TFW - The Free Weekly | Monthly Archive

Opening: 'Up'

No Comments 28 May 2009

Films

FS — Fiesta Square, Fayetteville, 575-0393; R12 — Razorback 12, Fayetteville, 521-4080; MT — Mall Twin, Fayetteville, 521-4080, S9 — Sunset 9, Springdale, 751-2600; PC — Pinnacle Cinema 12, Rogers, 631-5927; TC — Town Center, Rogers, 631-5927. *Early and late shows on select days. Malco times unavailable.

Opening

Drag Me To Hell (PG-13) FS: 11:35*,2:10, 4:25, 7:40, 10:00.

Up (PG) FS: 10:20*, 12:30, 3:00, 5:30, 7:40, 10:00.

Also Playing

17 Again (PG-13) Comedy about a guy whose dream of being 17 again comes true. Zac Efron, Matthew Perry. FS: 10:55*, 1:20, 4:15, 7:20, 9:40.

Angels & Demons (PG-13) Tom Hanks returns as a symbologist in the adaptation of another Dan Brown (The DaVinci Code) novel. FS: 10:35*, 1:30, 4:20, 7:10, 10:05.

Dance Flick (PG-13) Comedy. Dance off showdown. Soshana Bush, Damon Wayans Jr. FS: 11:15*, 1:10, 3:05, 5:05, 7:50, 10:20.

Fast and Furious (PG-13) Action adventure with Vin Diesel and Paul Walker. FS: 11:00*, 1:45, 4:35, 7:55, 10:15.

Fighting (PG-13) Inside look at the bare knuckle fighting circuit in NYC. Channing Tatum, Terrence Howard.

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (PG-13) A bachelor is haunted by old girlfriends. Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner. FS: 10:50*, 1:25, 4:40, 7:25, 9:35.

Hannah Montana: The Movie (PG) Miley Cyrus visits her hometown. FS: 11:40*, 2:20, 4:45, 6:55, 9:25.

Haunting in Connecticut (PG-13) Horror. Virginia Madsen, Kyle Gallner.

Monsters vs. Aliens (PG) Animated sc-fi. FS: 11:45*, 2:00, 4:15, 6:55, 9:10.

Next Day Air (R) Comedy about an unexpected delivery, a cache of cocaine.

Night at the Museum 2 (PG) Comedy. The Smithsonian comes to life. Ben Stiller, Amy Adams, Owen Wilson. FS: 10:40*, 11:20*, 1:05, 1:55, 3:40, 4:30, 6:45, 7:15, 9:20, 9:55.

Obsessed (PG-13) An office temp stalks a successful businessman. Beyonce Knowles, Idris Elba, Ali Larter.

Paul Blart, Mall Cop (PG) Kevin James as a bumbling security guard.

The Soloist (PG-13) A journalist discovers a talented Julliard-trained musician living on the streets of Los Angeles. Robert Downey, Jr., Jamie Foxx.

Star Trek (PG-13) The early years with a new cast. Leonard Nimoy as Spock Prime. Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto. FS: 10:30*, 1:15, 4:05, 7:30, 10:10.

State of Play (PG-13) Newspaper reporters delve into the suspicious death of a congressional aide. Russell Crowe, Rachel McAdams, Ben Affleck. FS: 11:10*, 1:50, 4:25, 7:10, 9:50.

Sunshine Cleaning (R) Comedy about an enterprising young mom who starts a biohazard cleanup business. Amy Adams, Emily Blunt. FS: 11:30*, 2:05, 4:40, 6:50, 9:00.

Terminator Salvation (PG-13) Sc-fi, action. Life after nuclear holocaust. Christian Bale, Helena Bonham Carter. FS: 11:25*, 2:15, 4:55, 8:00, 10:25.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine (PG-13) Action adventure sci-fi. Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber. FS: 10:45*, 1:10, 4:10, 7:05, 9:30.

Live Music, Music

Powerhouse Patio Thursday night- Boom Kinetic

No Comments 28 May 2009

Thursday, May 28
George’s: Amure, Open Addiction
Jose’s Southwest Grill: Karaoke
Jose’s Streetside: Lil Hoojin
Pesto: Kevin Bennoch
Powerhouse: Boom Kinetic
Smiling Jack’s: Josh & Friends
Squid & Whale: Kory Montgomery Band

Friday, May 29
Arsaga’s Crossover: Pink Fantastic
Arsaga’s Gregg: East of Zion
Boomer’s: Toast to the Blind
Drifters: Jesse Dean
George’s: FOS Project, Dreamfast, Jarris, the.radio.sky, Saturate, Spoken
GoodFolk: Stephen Bennett
Jammin Java: Magic Mama
The Perk: Open Mic
Ryleigh’s: The People in the Paper, Earth Society
Smiling Jack’s: Kevin Bennoch
Speakeasy: DJ Greg
Teatro Scarpino: DJ Adam Richardson

Saturday, May 30
Arsaga’s Crossover: Scotty Walters, Jovan Arellano
Bayou: 90 Lb Wrench
George’s: Fayetteville Funk Ensemble
Jammin Java: Cletus Got Shot & Friends
Jose’s Southwest Grill: Cousin Eddie
Little O’Oprey: Live Jam
Soul: Andrew Sieff Jazz Group with Richard Bruton
Speakeasy: DJ Greg
Squid & Whale: Kory Montgomery Band

Sunday, May 31
Common Grounds: DJ SoulFree
Copeland’s: Claudia Burson Trio
George’s: Kory Montgomery
Gypsy: Karaoke
Jose’s Streetside: Isayah Warford, Kory Montgomery & Friends
Pesto Cafe: Shannon Wurst
Savor: Pamela Nelson
Smiling Jack’s: Effron White

Monday, June 1
Jose’s Southwest Grill: Open Mic
The Perk: Open Acoustic Jam
Pesto Cafe: Darren Ray
Smiling Jack’s: Candy Lee
U.S. Pizza: John Huges & Kevin Bennoch

Tuesday, June 2
Bayou: Blues Jam
George’s: Electro Lounge
Jose’s Southwest Grill: Isayah’s Allstars
Jose’s Streetside: Dave Stiles
Smiling Jack’s: Josh & Friends
Teatro Scarpino: Live Jazz with the McLeod Burson Quartet
Wet Pig BBQ: Open Acoustic Jam

