March 2013 | VISITOR | 1
Contents:
Attractions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Fun on a Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 A Eureka Spring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Dining in Eureka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Featured Recipe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 March Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 VIictorian Classic 10K Run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Spring Antique Show and Sale . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Map of Downtown Eureka Springs . . . . . . . .17 Lcoal Hiking Trails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 & 19 Love in Eureka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Our Favorite 3 Picnic Spots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Spas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 St. Patrick’s Day Parade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Kite Festival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Easter Festivities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Entertainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 The Art of Eureka Springs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Eureka Springs West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Published monthly by Rust Publishing MOAR, L.L.C., Eureka Springs, Arkansas Š 2013 Kristal Kuykendall, Managing Editor Beth Bartlett, Contributing Editor Charles Henry Ford II, