Celebrating Women's History Month at Walton Arts Center

Women’s History Month is a time to honor and celebrate the incredible contributions of women to our society. At Walton Arts Center, we’re proud to highlight the powerful voices and stories of women through the arts. This month, we’re featuring two exceptional shows that showcase the talent and creativity of women. Join us as we celebrate their impact and continue to uplift women’s voices on stage and beyond. 

First up in March are two sisters whose musical maturity and emotional intelligence far surpass their age. Taking the stage on Friday, March 7, The Burney Sisters, comprised of sisters Emma and Bella Burney, write keen and knowing songs while arranging for multiple instruments and structuring unique and resonant harmonies.  The result: personal and penetrating music that both connects with and captivates their listener. Their soul nurturing sibling harmonies and tunes are reminiscent of The Avett Brothers, First Aid Kit, Lake Street Dive, The Staves and Joseph. Cabaret tickets are $55 and tiered seating tickets are $35. 

Continue your Women’s History Month celebrations with a classic musical that you know and love that celebrates a real-life successful woman. The sensational musical comedy revival, Funny Girl, will be at Walton Arts Center for eight performances March 18-23. This bittersweet comedy is the story of the indomitable Fanny Brice. As a girl from the Lower East Side who dreamed of a life on the stage, everyone told her she’d never be a star, but then something funny happened—she became one of the most beloved performers in history, shining brighter than the brightest lights of Broadway. The sensational Broadway revival dazzles with celebrated classic songs, including “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star,” and “People.”  

Fania Borach, professionally know as Fanny Brice, was an American comedian who built her career on a Yiddish accent. She also was a model, singer and actress who made a variety of stage, radio and film appearances and was the star of the radio comedy series, “The Baby Snooks Show.” Thirteen years after her death, Brice was portrayed on the Broadway stage by Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl and that marked the beginning of a sensational Broadway musical.  Tickets are $56 to $109.  

Looking for a way to level up your girl’s night out? Purchase a cocktail class for $39 and enjoy light appetizers from Fayetteville High School's Brightwater culinary students while learning how to mix two specialty cocktails crafted by our in-house team of local mixologists. You'll leave with recipes, great memories and new friends!   

Have tickets to Funny Girl that night? Add-on a cocktail class before your show and you'll be in your seat before the theater lights dim. No show tickets? Come anyway for a fun, hands-on experience. Must be 21 or older to participate.  

Mark your calendar now for Paige Hernandez, another talented female artist who is bringing Havana Hop to our stage on Monday, May 12. In this dynamic, multi-cultural show, the audience gets to dance along as one actress portrays three generations of lively women and infuses a salsa-style flair into hip-hop. This multi-cultural experience is written, choreographed and performed by Hernandez. Young Yeila dreams of being a superstar, but her lack of confidence gives her awful stage fright. With advice from her mother and mentors, Yeila begins to find her Cuban roots and build confidence. 

Give the Gift of Live Entertainment at Walton Arts Center for Valentine's Day

This Valentine’s Day, surprise your loved ones with an unforgettable experience at Walton Arts Center. Whether you’re looking for a family friendly show, exciting live music, a classic theater performance, a hilarious comedy show or cocktail class, we have the perfect gift for your sweetheart. 

For Families and Kids: 

It’s hard not to smile when Sonia De Los Santos shares some of her favorite things through song. Her songs are inspired by various Latin American rhythms like huapango, cumbia, salsa and festejo, as well as North American folk traditions from the U.S. Her new live family-friendly show, Sonia de Los Santos: Música, is coming to Walton Arts Center on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 7 pm. Tickets are $10! 

For Live Music Lovers: 

Iconic singer and pianist Billy Stritch and acclaimed vocalist and songwriter Gabrielle Stravelli combine their considerable talents for an evening of great music celebrating the legendary Mel Tormé and Ella Fitzgerald. The show includes beloved favorites from the Great American Songbook, including “The Man I Love,” “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square,” “Cheek to Cheek” and swinging jazz standards such as “Too Close for Comfort” and “Oh, Lady Be Good!” Stritch and Stravelli perform Mel & Ella Swing!  on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 7:30 pm. 

The Burney Sisters, comprised of sisters Emma and Bella, create music with a maturity and emotional intelligence that belies their age. They write keen and knowing songs while arranging for multiple instruments and structuring unique and resonant harmonies. The result - personal and penetrating music that both connects with and captivates their listener. Experience the talent of these singer-songwriters on Friday, March 7 at 7:30 pm. 

