A closer look at the cast of Jersey Boys!

We LOVE Broadway here at Walton Arts Center, so it’s no surprise that we are eagerly anticipating the kick off to this year’s Procter & Gamble Broadway Series with eight performances of Jersey Boys, September 3 – 8!  

Jersey Boys has everything a good all-American story needs: climb to fame, success and Rock and Roll! This musical chronicles the story of how four blue-collared kids became Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, the Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. The show is complete with classic hits from the Four Seasons, such as “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “December 1963 (Oh What a Night).”  

We wanted to learn more about the crew of the smash hit that gained over 42 major accolades, including the 2006 Tony Award® for Best Musical, the 2006 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Show Album and the 2009 Olivier Award for Best New Musical! We are going to focus on the impressive cast today, and then later this week we will take a look at the awe-inspiring creative team that has developed this sensational production! 

The Four Seasons are played by Nick Cosgrove (Frankie Valli), Jason Kappus (Bob Gaudio), Nicolas Dromard (Tommy DeVito) and Brandon Andurs (Nick Massi). These four actors have gained experience with shows ranging from Broadway to regional productions.    

Nick Cosgrove

Off-Broadway: Where’s Charley? (Encores!)

Regional productions: Joseph…Technicolor Dreamcoat (Joseph), Sound of Music (Rolf) and Snapshots (Danny).  

Nick Cosgrove as Frankie Valli. Photo: Jeremy Daniel

Jason Kappus

Broadway: American Idiot

National tours: Legally Blonde

Regional shows: Catch Me if You Can, West Side Story, Hairspray and High School Musical 

Jason Kappus as Bob Gaudio. Photo: Jeremy Daniel

Nicolas Dromard

Broadway: Mary Poppins (Bert) 

Three national tours

Four regional shows  

(From left): Brandon Andrus, Nick Cosgrove, Jason Kappus and Nicolas Dromard as the Four Seasons. Photo: Jeremy Daniel

Brandon Andrus

National tours: Oklahoma! (Curly)

Other shows: Xanadu (Sonny), All Shook Up (Chad), Damn Yankees (Rocky), Annie Get Your Gun (Frank), Camelot (Sir Lionel), Illyria (Duke Orsino), Romeo & Juliet: The Musical (Capulet), Snow White an Enchanting Musical (The Prince) and Guiding Light (Tucker)

(From left): Jason Kappus, Nicolas Dromard, Nick Cosgrove and Brandon Andrus perform "Sherry." Photo: Jeremy Daniel

You will not want to miss seeing this amazing cast in action! Be sure to check back later this week to read more about the creative team of Jersey Boys! For tickets, call the Walton Arts Center box office at 479.443.5600 or visit our website. For more information on Jersey Boys, visit jerseyboysinfo.com.  

Student Engagement with Colgate Classroom Series

Walton Arts Center believes it is vital to expose children to the arts.  Our Colgate Classroom Series (CCS) provides us with a way to give the children of Northwest Arkansas access to live matinee performances of theater, dance, puppetry and world music.  This year, our focused efforts allowed growth in the reach of the program and cultivated new relationships with a Rural School Initiative.   

Since 2009, our reach has doubled - with 100 schools attending CCS performances this past year.  The number of registered seats grew as well, reaching 34,000 seats, compared to 2011’s 30,000.  Our goal next year is to register more than 40,000 students for the Colgate Classroom Series. 

Students arriving at Walton Arts Center

This growth is due in part to efforts to make participation as affordable as possible for the schools.  Two types of partnerships, Smart Partners and 100% Smart Partner Schools, allow us to work with the schools through every aspect of CCS.  Both partnerships receive assistance in ticket prices, online performance guides which support classroom instruction by helping educators connect art forms with core curriculum standards, and transportation subsidies from J.B. Hunt Transportation Inc.

Another way we expanded our reach this year was by focusing on rural schools in NWA. Of the 15 schools targeted, one third attended CCS performances, including Gentry, Pea Ridge, Farmington, West Fork and Decatur. Rural schools in the area account for 5500 students, and we are happy to have made great contacts in order to reach these students in years to come.  The goal next year is to have participation from at least half of these schools.   