Wednesday, June 3
El Chico, Fayetteville: Randal Shreve
Ella’s: Jazz
George’s: Elephant Revival, Blue Mountain Telepath
Greenhouse Grille: 3 Penny Acre
Iron Horse: Open Jazz
Jose’s Southwest Grill: Jacob & Isayah
Jose’s Streetside: Karaoke
Smiling Jack’s: East of Zion
U.S. Pizza: Josh & Friends

Thursday, June 4
Jose’s Southwest Grill: Karaoke
Jose’s Streetside: Big Bad Bubba
Pesto: Kevin Bennoch
Smiling Jack’s: Rachel Fields
Speakeasy: DJ Peaches

Venues
Arsaga’s Crossover: 527-0690
Arsaga’s Gregg: 444-6557
Bayou: 246-9337
Boomer’s Time Out: 715-6530
Bordino’s: 527-6795
Common Grounds: 442-3515
Copeland’s: 246-9455
Drifters: 444-1997
Ella’s Restaurant: 582-0400
Fatty Hacker’s: 751-0881
George’s: 442-4226
Goodfolk: 521-1812
Greenhouse Grille: 444-8909
Gypsy: 444-1945
Iron Horse: 631-9977
Jammin Java: 443-2233
Jose’s Southwest Grill: 750-9055
Jose’s Streetside: 521-0194
Little O’Oprey: 839-2992
The Perk: 856-6382
Pesto Cafe: 582-3330
Powerhouse: 442-8300
Savor: 587-8325
Smiling Jack’s: 935-4899
Soul Restaurant & Lounge: 442-0800
Speakeasy: 443-3279
Squid & Whale: 253-7147
Teatro Scarpino: 409-3772
U.S. Pizza: 582-4808
Wet Pig BBQ: 718-0008.

Casinos
Buffalo Run Casino
Miami, Okla., buffalorun.com
Friday: Jeremy McCombs

Cherokee Casino
West Siloam Springs, Okla., cherokeecasino.com
Thursday: Brent Baker
Friday & Saturday: Big Bad Bubba, Anthony Gomes
Sunday: Scott Keeton

Choctaw Casino
Pocola, Okla., choctawcasinos.com
Friday: Richard Rauch & Route 4
Saturday: Richard Rauch

Downstream Casino Resort
Quapaw, Okla., downstreamcasino.com
Friday: Joe Giles Band
Saturday: Oreo Blue, The Benders

Want your band listed? E-mail information two weeks in advance to: sporter@nwaonline.net.

Features

Wakarusa Comes To The Natural State

No Comments 28 May 2009

Black Crowes headline Wakarusa

Summer Festival Has New Home in the Ozarks

By Brian Washburn

The biggest four days of the summer for Arkansas music junkies is right around the corner. The immensely popular, electro-jam festival Wakarusa is coming up next week and as the dates grow near (June 4-7), so does the anticipation of the fans, bands and promoters. But while lineups, set times, ticket prices, camp grounds and all that good stuff have already been settled, this is still the first year Wakarusa has set up camp in the Ozarks and what the experience will ultimately be like has yet to be seen.
“This will be the sixth year and obviously the first five were outside of Lawrence, Kan., and this one will take place at Mulberry Mountain,” said Wakarusa Festival organizer and director Brett Mosiman. “We decided to do it because we saw the great impact of Bonaroo launch a year or two before that and thought the Midwest needed something like that.
“We were on state property and they were pretty closed-minded about our progress as an event and put pretty strict restrictions on capacity and things you could do and it’s been a long process, but we’ve actually been looking (for a new place) for several years,” Mosiman said. “We’re not going to just move for no reason, we’re moving to a better location. (Mulberry Mountain) is an amazing property on top of a mountain.”
While the festival has been immensely popular in Kansas (the festival is named after the Wakarusa River outside of Lawrence), the move to Mulberry Mountain will ultimately be a move for the better, Mosiman said. With more area, festival organizers are going to add more activities. There will be a Ferris wheel, canoeing, floating and the attraction of the Ozark Mountains and the outstanding natural scenery at Mulberry Mountain.
However, the main draw to Wakarusa is the music and this year’s lineup is proving to be just as strong as ones in the past. Headliners include The Black Crowes, Gov’t Mule, Sound Tribe Sector 9, Les Claypool, G. Love and Special Sauce, Yonder Mountain String Band, Matisyahu, Cross Canadian Ragweed, plus tons more.
“There are a lot of personal favorites in this year’s lineup,” Mosiman said. “There are some bands that we have had before and some that are new and never played the event. We did take into consideration what’s popular in Fayetteville, Tulsa and Little Rock rather than Kansas City.”
Though this year’s lineup is attracting people from all over the state, the price of admission, camping and the recent economic downturn is taking its toll on Wakarusa this year. Tickets jumped to $140, but Mosiman said the price is a “pretty reasonable service charge.”
Even with the price of admission to Wakarusa, a person’s day at the festival might be like a vacation, especially with the new, loosened regulations Wakarusa have at Mulberry Mountain.
“An average day might be wake up, go visit a coffee vendor, take a hike to the river, take a dip, splash around in water. The music will start at 10 or 11. Nearly 30 bands a day on four stages, so music runs continuously and into the wee hours of the evening. Arts and crafts vendors will be on site and food vendors are on site. You might want to go take a balloon ride or Ferris wheel ride. There are plenty of activities for families and kids, just a wonderful vacation for the price of a hotel room in Chicago or St. Louis and you get a four-day first-class vacation with bands from around the planet playing multiple sets,” Mosiman said.
The location change might affect the turnout, but Mosiman believes the number of attendees will go up as a result of the new venue. Because of this, festival organizers plan to keep Wakarusa at Mulberry Mountain as a long-term home.
“We really couldn’t be more pleased with the site owners. They’ve spent a ton of money making it a really wonderful vacation site. It’s a pretty cool place to go year round, take a day float or a day or hike. They have cabins on the site and it’s a great place to spend the weekend,” Mosiman said.
Even though the people running Wakarusa have added several new attractions, changed locations and are attempting new things to attract more people, they feel their “midlevel festival” compares positively with the rest of the nation’s festivals.
“We have been doing this for decades in one form or another. It’s a great value and at the end of the day it’s less than half the price ofBonaroo,” Mosiman said. “If you break it down into sets by bands, you’re paying less than a dollar a set and getting to camp and everything is available on site.
“It’s a great value and it’s a great time. You meet lots of friends from all over the country and one unique thing, even though it’s a midlevel festival, we’ve sold tickets in all 50 states the last four years and in six or seven countries. People come from all over,” Mosiman said.
Wakarusa tickets can be purchased at George’s Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville, at Sticky Fingerz in Little Rock or on the festival’s Web site. Tickets for specific days can be purchased and four-day passes are also available, which allows access to the entire festival and camping for the four days.
Wakarusa features many artists that are familiar to Northwest Arkansas music fans, but there will also be some acts that have not played in the NWA area before.
“We’ve got multiple sets from bluegrass, rock bands, DJs, electronic, folk acts and alt-country. A little bit of something for everybody all in Mother Nature,” Mosiman said. “It’s so cool to be outdoors in the woods watching a killer bluegrass band.”

