Learn, Sip & Cheers at the Jersey Boys-Inspired Cocktail Class

Venture into the artistry of cocktail creations. Our Jersey Boys-Inspired class will help you serve up something delicious, whether you’re a first-timer or a home-bartender extraordinaire.

Take your Jersey Boys show experience to the next level by adding a craft cocktail class led by the professional bar staff from Maxine’s Tap Room who will teach participants how to mix two classic craft cocktails straight out of the ‘60s! While it might not transform you into a master mixologist, you will learn tips and tricks of the trade.

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Shaken or stirred? Is there a formula for making good cocktails? How long does vermouth last?

Join bar manager and craft cocktail expert Steven Idlet, as he talks a bit about the history of these famous cocktails and shares how to make a truly satisfying cocktail sure to be a hit with you and your friends! Class will be interactive with participants having a chance to mix their own drinks. All supplies will be provided for the class, and you’ll leave with two cocktails that you have made and a memorable pre-show experience - all for just $30.

We asked craft cocktail expert Steven Idlet a few questions about the class and here are his responses below:

How is this class inspired by Jersey Boys?

- The 1960’s was an era for classic cocktails like the Manhattan and Sidecar. A time when bartenders used fresh juice and better ingredients instead of sour mix and cheap ingredients. 

Why should patrons add-on this experience to the show?

- Patrons should add on this experience to take a peak into the world of classic cocktails. It might open up a whole new way to imbibe for them. 

What makes a cocktail class setting so special- versus getting drinks before the show?

- This cocktail class will be a great way for patrons to grab a couple drinks before the show and also show people how easy it is to make a couple of delicious drinks on their own. 

What are some tips or tricks you'll share with attendants?

- I’ll be sharing some knowledge about the spirits we’re working with (whiskey, vermouth, cognac, and Cointreau) as well as the proper techniques to shake and stir a cocktail. 

Why are you excited to participate?

- I’m excited to hopefully get people to try different drinks than they might normally have. There’s nothing wrong with vodka sodas and whiskey cokes but there’s also so much more out there to try!

If you could give one final invite to patrons, what would you say to encourage them to Attend?

- This class is going to be very relaxed, low key and fun. I don’t want anyone to feel nervous or uptight about making these “fancy” drinks. I want everyone to laugh, loosen up and have a great time before taking in the show.

Craft Cocktail Class

Saturday, Oct. 6 at 6:30 pm

Must be 21 years of age or older!

*Price includes the cocktail lesson, light appetizers, and two cocktails which you will mix yourself! Class will end in plenty of time for you to make the 8 pm curtain of Jersey Boys.

Feed Your Theatrical Appetite and Learn Insider Info at Arts & Appetizers

Delight in insightful conversations hosted by Walton Arts Center's Vice President of Programs & Executive Producer, Scott Galbraith.

Along with occasional special guests, Scott will provide context, backstage stories and historical perspectives designed to enhance your theatergoing experience.

This FREE event allows you to feed your appetite with appetizers provided by Bordinos while meeting other Broadway enthusiasts and discussing the upcoming production. Register with the link below!

Jersey Boys

Arts & Apps: Monday, Sept. 24 at 7 pm

Jersey Boys is the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. This is the story of how a group of blue-collar boys from the wrong side of the tracks became one of the biggest American pop music sensations of all time. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sound and sold 175 million records worldwide – all before they were thirty years old. The musical features such Four Seasons’ hits as “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Sherry,” “Walk Like A Man,” “Oh, What A Night” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.”

Show Dates: Oct. 5-7

School of Rock

Arts & Apps: Monday, Oct. 15 at 7 pm

Based on the hit film, School of Rock – The Musical is a hilarious new musical that follows Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star who decides to earn a few extra bucks by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. School of Rock – The Musical was nominated for four 2016 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score (Lloyd Webber and Slater), Best Book (Fellowes), and Best Leading Actor in a Musical (Alex Brightman). School of Rock – The Musical also won the 2017 Oliver award for Outstanding Achievement in Music.

Show Dates: Oct. 23-28

On Your Feet!

Arts & Apps: Monday, Nov. 26 at 7 pm

Gloria Estefan has sold over 100 million records and sold out stadiums around the world. Emilio and Gloria Estefan together have won 26 Grammy Awards® – but their music is only half the story. From the heart of Havana to the streets of Miami came a cultural phenomenon unlike anything the music industry had ever seen.  ON YOUR FEET! is the new Broadway musical that follows the Estefans' journey to superstardom, set to their chart-topping, smash hits, including “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You,” “Conga,” “1-2-3,” “Get On Your Feet,” “Mi Tierra,” Don’t Want To Lose You Now,” and “Reach,” in addition to an original song written by Gloria and her daughter Emily Estefan.

Show Dates: Dec. 4-9

Falsettos

Arts & Apps: Monday, Jan. 28 at 7 pm

Falsettos revolves around the life of a charming, intelligent, neurotic gay man named Marvin, his wife, lover, about-to-be-Bar-Mitzvahed son, their psychiatrist, and the lesbians next door. It’s a hilarious and achingly poignant look at the infinite possibilities that make up a modern family… and a beautiful reminder that love can tell a million stories. This production was nominated for five Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival.

Show Dates: Feb. 8-9

A Bronx Tale

Arts & Apps: Monday, Feb. 18 at 7 pm

Based on the one-man show that inspired the now classic film, A Bronx Tale is a streetwise musical will take you to the stoops of the Bronx in the 1960s—where a young man is caught between the father he loves and the mob boss he’d love to be. Featuring an original doo-wop score, this is a tale about respect, loyalty, love and above all else- family.

Show Dates: Feb. 26- March 3

Waitress

Arts & Apps: Monday, April 1 at 7 pm

Inspired by Adrienne Shelly's beloved film, Waitress tells the story of Jenna - a waitress and expert pie maker, Jenna dreams of a way out of her small town and loveless marriage. A baking contest in a nearby county and the town's new doctor may offer her a chance at a fresh start, while her fellow waitresses offer their own recipes for happiness. But Jenna must summon the strength and courage to rebuild her own life.

Show Dates: April 9-14

CATS

Arts & Apps: Monday, May 20 at 7 pm

Rediscover CATS—the beloved musical with breathtaking music—including one of the most treasured songs in musical theater, "Memory.” Featuring new sound design, direction and choreography for a new generation — experience CATS for the first time as it begins a new life, or let it thrill you all over again!

Show Dates: May 28- June 2

Les Misérables

Arts & Apps: Monday, June 10 at 7 pm

Set against the backdrop of 19th‐century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption – a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. Featuring the thrilling score and beloved songs “I Dreamed A Dream,” “On My Own,” “Stars," “Bring Him Home,” “One Day More,” and many more, this epic and uplifting story has become one of the most celebrated musicals in theatrical history.

Show Dates: June 18-23

This Musical Will Have You ON YOUR FEET!

Gloria Estefan has sold over 100 million records, and for three decades has sold-out stadiums around the world. Together, Emilio and Gloria Estefan have won 26 Grammy Awards and paved the way for all future Latin performers in mainstream pop music, but their music is only half the story.

ON YOUR FEET! is a new Broadway musical about two people who believed in their talent, their music, each other, and became international superstars. Featuring some of the most iconic songs of the past quarter century, ON YOUR FEET! includes “Rhythm is Gonna Get You,” “Conga,” “Get on Your Feet,” “Don’t Want to Lose You Now,” “1-2-3” and “Coming Out of the Dark!” The Broadway musical boasts an equally incomparable creative team: two-time Tony Award® winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Hairspray) directs the cast with choreography by Olivier Award winner and Tony Award nominee Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys, Memphis) and an original book by Academy Award® winner Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman, The Bodyguard Musical).

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Five Reasons Why audiences love ON YOUR FEET!

• ON YOUR FEET! is first and foremost a love story

  Emilio is Gloria’s first and only love. They have been married for almost 40 years. The musical shows how they met, fell in love, and why they make such a beautiful pair who continually bring out the absolute best in the other.

• Although this is the Estefans’ real-life story, it has universal themes and appeal

  Love, triumph, adversity, pursuit of a passion, rags to riches, bonds off family and it’s all set to internationally beloved, exhilarating music.

• Gloria and Emilio’s story epitomizes the “American Dream.”

  The show chronicles their lives from first meeting in Miami, to breaking down the barriers of pop music and reaching worldwide fame, the bus accident, and finally Gloria’s triumphant return at the American Music Awards to perform “Coming Out of the Dark.”

• This is a BIG Broadway musical with a large cast and onstage band.

  In addition to those playing Gloria, Emilio, and their family, the show is full of explosive dance numbers performed by a big ensemble of Broadway’s finest dancers. The cast is made up of almost all Latinos, so this story and the Estefan legacy hits very close to home for those telling it on stage.

• Widely regarded as “the Queen of Latin Pop,” Gloria (and the Miami Sound Machine) pioneered and popularized the Latin pop genre in the United States, paving the way for future Latin artist to “crossover.”

ON YOUR FEET!

The Emilio & Gloria Estefan Broadway Musical

Dec. 4-9, 2018

“Ferociously fun, feel-good musical!” -Entertainment Weekly

High School Students Bring the Swing to NWA Jazz All Stars

Northwest Arkansas Jazz All-Stars offers its members the chance to participate in a unique musical community of like-minded, passionate young musicians at a pivotal point in their personal development.

The Northwest Arkansas Jazz All-Stars are an 18 piece jazz, big band composed of high school students from the region. The Jazz All-Stars band will begin swinging in January 2019. Students will take part in an audition to demonstrate their playing ability, knowledge of Jazz music, music theory and sight reading abilities.  If you are a student or know a student who wants to audition for the NWA Jazz All-Star Youth Ensemble, it’s very simple- click the link below!