Hakim Bekkam from Caravanserai interacts with students

The Colgate Classroom Series gives every NWA school and their students access to world-class arts. Through research with the University of Arkansas we’re learning more about how attending live performances at Walton Arts Center benefits students.  In a recent research project, Junior High School students from Bentonville and Springdale who attended performances at Walton Arts Center as part of elementary school, were surveyed. The results were impressive. Students who attended more performances demonstrated more positive student values, including greater tolerance and empathy and were more likely to read for pleasure compared to students who attended less or not at all. This research begins to quantify some of the many important benefits the arts have for students.   

Students watching the CCS performance of STOMP

CCS performances are chosen for their ability to enrich class curriculum. To make the process easier for participating schools, we provide a list of the shows offered, a brief synopsis of each and the suggested grade levels that are appropriate for the shows. This past year a few of the select shows were Boats, Grug and Dinosaur Petting Zoo.  We are excited to further expand the CCS reach this next year with theater performances like Digging Up Arkansas, dance productions like Company Käfig and world music demonstrations like AnDa Union!  

For a complete listing of the upcoming Colgate Classroom Series, and to learn more about the program, visit our website. 

Learning & Engagement at Walton Arts Center

Here at Walton Arts Center, we strive to positively impact our community through learning and engagement.  One of our main goals is to strengthen school learning communities through arts integration teacher training by to sharing model arts integration programs with the State education community.

One way we reach this goal is by training teachers throughout the area on how to creatively integrate education about the arts into their classroom lesson plans.  There are three main programs designed for these teachers: AWE Institute, SmART Residency and ARTeacher Fellowship.

ARTeacher Fellows

This year’s ARTeacher Fellowship was held June 19-21.  Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, the Northwest Arkansas Education Service Cooperative and the Center for Children and Youth joined the Walton Arts Center in an effort to provide this exemplary professional development. The Center for Children and Youth selected 27 Jr. high and high school literacy and social studies teachers to participate in the program, and they will implement the arts integration strategies across their curriculums for a year.

ARTeacher Fellows studied with The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presenter, Randy Barron; Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art School Programs Manager, Anne Krybill; and University of Arkansas’ Center for Children and Youth, Hung Pham and Dr. Chris Goering.

ARTeacher Fellowship teachers participating in an art integration strategy for the classroom

Last year, the ARTeacher Fellowship reached nearly 500 students with 10 teachers participating in the program, so there are great expectations for the impact this year’s 27 trained educators will have on Northwest Arkansas students.

Teachers being trained through the ARTeacher Fellowship with small group practices

All three programs have yielded positive results in the classroom, for teachers and students alike, all the while keeping the arts alive in schools.  Teachers have noticed that students respond well to art integration strategies with better attitudes, eagerness to participate and an overall preference to the strategies over traditional ones.  Teachers that have participated in the programs say they have gained confidence teaching literacy and social studies with the art integration strategies and 90% believe their teaching skills have improved through the training.

We are excited to see the talented teachers integrate the arts into their curriculum this upcoming school year!  To learn more about the arts integration teaching training programs, visit our website. 

Artosphere Festival Orchestra {sneak preview}

We had the honor of getting a sneak preview of the Artosphere Festival Orchestra performances while sitting on stage as they rehearsed this morning!  Under direction of Conductor Corrado Rovaris, the orchestra prepared Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92 for Friday night’s Evening of Beethoven concert at the Walton Arts Center.

AFO Rehearsal

With a “buon giorno” and a raise of his arms, Rovaris gained the full attention of the orchestra and the rehearsal began.  They played through the entire piece once, and then went back to perfect sections in order to express the emotion that Beethoven wanted to convey to the audience.  Rovaris described what was wanted by the musicians through a series of arm movements, humming sequences, facial expressions and a few words.  The musicians would listen intently to his instruction then play the notes even more beautifully than the first time.

Sitting on the left of the bassoonists and clarinetist, in front of the trumpets and timpani and behind an array of strings was an amazing experience.  The musicians that created the full, put-together orchestra sound were heard individually on stage.  It goes without saying, that the individual sounds were just as wonderful standing alone as with the entire group.  

AFO Musicians

It was interesting to hear the conversation that emerged between the woodwinds, brass, percussion and strings.  Call/answer sections were frequently featured that included a group of woodwinds and a group of strings.  The woodwinds would let their reed vibrations ring through the hall, answered by the sharpness of the bow against the strings. 

From our vantage point, we also saw the visual aspects that go into a performance.  Rovaris acted as a type of choreographer for the bows and fingers that controlled the instruments’ sounds.  The musicians also mimicked Rovaris’ facial expressions to add to the meaning behind the music.     

