FEATURES
Profile: Rick Spicer
Finding Purpose in the Wild
On any given day, you might find Rick Spicer deep in the Ozarks with a compass and map in hand, guiding a survival workshop, or chatting with new hikers at Fayetteville’s beloved Pack Rat Outdoor Center. As co-owner and longtime soul of the shop, Rick’s passion for nature runs far deeper than gear; it’s about community and a lifelong love of the wild.
Arts & Culture: Biggest Broadway Season Yet!
Walton Arts Center’s 2025-26 Broadway lineup is the biggest season yet with 11 productions — the most Northwest Arkansas has seen in one season. Five of the shows are coming straight from Broadway on their first national tour and will make their Arkansas debut at Walton Arts Center.
Arts & Culture: A Grand New Stage for Opera in the Ozarks
Celebrating 75 years with a new theater and a blockbuster 2025 Summer Season
This summer, one of Arkansas’ most cherished cultural traditions marks an extraordinary milestone. Opera in the Ozarks celebrates its 75th anniversary and unveils a dazzling new 300-seat theater atop its scenic mountainside home, Inspiration Point Center for the Arts, located on Highway 62 West overlooking Beaver Lake, just five miles west of Eureka Springs.
Entertainment: Rock the Night Away as the Summer Heats Up
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​Fill your hot summer nights with unforgettable music from your favorite artists. The coming months are packed with sensational rock performances at the Walmart AMP. From the much-anticipated The Black Keys tour to the nostalgic sounds of Goo Goo Dolls or the Southern rock style Kansas and 38 Special are known for, there’s something for everyone.
Community: A Month of Local Festivals
Spend the summer surrounded by community when attending the region’s many exciting festivals this month. Whether looking for a crowd that appreciates talent in the independent film and music scenes or people to celebrate culture and identity with, these are the events for you.
Outdoor Living: 20 Years of Outdoor Spaces
Twenty years ago, I began writing for CitiScapes Magazine to highlight the beauty of outdoor spaces in Northwest Arkansas. To celebrate, we have compiled highlights from each year, many coming from one of our favorite annual features, “Thrill of the Grill.”
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Nonprofit: Rocking Hearts for 25 Years: Paint the Town Red’s Epic Journey in Northwest Arkansas
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​For 25 years, Paint the Town Red has been a rockstar of the Northwest Arkansas social scene, with a loyal fan base that has followed from its launch at the Fayetteville Athletic Club to its current gig at JJ’s Live in Fayetteville. It’s a one-of-a-kind event for the 101-year-old American Heart Association, a global nonprofit that aims to build healthier lives for people of all ages.
Outdoor Entertaining: Thrill of the Grill: The Setting
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When our client purchased this home, it was pretty bare-bones. The covered patio space existed but lacked personality, and the empty yard beyond was nothing but soil. With the aim of providing multiple destinations for relaxing and spending time with family, we set about furnishing the existing patio and developing the adjacent garden. The finished product serves as an effortless extension of the home’s interior and beckons visitors to explore. It is also the perfect venue for our annual Thrill of the Grill soirée!
Outdoor Entertaining: Thrill of the Grill: The Food
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For this year’s annual Thrill of the Grill cookout, I invited my friends Reiner Wibowo and Bari Abe of the renowned Rein Sushi & Hibachi in downtown Springdale. These new takes on classic Asian fare will have your friends and family asking for these recipes all summer long. Have fun — we sure did!
Destination: Culinary Adventures at Big Cedar Lodge
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Big Cedar Lodge is arguably the most-visited highly acclaimed luxury resort in the Ozarks. Perhaps you’ve been for a family getaway, to play world-class golf, or maybe for a special-occasion dinner or a weekend drive to see the awe-inspiring vistas at Top of the Rock. I won’t accuse you of living under a rock if you have never been, but if you’ve yet to visit and are looking for a good reason, then attending one of its special culinary events is the perfect excuse. Not that you need one. Big Cedar Lodge’s event calendar is chock-full of events, including an impressive array of culinary-focused experiences. There is bound to be something that tickles your palate!
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