NWA Jazz All Stars opens the door to professional Jazz experiences, and widens perspectives for students, parents and teachers. Check out the experience of one Jazz All-Star, her parents & a band director!

BasS Trombone Player, Allison Miller shares her All Star Experience:

My favorite memory was being in Conrad Herwig’s dressing room with the band before the concert just talking and having fun.

Jazz All Stars has taught me about what being in a jazz ensemble really means. Junior high all region jazz is not the same. Now I have joined the school’s jazz band I recall my All Star experience at every rehearsal.

My advice for people trying out is don’t over think it, be prepared to work hard, and practice the music at home.

Parents of Jazz All Star, Allison Miller, Want to Thank Walton Arts Center for Providing "an awesome program."

Each week she'd come home from rehearsal and talk about how all of the musicians in the group were working at it and that everyone wanted to be there. That isn't always the case in her public school groups. The concert with Conrad Herwig was really cool too.

There's no question that Allison understands and gets excited to cover her part in an ensemble and can "own" it. Conrad Herwig made a huge impression on her. Being in rehearsals with Matt Beach & the other instructors helped her see where musical performance can really be about. 

She's much more aware of the genre now and is recognizing composers, artists and styles in addition to just recognizing the more familiar jazz tunes. It's opened up a whole new arena for her.

advice for students: Practice up and give the audition a try. The 12 weeks of rehearsals will fly by.

Band Director of two Jazz All Stars, Bill Punch says that this "experience is a catalyst for students to explore the multitude of genres of jazz."

I was fortunate enough to have two of my students successfully audition for the ensemble. The look on their faces after the performances the last two years is proof that the experience has been a hit for these kids.

Once a young musician has the opportunity to experience performing & listening LIVE to big bands they are "hooked" for life.  That experience is a catalyst for them to explore the multitude of genres of jazz.

I know it effected my students that way and I am sure the entire ensemble also felt the same way.

The students interacted with jazz professionals in a once-in-a-lifetime experience that they will never forget - I know I remember all the wonderful opportunities I had as a young student.

Advice for students trying out is to LISTEN to jazz of all kinds on all instruments not just their primary, seek out opportunities to listen to LIVE jazz performances and seek private instruction to learn from those of us who have "been there."

Ragamala Dance Company's Contemporary Inspiration and Mystical Roots in Indian Culture

Ragamala Dance Company seamlessly carries the South Indian classical dance form of Bharatanatyam into the 21st century.

2018 marks the 25th anniversary of the company for Artistic Director Ranee and Aparna — mother and daughter. Both are protégés of the legendary dancer and choreographer Alarmel Valli, known as one of India’s greatest living masters. They embrace the philosophy, spirituality, myth and mysticism of their heritage to create not works but worlds – visceral, universal experiences that use Indian art forms to express their contemporary point of view. They see the classical form as a dynamic, living tradition with vast potential to convey timeless themes and present-day ideas.

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Before seeing Written in Water, you may want to brush up on some of Ragamala Dance Company's inspiration and its roots in Indian culture...

Glossary of terms

Paramapadam

The second century Paramapadam game takes players on an allegorical journey along which they encounter 12 vices and 5 virtues on a search for ultimate wisdom. On the 100-square grid of the gameboard, virtues are depicted as ladders that carry a player forward, and vices as snakes that slide him or her backward. Historically, the game was used as a way to explore deep spiritual, philosophical and moral questions of human existence. (It was later adapted by the British, who stripped it of its moral content and named it Snakes & Ladders.)

The Conference of the Birds

Composed in the twelfth century in north-eastern Iran, Fard Ud-Din Attar's great mystical poem is among the most significant of all works of Persian literature. An allegorical rendering of the Islamic doctrine of Sufism - an esoteric system concerned with the search for truth through God - it describes the consequences of the conference of the birds of the world when they meet to begin the search for their ideal king, the Simorgh bird. When they hear that to find him they must undertake an arduous journey, the birds soon express their reservations to their leader, the hoopoe. With eloquence and insight, however, the hoopoe calms their fears, using a series of riddling parables to provide guidance in the search for spiritual truth.

Iraqi Maqam

Maqam is the urban classical vocal tradition of Iraq. In Iraq, the term maqam refers to highly- structured, semi-improvised, compositions that take years of disciplined study under a master to learn fully. Often rhythmically free and meditative, they are sung to classical Arabic and colloquial Iraqi poetry, and are followed by light-hearted, rhythmic songs, known as pestaat. Found primarily in the cities of Baghdad, Mosul, Kirkuk, and Basra, the maqam repertoire draws upon musical styles of the many populations in Iraq, such as the Bedouins, rural Arabs, Kurds, and Turkmen as well as neighboring Persians, Turks, and other populations that have had extensive contact with Iraq throughout history.

Carnatic music

Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to five modern states of India: Andhra
Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Although there are stylistic differences, the basic elements of śruti (the relative musical pitch), swara (the musical sound of a single note), rāga (the mode or melodic formulæ), and tala (the rhythmic cycles) form the foundation of improvisation and composition in Carnatic music. Carnatic instrumentation usually consists of a principal performer (usually a vocalist), a melodic accompaniment (usually a violin), a rhythm accompaniment (usually a mridangam), and a tambura, which acts as a drone throughout the performance.

Sangam poetry

The Tamil Sangam poets (300 B.C.E. – 300 C.E.) of South India saw divinity in the physical world. Recognizing that human activities are interwoven with all of creation, they drew parallels between inner landscape and outer landscape and used the natural world as a metaphor to examine the intricacies of human emotion. The tinais thus become more than geographical realms. Each region’s particular qualities—flora and fauna, climate and seasons, music and culture, people and daily life—are interwoven with the area’s emotional tones to create a distinct portrait of mood and setting. Characters in Sangam literature are never named, rather they represent ideals—paradigms of the human condition.

Written in Water

Sunday, Oct. 14 at 7:30 pm

*Part of Walton Arts Center's 10x10 Arts Series

Set to an original score of Iraqi Maqam, jazz and South Indian Carnatic music, this production communicates universal experiences through traditional Indian art forms and “provides some of the most transcendent experiences that dance has to offer.” -The New York Times

Performance at the Pinnacle of Chamber Music

With a celebrated career encompassing five decades, Pinchas Zukerman reigns as one of today's most sought after and versatile musicians - violin and viola soloist, conductor and chamber musician.  He is renowned as a virtuoso, admired for the expressive lyricism of his playing, singular beauty of tone and impeccable musicianship, which can be heard throughout his discography of over 100 albums.  

Zukerman is in his ninth season as Principal Guest Conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and his third as the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra’s Artist-in-Residence and includes over 100 concerts worldwide.

High school or college students can purchase a $10 student tickets for Zukerman Trio using the promo code STUDENTDEALS. The tickets will be held at will call and students must show their valid student ID when picking up their tickets. Limit of 2 tickets per student ID.

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Born in Tel Aviv, Pinchas Zukerman came to America in 1962, where he studied at The Juilliard School with Ivan Galamian. He has been awarded a Medal of Arts, the Isaac Stern Award for Artistic Excellence, and was appointed as the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative's first instrumentalist mentor in the music discipline. A devoted and innovative pedagogue, Zukerman chairs the Pinchas Zukerman Performance Program at the Manhattan School of Music, where he has pioneered the use of distance-learning technology in the arts.  He currently serves as Conductor Emeritus of the National Arts Centre Orchestra of Canada, as well as Artistic Director of its Young Artist Program.   

Canadian Juno Award-winning Amanda Forsyth is considered one of North America's most dynamic cellists. Her intense richness of tone, remarkable technique and exceptional musicality combine to enthrall audiences and critics alike. From 1999-2015, Amanda Forsyth was principal cellist of the National Arts Centre Orchestra, where she appeared regularly as soloist and in chamber ensembles. She is recognized as an eminent recitalist, soloist and chamber musician appearing with leading orchestras in Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia. As a recording artist she appears on the Fanfare, Marquis, Pro Arte and CBC labels.   

Consistently praised for her brilliant technique, tonal beauty and superb musicianship, Canadian pianist Angela Cheng performs regularly throughout North America as a recitalist and orchestral soloist. Angela Cheng has been Gold Medalist of the Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Masters Competition, as well as the first Canadian to win the prestigious Montreal International Piano Competition. Other awards include the Canada Council's coveted Career Development Grant and the Medal of Excellence for outstanding interpretations of Mozart from the Mozarteum in Salzburg.

“The cleanly articulate performance was elevated by an uncommon passion, both in the tender Adagio and in the finale that shifts abruptly from sadness to joy.”  

Beginning in 2011, Zukerman along with cellist Amanda Forsyth and pianist Angela Cheng, began offering trio repertoire. In addition to piano trios by Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Dvorak and Shostakovich, programs often include duo performances with various couplings including the Kodaly Duo.  Invitations from major Festivals and venues led to the official launch of the Zukerman Trio in 2013.  The ensemble has traveled around the globe to appear in Japan, China, Australia, Spain, Italy, France, Hungary, South Africa, Istanbul, Russia, and throughout the United States. Appearances at major festivals have included the BBC Proms, Edinburgh, Verbier, and Bravo! Vail.  This season, the Zukerman Trio returns to Australia for performances at the Adelaide Town Hall and the Ulkaria Cultural Centre.  Other highlights include appearances at Chamber Music Sedona, Chamber Music Society of Detroit and the Music Institute of Chicago.  