Music Director, Corrado Rovaris

After the musicians had perfected the emotions that they are to perform for the audience tomorrow night, Rovaris concluded the rehearsal with a flick of his wrist and baton.

This series of Artosphere Festival Orchestra performances is a must-see!  For more information about the concert series and to reserve tickets for the festival events visit our website, or call the box office at 479.443.5600. 

Walton Arts Center mourns the loss of artist Lee Littlefield

Walton Arts Center was saddened to hear last week of the death of sculptor Lee Littlefield. Littlefield taught Arkansas educators at the 2006 Arts With Education Institute at Walton Arts Center. His teaching inspired classroom teachers and their students to be a part of a public art project, Walton Arts Center’s public art initiative, I-540Flowers: Cultivating the Northwest Arkansas Neighborhood.

Installing I-540 Flowers

Working with Littlefield and Community Creative Center artist, Susan Hutchcroft and John F. Kennedy Center Arts Integration consultant, Sean Layne, AWE teachers designed, fabricated and installed a public sculpture in front of Nadine Baum Studios. The installation was celebrated with a teacher tableau at the conclusion of AWE Institute. I-540 Flowers featured Littlefield’s whimsical sculpture along the 540 corridor between Fayetteville and Bentonville and celebrated the role of public art in Northwest Arkansas. Lee Littlefield is fondly remembered in Northwest Arkansas.

Installing I-540 Flowers

To learn more about his life and legacy here, and to view how his art impacted the Walton Arts Center, along with all of Northwest Arkansas read I-540 Flowers.

The Art of Wine

In spirit of the Art of Wine Festival this weekend, we decided to brush up on our wine sipping techniques!  Every aspect of drinking wine is outlined from which glasses to use with specific wines, to what food tastes best with wines and there is even a wine family tree! Luckily, we have some handy charts to help explain the vast world of wine.

Image via Wine FollyWith the exception of a tumbler, there are three basic components to a wine glass; bowl, stem and foot.  How large the bowl is, how long the stem is and how wide the foot is determines which glasses best suit different wines.  

Image via Pinterest These guidelines show just how much wine ends up in your glass. This is especially useful when hosting dinners so you know how much you are serving your guests and how much is going into the food you are preparing. {As noted in the image, don't forget to treat yourself!}

Image via Wine Folly Did you know that the easiest foods to match to a wide variety of wines are starches? Or how about that the hardest foods to match with wines are an assortment of vegetables and chocolate? Here is the breakdown of what to eat with certain wines. Review this chart before your next meal to ensure a perfect blend of food and drink!

Image via PinterestThe ever-popular wine and cheese combination is explained with this wheel diagram. Take note of a few cheeses that go well with both a red and white wine, for example Swiss with Pinot Noir and Gewürztraminer.  

Image via Pinterest

We thought this was a fun way to show the wine family tree! Refer back to this periodic table of wine the next time you are in question of the origin and color of a specific wine.  

These tips to being a connoisseur of wine will definitely come in handy at the Art of Wine Festival events, June 13 – 15, and tickets are still available. Join us for a fun weekend of tasting delicious wines and enjoying the finest cuisine!  

Jeff Schomburger's Guest Commentary

This article can be read in the Sunday, June 9 edition of the Northwest Arkansas Times, or by visiting NWA Online.  

CHAIRMAN: VISION TO CREATE A QUALITY OF LIFE IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS THAT IS SECOND TO NONE

By JEFF SCHOMBURGER

My family and I have lived in Fayetteville for 10 years and I have served on the Walton Arts Center Board for the past nine, including the last four years as chairman.

Growth at the arts center has been tremendous since its inception, and the past few years have been particularly exciting. The amount of discussion I’ve heard about the Walton Arts Center recently is particularly empowering as it underscores the widespread passion and commitment we all feel for it.

Our vision is to create a quality of life in Northwest Arkansas that is second to none by drawing worldclass arts and entertainment to our region. As we grow, our donors and patrons continue to ask for more programming options. From a business standpoint, we want to ensure Northwest Arkansas, and WaltonArts Center specifi cally, can get the same type of entertainment as Kansas City, St. Louis or Tulsa. We need more space to make this a reality. Our board made a deliberate decision to pursue a strategy of regional facility growth to meet these needs. Renovating Walton Arts Center on Dickson Street is the linchpin of that strategy as this facility is the cornerstone of our organization. We host nearly 350 events a year at WAC, and we see that number growing significantly in the future. I was pleased that at our last board meeting we passed amotion authorizing staff to begin the capital campaign for our $20 million-plus renovation of Walton Arts Center’s Fayetteville campus.