Few musicians embody the spontaneous energy of jazz like Matt Wilson. The New York-based drummer combines buoyant zeal, idiosyncratic style, infectious humor, joyous swing and an indomitable spirit of surprise. Together, with his universally recognized personal warmth, these qualities have made Wilson one of the most in-demand players and educators on the modern jazz scene. Any jazz fan in your life will love Matt Wilson’s Good Trouble Quintet on Saturday, March 8 at 7:30 pm. 

For the Comedy Fanatic: 

Tacarra Williams, also known as The Beautiful Beast, is a comedian and host of the new CW show "Totally Funny Kids." As the third oldest of eight siblings, her comedy revolves around family humor – voicing what people think but are too afraid to express. Williams champions women's empowerment in her routines. Grab your tickets now for a hilarious date night on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 7:30 pm.   

Ian Fidance is an offbeat yet upbeat New York City comic, actor and writer. A force on stage, his act is insanely positive and positively insane. Equal parts thoughtful, explicit and silly, he performs nightly at the iconic Comedy Cellar in the heart of New York City’s Greenwich Village, and now he’s coming to The Comedy Zone at Walton Arts Center on Thursday, March 6 at 7:30 pm. 

For Classic Theater Goers: 

Don’t miss New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players: The Mikado, a new and critically acclaimed production featuring all of your favorite characters: Yum-Yum, Nanki-Poo, Ko-Ko, the Lord High Executioner with his “little list” of potential victims, the fearsome Katisha, the hilariously ridiculous Pooh-Bah and the politely sadistic Mikado himself. A brief new prologue frames the classic work for today’s audiences. Enjoy this classic theater performance on Sunday, March 9 at 4 pm. Tickets are $10! 

Don’t forget the ultimate date night for any theater lover – tickets to see a Broadway show. Whether you give a Broadway classic like Funny Girl, March 18-23 or a new production, like Back to the Future: The Musical, April 8-13 or MJ, May 20-25 - your valentine will love it.

For Those Who Love Experiences: 

Looking to shake things up? Cheers to a fun time! Walton Arts Center’s cocktail classes Feb. 21-23 and March 20-22 are a perfect experiential gift. Purchase a cocktail class for $39 and enjoy light appetizers from Fayetteville High School's Brightwater culinary students while learning to mix two specialty cocktails crafted by our in-house team of local mixologists. You'll leave with recipes, great memories and new friends! 

Have tickets to a show that night? Add-on a cocktail class before your show and you'll be in your seat before the theater lights dim. No show tickets? Come anyway for a fun, hands-on experience. Must be 21 or older to participate. 

Purchase tickets at waltonartscenter.org, by calling 479.443.5600 weekdays 10 am until 5 pm or in-person at the Walton Arts Center Box Office weekdays 10 am until 2 pm.

Holiday Snacks, Treats & Drinks at Walton Arts Center

Winter Nights is back, offering the perfect setting to celebrate the season with family and friends. Open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays now through Saturday, December 21, this festive, family-friendly holiday bar and gathering space invites you to try our delicious sips and bites! 

This year, Winter Nights has introduced a brand-new menu, packed with delicious holiday-inspired cocktails, mocktails and scrumptious small bites. Whether you’re looking for something cozy to sip on or a tasty snack to try, there is something everyone will love at Winter Nights! 

For small bites, Winter Nights has a variety of crowd-pleasing options. Start the night with the hot dog sliders, perfect for satisfying those savory cravings. Looking for something more bite-size? Our soft pretzel bites are the perfect tiny, salty treat. You can even add a souvenir mug!  

With five flavors to choose from, there is nothing boring about our popcorn. It’s a classic snack leveled up, so don’t forget to grab a bag to snack on. If you are craving something sweeter, Freedom Kettle Corn has four mouthwatering flavors to choose from, including their rotating secret flavor! The will be popping it fresh on-site throughout Winter Nights.  

For an indulgent treat, you can’t go wrong with a s’more pack, ideal for sharing with friends or enjoying on your own as you cozy up by one of our fire pits! Pair your s’mores kit with our favorite holiday Shake’s Frozen Custard flavors, eggnog, snowflake vanilla, luxardo cherry and frozen hot cocoa. 

With an array of festive cocktails and mocktails that bring the flavors of the season to life, Winter Nights has plenty of festive sips to choose from. Taste our Spiced Pear Vodka Collins, a refreshing cocktail with warming spice notes; or the Spiced Rum Butter Pecan Eggnog, a decadent, creamy drink with rich butter pecan flavor.  

For a playful twist on a classic, the Mistletoe Margarita offers a zesty, citrusy kick. If you’re craving something warm, the Hot Cranberry Apple Cider is the perfect blend of sweet and tart, while the Toasted Marshmallow Old Fashioned brings a toasted, sweet element to this traditional cocktail. 

