Because there's so much going on in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley y'all really know how to come out of quarantine! we're adding a new Thursday edition of our FYI arts calendar. To submit items to it, email Features Editor Becca Martin-Brown at bmartin@nwadg.com.
An artificial flower shop owner grows forbidden flowers in secret. A man walks near an interstate to see rare birds. Women divers harvest the waters around Jeju Island. Rock climbers endure 24 hours of ascent. Dancers share the history of a Guatemalan island. A drop of water settles a philosophical debate. These six stories showcasing humans' complicated relationship with nature will highlight the Indie Films Artosphere event at 7 p.m. May 26 in the Starr Theater at Walton Arts Center.
Steve Mackey didn't look far for the actress who would play his mother in the musical theater production, "Memoir," based on his mother's life. Turns out the nanny for his children was the best choice. Mackey brings his mother's story to the Walton Arts Center stage for its world premiere at 7 p.m. May 18 during the Artosphere Festival.
Rani Arbo is already out for her morning walk in the Connecticut sunshine when it’s time for a phone interview with What’s Up! With birds serenading her along the way, she talks about the pleasures of being outdoors and of playing shows with her band, daisy mayhem, the folk-Americana-bluegrass-pop quartet that will perform twice during the opening week of Walton Arts Center’s Artosphere Festival. First up is an indoor concert at 7:30 p.m. May 5 in Starr Theater, followed by a performance as part of the Trail Mix series starting May 6.
Walton Arts Center has announced the return of Artosphere: Arkansas' Arts + Nature Festival May 4-27, with events at locations across Northwest Arkansas.