An Evening with the Zukerman Trio

Friday, Sept. 21 at 8 pm

“With Pinchas Zukerman’s matchless musicianship and charisma at its core, this is a trio made in heaven. Amanda Forsyth brings passion and formidable technique as a cellist, and pianist Angela Cheng is the dream accompanist who lives every note.”
-Limelight, Australia’s Classical Music and Arts Magazine

Defying the Limits of Dance

One of the most celebrated choreographers of her generation, Jessica Lang leads Jessica Lang Dance- a company whose mission is to enrich and inspire global audiences by immersing them in the beauty of movement and music.

Jessica Lang Dance (JLD) has received numerous grants and funding from organizations while creating a diverse repertoire demonstrates a commitment to artistic collaboration and a style that resists categorical definition. JLD has performed at premier venues and festivals worldwide including Lincoln Center’s White Light Festival, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, Brooklyn Academy of Music's Next Wave Festival, New York City Center's Fall for Dance Festival, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Joyce Theater, the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, The Music Center, Winspear Opera House, Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center, Bolshoi’s Inversion Festival of Contemporary Dance and Palacio de Bellas Artes, among others.

10x10 Q&A with Jessica Lang

JESSICA LANG leads the creative vision of the organization which has garnered remarkable acclaim since the company’s founding in 2011. Under her artistic leadership, the company now offers more than 50 performances annually at some of the world’s most prestigious performing arts centers. Noted for her dedication to educational activities, Lang developed a unique curriculum for JLD called LANGuage, which is offered as part of the company’s programming on tour and locally in New York City, focusing on the Queens community.

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1.   Did you always know you wanted to be a choreographer or was there a time when you considered having a performance career?

Of course, as a child I thought I would dance and perform. I didn’t really understand the career path of a choreographer. While at Juilliard I was able to see the potential in myself as a choreographer and that option, but I still thought I would be a performer. It wasn’t until I was a professional dancer in Twyla Tharp’s company that I realized I didn’t actually want to be a dancer. After my time dancing for her, I started to find my path as a choreographer and never went back to performing.

2.   What inspired you to create your own dance company?

I wanted to see what it was like to work with the same group of dancers over a period of time, and how working with the same artists would affect the art I made.

3.   What moves you to create a new piece (e.g.: music, human nature, visual arts, etc.)?

I get my inspiration from the world around me – anything that “winks” at me, that makes me feel a dance and could be made around that seed of inspiration, is what leads me to creating a new work.

4.   Roughly how long does it take you to choreograph a new piece?

It depends on how you are asking that question – if you mean from inception of idea to performance it could be years; if you are talking about when the conversations begin with collaborators, the answer is 6 months to a year. If you are talking about the time in which dancers walk into a studio and we make the actual steps – the time it takes me is reflected by the length of dance the number of dancers. If we say 20 minutes with 9 dancers, the answer is 2-4 weeks.

it also has to reflect the number of hours a day – and that is 6-7 hours a day. It really depends on so many situations, who the dancers are, what I’m making, etc. Sometimes I have to hurry and make quick decisions and be prepared, and other times I might be able to breathe and play with ideas before structuring the piece.

5.   Pick 1 word—that starts with the letters ‘J, L and D’—that best describe Jessica Lang Dance.   

Joyous, Lyrical, Driven

6.   Without confining yourself to any box, how would you describe your style and/or approach to movement?

It is a blend of modern dance with the use of the floor, breath and weight, combined with ballet technique of line, execution and lift.

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

“Do” is the most important action.

8.   Whom do you define as visionary?

Anyone who tries to bring something in their imagination to reality.

9.   What do you hope audience members take away from tonight's performance?

I hope the audience comes to the performance with an open mind and heart, and that they allow themselves to be transported by each work. Each work will speak to each person differently, and they have the right to feel what they feel and react with their own opinion.

 

10.  What songs, artists or styles of music are you currently listening to?

Jazz and anything Tony Bennett – I just made a work with his music and I am still enjoying everything on every album. Classical – Dvorak is on my playlist right now, on repeat, because it is the next work I am making – Piano Trio in E Minor.  

 

Jessica Lang Dance Company

Thursday, Sept. 20 at 7 pm

Tickets: $10

Part of the 10x10 Arts Series

Described as “reliably sophisticated and achingly beautiful” by the Chicago Tribune, this performance will immerse you in the beauty of movement and music.

Jazz Artists Shake Things Up

Mwenso and the Shakes are a unique troupe of global artists who present music that merges the highest form of entertainment and artistry- taking from the stylings of Fats Waller, Muddy Waters, James Brown and many other American musical legends.

Michael Mwenso leads an electrifying show the New York Times calls “intense, prowling, and ebullient.”

Mwenso & The Shakes' Walton Arts Center performance will open a dance floor in front of the stage so concertgoers can get up and dance during this high-energy show. 

10x10 Q&A with Band-leader, Michael Mwenso

Born in Sierra Leone, Mwenso migrated to London as a child, seeking refuge during his country’s civil war. He was raised by his mother until his early teens, when she was deported back to Nigeria, her home country. 

Mwenso’s mother, a frustrated actress, frequented London’s legendary jazz nightclub Ronnie Scott’s. She would often drop Mwenso off there, and by age 12 or 13, he was already performing onstage. It was during this time that he was discovered by James Brown, who invited Mwenso to perform with him.

A decade later, Mwenso was leading late-night band sessions at Ronnie Scott’s when he caught the ear of Wynton Marsalis. He accepted Marsalis’ invitation to run Jazz at Lincoln Center’s late-night jam at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola — and from that perch, Mwenso developed a loyal following of grassroots musicians and fans, leading the band he calls the Shakes.

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What inspired the creation of Mwenso & The Shakes?

My love and search of music.

How does your work connect to the larger world?

We are not just a band but also ambassadors of love and hope. 

Where do you draw your creative inspiration? Places, people, movements, etc?

Music comes from all varying degrees of inspiration. I try to include it all so that our music has references, the audience can connect to.

How do you give back to the art of jazz? And why is it important to do so?

As lovers of Jazz We believe you should be a guardian and protector. Teaching and sharing with younger people is part of our mission.

Pick 5 words—that start with the letter ‘M’—that best describe Mwenso & The Shakes.

Mighty, magical, magnetic, marvelous, meticulous

Whom do you define as a visionary?

David Bowie, Berry Gordy, Alvin Ailey, Kwame Nkrumah and Oprah Winfrey

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

To believe in prayer and to empower positive energy.

How does your group, from diverse backgrounds and experiences, jive together? What do you all do to create a “family-feel” with The Shakes?

We have lived very close in proximity, and many of us live in the same building. Doing things offstage brings us closer.

What do you hope audiences take away from your performances?

We always want our audiences to be empowered, challenged and leave feeling uplifted.

What songs, artists or styles of music are you currently listening to?

Gilbert and Sullivan, Aretha franklin, Mildred Bailey, burl Ives and Doris day.

Mwenso & The Shakes

Friday, Sept. 14 at 8 pm

Tickets: $10

Part of the 10x10 Arts Series

Mwenso & The Shakes lead an electrifying show that The New York Times calls “intense, prowling and ebullient.”

Best of Both Worlds: Explore Books & Broadway in Broadway Book club

Our Broadway book club gives audience members an opportunity to fully engage with Each Broadway show we present. explore how themes, characters and time periods connect to, and differ from, each book and each show.

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Curator Note: Each book of the Broadway Book Club was researched for thematic connections, page length and reader reviews, to provide an engaging connection to the corresponding Broadway title. This season, two Broadway titles are direct adaptions from a book (CATS & Les Miserables), although due to page length, we won’t be reading Les Miserables (it’s a great book but a little lengthy to ask folks to read!). The remainder were chosen because they had some connection - time periods or similar themes and characters - to a show and allow us to consider how they relate or differ from the Broadway title.

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How to join the Broadway Book Club:

Contact our Engagement Coordinator to register for the Broadway Book Club, and you can purchase up to four reduced-price tickets (10% off regular ticket price) to the accompanying show with our Group Sales Coordinator by calling 479.571.2719 or emailing groups@waltonartscenter.org.

Read the book that relates directly to one of the eight shows on our 2018/19 Broadway Series, then join us for a moderated discussion exploring the surrounding themes, time periods and social contexts. Books may be purchased from the Walton Arts Center box office while supplies last or from your preferred book retailer.

ALL DISCUSSIONS TAKE PLACE AT AT WALTON ARTS CENTER (UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.) 

Broadway Book Club books are available for purchase at the box office:

The Axeman - $14.00                                                                         Gangland New York - $18.00

Legends, Icons and Rebels - $18.00                                                 The Cake Therapist - $15.00

The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love - $15.00                               Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats - $10.00

Christadora - $16.00                                                                          Crime and Punishment - $10.00

*Buy 4 or more books and you get 10% off your total

Jersey Boys

• SHOW DATES: Friday-Sunday, October 5-7

• BROADWAY BOOK CLUB: Monday, October 8, 6-7:30pm

• BOOK: The Axeman by Ray Celestin - $14 from the WAC box office

"This thriller, which blends voodoo, gangsters and jazz into an intoxicating mix, is based on a true story."―Sunday Mirror

A serial killer stalks New Orleans, threatening to strike again unless the citizens follow his twisted demands... In a town jammed with voodoo and gangsters, a sense of intoxicating mystery often beckons from the back alleys. But when a real serial killer roams the sultry nights, even the corrupt cops can't see the clues. That is, until a letter from the Axeman himself is published in the newspaper, proclaiming that any home playing jazz music will be spared in his next attack.

Curator's Note: This book was the hardest to program, but was chosen because it explores the idea of The Rashomon Effect – “where different characters in a story giving conflicting accounts of what has gone on” – which the creators of The Jersey Boys mentioned was a big influence in how they told their story.