Wakarusa Performers
* The Black Crowes
* Gov’t Mule
* STS9
* Yonder Mountain String Band
* Les Claypool
* G. Love and Special Sauce
* Matisyahu
* Gomez
* Cross Canadian Ragweed
* Shpongle – DJ Set
* Galactic
* Buckethead
* Sly & Robbie
* Railroad Earth
* Steve Kimock Crazy Engine featuring Melvin Seals
* PRAANG
* Porter Batiste Stoltz
* Perpetual Groove
* JJ Grey & Mofro
* Jimmy Herring Band
* The Egg
* 20/20 Soundsystem
* Lucero
* Split Lip Rayfield
* The New Mastersounds
* Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit
* EOTO
* Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue
* Secret Chiefs 3
* Boombox
* New Monsoon
* Moonalice
* Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey
* Ott
* Ganga Giri
* Cornmeal
* Joe Purdy
* Telepath
* Jessie Baylin
* Langhorne Slim
* Dusty Rhodes and the River Band
* Cedric Burnside & Lightnin’ Malcolm
* Big Smith
* Josh Phillips Folk Festival
* Dirtfoot
* Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad
* Elmwood
* Pretty Lights
* Heavyweight Dub Champion
* Underground Orchestra
* DJ Rekha
* Chuck Love
* Wax Fang
* The Heavy Pets
* Old School Freight Train
* Mishka
* Jonathan Tyler & the Northern Lights
* My Dear Disco
* Radiohiro presents DubFi Soundsystem
* Blue Mountain
* Hoots and Hellmouth
* Burnin’ Smyrnans
* Scythian
* Public Property
* Madahoochi
* Elephant Revival
* Euforquestra
* Hana Pestle
* The Hood Internet
* My-Tea Kind
* Home
* Paul Benjaman Band
* Samantha Crain & the Midnight Shivers
* Turbine
* Mayola
* Spoonfed Tribe
* Charliehorse
* Uncle Lucius
* Reelfoot
* David Hasselhoff on Acid
* Mountain Standard Time
* Blue Martian Tribe
* GEM
* Spotting Waldo
* The Running Wild Band
* The Moai Broadcast
* Damn Bullets
* The Corduroy
* Green Sugar
* LFDC Funk
* Gum

Complete schedule at wakarusa.com.

Wine of the Week

Wines From Burgundy

No Comments 28 May 2009

‘E’Wine of the Week

By Bruce Cochran

Hello Everyone,
Well, we made it to our 300th issue of E Wine of the Week. Nearly 2,000 people have subscribed to the electronic version. Thank you one and all. When we began, a little over six years ago, I thought that 75 or 100 subscribers would be a lot!
My other newsletter, Wine 102, is distributed via a network of wine retail stores and restaurants, free to the public. You can find the list at brucecochran.com. The topic this month is Wine with Barbecue. As a certified barbecue judge (I’m not kidding), I love pairing wines with smoked meats.
Try a new wine this week!
Bruce

Louis Jadot Bourgogne Pinot Noir
France’s Burgundy region is home to some of the world’s greatest and most expensive wines, both white and red. Some of Burgundy’s vineyards date back at least 2,000 years. Around 150 years ago Burgundian pinot noir and chardonnay vines, along with vines from other regions and varieties, where taken to California and other parts of the New World.
So when somebody says the word “Burgundy” the experienced wine lover will assume they mean the region in east central France between Dijon (which actually is the mustard capital), and Lyon. A less experienced person will think of box wines or jug wines.
Most French wines are named for where the grapes were grown and the type of grape is rarely listed. That’s because the place names are controlled and can be used on the label only if the wine is made from the traditional varieties that made the town or vineyard famous in the first place. Burgundy’s red wines by law are made from pinot noir, with the exception of the Beaujolais subregion at the southern tip of Burgundy. They’re made from gamay grapes.
Since the French speak French, they don’t spell Burgundy the way we do. The French word for this region is Bourgogne (pronounced “boor GO nyuh”). It’s sort of like the Italians saying Firenze instead of Florence.
The best Burgundian vineyards are on the Grand Cru list, and their wine labels bear only the name of the vineyard. The second best are on the Premier Cru list, and the name of the closest village appears on the label with the vineyard name. If grapes from more than one vineyard are blended together, the words “Premier Cru” appear with the village name.
Wines from the rest of Burgundy’s vineyards are often blended together under the name of a nearby village, a subregion, or just the name Bourgogne.
Burgundy is a small place with expensive wines, but you can taste the telltale elegant earthiness-or perhaps earthy elegance-of its pinot noirs with Louis Jadot Pinot Noir Bourgogne, blended from up and down the region.
Jadot has long been one of Burgundy’s premier producers. It retails for about $20.

Risa's Astrology

Gemini: Move Between Old, New

No Comments 28 May 2009

ARIES: Move forward on bringing what you value into manifestation. It is time to negotiate with others. As you define your plans and goals, you will also define your values and everyone will know where you stand. Business activities are important. Elaborate more.

