Eureka's beautifully restored homes, from 2-6 p.m., $30 per person. Oh, and Santa will be in Basin Park noon to 5 on Saturdays!

It's beginning to look a lot like a Eureka Springs Christmas ...

12/04/2024

For the first three weekends in December, you can enjoy Winter Glow at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks. Families can walk through the warm glow of 2,000 luminarias, grab something to drink and listen to holiday music. $15 per adult or $45 for a family pass. See Dustin Staggs' story for what differentiates the 3 weekends:

The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks welcomes families to enter a bright winter wonderland this December with Winter Glow, a brand-new seasonal event running the first three weekends leading up to Christmas. Each evening, the garden will turn into a tranquil holiday getaway, illuminated by the warm gl...

12/02/2024

Rich and Denise Lanuti's annual December studio show will take place this weekend, Friday, Dec. 6 through Sunday, Dec. 8 at 623 East Rock Street, Fayetteville.

Featured works include fused and lampworked glass items, large and small dishes, sconces, nightlights, jewelry, clocks, trays and other items.

Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, and the studio is wheelchair accessible.

12/02/2024

Did you miss the National Philanthropy Day luncheon at Fayetteville Public Library? Catch up on the highlights from the AFP Northwest Arkansas hosted event, which honored local philanthropists who have contributed to the fabric of Northwest Arkansas. See Carin Schoppmeyer's column:

The Association of Fundraising Professionals, Northwest Arkansas welcomed guests Nov. 13 for the National Philanthropy Day luncheon at the Fayetteville Public Library. The annual event is an opportunity to fete local philanthropists who have contributed to the fabric of Northwest Arkansas.

11/30/2024

Tonight at the Auditorium in Eureka Springs is a debut production of "The Nutcracker Sweets" by Ignite Dance. The legendary story of Clara will be played by 12-year-old Layla White and 59 other performers on stage in supporting roles. Admission is $11-21 based on age. See more in Dustin Stagg's story:

This holiday season, Ignite Dance Arts will light up Eureka Springs with its debut production of "The Nutcracker Sweets."

11/30/2024

For Jordan Poorman Cocker, growing up in the Kiowa tribe very naturally instilled a love and appreciation of art in her from a young age as she helped and learned from her mother, a bead worker. Most recently she curated “American Sunrise: Indigenous Art at Crystal Bridges,” which includes enormous portraits, baskets of resilience and plenty of joy. For more about the exhibit and this curator, artist and educator, see our profile below:

When Jordan Poorman Cocker was a young girl, growing up in the Kiowa tribe with a mother who was a beadworker, she would often find herself at the kitchen table with her mom, aunt, sister and others. First they cleared it, and then set to work to complete purses, dresses, necklaces and moccasins tog...

11/28/2024

Happy Thanksgiving! We are thankful for you, dear readers and subscribers. We hope you’re enjoying a warm and cozy holiday with loved ones. Enjoy this piece on Big Heart Bread, a bakery that donates all its proceeds to good causes. Story by Carin Schoppmeyer below 👇

Laurie Anderson of Rogers had never made sourdough bread before the spring of 2020 when everything was shut down due to COVID-19. The process of making sourdough bread begins with starter, which is nothing more than a mixture of flour and water that is given time to ferment at the proper temperature...