Out and About: March 14-20

Last updated Thursday, March 13, 2008 8:23 PM CDT in Entertainment

By THE MORNING NEWS

ROGERS - "Brighton Beach Memoirs" by Neil Simon takes the Rogers Little Theater stage April 11-12, 17-19 and 24-27. Part one of Neil Simon's autobiographical trilogy, "Brighton Beach Memoirs" is a portrait of the writer as a Brooklyn teenager in 1937 living with his family in crowded, lower middle-class circumstances. The play captures a few days in the life of a struggling Jewish household that includes Eugene's hard-working father, his sharp-tongued mother, his older and vastly more experienced brother Stanley, his widowed aunt and her two young daughters. Director Kaye Cotton calls it a deeply appealing play that deftly mixes drama with comedy. Information: 631-8988.

Festivals

March 22

EUREKA SPRINGS - Kaleidokites of Eureka Springs has announced the theme for the 18th annual Eureka Springs Kite Festival, set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 22 at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. "Art With An Altitude will bring an explosion of color and youthful exuberance to the Ozarks," according to Kaleidokites co-owner Linda Rogers. Admission to the kite festival is free. Regular admission prices apply for those who wish to tour the refuge. Information: 253-6596.

April 5-6

ROGERS - Northwest Arkansas' leaders and innovators in sustainable, outdoor and green living will be featured at The Living It Green Expo April 5-6 at Pinnacle Hills Promenade. Admission to all activities and parking are free to the public. A family-friendly event, The Living It Green Expo features a variety of children's activities, live entertainment and educational attractions, along with more than 50 exhibitors displaying and offering green, outdoor living and sustainable and energy-efficient products and services. Twenty percent of all exhibitor and sponsor fees will be donated to local nonprofit organizations through the newly established Living It Green Expo Grant Program, according to Dan Stiel, president of Stiel Direct LLC and one of the event organizers. Information: 899-6294.

April 11-12

FAYETTEVILLE - Mount Sequoyah is hosting its first ever Writer and Storyteller Conference April 11-12. This two-day conference is designed to give writers, both experienced and not, the opportunity to write freely under the influence of great authors, perfecting and learning certain genres and styles. The event will feature readings and workshops by Ellen Gilchrist, winner of the National Book Award for Fiction and three-time recipient of the Thomas Wolfe Award; Roger Armstrong, United Methodist pastor and nationally known storyteller; Clayton Scott, poet laureate of Fayetteville and founder of the Student Poetry Movement; Robert Ford, novelist, playwright, actor, musician and director of the Arkansas Playwrights Workshop; Barbara Youree, freelance writer from Rogers and author of a series of Christian romances and children's books; and Radine Trees Nehring, an Arkansas Ozarks writer since 1986 and recipient of the Governor's Award for Best Writing about the state of Arkansas. Information: (800) 760-8126 or 443-4531.

Laugh Out Loud

April 8-13

FAYETTEVILLE - Just when audiences thought it was safe to go into the classroom, Sister is back with the nonstop laughs of "Late-Nite Catechism 2: Sometimes We Feel Guilty Because We Are Guilty," on stage April 8-13 at the Walton Arts Center's Starr Theater. Tickets start at $25 by calling 443-5600.

Just for Funds

Saturday

FAYETTEVILLE - A benefit and tribute for local poet, nurse and volunteer Brenda Moossy is set for 2 to 5 p.m. at Nature's Water, 275 E. Huntsville Road. Moossy will read poetry, and there will be food, music and a silent auction. Information: 530-0280 or e-mail hattiemcneil@hotmail.com.

March 22

SPRINGDALE - Bill Drake and friends offer a month full of entertainment with music shows at the Springdale Senior Center on Saturday nights. The weekly shows continues with a classic country show at 7 p.m. March 22 and a bluegrass and barbecue fundraiser at 5 p.m. March 29. Proceeds from the shows benefit Meals On Wheels. Information: 751-1521.

On Film

Got Talent?

April 12

WINSLOW - Author Velda Brotherton will present a workshop from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. April 12 at Ozark Folkways. Participants will study the process of writing stories and books, drawing on their own experiences, ideas and fantasies. Registration is necessary; class is limited to 20. Fee is $25. To register, call Connie Wright at 634-3791 or Velda Brotherton at 634-3151 or vebrotherton@gmail.com.

On Film

March 30

FAYETTEVILLE - The John Harrison Opera Foundation will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Giacomo Puccini with a series of monthly DVD screenings of Puccini operas. Scheduled at 2 p.m. March 30 is "Tosca"; April 20 is "Madama Butterfly"; and May 18 is "Turandot." All the screenings are free. Information: 571-2222.

In Concert

Wednesday

FAYETTEVILLE - The University of the Ozarks Chorale and music ensembles will stop in Fayetteville and Springdale as part of their 2008 spring concert tour. Among the selections in their repertoire are "Thanks Be to God," "Sing Me to Heaven," "Holy Spirit, Gift of God" and "Come Where My Love Lies Dreaming." Scheduled performances are set for 2 p.m. at Butterfield Trail Village in Fayetteville and 6:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Springdale. Information: www.ozarks.edu.