TAURUS: Thoughts flow into your mind and are instantly forgotten. They’re not lost. They’re embedding themselves into your imagination for later application. Others see you as constantly changing, which you are. It’s not under your control. New projects must come into form for humanity’s welfare.

GEMINI: As a new self-awareness unfolds you’ll find there’s less ability to adapt to old ways. You’ll form new alliances and new realities. You’ll move between old and new ’til you’ve anchored the more inclusive Aquarian principles.

CANCER: Your mind is restructuring itself, gaining new dimensions, creating new understanding. What you feared before is being replaced with preparation for times to come. Spirit comes into matter through you. Align with this thought.

LEO: Redo and correct the past bringing love to all interactions. When an event or interaction is remembered now displaying your heart, redo it by re-visualizing what should have occurred. Healing in your heart then occurs to you and all others.

VIRGO: Read Leo for healing and release from past wounds. Think about your relationships and how they’ve changed. In what ways did you bring change? Have you been changed by encounters with others? A new seven-year cycle of change begins soon. You will not be who you were before.

LIBRA: Family life affects you profoundly. Changes within the family have occurred. You made choices that affected the family. Are those choices still in effect? Are you pondering the importance of family? Who is your family now? Have you touched gratitude yet?

SCORPIO: The past week has brought a focus to family life, childhood issues, mother and nurturance. What thoughts came forth, what wounds surfaced, what dissolved, what became larger than life, and how did this affect you? The past weeks have been difficult. Now there will be a drive toward relationship interactions. Do not be irritable, angry or pushy.

SAGITTARIUS: Giving because is the most powerful of all actions creating a magnetic force field directing us toward others and away from ourselves. When giving to others a great love encompasses us. We become free. When we give we are then given to so we can give more. It takes a courageous spirit to do this.

CAPRICORN: A change in money and resources will make you more aware of monetary inflow and outflow so you can better save and prepare for an unusual future and adjust to the coming times in ecological, innovative, informed and sustained ways that work with the whole. This is what “permaculture” means as it defines and organizes. You will be a “permaculture family system.”

AQUARIUS: The questions for Scorpio are also for you. They define the past weeks and coming times, which will bring forth transformations of consciousness through noting what is wounding you now, what’s vulnerable, what issues you’re concerned with, what in your life need care, tending and healing, what’s almost too big to handle and what’s dissolving we love you and stand with you.

PISCES: A life event that bridges the past with the future creating will create a new self-identity and better way to help and serve others. You will need extra care, rest and tending amidst solitude. A wound slowly heals; something is taken away so that a greater more loving presence can envelop you. Mantrams are a solace. Here’s one: “The joy of the Divine Self is my strength. At the center of all love I stand.”

E-mail Risa at Risagoodwill@gmail.com

Garden Clock

Roses In Water

No Comments 28 May 2009

My neighbor has given me a section from a rose, but I don’t have time to plant it. How long can I leave it in water in a bucket?

Plants are not usually harmed when left in water for a day or two, but they really should be planted as soon as possible. The roots must be kept moist or they may die. However, if left in water, they gradually are damaged by lack of oxygen. If you must delay planting of the rose or any other plant, do what is called heeling in. This means digging a temporary hole or trench, setting the plants, covering their roots loosely with soil and then watering well. Plant as soon as possible.

Is it better to mix compost into the soil or to leave it on the surface when preparing beds for planting?

Either way is fine as long as you’re sure the compost has fully matured (no noticeable leaves or food scraps). If it has not fully decomposed, it is better to leave it on the surface where it can finish breaking down without tying up nitrogen in the soil.

The bushes I plant near my house keep dying. I have replaced the shrubs twice. What shall I do to save the appearance of the front of the house?

First check the drainage. If it is OK, your plants are probably affected by the lime that is leaching into the soil from the foundation of your house. Most evergreen shrubs are acid loving. Lime raises the pH of the soil. Fertilize with an acid fertilizer such as Miracid. The shrubs will respond faster if some of the fertilizer is sprayed on the foliage.

I received some canned hot peppers that are especially good. Can I save the seeds and plant them?

The high heat of canning plus the acid of vinegar used in preparing peppers will destroy the viability of the seeds. There is a very good chance that you will be able to find the same variety of hot peppers at the Farmers Market this summer.

Send your gardening and landscaping questions and tips to Washington County Master Gardeners, 2536 N. McConnell Ave., Fayetteville, 72704 or call 444-1755.

8 Days A Week Calendar

Blues, Quilts, Art, Wine…

No Comments 28 May 2009

All events listed in 8 Days a Week are open to the public. To submit a listing, send to FFW, 203 N. College Ave., Fayetteville, 72701, or fax to 444-7289, at least two weeks prior to event. Submissions are printed as space allows. Photographs and art are also considered.

Special Events

SPRING BLUES WEEKEND: Today Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Eureka Springs. With Guitar Shorty, Hubert Sumlin & the Buddy Flett Band, Joe Louis Walker, David “Honeyboy” Edwards and others. Special Kory Montgomery and Hubert Sumlin at The AUD on Friday. EurekaSpringsBlues.com or 888-855-7823.

KATHY THOMPSON STUDENT ART SHOW: Mixed media art by students from age 6 to 70. 5 to 8 p.m. today at Studio 3, 3 E. Mountain St. in Fayetteville and next door at the ddp gallery.

AIRING OF THE QUILTS: 6 p.m. today outside the home of Loneta Blevins, 3302 W. Perry Road in Rogers. Potluck supper. quiltguildnwa.org or 273-7153.

JUNE BUG JAM: 3 p.m. Saturday at the Headwaters School in Red Star, 50 miles east of Fayetteville on Arkansas 16. Music by Magic Mama and Opal Fly and The Faery Pranksters. Juggling and twirling workshop, fire-twirling show, face painting, parade, raffles, food and more. $5, kids 12 and younger free. headwaters-school.org or 665-2882.

WAKARUSA MUSIC & CAMPING FESTIVAL: June 4-7 at Mulberry Mountain in Ozark. wakarusa.com.