 

School of Rock

• SHOW DATES: Tuesday-Sunday, October 23-28

• BROADWAY BOOK CLUB: Monday, October 29, 7-8:30pm @ School of Rock Fayetteville

• BOOK: Legends, Icons and Rebels by Robbie Robertson - $18 from the WAC Box Office

*in partnership with School of Rock Fayetteville

Part memoir, part tribute, and all great storytelling ...
Music industry veterans Robbie Robertson, Jim Guerinot, Jared Levine and Sebastian Robertson invite young readers to share with them in celebrating twenty-seven musical legends. Short profiles chronicle personal stories and achievements of extraordinarily talented artists whose innovations changed the landscape of music for generations to come. Carefully compiled like any great playlist, the line-up features originators, rebels, and risk-takers across diverse genres. From Ray Charles to Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry to Bob Dylan, Robertson shares anecdotes about these artists and the influence they had on his own musical journey.

Curator's Note: Chosen as a way to bring in young readers, since so much of the cast of School of Rock features young actors! The kids in School of Rock: The Musical play their own instruments, sing, dance and act on stage, and I hope that young readers will be encouraged to learn more about music history with this title.

 

On Your Feet

• SHOW DATES: Tuesday-Sunday, December 4-9

• BROADWAY BOOK CLUB: Monday, December 10, 6-7:30pm**

• BOOK: The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love by Oscar Hijuelos - $15 from the WAC Box Office

It's 1949 and two young Cuban musicians make their way from Havana to the grand stage of New York City. It is the era of mambo, and the Castillo brothers, workers by day, become stars of the dance halls by night, where their orchestra plays the lush, sensuous, pulsing music that earns them the title of the Mambo Kings. This is their moment of youth, exuberance, love, and freedom―a golden time that decades later is remembered with nostalgia and deep affection.

Curator's Note: On Your Feet! shares the story of Gloria Estefan, a Cuban-American singer songwriter, and this title follows two young Cuban musicians through themes of cultural fusion and identity.

 

Falsettos

• SHOW DATES: Friday-Saturday, February 8-9

• BROADWAY BOOK CLUB: Monday, February 11, 6-7:30pm

• BOOK: Christadora by Tim Murphy - $16 from the WAC Box Office

In this vivid and compelling novel, Tim Murphy follows a diverse set of characters whose fates intertwine in an iconic building in Manhattan’s East Village, the Christodora. The Christodora is home to Milly and Jared, a privileged young couple with artistic ambitions. Their neighbor, Hector, a Puerto Rican gay man who was once a celebrated AIDS activist but is now a lonely addict, becomes connected to Milly and Jared’s lives in ways none of them can anticipate.

Meanwhile, Milly and Jared’s adopted son Mateo grows to see the opportunity for both self-realization and oblivion that New York offers. As the junkies and protestors of the 1980s give way to the hipsters of the 2000s and they, in turn, to the wealthy residents of the crowded, glass-towered city of the 2020s, enormous changes rock the personal lives of Milly and Jared and the constellation of people around them. Moving kaleidoscopically from the Tompkins Square Riots and attempts by activists to galvanize a true response to the AIDS epidemic, to the New York City of the future, Christodora recounts the heartbreak wrought by AIDS, illustrates the allure and destructive power of hard drugs, and brings to life the ever-changing city itself.

Curator's Note: Both titles explore the AIDS epidemic and family dynamics amidst the backdrop of New York City.

A Bronx Tale

• SHOW DATES: Tuesday-Sunday, February 26-March 3

• BROADWAY BOOK CLUB: Monday, March 4, 6-7:30pm

• BOOK: Gangland New York: The Faces and Places of Mob History by Anthony DeStefano - $18 from the WAC box office

Get a taste of New York’s underworld by seeing where mobsters lived, worked, ate, played, and died. From the Bowery Boys and the Five Points Gang through the rise of the Jewish “Kosher Nostra” and the ascendance of the Italian Mafia, mobsters have played a major role in the city’s history, lurking just around the corner or inside that nondescript building. Bill “the Butcher” Poole, Paul Kelly, Monk Eastman, “Lucky” Luciano, Carlo Gambino, Meyer Lansky, Mickey Spillane, John Gotti—each held sway over New York neighborhoods that nurtured them and gave them power.

As families and factions fought for control, the city became a backdrop for crime scenes, the rackets spreading after World War II to docks, airports, food markets, and garment districts. The streets of Brooklyn, swamps of Staten Island, and vacant lots near LaGuardia Airport hosted assassinations and hasty burials for the unlucky. The bloodlettings, arrests, and trials became front-page fodder for tabloids that thrived on covering Mulberry Street. Chinese, Russian, and Greek mobsters rose to prominence and wrought bloody havoc as well. 

Curator's Note: Gangland provides a non fiction look at New York’s underworld and the real life counterparts that may have inspired Chazz Palminteri’s seedy characters.

 

Waitress

• SHOW DATES: Friday-Sunday, April 9-14

• BROADWAY BOOK CLUB: Monday, April 15, 6-7:30pm

• BOOK: The Cake Therapist by Judith Fertig - $15 from the WAC Box Office

Claire “Neely” O’Neil is a pastry chef of extraordinary talent. Every great chef can taste shimmering, elusive flavors that most of us miss, but Neely can “taste” feelings—cinnamon makes you remember; plum is pleased with itself; orange is a wake-up call. When flavor and feeling give Neely a glimpse of someone’s inner self, she can customize her creations to help that person celebrate love, overcome fear, even mourn a devastating loss.

Maybe that’s why she feels the need to go home to Millcreek Valley at a time when her life seems about to fall apart. The bakery she opens in her hometown is perfect, intimate, just what she’s always dreamed of—and yet, as she meets her new customers, Neely has a sense of secrets, some dark, some perhaps with tempting possibilities. A recurring flavor of alarming intensity signals to her perfect palate a long-ago story that must be told. Neely has always been able to help everyone else. Getting to the end of this story may be just what she needs to help herself.

Curator's Note: Both Waitress and The Cake Therapist feature resilient female bakers who find themselves through their passions (pie and cake, respectively).

 

CATS

• SHOW DATES: Tuesday-Sunday, May 28-June 2

• BROADWAY BOOK CLUB: Monday, June 3, 6-7:30pm

• BOOK: Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot - $10 from the WAC Box Office

Cats! Some are sane, and some are mad.
Some are good, and some are bad . . .

The whimsical 1982 Old Possum's illustrations have been lovingly restored and are showcased in this beautiful new poetry edition, perfect for children and Eliot aficionados alike. These lovable cat poems were written by T. S. Eliot for his godchildren and continue to delight children and grown-ups. The collection inspired the musical Cats!, and features Macavity, Mr Mistofelees and Growltiger!

Curator's Note: How did Andrew Lloyd Webber create such an iconic musical based on a 64 page book of poems? We’ll find out.

Les Misérables

• SHOW DATES: Tuesday-Sunday, June 18-23

• BROADWAY BOOK CLUB: Monday, June 24, 6-7:30pm

• BOOK: Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky - $10 from the WAC Box Office

*in partnership with Bentonville Public Library

An impoverished former student, Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov lives in St. Petersburg. Raskolnikov is a nihilist, driven by a utilitarian prospective, he contemplates committing a terrible crime. Dostoevsky explores psychology of crime and punishment and focuses on what lies between the two end points. Raskolnikov’s inner world is full of doubts, deliria and despair – partly a result of his utter disregard of social norms. Alienated from society, he is forced to face his tormenting guilt almost completely on his own.

Curator's Note: Published four years apart, both titles feature themes of morality, guilt and redemption. We’ll look at how these two stories change based on setting (Russia vs France) and why these tales have endured.

Sister Nonie Shares Her Thoughts

**Late Nite Catechism Update- Welcome Sister Barbara**

Sister Barbara is making her way to Walton Arts Center, bringing big laughs and glow in the dark rosaries! 

Barbara Manning appeared on "House," working along side the amazing Hugh Laurie who declared her work as “Brilliant.”  You can catch her in the AARP commercial for Medicare Supplement Insurance (look for the kayak). In 2013, she portrayed a doomed librarian in the Halloween episode of Criminal Minds. Barbara worked with director, Debbie Allen on “How To Get Away With Murder”, has films in several festivals and a Christian feature opening during the holidays. You can also catch Sister Barbara as the irreverent secretary to Beau Bridges in the poignant drama, San Patricios.

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Previously scheduled, Sister Nonie has had a family emergency pull her from the stage, but not before sharing her thoughts on history, favorites and reasons to check out Late Nite Catechism.

Sisters are not slouchy. Sister Nonie has earned an Emmy for writing and performing “Oh, Art!” for PBS in Chicago. She has appeared in soaps, sit-coms and hidden camera shows. Television writing credits include: "Candid Camera," CBS’ "Say What," "Late Date" and "The Barkers." And for the last 20 years, Nonie has proudly toured the country in the one-woman show, Late Nite Catechism. 

She happily dedicates this show to Sister Regina Therese, her fifth grade nun, who whacked her frequently - usually for a very good reason.

What is your favorite event in history? 

When Capt. Sullenberger landed that jet on the Hudson river...

“Jesus take the wheel”

What are 3 things You’d take to a deserted island?

sunscreen, glow-in-the-dark rosary and a boat so I could leave

What is your favorite hymn to jam to? 

I’ll Fly Away- Blind Boys of Alabama

Top 7 reasons Why you should see Late nite catechism:

1. Well... because its fun and funny. 

2. It appeals to people of all faiths. I don't make fun of religion- I have fun with it. 

3. People truly enjoy themselves, they win prizes, they enjoy watching others “get in trouble.” 

4. I am currently in my 20th year performing the part of Sister - the show is different every time because its half improvised so you never know what fun will take place. 