Don’t worry about just choosing one cocktail, order our Cocktail Flight where you can enjoy four, 4 oz size drinks from the cocktails listed above. Our flight allows you to taste a little bit of everything! A fun, playful way to end the night and toast to the holiday season is the Boozy Marshmallow Shots. 

Have a snow globe reservation already? Be sure to check out the Snow Globe Preorder Menu. This exclusive menu features Marley’s Pizzeria pizza, with options of cheese, pepperoni, sausage, or veggie. Pair your pizza with a bottle of red, white or sparkling wine. For those who prefer beer, there are beer flights available so you can sample a variety of seasonal beers in one sitting. 

Glow up your holiday activities this winter at Walton Arts Center! Reserve your own private snow globe for an unforgettable experience, drop in and grab an open seat to try all these delicious treats or grab an ORA drink to go see the lights on the square

New This Year: Free Activities Offered at Winter Nights!

Winter Nights returns to Walton Arts Center Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays Nov. 14-Dec. 21 with lots of free activities for families and adults – no reservations required.  

Winter Nights is a festive, family-friendly holiday bar and gathering space open 6 pm-midnight offering indoor and outdoor seating options surrounded by twinkly holiday décor to get you into the spirit of the season. Family Fun Nights presented by Cox Mobile are planned for 6-8 pm, and programming geared toward adults will begin at 8 pm each night.    

KARAOKE NIGHTS  

Every Thursday, Nov. 14-Dec. 19 (excluding Thanksgiving Day)   

Time: 8:30-10:30 pm   

All we want for Christmas is YOU… to come sing with us! In partnership with Big Box Karaoke, we’re giving you five chances to be the star of the show at karaoke night. This is a judgment-free zone, so break out your tacky sweater and sequins, queue up your favorite song and grab the mic! We can’t wait to hear you jingle all the way.   

TRIVIA NIGHTS   

Date: Every Friday, Nov. 15-Dec. 20   

Time: 8-10 pm   

Grab all your “Whos” (who know all the “whats”) and join us every Friday for trivia at Winter Nights, hosted by Challenge Entertainment! First, second and third place will win prizes. See below for themes.    

Nov. 15 – The Grinch   

Nov. 22 – General Knowledge   

Nov. 29 – Holiday Movies   

Dec. 6 – General Knowledge   

Dec. 13 – Millennial Night   

Dec. 20 – General Knowledge   

LIVE MUSIC   

Date: Every Saturday, Nov. 16-Dec. 21   

Time: 8-10 pm   

Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell ROCK! Join us for covers, original music and holiday songs by talented local musicians. See below for artist lineup.   

Nov. 16 – Travis Kidd   

Nov. 23 – TJ Scarlett   

Nov. 30 – TBD   

Dec. 7 – Who Shot JR   

Dec. 14 – Dane Ervin   

Dec. 21 – TJ Scarlett   

FAMILY FUN NIGHTS PRESENTED BY COX MOBILE 

Date: Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday Nov. 14-21 (excluding Thanksgiving)   

Time: 6-8pm   

Winter Nights isn’t just for adults this year. In fact, every evening we have something special to offer the kiddos in your life! Thursdays are craft nights, Fridays are full of board games and movies, and Saturdays are story times with celebrity guests. We’ll also have kid-friendly snacks for sale, like kettle corn, pretzel bites, hot chocolate, s’mores and ice cream.  And while you’re here, parents – check out our delicious cocktail menu! Mocktails are also available.   

Nov. 14 – Craft Night   

Nov. 15 – Family Game Night   

Nov. 16 – Story time with Jason Suel of Good Day NWA and Later with Jason Suel  

Nov. 21 – Craft Night   

Nov. 22 – Family Game Night with special guest Inspyral Circus “Elf”   

Nov. 23 – Story time with Jasmine Hudson of Black Paper Party and BlackownedNWA   

Nov. 29 – Family Game Night    

Nov. 30 – Story time with Papa Rap  

Dec. 5 – Craft Night   

Dec. 6 – Holiday Movie Night: Frozen with special guests Inspyral Circus “Snow King & Queen”   

Dec. 7 - Story time with Gwen Rockwood & Shannon Magsam of NWAMotherlode.com   

Dec. 8 – Family Game Night   

Dec. 12 – Craft Night   

Dec. 13 – Holiday Movie Night: The Nightmare Before Christmas with special guests Inspyral Circus “Jack & Sally”   

Dec. 14 – Story time with 40/29 News Anchor Lakyra Banks

Dec. 19 – Craft Night   

Dec. 20 – Family Game Night   

Dec. 21 – Story time with KFSM Channel 5 News Anchor Daren Bobb 

New Holly Jolly Holiday Classes at Winter Nights

Not even the Grinch can steal our holiday cheer! Winter Nights will return to Walton Arts Center Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays Nov. 14-Dec. 21. This festive, family-friendly holiday bar and gathering space open 6 pm-midnight offers indoor and outdoor seating options surrounded by twinkly holiday décor to get you into the spirit of the season.   