ART OF WINE FESTIVAL: June 4-6 at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. $50-$150. waltonartscenter.org or 443-5600.

Stage & Screen

MACHOMER: The Simpsons meet Shakespeare in this one-man comedy show with Rick Miller today, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Walton Arts Center. $25. 443-5600.

DAN’S PARTY COMEDY IMPROV: 8-9:30 p.m. today at Teatro Scarpino, 329 N. West Ave. in Fayetteville. $5. scarpino.com or 409-3772.

GRANNY’S VICTORY GARDEN, WWII ON THE HOME FRONT: 3 p.m. Sunday at the Arts Center of the Ozarks in Springdale. $8-$16. artscenteroftheozarks.org or 751-5441.

Words

MATT BAIRD READING: 9 p.m. today at Arsaga’s on Gregg Street in Fayetteville. arsagas.com or 444-6557.

STORIES OF OUR NATURAL HERITAGE: 1-3 p.m. Saturday at the Shiloh Museum. 750-8165.

LIFEWRITING: 10 a.m. Monday at the Shiloh Museum. For people interested in writing the stories of their own lives or those of family and friends. springdaleark.org/shiloh or 790-2588.

BOOKTALK@NIGHT: 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Fayetteville Public Library. Registration required. faylib.org or 571-2222.

BEYOND WORDS: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Arsaga’s on Crossover Road in Fayetteville. arsagas.com or 527-0690.

Music

JASON D. WILLIAMS: 7 p.m. today in Gulley Park in Fayetteville. Free. 444-3471.

RAIN, A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES: 7 p.m. today and Sunday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Walton Arts Center. $20-$48 waltonartscenter.org or 443-5600.

BEN FOLDS: 6 p.m. Friday at the Arkansas Music Pavilion at the Northwest Arkansas Mall. $15-$50. arkansasmusicpavilion.com.

MIHO SAKON VIOLIN CONCERT: 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Fayetteville Public Library. For kids. faylib.org or 856-7170.

NATHAN HAMILTON: 7 p.m. June 4 in Gulley Park in Fayetteville. Free. 444-3471.

PICKIN’ IN THE PARK: 6 p.m. Saturdays at Frisco Park in Rogers. Free. mainstreetrogers.com or 636-8204.

MUSIC IN THE PARK: Noon-6 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in Basin Springs Park in Eureka Springs. 253-2586.

Learning

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS CIVIL WAR ROUNDTABLE: 7 p.m. today at the Shiloh Museum. springdaleark.org/shiloh or 750-8165.

FINDERS KEEPERS: 1 p.m. Friday at the Rogers Historical Museum Annex. Free. rogersarkansas.com/museum or 621-1154.

WEST COAST SWING WORKSHOPS: 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Friday with Tulsa champion dancer Jeanne DeGeyter. Salsa, swing lessons at 8:30 p.m. Open dance at 9:30 p.m. Fridays at Teatro Scarpino in Fayetteville. $10-$15. scarpino.com or 409-3772.

POTTERY CLASSES: 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays, and 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Wednesdays at aPotteryStudio, 2002 S. School Ave. in Fayetteville. $79-$95 per month. Saturday Workshops. apotterystudio.com or 521-3171.

Mind, Body, Spirit

FAYETTEVILLE FREE THINKERS: 2 p.m. Saturday at the Fayetteville Public Library. fayfreethinkers.com or 442-6738.

WATER EXERCISE CLASSES: 9-9:50 a.m. and 10-10:50 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the Jones Center. $25 per month. Water Movement, Arthritis Aqua, and Fibro Fit. 756-8090, ext. 2526.

BUDDHIST MEDITATION: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Arkansas Yoga Center in Fayetteville. 422-6526.

DHARMA TALK: 11 a.m. Sundays at Dramis Hardwood Floors, 2275 S. School Ave. in Fayetteville. With Tibetan Buddhist Monk Ven. Geshe Thupten Dorjee. tcia.com or 587-8920.

Seniors

BALANCED BODIES: 9 a.m. Fridays at the Jones Center in Springdale. Free. Designed for seniors who may need to sit to exercise. 756-8090, ext. 2526.

STRETCH & FLEX: 9 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Jones Center in Springdale. Free. 756-8090, ext. 2526.

Auditions, Entries, Call For Volunteer

MUSIC MAN AUDITIONS: 7 p.m. June 8-9 at the Rogers Little Theater. RogersLittleTheater.com or 631-8988.

RECORDING & MUSIC BUSINESS: Scholarship applications due June 15. For ages 16-25. July 19-26 with Eric T. Schabacker. winterwoodstudios.com.

Then and Now, a group show is on display

at the ddp gallery in downtown Fayetteville.

Art

ANNE KITTRELL ART GALLERY: Arkansas Union, Fayetteville. 575-5255. Campus Fashion Exhibit through Sept. 9.

ARSAGA’S: 1582 Crossover Road Suite 2, Fayetteville. arsagas.org or 527-0690. Paintings by Adam Campbell through May.

ARSAGA’S: 2418 N. Gregg Ave., Fayetteville. arsagas.org or 444-6557. Paintings by Cheri Wollenberg’s art students through May.

ARTS CENTER OF THE OZARKS: 214 S. Main St., Springdale. artscenteroftheozarks.org or 751-5441. Works by Amanda Solov, and Pottery by Norie Allen through May 30.

CITIZENS BANK GALLERY: 116 E. Buchanan St., Prairie Grove. 790-0342 or 846-2738. Contemporary ceramics, sculpture, paintings, prints, photography and gifts.

THE COMMON GROUNDS: 412 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. commongroundsar.com or 442-3515. Works by Jason Hudson, Kori Hudson and Mark Stavely through June 30.

CORNER GIFT SHOP: 3582 N. Arkansas 112, Fayetteville. 521-2674. Art by more than 30 local artists and craftsmen.

CRYSTAL BRIDGES AT THE MASSEY: 125 W. Central Ave., Bentonville. massey.crystalbridges.org or 418-5700. “Through the Needle’s Eye” through Aug. 9.

DDP GALLERY: 7 E. Mountain St., Fayetteville. ddpgallery.com or 442-0001. “Then and Now” group show through May.