We will see a complete transformation in the next few years on Dickson Street.

We also made a decision to proceed with building a new Arkansas Music Pavilion.

The AMP is a project I have been particularly passionate about. People have asked me, however, how it fits into our plans.

We purchased the AMP nearly three years ago for two reasons: 1) large-scale popular concerts are the No. 1 unmet entertainment need in Northwest Arkansas, and if WAC manages it, we ensure we can program complementary acts and meet community demand; and 2) concerts are profitable. WAC is a nonprofit organization and every year, we raise nearly 50 percent of our annual budget from donations. Whenmoney comes in from AMP concerts, we can use that money to support our most important programs in the community - like engaging more than 50,000 school students in art programming and presenting our 10-by-10 arts series, for which tickets are only $10.

As excited as I am about the AMP, some people have told me they felt uninformed about the process around our decision to locate the AMP at Pinnacle Hills in Rogers. For that, I am sorry. I value constructive feedback, as does our staff , and changes are under way in response. As a nonprofi t arts organization, we rely on broad-based community support and our goal is to always be open and transparent. We shared Mrs. Johnelle Hunt’s gift of land with our board back in May 2012. Our facilities and executive committees met many times over the past 12 months to discuss the AMPand guide staff in the due diligence process. Recent funding for the project was secured, prompting immediate consideration by our full board. We feel confident with our decision.

But we recognize our community wants to be more engaged. In response to this, we will work to expand our communication and engagement eff orts.

I hope you will watch for public input sessions (some have already occurred) on both the WAC expansion and the AMP. Check the Walton Arts Center website for more continuous updates on the planning process, and look for proactive summaries coming out of our board meetings. If you have other ideas for how we can better communicate, I invite you to contact me.

Fayetteville is WAC’s home and, as we grow, will remain our operating headquarters.

With the majority of the arts center staff and 12 of the 20WAC board members living in Fayetteville, we value the character and artistic integrity that makes this community uniquely ours.

We recognize the support of our partners - the city of Fayetteville, the University of Arkansas and visionaries who made Walton Arts Center a reality more than 20 years ago. All of our growth strategies are predicated around ensuring Walton Arts Center remains the best performing arts center in Arkansas and beyond.

My family loves Walton Arts Center and Dickson Street. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to serve on the board and I look forward to exciting new arts endeavors in Fayetteville and around Northwest Arkansas.

JEFF SCHOMBURGER IS CHAIRMAN OF THE WALTON ARTS CENTER BOARD AND PRESIDENT OF THE GLOBAL WALMART TEAM FOR PROCTER & GAMBLE.

Bringing War Horse to life on stage

We are excited for the War Horse performances next week!  In preparation for the shows, we learned how the puppet Joey works from diagrams provided by The Washington Post.  The puppet is intricate and the puppeteers work hard to bring the horse to life on stage. 

Joey's Head

Joey's Heart

Joey's Hind

Joey's Characteristics The Evolution of Joey

To reserve your tickets for War Horse, visit our website, and to read the full article visit The Washington Post.

Q&A with DanceBrazil - Part 2!

We learned a little about the life of a dancer from Willians Ferreira last week, now Jorlan Gama, a member of DanceBrazil for two years, talks about capoeira, himself and dance. Thanks Jorlan! 

Catch Jorlan and the other DanceBrazil members in our next 10x10 performance Friday, March 1 at 8pm.

Jorlan Gama, a member of DanceBrazil 

 1. What is capoeira?  Explain the role of capoeira in the dances of the company?

Capoeira is a source of energy and inspiration.

2. How do the dancers train?

I can say really hard, 6 days in the week and 6 hours per day.

3. What role does dance have in the lives of Brazilians?

A beautiful display of our culture, acting as an important agent of social and educational growth.

4. What is your favorite thing about being part of Dance Brazil?

To be part of the most diverse dance company in the world and dance my culture through a contemporary view.

5. Do you have an artist you love that might surprise us?

I would say Deborah Colker Dance Company.