5. The audience is the co-star and the trick for me is listening and letting others get a laugh. 

6. We have 8 Off-Broadway versions of the original production. We are still going strong! 

7.  what else are you doing? Spit out that gum and call the box office.

 

Don't make me come to your house- because I will. See you next week!

<3, Sister

Late Nite Catechism

5 Shows!

• Thursday, Sept. 6 at 8 pm
• Friday, Sept. 7 at 8 pm
• Saturday, Sept. 8 at 2 and 8 pm
• Sunday, Sept. 9 at 2 pm

Broadway is Heating Things Up... In the Kitchen? Recipes from Jersey Boys

Go behind the music and into the kitchen of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. Jersey Boys makes its much anticipated return to Walton Arts Center. 

With Jersey Boys coming to our stage in just a few weeks, now is you chance to test out your skills in the kitchen and cook like the Jersey Boys! Make Frankie Valli's (Not So) Secret Meatball Recipe, shake things up with a list of musical-inspired cocktails and enjoy a sweet ending of Four Seasonings Cookies.

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Frankie Valli's Secret Recipe for Meatballs

• A "whole-lotta" fresh breadcrumbs (about 1½ cups)
• About 1 cup milk (warm)
• 1 lb. ground beef
• ½ lb. ground pork or veal
• ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• About 2 cloves of minced garlic
• 1 extra-large egg, beaten

Step 1 Remove all jewelry, especially rings -- wash hands

Step 2 Soak breadcrumbs in warm milk for a few minutes

Step 3 Add the remaining ingredients and combine with jewelry-free, clean hands

Step 4 Roll mixture into sizeable balls (about 2 inches in diameter)

Step 5 Brown meatballs well in frying pan with olive oil finish cooking in a simmering pan of Italian gravy (i.e. tomato sauce)

Step 6 Serve meatballs (garnish with parsley, freshly grated parmesan) over pasta with a piece of crusty bread on the side

JERSEY BOYS COCKTAIL RECIPES

Before the show on Saturday, Oct. 6, a limited number of patrons can take a class from the Master Mixologists of Maxine's Tap Room in an unforgettable add-on experience. Tickets are $30 and include lessons about the history of these famous cocktails and gives you the tips and tricks to make a truly satisfying cocktail sure to be a hit with you and your friends! Price includes the cocktail lesson, light appetizers and two cocktails which you will mix yourself!  Class will end in plenty of time for you to make the 8 pm curtain of Jersey Boys. 

“Jersey-tini”

1 1/2oz. Vodka
1/2 oz. Cointreau or Triple Sec
3/4 oz. Cranberry Juice
1/4 oz. Lime Juice
Combine all ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well.
Strain into a cocktail glass, and Garnish with a lime squeeze.

“Rag Doll”

1 ½ oz Skyy Raspberry Vodka

 ½ oz Triple Sec

½ oz Sour Mix

1oz Rose’s Cranberry Twist Cocktail Infusion

A splash of Sprite

Garnished with 2 raspberries and 1 blackberry

“Jersey Boysenberry Martini”

Serves 12

1 bottle Vodka (25 oz)

1 pt Boysenberries plus some for garnish

6 oz Cointreau

Pour 1 bottle of vodka into a jar and add 1 pint of fresh Boysenberries.  Let stand for 3 days.  Into a martini shaker, ad 2 ounces Boysenberry infused vodka, ½ ounce Cointreau and ice.  Shake, then strain into martini glass.  Garnish with Boysenberries.

“Walk Like a MANhattan”

1 1/2 oz. Bourbon
1/4 oz. Sweet Vermouth or Dry Vermouth
dash Angostura Bitters (optional)
Garnish - Maraschino Cherry

Combine all ingredients in cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into a Cocktail glass.

“Joy-zee Juice”

1 oz. Citron Vodka

1 oz. Raspberry Liqueur

1 oz. Cranberry Juice

2 oz. Sparkling Wine

Garnish – Lemon wheel & Cherries

Fill 12 oz. cup with ice.  Add premix to ½ full.  Top with Sparkling Wine.  Garnish with lemon wheel & 2 cherries.

“Oh What A Night”

In a Collins Glass with Ice

1/2 oz. Vodka
1/2 oz. Gin
1/2 oz. Rum
1/2 oz. Tequila (optional)
1/2 oz. Triple Sec
1 oz. Sweet & Sour
Top with Coke

Garnish with a lemon twist

“The Falsetto”

Campari

sparkling wine

peach schnapps

(on the rocks)

Orangecello Champagne Cocktail

Serves 8

3/4 cup Gold Rum
1/2 cup Caravella Orangecello
1 bottle Champagne
2/3 cup Fresh Lime Juice
1/3 cup Superfine Sugar
1/4 cup Mango Juice
Mango for garnish

Combine sugar and lime juice in large pitcher, stir to dissolve. Add rum, Orangecello and mango juice. CHILL!  For a single drink pour 1 1/2 oz. of the rum mixture into a champagne flute add champagne to fill glass! Garnish with mango.

And don't forget The dessert...

Four Seasonings Cookies

Jersey Boys

October 5-7, 2018

They were just four guys from Jersey, until they sang their very first note. They had a sound nobody had ever heard… and the radio just couldn’t get enough of. But while their harmonies were perfect on stage, off stage it was a very different story -a story that has made them an international sensation all over again.

"Too good to be true!" -New York Post

Contemporary, Fusion and Crossover Jazz converge in the Starrlight Jazz Series

Renowned jazz artists from around the world bring their flare and flavor to walton arts center.

Music styles from electric guitars to hard bop piano with influences from California to Cuba and beyond, Starr Theater hosts an intersection of world-famous jazz talent in an intimate, cabaret setting.

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George Brooks' ASPADA

Oct. 12

Led by saxophonist and composer George Brooks, ASPADA's world-renowned musicians weave a global tapestry by drawing on the musical traditions of India, Africa, Europe and America. The group includes South Indian virtuoso percussionist, Selvaganesh and global bass master, Kai Eckhardt, who together create the rhythmic foundation that supports the group’s creative vision. Osam Ezzeldin, a leading jazz musician in North Africa, rounds out the quartet on the keyboard.

Bristling with East meets West polytonality and rhythmic intrigue, ASPADA provides a rare opportunity to observe musicians from diverse musical backgrounds conversing in a new musical language.

” A fascinating set…Exotically lyrical…gracefully bridges seemingly antithetical disciplines. “ -Billboard Magazine Critics Choice

The John Patitucci Electric Guitar Quarter

Dec. 1

Fifteen-time Grammy® nominee and two time Grammy Award-winner, Joh Patitucci, delivers the eclectic tastes that have pushed him to explore various genres as both a musician and a composer. His work with jazz luminaries, such as Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and McCoy Turner have skyrocketed his first solo recording to the top of the Billboard Jazz charts. Widely regarded as on of the world’s greatest bassists, Patitucci’s latest band finds fresh inspiration in his love of funk and jazz while utilizing two electric guitarists, Adam Rogers and Steve Cardenas, as well as virtuoso Brian Blade on drums and John on his signature electric bass.

Alfredo Rodriguez and Pedrito Martinez Duo

Feb. 8

Over the past decade pianist Alfredo Rodríguez went from being a young, local Cuban artist to being discovered by Quincy Jones, to becoming a globally recognized Grammy®-nominee with three critically acclaimed albums to his name.

Paired with Alfredo is three-time winner of the "Percussionist of the Year" by the Jazz Journalist Association, Pedrito Martinez. Helping to expose the rich musical history of Cuba to a wider audience, Pedrito has recorded or performed with Wynton Marsalis, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen and Sting, among others. As a founding member of the highly successful Afro-Cuban/Afro-Beat band, Yerba Buena.

Together, these two artists are leading the new wave of Cuban jazz music – with a seductive, buoyant, powerful sound that will leave you wanting more.

Peter Bernstein, Larry Goldings and Bill Stewart Trio

March 15

In the mid 1990s, The New York Times described Larry Goldings, Peter Bernstein and Bill Stewart as "the best organ trio of the last decade." The trio, which has now been together for more than 20 years, has been recognized for charting new ground, with its synergistic playing, yet thoughtful music.

Drawing mainly on jazz standards, and a few original pieces, they re-imagine the organ jazz trio in a quiet, sensual and grooving presentation. The respect these musicians have for one another comes through in the subtle and intricate manner of their musical conversation on stage. Peter’s warm, feather-light touch and fluid improvisation with Larry Goldings’ warm hum, and Bill Stewart’s polyrhythmic and melodic focus, create a vivid combination of synergistic playing that lets each soloist float across the tunes.

Benny Green Trio with Veronica Swift

April 19

Benny Green holds the history of jazz at his fingertips. With decades of experience playing with no less than the most celebrated artists of the last half century, it’s no wonder Green has been hailed as perhaps the most exciting hard-swinging, hard-bop pianist of his time. Benny Green is a member of the prestigious, Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. A jazz messenger, a very personal experience for Green, places him squarely as a rare living legacy within the lineage of the hard bop jazz medium. 

Bringing powerhouse vocals to the trio's performance, 23-year old Veronica Swift is recognized around the country as one of the top young jazz singers on the scene. An adept lyrical interpreter with tremendous tonal command, Swift has the keen ability to make everything she touches her own. Veronica finished her undergraduate degree (BM in Jazz Voice) at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami in December 2016, where she was a full scholarship student.  It was after that that she moved to New York City, where she was almost immediately started performing every Saturday night at the legendary Birdland Jazz Club, a gig she continues to maintain when she isn't on the road.