FAYETTEVILLE UNDERGROUND GALLERY: East Square Plaza Basement, 1 E. Center St., Fayetteville. fayettevilleunderground.com or 422-8607.

FOUR SQUARE FINE ART GALLERY: 112 W. Center St., Fayetteville. FourSquareFineArt.com or 422-8607. Paintings by Timothy Tyler, Robert Andes, Golsa Yaghoobi, MM Kent, Robert Glick, pastels by David Mudrinich, Photography by Kirk Lanier and Illuminated Boxes by Tanya Johnston. “Art of War” through Monday.

HEARTWOOD GALLERY: 428 S. Government St., Fayetteville. 444-0888. Jewelry, pottery, glass, handmade books, textiles, sculpture, photography, paintings, drawings, mixed media, music CDs, wood turnings. More than 30 local artists.

JULIE WAIT DESIGNS ART GALLERY: 318 S. First St., Rogers. juliewaitdesigns.com or 631-8706. Pastels by Julie Mayser through June 12.

OZARK NATURAL FOODS: 1554 N. College Ave., Fayetteville. 521-7558. Greg Moore through May.

POOR RICHARD’S ART: 116 S. First St., Rogers. poorrichardsart.com or 636-0417. Works by Maura Miller and Phil Leonard through May.

RICHLAND NURSERY AND ART GALLERY: Arkansas 23 South, Huntsville. 738-5305. Young artists show through May 29.

ROGERS LITTLE THEATER: 116 S. Second St. in Rogers. RogersLittleTheater.com or 631-8988. “Have Easel, Will Travel” Plein Air Paintings by Joanne Hall through June 30.

TEATRO SCARPINO: 329 N. West Ave. in Fayetteville. scarpino.com or 409-3772. Paintings by Holly Harbin and Martin Newman through June.

TERRA STUDIOS, MUSE GALLERY & COFFEEHOUSE: 12103 Hazel Valley Road in Durham. 30 artists, 10-acre art park with murals and sculpture installations. Home of the original Bluebird of Happiness. terrastudios.com or 1-800-255-8995.

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS FINE ARTS CENTER GALLERY: Fayetteville. 575-7987. Hank Kaminsky through May.

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS CENTER FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION: 2 E. Center St., Fayetteville. 575-6489. Watercolors by Springdale Centenarian Myrtle Laabs through June.

WALTON ARTS CENTER: 495 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. waltonartscenter.org or 443-5600.

Museums

ARKANSAS AIR MUSEUM: Drake Field, 4290 S. School Ave., Fayetteville. 521-4947. Aircraft from all eras of aviation history.

CLINTON HOUSE MUSEUM: 930 California Drive, Fayetteville. clintonhousemuseum.org or 444-0066.

GRAVETTE HISTORICAL MUSEUM: 503 Charlotte St. S.E., Gravette. 787-7334. Early 1900s restored home with displays representing Gravette’s history.

MUSEUM OF NATIVE AMERICAN ARTIFACTS: 202 S.W. “O” St., Bentonville. museumofnativeamericanartifacts.org or 273-2456. Free self guided audio tours of Paleo, Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian and tribal artifacts.

PEA RIDGE NATIONAL MILITARY PARK: 15930 U.S. 62, Garfield. 451-8122. Self-guided road tour, 10-mile hiking trail, Civil War museum and bookstore.

PEEL MANSION MUSEUM AND HISTORIC GARDENS: 400 S. Walton Blvd., Bentonville. 273-9664. 1875 Italianate mansion with historic roses and plants.

PRAIRIE GROVE BATTLEFIELD STATE PARK: 506 E. Douglas St., U.S. 62, Prairie Grove. 846-2990. Civil War battlefield with original buildings.

ROGERS HISTORICAL MUSEUM: 322 S. Second St., Rogers. 621-1154. rogersarkansas.com/museum. “Of Promise and Pain: Life Between the Wars,” “Virgil Lovelace and Life on the Farm,” and “Rogers Auto-Biography: An Automotive History of Rogers” through December.

SHILOH MUSEUM: 118 W. Johnson Ave., Springdale. 750-8165. springdaleark.org/shiloh. Exhibits of early life in the Ozarks. Original buildings on the grounds. “Squeaky Clean” on the history of hygiene through Jan. 16, 2010. “Carry On” featuring baskets, purses, trunks and other artifacts for transport and containment through Sept. 26. “Bridging The Gap” featuring historic bridges in the Arkansas Ozarks through Aug. 8.

SILOAM SPRINGS MUSEUM: 112 N. Maxwell St., 524-4011.

Coming Soon

BARKS, BLUES & BBQ: 3-6 p.m. June 6 at Blowing Springs Park in Bella Vista. OBS’s Bluesbuilder Youth Jam Band, Mr. Rob’s children’s music, gospel with Ocie Fischer, Nathan Aronoqitz & Friends, and a BlueZoo instrument petting zoo. Free. Benefits the Benton County Humane Society and the Ozark Blues Society. ozarkbluessociety.org.

NWA ROLLER GIRLS: ARKANSAS KILLBILLIES VS. KC ROLLER WARRIORS: 7 p.m. June 6 at Roller City in Springdale. $10-$12; kids 12 and younger free. nwarollergirls.com or 756-3866.

GREATER TUNA: 8 p.m. June 5-6, June 12-13, and June 18-20 and 2 p.m. June 14 and June 21 at the Rogers Little Theater. $7.50-$42. RogersLittleTheater.com or 631-8988.

DOWN IN LITTLETOWN: 8 p.m. June 10-11 at the Dickson Street Theater, 227 W. Dickson St. in Fayetteville. Written by Fayetteville’s Poet Laureate Clayton Scott; directed by Chris Plummer; music by Kelly & Donna. For ages 16 and older. $10-$15. 414-5116.

MOZART AND BEETHOVEN IN THE GARDEN: 7-8:30 p.m. June 11 at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, 4703 N. Crossover Road in Fayetteville. With the Lyrique Quintette. bgozarks.org or 750-2620.

BAT-O-RAMA: June 12-14 at Devil’s Den State Park in West Fork. Free. arkansasstateparks.com or 761-3325.