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

Theatre, music and musicals.

7. Is there something you enjoy collecting?

The way of acting.

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

At Joyce Theater, the energy of the audience is magnificent.

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

My parents, always guided me in this artistic trajectory.

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

Engineering.

11.  Fill in the blank; Dance is____?

...to live without barriers, embrace the infinite.

Watch Jorlan and the rest of DanceBrazil defy gravity on Friday, March 1!

Q&A with DanceBrazil

“Rejecting gravity for over 30 years” – what a powerful claim! If you’ve ever seen DanceBrazil in action, you know how amazing their feats are!

These amazing dancers show audiences a fusion of Afro-Brazilian movement, contemporary dance and Capoeira, a traditional and complex martial art that combines dance and music. Interestingly, capoeira originated as a form of self defense! You can find out more in this article from The New York Times.

DanceBrazil will take the stage in Baum Walker Hall as one of our last 10x10 performances this season on Friday, March 1 at 8pm.

Willians Ferreira, one of the members of DanceBrazil, took some time to answer our questions about dance in his life. Thanks Willians!

 1. How do the dancers train?

I believe that the most important part of a dancer’s training is discipline and professionalism.

2. What is your favorite thing about being part of Dance Brazil?

DanceBrazil is known for being one of the most professional companies in Brazil. I am very happy to be dancing with the company this year.

3. Do you have an artist you love that might surprise us?

My inspiration is Desmond Richardson, of the American dance company “Complexions”.

4. What kinds of art has been an inspiration to you?

After dance, I like music a lot!

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

It was in Miami because it was my first real professional dance job. It was a very emotional experience for me!

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

To always have discipline and to be professional no matter where or what you do in life!

7. Fill in the blank; Dance is _____?

...my life and I love to do it!

Come see Willians and the rest of DanceBrazil on Friday, March 1!

Local children to star in The Nutcracker

Whhhhoo, whhhhoo Sorry, had to blow the dust off this ol' blog. But, today we're back with some exciting news!

A couple of weeks ago we held auditions for performers, ages 6-10 years, for the children’s cast of Moscow Classical Ballet's The Nutcracker, playing here Friday, December 21 - Sunday, December 23. We had a great turnout for the auditions, and all the kids were so adorable. It definitely made it a difficult choice! So, without further ado, here are the local children that will be in all four performances of The Nutcracker:

Brinklee Backes

Lillebeth Backes

Caroline Blake

Juliana Britt

Katie Drake

Julianna Ferguson

Madison Gates

Ella Kestner

Julia Rain Sowerwine

Olivia Wood

Alternates:

Ella Britt

Celeste Margnerire Dearnley

Congratulations to all! And a big thanks to everyone that came out for the auditions.

You can come watch these local performers during Moscow Classical Ballet's The Nutcracker, running December 21 - 23. After all, what's a holiday without Clara, The Mouse King and the Sugar Plum Fairy?

Q&A with Cantus

Have you heard the story of the Christmas truce of 1914? It centers on a remarkable World War I respite between Allied Forces and German soldiers in “no man's land” on Christmas, 1914. You can read more about it in this article from the Minnesota Post.

This incredible story is being brought to life on our stage as the next performance in our 10x10 Arts Series. A collaboration between one of America's finest professional male vocal ensemble, Cantus, and one the most innovative theater companies touring today, Theater Latte Da, "All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914" will be performed on Thursday, November 29 at 7pm.

Aaron Humble, one of the members of Cantus, took time out to answer some of our questions about this collaboration, and more. Thank you Aaron!

CantusQ&A WITH AARON HUMBLE OF CANTUS:

1. What makes this collaboration so special/unique?  

Cantus is a collaborative chamber ensemble and Theater Latte Da often brings elements of the workshop into the rehearsal room. Writer and Director Peter Rothstein brought all of the materials to the table but the show was really put together with all of the artists in the room. It's also rare to find a theatrical production where all of the music – feature pieces and underscoring – are provided by the human voice.