"It’s not often you hear one so young interpret the sounds of a seasoned jazz performer and make everything she touches her own [...] that’s Veronica Swift!" -Theater Pizzazz

Have a Magical Night Out at Walton Arts Center

Theater magic lights up our stage in the Coca-Cola Night Out Series this season.

Be dazzled by the astonishing acts of THE ILLUSIONISTS, dance your heart out with Dorrance Dance and belt-out Bohemian Rhapsody like a rockstar with One Night of Queen, along with more magical performances!

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THE ILLUSIONISTS

October 17-18

Full of hilarious magic tricks, death-defying stunts and acts of breathtaking wonder, THE ILLUSIONISTS has thrilled audiences of all ages with a mind-blowing spectacular showcasing the jaw-dropping talents of five of the most incredible illusionists on earth.

The five stars, each a master in their own field, are:

The Trickster, Jeff Hobson is the epitome of glamour and showmanship. Don’t be fooled by his innocent appearance.

The Inventor, Kevin James is known for innovative illusions, is an inventor, comedian and collector of the strange and unusual. 

The Deductionist, Colin Cloud is one of the greatest thought readers of all time, a psychic savant known as a real-life Sherlock Holmes. 

The Manipulator, An Ha Lim won first place at Korea’s Busan International Magic Competition (2006) and a Golden Lion Award at the World Magic Seminar in Las Vegas (2008).

The Daredevil, Jonathan Goodwin an accomplished knife thrower, archer, escape artist, fakir, martial artist, free diver and free climber- leaves audiences breathless with his death-defying stunts.

The King's Singers

December 11

The King's Singers was officially formed on May 1, 1968 by six recently-graduated choral scholars from King's College, Cambridge. Celebrating their 50th Anniversary, The King’s Singers return to Northwest Arkansas to take audiences on a musical adventure inspired by the maverick spirit that guided the six original group members.

In the early years, the group was a weekly fixture on prime-time TV, performing renditions of popular music usually never touched by choral ensembles. Their British charm and musical craft captured audiences’ hearts the world over. Today, the group is still charged by the same mission – to keep the future of music shining brightly. Join us for a performance that savors the amazing diversity of music and musicians in our world today!

Dorrance Dance

February 12

Dorrance Dance is an award-winning tap dance company based in New York City. The company’s work aims to honor tap dance’s uniquely beautiful history in a new, dynamic and compelling context; not by stripping the form of its tradition, but by pushing it – rhythmically, technically and conceptually.

Founded in 2011 by artistic director and 2015 MacArthur Fellow, Michelle Dorrance, the company has received numerous accolades, rave reviews and has performed to packed houses across the U.S. and internationally. Blasting open standard notions of tap, the company continues touring in promotion of its passionate commitment to expand the audience of America’s original art form.

“Michelle Dorrance’s 10-dancer company reflected plenty of racial, physical and stylistic diversity yet could deliver complex unison footwork with a precision matching any cookie-cutter tap corps of the past.”

-Los Angeles Times

Cirque Éloize Saloon

February 19

Swing open the Saloon doors and enter a mythical world inspired by the rich legacy of the Wild, Wild West.

America is expanding. The railroad is stretching westward to lands of untold promise. In the middle of the desert, a town comes to life. A place to gather and share tales quickly becomes a theater for stories of all kinds.

Set to the timeless tunes of Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline, this acrobatic comedy features a motley cast of circus artists performing cutting edge physical theater. Full of spectacular feats, magical harmonies and live instrumentation, this performance has no shortage of audience thrills.

One Night of Queen

March 14

In 2000, Gary Mullen won the Grand Final of the hit UK TV show “Stars In Their Eyes,” winning the largest number of votes ever received in the show's history. His performance was a tribute to Freddie Mercury, the consummate front man of the famed rock band Queen – an undeniably magnetic and unpredictable performer.

With huge public demand following his win, Mullen and his band “The Works” created One Night of Queen – a fully live, amazingly accurate tribute concert that recreates the look, sound, pomp and showmanship of one of the greatest rock bands of all time. With fantastic staging, lighting and effects, this show will rock you!

Creative & Classic Performances Create Fun for the Whole Family

Beloved and heart-warming classics are combined with timely new productions in our Kimberly-Clark Family Fun Series this season. For the adult who never wants to grow up and the kids who are growing up too fast, bring the whole family and experience live theater together for an unforgettable experience.

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Trike Theatre's

Peter Pan

Nov. 2-10 | 8 Performances

For more than 100 years, the classic tale of Peter Pan has enchanted us all. J.M. Barrie's most famous work tells the story of magical Peter, who comes to hear the bedtime stories of Mrs. Darling as she tucks her children into bed each night. One night, Peter loses his shadow and after Wendy Darling re-attaches the shadow in exchange for a kiss, Peter becomes entranced by Wendy. Convincing Wendy and her three brothers, Peter takes them on a journey to Neverland – a magical world of pirates, fairies and a gang of boys destined to stay young forever.

Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet's

The Nutcracker

Nov. 23-25 | 4 Performances

Rediscover the magic of one of the most popular Christmas stories of all time, The Nutcracker. As the clock strikes midnight, the adventure of a lifetime begins.

Watch Clara battle the evil Mouse King, fall in love with her dashing Nutcracker prince and find herself on a storybook journey that will take her into the heart of a timeless fairytale. This breathtaking production features Canada’s premiere ballet company, local children, and a magical Tchaikovsky score gloriously showcased by the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and accompanied by a live choir whose voices soar as Clara and her Prince begin their journey.

All performances of The Nutcracker will feature dancers from the Northwest Arkansas area, selected by a representative of Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet.

LOCAL AUDITIONS! We’re looking for young actors (7-15 years) to audition for Children’s Roles in this year’s Nutcracker performances at Walton Arts Center! Click here for more information and a registration form.

The Snowman: A Family Concert

Sunday, Dec. 16

The family favorite Northwest Arkansas holiday tradition returns! Join us for the 4th annual screening of the 1982 Academy Award®-nominated film The Snowman, based on Raymond Briggs’ classic children’s book of the same name.

This film about a snowman who comes to life has won the hearts of families around the world for 40 years. SoNA musicians, performing under the baton of acclaimed Music Director Paul Haas, will bring to life the film’s extraordinary score along with other holiday favorites in an afternoon that is sure to enchant your whole family.

Best for ages 8+

Air Play

Thursday, March 8

Ride the wind and dream with Air Play, a modern spectacle that brings to life the very air we breathe.

Air Play artists have performed in over 20 countries, competed in international circus festivals, juggled on Letterman, starred on the Big Apple Circus and were featured in The New York Times. A circus-style adventure, Air Play is the story of two siblings who journey through a surreal land of air, transforming the ordinary into objects of uncommon beauty. Fabrics dance in the wind, balloons have a mind of their own, confetti turn into the night sky and an enormous canopy of hovering silk forever alters their future. Combining contemporary circus with street performance art and sculpture, this poetic ode to childhood will enchant and electrify the young and the young at heart.

Best for ages 5+

Terrapin Puppet Theatre's

You and Me and the Space Between

Thursday, March 28

Part play, part picture book and all wondrous fun! A magical story of an adventurous girl unfolds as an illustrator draws the pictures live in front of our eyes.

When the island of Proud Circle springs a leak, its citizens must find a way to stop their home from disappearing! It takes the wondering mind of a child to save the island, its people and their ways.

Storytelling, choreographed projections and live drawn animation explore the plight of refugees fleeing environmental change through the eyes of a child. Step inside a picture book with an artist and storyteller, amidst a paper set that’s cut, ripped, patched and manipulated live to create a world of play.

Best for ages 7+

Volunteers Make Theater Magic, pt. 2

VOLUNTEERS AT WAC ARE Passionate about the Arts! Our 2017 Team served more than 27,000 HOURS - creating THEATER MAGIC for everyone who walked through our doors.

 

WE ASKED A FEW OF THE VOLUNTEERS WHO DONATED THE MOST NUMBER OF HOURS IN 2017 TO ANSWER A FEW QUESTIONS FOR US ABOUT THEIR VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE, INSIDER TIPS AND WHAT THEY LOVE ABOUT WALTON ARTS CENTER.

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Volunteers Highlighted In This Blog:

Morgan Lindsay- Over 498 hours of service this year.

Mike Wulf- Over 586 hours of service this year.

Michael Allen- Over 648 hours of service this year.

Judy Davison- Recognized for 10 years of volunteering & over 460 hours of service this year.

In All of the Performances You've Seen At WAC, which are your favorites?

• My favorite Broadway show I've seen since I've been a volunteer is "Once".  There was so much musical talent with the cast, and the story line was just great.  I could see that show every week and never be bored. -Morgan Lindsey

• Other than Broadway shows, I loved A.J. Croce (Jim Croce's son).  The show was part of West Street Live in Starr Theater. The show was full of energy, with lots of his father's songs. -Michael Allen

• Hard to pick just one performance; there are so many. I especially like working the sold out, popular shows, like the Broadway and music concerts. I like the high energy, busy shows, especially when I'm working in concessions. -Judy

• A few years ago I worked a show of Elvis Impersonators performing songs from the King’s career. Each of the three impersonators performed songs from a different period of his career. Having seen Elvis in concert on three occasions I thought the impersonators were fantastic recreating the mannerisms, charisma, and sound of the King on stage. -Mike W.

What is your favorite theater snack?

• Cheez-It are my favorite.  Who doesn't like that salty snack? -Morgan
• Favorite snacks are Gardettos and Peanut M&M's. -Judy
• The locally made Brownies are my favorite theater snack. -Mike W.

