ARTS & CULTURE
By Anna Buie | Photos courtesy of Walton Arts Center
Experience Art in Nature at Artosphere Festival
Artosphere, Arkansas’ Arts + Nature Festival, celebrates art, music and nature with exciting performances, activities and events the whole family can enjoy. Each year, Walton Arts Center’s Artosphere spotlights artists and performers from around the world who are inspired by nature, providing opportunities to experience art outdoors.
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On May 9, Artosphere’s signature event — Trail Mix — returns with live art, music and activities for kids and families! The Upper and Lower Ramble are the home of Trail Mix this year, exploring the convergence of art and nature in the forest canopy and pathways through Tanglewood Creek, Fay Jones Woods and the newly constructed public space, Upper Ramble. Trail Mix is a free event that features Backyard Bugs, Fayetteville High School Steel Pan Band, Dandelion Heart, University of Arkansas World Music Ensemble, energetic musical group Squonk and entertainers from Inspyral Circus.
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After Trail Mix, stay for Nimbus Dance. This dance company bridges the gap between world-class performances and community engagement by presenting work that challenges while also speaking to and elevating the core beliefs of its diverse audience. With a highly physical and visually engaging aesthetic, Nimbus’ international company of dancers “split the difference between traditionalism and modernism ... A Nimbus piece can pivot from ballet to Broadway to Beyoncé in just a few beats,” according to Jersey City Times. Don’t miss this performance May 9 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10!
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Bring your kids for Havana Hop, a one-woman performance May 12 at 7 p.m. at Walton Arts Center. Young Yeila dreams of being a superstar, but her lack of confidence gives her awful stage fright. With advice from her mother and mentors, Yeila begins to find her Cuban roots and build confidence. In this dynamic, multi-cultural show, the audience gets to dance along as one actress portrays three generations of lively women and infuses a salsa-style flair into hip-hop. The show is written, choreographed and performed by Paige Hernandez.
Photo by Theresa Harrison
Take your art experience to new heights at Jazz on the Mountain and Yoga on the Mountain — both at Mount Sequoyah’s Vesper Point, sponsored by Artosphere. On May 15 at 6 p.m., the Eli Dranow Trio will provide a fresh and engaging musical experience at Mount Sequoyah. The trio’s music covers a range of jazz styles, cool and refined at times, bombastic and fiery at others. The local musicians weave their way through varied arrangements, such as classic jazz ballads, The Beatles, Claude Debussy and original compositions. Then, at 7:15 p.m., enjoy stretch and flow yoga overlooking Fayetteville during sunset, accompanied by live music. Bring your own yoga mat. This event is provided in partnership with Clubhaus Fitness, Mount Sequoyah and Walton Arts Center as part of Artosphere.
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Join in the fun with Polyglot Theatre’s Bees and explore a buzzing, humming hive of activity as human-sized bees busy themselves in the community creation alongside children who can transform into bees as they play. Inspired by the mysterious life and work of bees, this re-imagining of public space involves the slow uncovering of an intricate, unseen world.
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Bees will be on the J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Gathering Glade at Fayetteville Public Library on May 14 at 9:30 and 11 a.m.; 4 p.m. on May 15; and 2 p.m. on May 16. Bees will also be at Luther George Park in Springdale on May 17 at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
More Artosphere Events Right in Your Backyard:
Trout Fishing in America
6:30 p.m. | May 6 | Botanical Garden of the Ozarks | Free
Chapel Concert: March to August
6 p.m. | May 13 | Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel | Tickets: $10
Taking Flight: Restorative Mindfulness
String Quartet and Bird Watching
5 and 6 p.m. | May 16 | Northwest Arkansas Land Trust Headquarters – The Arboretum at The Smokehouse | Free, but ticketed
Dover Quartet with Edgar Meyer
8 p.m. | May 17 | Baum Walker Hall, Walton Arts Center | Tickets: $10
Folk School of Fayetteville:
Pickin’ and a Grinnin’
2 to 8 p.m. | May 18 | Folk School of Fayetteville