2. How has this performances influenced your thoughts and opinions about current wars?

I'm thrilled that these wars are winding down. But when we started performing All is Calm several years ago, there was no end in sight for either war. What struck me was that this incredible moment is now all but impossible: Brave soldiers walking into the middle of "no man's land" with their hands raised singing Christmas Carols. Even though they were enemies they shared many commonalities – even a few familiar tunes. As we've found ourselves involved in wars in the Middle East, it's a culture that is so unfamiliar to most of us: The language, the religion, and the customs. It's harder to find a commonality and thus easier to always view these fellow human beings as "the enemy." If any brave man or woman tried to lay down his or her weapon in a modern battle field, they would be shot if they tried to approach the opposing side. And in reality, most of the time they're not even in the same vicinity.  

3. How does the group prepare before each show? 

When we arrive at the venue we check in with the tech folks to make sure they don't have any questions for the basic tech needs of the show. From there we do a sound check and rehearse anything that might need a little tweaking for ensemble or timing. Then we have dinner together and get dressed. There's a wonderful camaraderie between the members of show.

4. What special traditions or rituals does Cantus have?

Everybody has their own routine. Cantus and the actors that come with us do not do any group rituals or routines other than a "huddle" before the show. We huddle together, give a few notes or words of wisdom and do our own version of "go team" with whatever someone calls out before the huddle ends.

5. Which musical artist’s voice do you find most captivating?

My all-time favorite singer is Fritz Wunderlich, a long dead German tenor. More recently, Ruth Ann Swenson and Renee Fleming.  

6. Last song listened to on your Ipod?

Hmmm.  Probably Herbert Howells’ Magnificat and Nunc Dimitis “Collegium Regale.”

7. What’s your favorite Holiday memory?

Every year we bring All is Calm to about 10,000 people.  In recent years, my favorite holiday memory is bringing a show that is poignant and not "saccharine" like so much holiday programming is today. Seeing how much this story has meant to people has been really inspiring.  

Cantus and Theater Latte Da in "All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914"

8. What kinds of art has been an inspiration to you?

More than I have time to list. More than anything, I'm inspired by art that speaks to people. Art that is meaningful, not obtuse. 

9. Is there something you enjoy collecting?

Hymnals!

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

Cantus once sang in a sculpture called the Sky Pesher at the Walker Art Museum in Minneapolis. It was as full as it could be with maybe 35 people. We did some improvising and there was just an incredible energy in the room.

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

Most of us just love to cook when we're at home because we eat out so much on the road. I'm a big fan of turkey burgers. I'm always coming up with new ways to make them tasty!

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

A lot of voice teachers have a poster that says "if you're not practicing someone else is." It's not enough to be a great voice, you have to be a great musician and you have to be incredibly prepared. People don't have time to wait for you to catch up even if you're super talented!

13. Do you have a favorite sport or team that you enjoy watching and supporting?

I grew up in Northeast Ohio near Cleveland. If there's any lesson you learn there from professional sports it's humility... and knowing how to be a good loser!

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

Maybe an architect.  

Come see Aaron and the rest of the Cantus group perform with Theater Latte Da in "All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914" this Thursday, November 29!

"Being Billy"

Last time we shared a video with you about "Finding Billy," and the process the Billy Elliot The Musical team goes through to find their leading role. Today, it's all about the Billy's! Let's take a look at what it's like "Being Billy."

Are you as impressed with these boys as we are? I mean, really, they're amazing. And to top it all off, they're so young! We are so excited to have this show here in Northwest Arkansas in just a couple of weeks. Come see Billy Elliot The Musical at Walton Arts Center Tuesday, December 4 - Sunday, December 9 and see how these boys SHINE on the stage!

Kylend Hetherington (Billy) and Rich Hebert (Dad) in “Billy Elliot the Musical.” Photo by Kyle Froman

Billy Elliot The Musical Giveaway!

Billy Elliot The Musical is such a fantastic show, and we are really looking forward to having it here in Northwest Arkansas. The New York Post called Billy Elliot "The best show you will ever see!"

Since we're so excited about this show, and we wanted to do a little something to shake up our blog...we decided to have a giveaway for Billy Elliot!!

It's super-duper easy to enter, and we will choose two winners who will each receive two (2) tickets to opening night of Billy Elliot The Musical on Tuesday, December 4 at 7pm. Just follow the steps below to enter, and you can receive more entries by completing the "extras" outlined in the instructions. The contest will run through Tuesday, November 27, and we will notify the winners by Wednesday, November 28. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul - A crowd pleaser!

Last night was another awesome night on our 10x10 Arts Series! Eileen Ivers was AH-mazing on the fiddle, and Immigrant Soul was a fantastic band.