March 29

BENTONVILLE - Pride of the Ozarks Barbershop Chorus will present its annual spring show, "Harmony for All Seasons," at 3 p.m. March 29 at the Arend Arts Center at Bentonville High School. The 28-member Pride of the Ozarks Chorus is directed by Leland Flickinger, assisted by Bob Frankenfeld. Written and directed by Bob Benson, "Harmony for All Seasons" will include songs that will bring back memories of seasons past. Guest quartets will be "Back in Business," an up-and-coming young group from the Lawrence, Kan., area and "Patent Pending," a quartet known throughout the Midwest for its comedy style. Tickets are available at Arvest banks throughout Benton County, at Delta Trust in Bella Vista and from chorus members. Information: (877) 993-7464 or 855-7980.

April 13

FAYETTEVILLE - The Walton Arts Center's Stars in Northwest Arkansas series continues with Bobby McFerrin, Chick Corea and Jack DeJohnette in concert at 7 p.m. April 13. Tickets start at $28-$45 by calling 443-5600.

April 18

FAYETTEVILLE - The Irish Chamber Orchestra, an internationally acclaimed group of top Irish and international string players, brings a repertoire from classical to modern to the Walton Arts Center for a show at 8 p.m. April 18. Tickets start at $24-$36 by calling 443-5600.

April 19

FAYETTEVILLE - The 2007-08 Starrlight Jazz Series concludes with the Ray Brown Tribute Band, performing at 7 and 9:30 p.m. April 19. The legendary Ray Brown accompanied some of the greatest musicians of his time and influenced an entire generation. Now bassist Christian McBride, pianist Benny Green and drummer Gregory Hutchinson come together to keep the tradition alive. Tickets start at $12-$28 by calling 443-5600.

Gotta Dance!

Monday

FAYETTEVILLE - Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with the McCafferty Irish Dancers at 5 p.m. at the Fayetteville Public Library. Information: 571-2222, ext. 4370.

March 28-30

FAYETTEVILLE - Walton Arts Center welcomes the newest, hippest act in the "Cirque" world. "Traces," by the innovative Canadian cirque troupe The 7 Fingers, will be presented at 8 p.m. March 28 and 29 and at 2 p.m. March 30, and tickets range in price from $22 to $34, with $10 student tickets available for college students with a valid student I.D. Information: 443-5600 or www.waltonartscenter.org.

Go and Do

Today

BETHEL HEIGHTS - The Singles Mingle organization plays host to dances for single adults of all ages from 8 to 11 p.m. Fridays. The dances take place at 215 W. Apple Blossom Road in Bethel Heights. Admission is $5. Information: 787-6077, 750-1246 or 636-5946.

Meetings & More

Today-Sunday

BENTONVILLE - Croppin' Train Scrapbook Retreat will hold its spring 2008 retreat this weekend at the Clarion Inn. Participants may sign up for the weekend or just drop in for the day. Each person will have their own 6-foot work area, along with access to a fully stocked supply depot. Information: 464-7206 or www.croppintrain.com.

Saturday

FAYETTEVILLE - The University of Arkansas chapter of Students in Free Enterprise will offer free computer skills tutoring at the Fayetteville Public Library on Saturdays in March and April. Adults who receive tutoring will learn more about typing, searching the Internet and using Windows applications. Tutoring continues through April 26 but will not be available March 22. Tutors will be available from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on a first-come, first-serve basis. No registration is required, but participants are encouraged to have a library card. Information: 571-22222, ext. 4450.

Saturday

FAYETTEVILLE - The Fayetteville Public Library will host a Native American Genealogy Workshop from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. as part of its monthlong celebration of Native American culture. Kathy Huber from the Genealogy Center in Tulsa will present a program on the most effective tools used to locate American Indian ancestors among the Five Civilized Tribes. The program is presented through a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Registration is required, and seating is limited. Information: 571-2222, ext. 4450.

Saturday

SPRINGDALE - The Tellers of Tales storytelling group will meet at 10:30 a.m. at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History. Information: 750-8165.

Wednesday

SPRINGDALE - "Myths, Legends and the Nitty Gritty," a program on the archeology of the Drennen-Scott House in Van Buren, will be presented by Tim Mulvihill, archeologist with the Arkansas Archeological Survey, and Tom Wing, professor of history at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, at noon at the Shiloh Museum. The public is invited to bring a sack lunch to the Sandwiched In program, and light refreshments will be served. Information: 750-8165.

Wednesday

FAYETTEVILLE - The Fayetteville Public Library continues its lunch series at noon with nationally celebrated artist Charles Banks Wilson. The lunch series is part of a monthlong series of events celebrating American Indian culture. Wilson will present an informal talk about his art as well as American Indian culture and history. The lunch series will continue with a walking tour of the Trail of Tears on March 22 at noon and a discussion by artist Tony Tiger about contemporary Native American art on March 26 at noon. Participants should bring a lunch. Information: 571-2222, ext. 4450.