New to Winter Nights this year are several hands-on holiday classes that will help you become a top holiday hostess this year. Learn more about each class below! 

Holiday Lights Cocktail Class  

'Tis the season to get lit! After the annual lighting event at Lights of the Ozarks on the Square, join us and keep the holiday cheer going with a special Holiday Lights Cocktail Class on Friday, Nov. 22 at 7 pm. For $45 you’ll enjoy light, festive bites while learning how to mix two holiday cocktails that will dazzle your party guests all season long.   

The holiday spirit doesn’t stop there! You’ll also get to sip and savor a flight of Winter Nights cocktails, featuring seasonal favorites that are sure to light up your night! You'll leave with cocktail recipes, bright holiday memories and maybe even some new friends! Must be 21 or older to participate.  

Meus Centerpiece Workshop  

Get your home holiday-ready with a floral arrangement that’s sure to impress! Join us for a holiday floral workshop on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 6:30 pm where you'll learn tips and tricks from the expert florists at Meus Floral Studio. While crafting your own gorgeous holiday arrangement, you’ll also enjoy a wine and cheese pairing to inspire your next gathering.   

The workshop includes all floral arrangement supplies including the vessel, one beverage of your choice, three wine and cheese pairings and light holiday snacks! Get ready to host the ultimate holiday party with beautiful blooms and delicious bites for only $95 per person. Limited space remains! 

Winter Nights Cocktail Classes 

You also can get tickets for our Winter Nights Cocktail Classes at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, Nov. 14 and Thursday, Nov. 14 and at 6 pm on Friday, Nov. 15. For $39 you’ll learn to make two specialty drinks while enjoying light appetizers from Fayetteville High School’s Brightwater culinary students and be out in plenty of time for the show or to grab dinner on Dickson Street.   

Level up your holiday activities this winter at Walton Arts Center! Reserve your spot in our new holiday classes now at waltonartscenter.org or by calling the box office at 479.443.5600 weekdays 10 am-5 pm.  

Shake Up Your Nights At Walton Arts Center

Kettle Corntini - just one drink you'll learn to make in December in honor of the Broadway show, Shucked!

Cheers to a fun time! Our hands-on cocktail classes are the perfect opportunity for a unique date night, an iconic girls’ night out or really any celebration worth toasting.  

Purchase a cocktail class for $39 and our experts will teach you to make two specialty drinks. You’ll enjoy light appetizers while learning about each spectacular cocktail and its ingredients. Your mixologist will provide everything you need to create Instagram-worthy craft cocktails. 

It’s a night of great memories and new friends! Don’t forget to take home the cocktail recipe cards and impress your friends at the next dinner party with your new mixology skills.  

 A cocktail class in action!

Add-on a cocktail class to a show ticket and experience an immersive night at the theater for Beetlejuice, Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical, Shucked, Funny Girl, Back to the Future The Musical or Book of Mormon.  Want to explore more on your night out? Grab your cocktail class tickets and then make plans to start or end your night with an amazing meal at any of the iconic restaurants in Fayetteville’s Entertainment District.  

Purchase tickets at www.waltonartscenter.org or by calling 479.443.5600. 


Pick a cocktail class (or six) and explore the art of mixology! 

OctobeR

Thursday, Oct. 24 at 5:30 pm 

Friday, Oct. 25 at 6:30 pm

Saturday, Oct. 26 at 6:30 pm 

NovembeR

Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 5:30 pm

Thursday, Nov. 14 at 5:30 pm 

Friday, Nov. 15 at 6 pm 

December

Thursday, Dec. 19 at 5:30 pm 

Friday, Dec. 20 at 6:30 pm

Saturday, Dec. 21 at 6:30 pm 

February

Friday, Feb. 21 at 6:30 pm

Saturday, Feb. 22 at 6:30 pm 

Sunday, Feb. 23 at 6 pm 

March

Thursday, March 20 at 5:30 pm 

Friday, March 21 at 6:30 pm

Saturday, March 22 at 6:30 pm 

April

Thursday, April 10 at 5:30 pm 

Friday, April 11 at 6:30 pm

Saturday, April 12 at 6:30 pm