We had a great response from our patrons both during the show and after, at the post-show party in the lobby. Check out what they had to say:

Our next 10x10 Arts Series performance is on Thursday, November 29 at 7pm; Cantus and Theater Latte Da present All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914. Don't miss this inspiring production that recalls the remarkable World War I truce between Allied Forces and German soldiers in “no man's land” on Christmas, 1914.

Billy Elliot the Musical: Finding Billy

Fresh off our run of Shrek: The Musical, we’re getting excited for our next Broadway performance; Billy Elliot The Musical! Billy Elliot will be here for eight performances, beginning Tuesday, December 4, and running through Sunday, December 9.

A little background on the show for you: Billy Elliot is a small town boy in northern England, who finds his way from the boxing ring to ballet class. At 11 years old, Billy isn’t sure how to handle his surprising talent, but manages to shine with his community behind him.

Now, about those boys that play Billy in the show. Would you believe that many of them are just 'regular' kids? Not classically trained dancers, or professional theatre performers, but just boys that have auditioned when the opportunity arose in their town? We were fascinated by this information!

Here's a little peek into "Finding Billy."

Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul - Q&A

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

4. What’s the bands favorite beers?

Eileen: Negro Modelo

Greg: Newcastle Brown Ale

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

Lindsey: A Guiness is tough to beat

Tommy: Root ...beer

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

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

6. Who are your musical inspirations?

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

7. Most favorite place travelled around the world?

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

8. Last movie you watched?

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

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

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

10. Is there something you enjoy collecting?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Letters Home - Part 2

Last week we shared a few stories from area military families that they sent in for our Letters Home ticket giveaway with KNWA. Today we've got the grand prize entry, submitted by Kathleen Villar, as we get ready for this Veterans’ Day weekend.

Congratulations, Kathleen!

Zach Kenney in Letters Home“The ability of one letter to truly change my entire life still amazes me.

In December 2004, I was a young teacher working tirelessly to stamp out ignorance, and hoping one day to be a wife and mother. I had written myself off as a spinster, despite my mother’s promise that this would be “my year.” I didn't have time to date, didn't have any prospects and was so picky I knew that Mr. Right just wasn’t in Northwest Arkansas.  Little did I know, he was actually halfway around the world, about to open a letter that would change our lives. 

A military brat, I had always grown up with a deep appreciation for the men and women in the armed services. In the fall of 2004, I learned about an organization, AnySoldier.com, which provided addresses of soldiers overseas who wanted mail or items for themselves and their fellow soldiers. They would post and you could choose where to send your letter or package. I began writing letters in October and continued through the holidays. I even encouraged my students to write letters. It was in December that I came across a posting that said,

‘I am representing my team of 6 soldiers. We are a fairly tight team. We live at a Provincial Reconstruction Team in Farah, AF. As of now we live and work in a cinder block structure that was built by the Afghans. We do have electricity and running water, so things aren't too bad here. It certainly could and has been worse.’

That night (Dec. 4, 2004) I sat down and wrote a heartfelt letter to that soldier thanking him for his service, letting him know that he was in my thoughts and telling him about my life here in Arkansas. I knew nothing about him, but didn’t care. I wanted him to know he was appreciated and his sacrifice was being acknowledged.

The holidays came and went that year. School began again and then on Jan. 11th an email appeared in my inbox from someone named Cody. I was shocked and hadn’t expected to hear back from my letter and yet here was a reply. He wrote me a long email about his family, his work in Afghanistan as a counter intelligence agent and his hopes for the future. I remember printing it out and taking it to my mom to read. It was an amazing letter and led me to want to know more about him. I admit it didn't escape me that he was single!

I emailed him back and before I knew it, we were corresponding each day, sometimes 2-3 times. We exchanged pictures of ourselves and our families.  I learned how to make short web cam videos after he sent me one showing me his living conditions. I showed him my living room and my dog. Then one night, I emailed him and instantly received a reply asking if I knew how to use instant messaging. I didn’t. Through email he guided me through the steps and that night we “chatted” for hours. Between mid-January and May we chatted almost every day, we talked on the phone when he could find a satellite phone to use, and I grew to know the man behind the letter.