Outside of outstanding volunteering at WAC, what are some of your hobbies or passions?

• I'm a life-long (at age 64) bicycle rider. I still ride almost everyday on the Razorback Greenway.  Also, I do photo-restoration and am in the process of scanning and restoring several thousand family images. -Morgan

• My wife and I are involved with the Arkansas Country Doctor's Museum in Lincoln. We do everything from giving tours to mowing the yard.  Lots of artifacts to see from a 1924 Model T to an iron lung. -Michael

• I have been quite active in one of the U of A Extension Clubs for 13 years, some as president, and currently as secretary and treasurer. Truly enjoy it's activities, also love to take our RV to a resort in the Branson area, along with travel vacations. Being originally from Michigan, we go there at least once annually. -Judy

• Hiking/walking, golf, and nonfiction reading -Mike W.

Any tips, Tricks or Advice for Theatergoers?

• Get there as early as you can. Too early is better than being late especially for the Broadway shows which might have a long "hold" which will leave you waiting outside in the lobby during that first scene. -Morgan

• Review the contents of each show you plan to attend, check your tickets for time and date, arrive at least 30 minutes prior to showtime. Please respect the other members of the audience, no cell phones (if you need to use the phone step outside). -Michael

• Theatergoers, you are so lucky to have an arts center like WAC. It is affordable, has convenient parking, with great walkable restaurants nearby and such quality shows! The 10x10 series are very affordable to many and have a variety of fascinating performances. Also, there are no bad seats in this "house". Having lived in the Chicago area for over 35 years, these conveniences are much appreciated. -Judy

• Suggest they become a Friend of WAC, enjoy pre-show dinner at nearby restaurant, get to their seat in early so they don't miss Peter Lane's curtain speech or show’s opening song, enjoy the Friends lounge at intermission, and drive home safely.

Why do you volunteer at WAC?

• I really enjoy being around the performing arts. Since I'm not in a position to donate a lot of money, I can help the Walton Arts Center by volunteering my time.  Also, the volunteer group and the staff members are so much fun to be around! -Morgan

• The "stock" answer is to give back to my community, but it goes much deeper than that for me. It is the energy I get from the kids when we do an education show. (We can bring 1200 kids and 25-30 buses to a 9:30 show, move them out and do it all over for an 11:30 show.)  It is the smiles and thank you from our patrons. It is a chance to work with a group of volunteers that is like family. -Michael

• Volunteering at WAC is a delight. It is mainly all about the people for me; a great group to work with; the wonderful other volunteers and staff. It is a joy meeting both the regular and new patrons too. Some have fascinating stories to tell regarding their visits to WAC. Working at concessions, frequently gives one access to these situations. -Judy

Describe a time when you Experienced Theater Magic.

• I also volunteer for the educational performances in the mornings. Just seeing the awe and fascination on the faces of all those kids while they are at the WAC is all the "theater magic" I need. -Morgan

• I have experienced several magical moments in the theater.  Mother Superior singing "Climb Every Mountain" in Sound of Music (goosebumps on that one), final scene of Cabaret (silent and stunned), "I Dreamed a Dream" and "Bring Him Home" from Les Miserables (lump in my throat and tears streaming). -Michael

• Theater magic can be the goose bumps reaction from the incredible voice of the Mother Superior in the recent Sound of Music Broadway show last May, high energy dance choreographies, floating "snow" or large balloons amid the audience in a darkened theater. Lastly, let us not forget the thrllls of our wonderful sounding local symphony, SoNA, and the intimate performances in Starr Theater. -Judy

• Earlier this year a couple drove about two hours to the WAC to see the Old Crow Medicine Show concert. Unfortunately, they arrived 24 hours late due to a mistake in calendaring the event. They did not realize it until walking into the lobby and checking tickets. They were crestfallen and were not looking forward to long ride home. However, following discussions with the couple and Box Office personnel about other shows of interest a few volunteers created ”Theater Magic” and got tickets for them to an upcoming performance of “ American in Paris”. That is “ Theater Magic”. -Mike W.

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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Front of House
Assist our operations team during Walton Arts Center, SoNA, Trike and TheatreSquared performances, as well as education shows and special events doing everything from taking tickets and ushering to selling concessions and checking coats.

Studio & Education Outreach
Work with Walton Arts Center and Crystal Bridges' Arts With Education (AWE) Institute, as well as with classes and camps on the WAC campus.

Special Events
Assist in special tasks during annual events, like Artosphere: Arkansas' Arts + Nature Festival, Art of Wine Festival and Masquerade Ball.

Administrative
Assist with a variety of office and clerical duties.

Gallery Docent

Guide visitors through our Joy Pratt Markham Gallery on weekdays, weekends and during performances. 

Resident Companies
Work during performances and special events for TheatreSquared, Trike and SoNA and help Community Creative Center with classes and camps throughout the year.

Keeping Security, Safety Top of Mind

Walton Arts Center hosted a safety and security training for its employees as well as 350 Attendees from the local community.

Representatives from churches, police, fire, schools sports venues, theaters, museums, clubs, restaurants, community arts organizations and event organizers were trained.

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Mark Herrera, director of education for the International Association of Venue Managers, and Paul Villotti, director of life safety for Henderson Engineers, came to Northwest Arkansas to lead Trained Crowd Management Phase 2 classes for staff at each of its venues, Walton Arts Center and the Walmart AMP.

Walton Arts Center has more than 100 employees and contract security staff who have completed IAVM’s Trained Crowd Manager Program and are certified. As an organization that can host hundreds of thousands of visitors during a season, it’s important to us to have the staff at each venue trained and ready to handle any situation.

Herrera also led a three-hour Situational Awareness-Mindset training which gives venue operators the observational tools they need to be safer and more secure.

“We knew we wanted all of our staff to go through this situational awareness training, and we had the capacity to accommodate more people, so we opened the training to more than 40 community organizations, businesses and local law enforcement,” said Nick Zazal, director of events and patron services at Walton Arts Center.

Community members were invited to participate in the training free of charge.

“We appreciated WAC taking initiative to share this experience with the arts and venue community,” said Kathleen Trotter, executive director of the Arts Center of the Ozarks. “It was informative and certainly something we all need to address to keep our communities safe.”

Herrera’s training emphasizes risk mitigation through customer service, active shooter preparedness, media relations during a crisis, all practices that are applicable to a wide variety of businesses and organizations.

“I thought it was a great experience,” said Summer Fallen, airport services manager for the city of Fayetteville. “The speaker approached the subject from a realistic standpoint and made me question my personal plan of action, as well as the plan for my employees.”

There was common feedback from participants that having the correct mind set is imperative to surviving emergency situations.

“I found it informative with the emphasis on “mind set” and what your responsibilities are and what your actions should be,” said Matt Partain with the Fayetteville Police Department. “I’m a firm believer in being prepared, and this training can put you on the path to being prepared. I’m asked many times what can I or we do to recognize a threat and I tell them attend training like this.”

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Walton Arts Center brings great performing artists and entertainers from around the world to Northwest Arkansas, connecting and engaging people through inspiring arts experiences.

The Boys Are Back... Jersey Boys Returns to WAC!

The Boys are Back in Town! After a sold-out 2014 debut at Walton Arts Center, Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons are ready to have audiences singing "Oh, What A Night" in our theater.

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The 2006 Tony® Award-winning sensation Jersey Boys, The Story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, opened to critical and popular acclaim at the August Wilson Theatre on Broadway Nov. 6, 2005 (previews began Oct. 4, 2005).  The show closed on Broadway Jan. 15, 2017 as the 12th longest running show in Broadway history.

Jersey Boys on Broadway received numerous awards, including:

• 4 Tony Awards® including Best Musical
• 2 Outer Critics Circle Awards including Best Musical
• 2 Drama League Awards including Best Musical, and the Julia Hansen Award for Excellence in Directing for Des McAnuff

THE MUSIC of Jersey Boys

• The Four Seasons sold 175 million records worldwide - all before they were 30 years old.
• 33 songs are in the show, including five #1 hits, and 11 songs that made Billboard’s top ten.
• 19 hit songs by The Four Seasons or Frankie Valli didn’t make it into the show, and are listed in the playbill as “The Ones That Got Away” (including four top ten hits).
• The musical traces the origins of the group as they performed songs written by other groups, the songs in the show represent work by 34 songwriters, including Otis Blackwell, Dorothy Fields, Louis Prima and Judy Parker.  Most of the hits of The Four Seasons were written by original member of The Four Seasons, Bob Gaudio, and their producer/lyricist, Bob Crewe.

Fast Facts: THE COSTUMES of Jersey Boys

• There are 196 total costumes/looks in the show, including some vintage suits, ties and dresses.
• Tommy has 12 costume changes, Nick has 11, Frankie has 15 and Bob has 10.
• Frankie runs through 1 pair of pants each week, with repairs every other day. (He slides on his knees in the number “Beggin’ & ‘Marianne”)
• 9 seconds - fastest quick change in the show, for Mary Delgado to get out of the car and into her robe for “My Eyes Adored You”
• 12 quick changes for Frankie Valli. His shortest quick change is 15 seconds.
• 5 hours – time spent per week hand-beading repairs to the “Snowflake” dresses.  Originally beaded by machine (cost: $300 per yard).
• 102 shirts in the show, including reproductions of vintage shirts. For these shirts, patterns are printed on fabric by computer and then sewn. Cost for this vintage fabric: more than $200 per yard.
• 75 costumes/looks for the male swing
• 37 costumes/looks for the female swing
• 87 shoes used in one performance
• 1 gallon of detergent used per week for cleaning
• ½ gallon of spot cleaner used each week
• 2.4 miles - distance a dresser will walk/run during a day, including day work, pre-show call, working the show and post-show work.