SPENCER’S THEATRE OF ILLUSION: 7 p.m. June 12 and 2 p.m. June 13 at the Walton Arts Center. $18-$25. waltonartscenter.org or 443-5600.

XTERRY TRIATHLON: June 13 in Eureka Springs. eurekaspringsoffroadtriathlon.com.

LEVON HELM BAND: 8 p.m. June 18 at the Walton Arts Center. $45-$125. waltonartscenter.org or 443-5600.

OPERA IN THE OZARKS: June 19-July 17 at Inspiration Point, U.S. 62 West in Eureka Springs. “Manon” by Massenet, “Albert Herring” by Britten, “Pagliacci” by Leoncavallo and “Hansel & Gretel” by Humperdinck. opera.org.

FIREFLY FESTIVAL: June 21 at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, 4703 N. Crossover Road in Fayetteville. Musicians, dancers, puppeteers, crafts and more. bgozarks.org or 750-2620.

EUREKA SPRINGS GARDEN TOUR: June 27 in Eureka Springs. 487-7257.

RED, WHITE AND BLOOMS!: 6:30 p.m. July 1 at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, 4703 N. Crossover Road in Fayetteville. Arkansas Winds Community Concert Band. bgozarks.org or 750-2620.

OLD WEST FILM FEST: July 4 at the Shiloh Museum. Classic silent westerns. Free popcorn and lemonade. springdaleark.org/shiloh or 750-8165.

Film, Film Review

'Tyson' A Hit

No Comments 28 May 2009

On The Aisle

By Tony Macklin

Mike Tyson is thoughtful. Huh?
The documentary movie “Tyson” reveals a Mike Tyson I can almost guarantee you haven’t seen before.
Hardly anyone thinks of former boxer Tyson as articulate and sincere. But director James Toback does and he captures these qualities in a fascinating, sympathetic portrait. “Tyson” is a film of vast surprises.
Many of us know Tyson as the bull of a fighter who bit part of Evander Holyfield’s ear off, and lost a fight to Buster Douglas as more than a 40-1 favorite.
Some view Tyson as a bum whom wife Robin Givens accused of abuse in a TV interview with Barbara Walters and who was imprisoned for rape (of Miss Black America contestant Desiree Washington).
Most people have a negative image of Tyson. Toback sets out to at least qualify that and perhaps change it totally. He very well may have succeeded.
The first thing that surprised me was that Tyson is much more articulate than I thought. He uses such words as “surreal” and “erudites” (although he uses it as a noun not an adjective), “self-aggrandizing,” and “immature,” and he uses the adverb “badly” correctly. Tyson misuses “fellatio,” but nobody’s perfect.
A second surprise is Tyson’s sincerity. Although we may have a nagging suspicion that we’re not getting the full picture, Tyson’s humility and accountability seem sincere. So too do his tears for mentor and father figure Cus D’Amato.
A third surprise is that Tyson was a student of boxing. When he was a young fighter with D’Amato, night after night he watched footage of the great fighters of the past, studying their moves and strategies.
We know that Ali used psychology both in the ring and out of it, but Tyson too was well aware of how to use it. How much of it is he using on us in the movie?
Another surprise is Tyson’s sensitivity. Obviously we know he had a dark side, callous brutality was often his calling card. The film’s ugliest scene is footage of a news conference when Tyson screamed vulgar racist rages at a heckler. But the documentary shows a calmer side that heretofore basically has been hidden.
Perhaps the biggest surprise is how accountable Tyson seems. He doesn’t blame anybody else for his actions. He gives reasons, not excuses, about how immaturity, inexperience, background and his demons at times ruled his life.
Another surprise is that Tyson admits he always was afraid. Mike Tyson scared?
I didn’t realize that when he fought Holyfield, Tyson had been head-butted by the fighter. In the second fight it drew blood. Tyson looked at the referee, got no reaction, then went “totally insane at that moment.”
On occasion Tyson is contradictory. He calls promoter Don King wretched and reptilian. Then says he loved King. Which was it? Probably both. Mike Tyson is not a simple man.
Toback (“The Gambler,” 1974), who has had his own demons, is able to humanize his galvanizing subject. He also employs some great fight footage, and uses a scene of Tyson walking on the beach by the ocean as Tyson quotes from Oscar Wilde’s poem “The Ballad of Reading Gaol.” It is a cheeky scene, but it works. Wilde and Tyson — an odd couple, for sure.
Has the feral, ferocious lion been domesticated? The movie gives us the lion in repose. His once-fierce growl is muted and softened.
When people are asked what famous people they would like to have a meal with, they usually say something like Jesus and Col. Sanders. After seeing this film, I’d like to spend some time with Mike Tyson.
The best thing about the movie is that it rediscovers Tyson’s humanity, which he and the media zoo had vanquished. Tyson once again is a member of the human race.
You expect a knockout, but in the movie Tyson wins on style points.

Features, Highlights

Nathan Hamilton plays Gulley Park June 4th

No Comments 28 May 2009

Highlights
Eureka Springs Blues Weekend, Randall Shreve, Ben Folds, Nathan Hamilton
The action this week confirms that NWA has a thriving music scene. Yes, Wakarusa is on the horizon, but there’s more, much more.
Today, Friday, Saturday and Sunday the blues will rule at Eureka Springs Blues Weekend. In addition to the shows at The Aud and at clubs all over town, there will be free shows at Basin Park. Shows at The Aud are: Guitar Shorty and J.P. Soars and The Red Hots tonight; Kory Montgomery, Isayah Warford, Oreo Blue and Hubert Sumlin and the Buddy Flett Band on Friday; King Clarentz, Mary Flower, E.G. Knight and David Honeyboy Edwards for a Saturday matinee; and R.J. Mischo with Lee McBee and the Confessors and Joe Louis Walker Allstars on Saturday evening. For tickets and schedules go to eurekaspringsblues.com or call 888-855-7823.

Randall Shreve

To confirm that there is music everywhere in NWA, know that you can now catch a show at the El Chico patio in north Fayetteville. And good ones! Chips, salsa and Randall Shreve this Wednesday … we’re in. We’re big fans of the innovative Shreve. Check him out in this solo performance and check the FFW music listings for upcoming shows at El Chico.