We continued to chat and talk on the phone right up until his deployment ended. We planned for him to come immediately to Fayetteville and visit. Although we had already decided that we ‘liked” each other, we were adult enough to realize that a face to face meeting was a must before we took the relationship any further. On May 25th Cody arrived in the states and just two days later I picked him up at XNA. We spent Memorial Day weekend together and both realized that what we had was real, but we only had three days together.

Cody returned to his unit for deactivation and a move to Arizona, where he would teach at the military intelligence school. I left for a month-long teacher exchange program in China. We didn’t know exactly how we would make our relationship work, but we knew we wanted to be together.

It is true that absence makes the heart grow fonder. I returned from China at the end of June with a whopping phone bill and hopes of a wedding in the near future. Cody had changed his plans to work in Arizona and had moved to Fayetteville. Cody asked me to marry him with a beautiful ring just one day after I returned from China. We had only been “together” for four days, but I had known him much longer and said yes. We married four months later surrounded by family and friends.

We have been married now for seven years and they have been the happiest years of my life.  We are now a family of four and I couldn’t ask for a more loving father for our children.  I continue to be amazed that through just one letter our paths crossed and I found my true love.”

--Submitted by Kathleen Villar

Cameron Harms in Letters HomeJoin us this Sunday, November 11 at 2pm to hear letters from soldiers, and gain a new perspective on the lives of our troops, at Letters Home!

Letters Home - Commemorating Veteran's Day Part 1

Walton Arts Center is having a special presentation to honor our nation’s troops this Veteran’s Day; Sunday, November 11. Letters Home takes the experiences of soldiers beyond the politics of war, and takes viewers into the lives of the men and women serving our country. The production is based on an HBO documentary and an Op-Ed article in The New York Times called “The Things They Wrote.”

We partnered with KNWA, asking area residents to share their stories and memories as it relates to war, and the service. Below are some of the pieces that members of our community shared.

Christian Blackburn & Lynda Shadrake in Letters Home“I met my husband after he was out of the Army almost a year. That was in 1990, and right before Desert Storm. After just a few months, he was called back. Fortunately it was over very quick and he didn't go overseas. He did however have all the vaccinations. Within months he started having pain and swelling in his ankles. As time went on it would come and go and progressed to his knees, hips and back. They tested gimmick several times and could not determine what it was.

After about 14 years of this they did diagnose it as rheumatoid arthritis. After research we found it was likely caused by the anthrax vaccine. We have filed and been denied VA disability 4 times because they will only pay for diagnosed issues. Even after all of that he would go back today and serve again if they would let him. He is an amazing man, husband and father to our 3 kids!”

-- Submitted by Dana A. Splichal

“My husband, Capt Sean Kreps is active duty Air Force. He decided to join after when had been married about 9 months. We just celebrated our 20 year anniversary this past June.

Over the years he has been all over the world and we have lived in many different places. I remember him being in basic training back in 1993 and we lived off letters. I would write him 2 or 3 times a day! Letters are the best gifts for our military! They lift their spirits and let them know they are loved and appreciated As we've spent more time apart thru the years and with 3 kids I thank God for technology!

When Sean had to live in Turkey for a year or was deployed to IRAQ we were able to use the computers to keep in touch. Email and Skype kept my husband close to me and up to date on everything with our three kids. He is now stationed in Fayetteville at the University of Arkansas with the Air Force ROTC.

My husband and family have sacrificed a lot over the last 20 years but the Air Force has given us so much along the way. I am so proud of my husband for serving his country.”

-- Submitted by Rachel Kreps

“My daddy was in WWII. My mother was in high school participating in a "drawing" for names to be pen pals with soldiers. She drew someone else's name but traded for Vernie Bartlett's name. For three years they wrote each other, having never met. When he returned to the USA, he immediately went to see his "pen pal". Five dates later, they were engaged. They were happily married 52 years before he passed away. It all started due to "letters home".”

--Submitted by Rosemary Butler

Check back in later this week to read the grand prize entry, and don’t forget to grab your tickets to Letters Home!

LaNisa Frederick in Letters Home

Shrek the Musical opening night review!

WOW. That's all we can say after last night's performance of Shrek the Musical. It was opening night, the hall was full, and the laughs were plenty! Check out our audience review, and we know you won't want to miss your chance to see this show while it's in Northwest Arkansas!

All your favorite characters were there; Shrek, Donkey, Fiona, Gingy - were you?

If you didn't make it last night, fear not! Shrek the Musical will be here through Sunday, November 4 and there is still time to get your tickets.