Jersey Boys

October 5-7, 2018

"The most exciting musical Broadway has seen in years."           -Chicago Tribune

Leave the Kids at Home... Moms, This is Your Night Out!

In the era of mommy blogs and debates on the best ways to give birth, there isn't much space for imperfect mothers and their crazy kids. The creators of The Pump and Dump Show want to give moms a night out with parental validation!

"Laugh about the things we all have in common... parenting is messed up and ridiculous and kids can be really f-ed up sometimes." Shayna Ferm and Tracey Tee, creators of The Pump and Dump Show

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The Pump and Dump Show is a one-of-a-kind, interactive, live production designed as the ultimate respite for parents everywhere. Since its conception (pardon the pun) in Denver, Colorado in 2012, this event has become wildly popular and the perfect reason for moms to gather their #BREEDER friends, celebrate a mom-to-be or treat an exhausted girlfriend to her first night out postpartum. Original music includes songs like “Parental Lovin’,” “If Daddies Made Milk,” and “Eat Your F—ing Food.” Audience members (affectionately referred to as BREEDERS) play games like "Cervix Says" and "The Most F-ed Up Thing My Kid Has Done” to win bottles of wine and other fantastic prizes from local and national sponsors. 

The Pump and Dump Show is produced, written and hosted by lifelong friends and comedians Shayna Ferm and Tracey Tee who created the show in the throws of new-parenthood, feeling like moms just needed a night out and a cocktail. Their music videos, memes and online commentary have gained national and international popularity. Ferm and Tee have been featured in PEOPLE, The Today Show, Parents Magazine, on Scary Mommy, Daily Mail, Huffpost Parents, Popsugar Moms, TheBump.com, Baby Rabies and The Jenny McCarthy Show.

Take a look at some of the funniest/worst/most-mortifying mommy stories from Pump & Dump audiences:

“My daughter ripped a handful of chest hair off my husband [and] fed it to the dog. He threw up. She threw up. He ate her vomit.”

“We rang the doorbell at my sister’s house. I said, ‘Do you see her?’ My daughter said, ‘Yes, here comes the hooker.'”

“My daughter knows the tooth fairy is not real. When I did not leave [money] under the pillow, the next day she demanded more [money] than usual to not tell her little sister.”

“We discovered that our 4 year-old-son was peeing in the corners of his room at night. When we asked him why he said, ‘The penis does what it wants to.'”

“I (mom) recently broke [my] leg and was asking [my] 5-year-old daughter for help. Me: ‘Can you throw this away for me?’ 5 year old: ‘I’m pretty sure your arms aren’t broken.'”

“Pulled a piece of bacon out his mouth at lunch. We had bacon for breakfast.”

“My 6 year old told her teacher that I don’t do anything but drink wine and sleep all day.”

“My son called 911 when I was out in the yard because he thought I wasn’t coming back. The police showed up and everything.”

“My daughter asked Santa for ‘Boobs and a Butler’ last Christmas to my complete horror in front of my mom and in-laws. Awesome.”

The Pump and Dump Show

Saturday, Sept. 22 at 7 pm

No matter what kind of mom you are, or how well you think you have this parenting thing figured out (or not), we all have kids that do weird things. So basically, we created this show for every mom on the planet.

AMP'd for Local & Regional Music at AMP Fest

AMP Fest is Arkansas' premier beer, tech and music festival with proceeds going towards a cause worth celebrating- arts education and outreach!

This year, AMP Fest is showcasing local and regional musicians who bring heart to their music. Three stages will feature a variety of local and regional acts. 

"We are excited about being able to feature local musicians," said Taylor Speegle, director or corporate relations at Walton Arts Center. "We are seeing a boom in the local music scene of Northwest Arkansas. There is a ton of talent right here at home and many great organizations that are working to make that scene ever stronger. We want AMP Fest to be a big part of promoting the great artists who are coming from our state. In addition to our main stage artists, we are partnering with Bike Rack Records to program the back stage with Jamie Lou & the Hullabaloo, Will Gunselman, Kevin Keihn, and The Silver Linings. And then Fayetteville Roots Festival will be programing our acoustic stage."

Check out the main stage musicians bios and videos below...

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DAZZ & BRIE

A self-proclaimed “girl gang,” Dazz & Brie have entertained audiences at Afropunk’s Battle of the Bands in Brooklyn, SXSW and on stages in their home base in Little Rock. Combining heavy rock instrumentation with soulful harmonies, their music transcends all ages. 

Drummer-guitarist-pianist Dazz, grew up admiring the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff drumline and performing in school and church bands. Vocalist and pianist-guitarist, Brie grew up a fan of opera and theatrics, having been raised in a musical family. When their sounds mesh, it creates what they like to call “rock ‘n’ soul,” a sound that wins the hearts of crowds everywhere.

Dazz & Brie have been named:

• Arkansas Times’ 2017 Musicians Showcase Winners
• 2018 Kit-Kat Jingle Winners
• ML Magazine’s Uprising Idol

GOOSE

Fayetteville-based Goose is a two-man band with an original category of music- "Americana Party-Folk." Bringing banjos and harmonicas to the indie pop scene, Goose draws influence from Dave Matthews Band, Jack Johnson and Coldplay with rich lyrics and upbeat tempos. 

Singer-songwriter, Austin Jewell and co-frontman Kevin Jones play a unique R&B style - Rhythm & Banjo - that entertains audiences by mixing storytelling lyrics with spontaneous dance party beats. 

With three albums under their belt, Goose is doing their own thing in the music industry and having fun everywhere they go. 

THE MIXTAPES

The music of the '90's was great from the start, so The Mixtapes bring the songs (and the nostalgia) to life faithfully. This is a high energy stage show--and you won't be able to stop yourself from danging and singing along!

Each member of this five piece outfit sings, enabling them to convincingly recreate a HUGE range of music spanning...

No Doubt, The Cranberries, Beastie Boys, TLC, Radiohead, Weezer, Rage Against the Machine, Beck, Third Eye Blind, Britney Spears, Nine Inch Nails, The Cranberries, Blink 182, Ricky Martin, Spice Girls, Nirvana... well, if you loved it from the '90’s there’s a good chance you’ll hear it!

Come relive some '90’s nostalgia with The Mixtapes!

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Music isn't the only thing at AMP Fest... you’ll find fun tech activations and games and beer samples from over 20 breweries…. All included in the ticket price!

Participating breweries include: 
Bike Rack • Flyway • Lost 40 • Yuengling • Sam Adams • Shiner Bock • Founders • Springfield • White Claw • Bentonville Brewing • Core • Black Apple Crossing • Rendezvous Junction Brewing • Lagunitas • Karbach Brewing • Independence Brewing • Crisis Brewing Co. • JBGB • Ozark Beer • More to come!

AMP Fest is one of the annual fundraising events organized by Walton Arts Center’s Corporate Leadership Council, comprised of local business leaders who actively support the nonprofit organization’s education and outreach programs. In 2017, AMP Fest raised approximately $83,000 that was used to improve classroom learning through arts integration and inspire more than 37,000 students, teachers and families in the region by connecting them to free or low cost performing and visual arts programs through Walton Arts Center. 

AMP Fest

Saturday, Sept. 8 at 4-9 pm

Featuring Beer Sampling, Tech Activations & Live Music
Supported By Samsung and VML

Three Cheers for Three Years of AMP Fest!

AMP Fest is a beer, music and tech festival at the Walmart AMP  Saturday, Sept. 8.

Organized by Walton Arts Center, the festival is designed to raise awareness and funding to benefit arts education programming for our community. For more than 25 years Walton Arts Center has been committed to arts education, reaching over half a million students and teachers through a variety of arts programming.

Through Arts Education Walton Arts Center strives to…

• Deepen NWA students' and teachers' engagement in the arts, because we believe art forms like dance, music and theater help prepare us to engage and explore the world. We served more than 37,000 teachers and students last season.
• Strengthen school learning communities with arts integration training for teachers through the SmART Residency Program, Arts with Education Institute and teacher workshops.
• Share model education programs with the state and national education community, including live performances in the Arkansas History through the Arts Program tailored to meet Common Core State Standards. Since 2013, more than 69,000 students from across the state have experienced the arts through this program.

Check out The details below for participating breweries, artists & tech experiences- three cheers for three years of amp Fest!

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Breweries

Bike Rack                              Bentonville Brewing

Flyway                                   Core

Lost 40                                  Black Apple Crossing

Yuengling                             Rendezvous Junction Brewing

Sam Adams                         Lagunitas

Shiner Bock                         Karbach Brewing

Founders                             Independence Brewing

Springfield                          JBGB

White Claw                         Ozark Beer Co.

Elysian                                 Goose Island

More to come!

Artists

Main Stage

• Dazz & Brie (Little Rock AR)
• Goose (Fayetteville AR)
• Mixtapes (NW Arkansas)
• Will Brand

Back Stage - Bike Rack Records

• The Silver Lining
• Kevin Keihn
• Will Gunselman
• Jamie Lou & the Hullabaloo

Acoustic Stage - Fayetteville Roots Festival

Tech activations:

Samsung Gear VR - Immersive VR Bike Experience

Samsung Gear 360 Photobooth

Cox Immersive Sports VR Experience

Cox Sports Lounge- Watch the Razorbacks game in style!

PlayStation 4 and PlayStation VR

AMP Fest 2018

Saturday, Sept. 8 from 4-9 pm

For more than 25 years Walton Arts Center has been committed to arts education, reaching over half a million students and teachers through a variety of arts programming.