Wednesday

FAYETTEVILLE - Cover to Cover, the Fayetteville Public Library's Adult Winter Reading Festival, continues with "The British Boom in Science Fiction" at 6:30 p.m. in the library's reading room on the second floor. Keith Booker, director of graduate studies in English at the University of Arkansas, and Sandy Rankin, an English graduate student at the UA, will present a two-part program on the most important phenomenon in contemporary science fiction and on China Mieville, the leading member of the "British Boom." Cover to Cover continues through April 13. Information: 571-2222, ext. 4450.

Thursday

SPRINGDALE - The Boston Mountain Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society will meet at 7 p.m. at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History. Information: 750-8165.

March 22

SPRINGDALE - The Ozark Wireless Society will meet at 10 a.m. March 22 at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History. Information: 750-8165.

March 23

SPRINGDALE - The Northwest Arkansas Sacred Harp Singers will meet at 1:30 p.m. March 23 at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History. Information: 750-8165.

March 25

FAYETTEVILLE - George Lankford, professor emeritus from Lyon College in Batesville, will present his illustrated talk, "Riders in the Sky," at 7 p.m. March 25 at the next meeting of the Kokoci Chapter of the Arkansas Archeological Society. Of all of the designs engraved on shell disks by prehistoric Indian artists, perhaps the most puzzling is the cartoon-like image of a humanoid figure surrounded by strange swirls. The swirls have led to the unfortunate nickname of "Spaghetti style" among today's students of the Mississippian culture. Although the name is whimsical, what the image represents is clearly a serious matter, but there have been few attempts to unravel the iconographic mystery. The meeting will be held at the Washington County Agricultural Extension Office, and the public is invited to attend. Information: 575-3556.

March 27

SPRINGDALE - Internationally known quilter Kaye England will be the guest speaker for the March meeting of Quilters United in Learning Together. England will speak at 7 p.m. March 27 at the Springdale Holiday Inn. A social time begins at 6:30. England began making quilts in the early 1980s but was influenced early on by a family of needleworkers. She designs fabrics for Wilmington Prints and heads her own publishing company, Kaye England Publications. She will also teach two workshops while in NorthWest Arkansas: The March 28 workshop is "Strippy Quilts" and is good for quilters of all skill levels. Civil War quilts are the topic of the March 29 workshop, also open to all skill levels. The cost of each workshop is $30. Information: 549-8230.

March 27

SPRINGDALE - The Northwest Arkansas Civil War Roundtable will meet at 7 p.m. March 27 at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History. Information: 750-8165.

April 23

FAYETTEVILLE - The Fayetteville Public Library will host "Foundation Fundraising: An Introductory Course" from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 23. Scholarships for the $125 course are available online at www.faylib.org/services/nonprofit-resource-center.asp. Scholarships will cover $100 of the course fee; recipients are responsible for the remaining $25, due April 18. Course registration is required by calling 571-2222, ext. 4450.

On the Road

Saturday-Sunday

EUREKA SPRINGS - The 12th annual Spring Antique Trail Show and Sale is set for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center. Fifty-three dealers from 13 states have made booth reservations, and a $10 wine-and-cheese preview will kick off the event this evening. Regular admission is $2.50, good for Saturday and Sunday. Information: 253-7551 or e-mail bakerdj@cox.net.

March 27-29

EUREKA SPRINGS - "Arkansas: Land of Eccentricity" is the theme for the Arkansas Historical Association's 67th annual conference March 27-29 in Eureka Springs. "The conference will offer a variety of programs on unique, interesting and oddball aspects of Arkansas history," according to Dr. Tom DeBlack, professor of history at Arkansas Tech University and president of the Arkansas Historical Association. "The AHA conference will feature more than 20 programs on a variety of topics including the White River Monster, unusual Arkansas laws, comedian Bob Burns, musician Ronnie Hawkins, and the invention of the Presto Space Age diaper." Keynote talks will be presented by Arkansas Times columnist Ernest Dumas and Allyn Lord, director of the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History. The conference is open to the public, and registration is $5. Information: Donna Ludlow at 575-5884 or by e-mail, dludlow@uark.edu.

April 4-6

EUREKA SPRINGS - Mystery lovers will once again be in for a clue-filled sleuthing weekend April 4-6 when the 1884 Bridgeford House Bed and Breakfast Inn and the 1881 Crescent Cottage Inn host another bed and breakfast murder mystery. The mystery, titled "The Conrail Affair," takes place in 1905 during a party at a Victorian mansion in the "Silk Stocking District" to celebrate the opening of the new railroad. But not everything on this festive evening goes well. For prices and information, call (888) 567-2422 or (800) 223-3246.

Every Friday, the WEEKEND notes section will feature entertainment events throughout Northwest Arkansas, across the state and around the four-state area. To be included, your event must be open to the public. Deadline for the WEEKEND section is noon TUESDAY for Friday publication. To submit an event, write to Becca Bacon Martin, Entertainment editor, The Morning News, P.O. Box 7, Springdale, 72765, send your submission by e-mail to bmartin@nwaonline.net or send a fax to 872-5055. All submissions must be in writing. Questions? Call 872-5054 or 872-5051.

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