Ben Folds

Out on his own now, the namesake of Ben Folds Five will bring his show to The AMP the outdoor venue at the Northwest Arkansas Mall on Friday. Gates at 6 p.m. Tickets $15-$50 at arkansasmusicpavilion.com.

Nathan Hamilton

Next Thursday night, June 4, the free Gulley Park concert will be a good one. Austin singer songwriter and Kerrville New Folk winner — the stamp of highest approval in the songwriting world — Nathan Hamilton will play for us. Hamilton has bounced around from Dallas, Los Angeles and Europe, playing in a number of bands (The Sharecroppers, Good Medicine Band, No Deal) putting out albums and working with the likes Poi Dog Pondering’s Ted Cho and legendary producer Lloyd Maines. But, don’t expect Texas kick-ass. Hamilton swings a bit more toward Lou Reed than any Texas rocker we can think of at the moment. Named among his influences are Chris Whitley, Peter Case, Lloyd Cole, Steve Earle, Townes Van Zandt, Tom Waits and James McMurtry. Bring seating and a picnic.

MacHomer

The Simpsons meet Shakespeare in Rick Miller’s MacHomer, a one-man comedy that will come to the Walton Arts Center’s smaller performance space, the Starr Theater, for shows on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Miller has described MacHomer as “… pure parody, yet an attempt to really tell the story of MacBeth.” He will portray Homer Simpson as MacBeth, Bart Simpson as Fleance, Mr. Burns as King of Scotland, Smithers as Malcolm, Principal Skinner as the witches, Crusty the Clown as the Porter, Ned Flanders as Banquo and Lisa Simpson as a Gentlewoman. The production is geared for ages 8 and older.
Miller of Toronto, is the artistic director of WYRD Productions and the host of ABC’s, Just for Laughs. He has performed MacHomer across the U.S., Canada, Scotland, England, Australia and New Zealand. Tickets are $25.

June Bug Jam
There are big outdoor events like Wakarusa and there are the little outdoor events that get you close to the Ozarks. One of these smaller events is the annual June Bug Jam. About an hour from Fayetteville, in the hamlet of Red Star, it is always a good time and for it’s for a good cause. The event is a fundraiser for the Headwaters School in the remote community and the folks there know how to put on a good party. There’s always a big kids component. There will be juggling and twirling workshops, with a fire twirling show after the sun goes down. And face painting, a kids parade, kids performances, and games. And then there’s food and fun for the big folks. NAMA award winner Opal Fly and her Faery Pranksters will play and the touring environmental messenger who sets her message to music, Magic Mama will also entertain. Her music is good and her lyrics worthy. “Check it for the Cheese Puffs.” She’s popular with kids of all ages. The event begins at 3 p.m. Bring seating, but not your pets. Admission is $5 and is free for kids age 12 and younger. Go to www.headwaters-school.org for details.

Doug Thompson, Features

US 'Right Track/Wrong Track' Levels Off

No Comments 28 May 2009

Consumer confidence rises

By Doug Thompson

There was no significant backlash against President Obama and the number of people who thought the country was on the wrong track was falling steadily, I wrote recently. There’s still no backlash, but there’s been a levelling-off that’s worth writing about.
The analysis of different polls over at Pollster.com notices a very slight uptick in the number of people who think the country’s on the wrong track, from 50 percent to 50.2. Normally I wouldn’t write about something so tiny. Such a little thing could be a blip in the numbers. Still, there’s been enough polls done to convince me that the levelling-off is real.
There’s also a rise in the number of people who think the country’s on the right track, but only 44 percent think so. More importantly, those “tracks” are running parallel. It’s no longer looking like the lines were going to cross anything soon.
This is important because the president’s been responding to multiple crises so far. Now he’s hoping to get into the meat of his agenda, which includes health care reform.
He had our support while he was trying to put out fires. I’m not sure how strong that support will be now that he’s turned to trying to build something. He’s still very popular. The president’s personal favorability rating remains very high at 62.6 percent. His unfavorability rating is a token 29.4.
It’s dangerous to generalize from any of this. After all, Obama has a huge advantage in the health care fight. That advantage is economic reality. Our health care costs are killing this country’s competitiveness. The type of cost increases we’ve seen in past years simply cannot be sustained. However, it appears right now that this fight and others are going to get tougher.
I don’t know whether more and more people are thinking the crisis has bottomed out. It’s safe to say that they’re not panicked anymore and are therefore not as willing to leave the president with such wide latitude. This may only mean he may have to use his demonstrated political skills more to get his programs passed, but it does mean something.
This isn’t a backlash. This is natural. It is worth noting, however. If things have improved, or at least leveled off, enough that people aren’t panicked about the economy, then that’s a good thing.
On a related note, the industry group that tracks consumer confidence reports that, by that measure, consumers are more confident now than at any time in the last eight months. Confidence is still struggling to recover from historic lows, but it had its biggest jump in May than in any one month since 2003.
None of this has translated into relative gains for the Republican Party. That’s very significant.
According to Pollster.com, the independents have taken sides. This is terrible news for the Republicans. The number of poll respondents calling themselves independents has nose-dived from 39 percent to 27.3 percent in the last month. During that same period, Democrats climbed form 33 percent to 39.7. Republicans climbed too, from 22 percent to 31.
That looks great on the face of it. After all, GOP party identification grew 9 percent. So what’s the problem? Well, the problem is that only 27.3 percent of voters still call themselves independent and there’s a 9 percentage point gap in favor of the Democrats. The well of uncommitted voters is drying fast and the GOP hasn’t close the gap. The figures that leave them in the minority appear to be hardening.
OK. Enough data. Time for Doug’s wild guess.
I don’t think standing up as the party that favors torture is doing the GOP a lot of good. I think that’s one of those moral choice wedge issues that, for once, is seriously hurting the GOP. How many people who’ve made up their minds recently about identifying with one major party or the other really wanted to be in the party of Dick Cheney, a man who literally used the term “dark side” in describing what U.S. policy should be?
You can’t ask yourself “What would Jesus do?” and support water-boarding people.

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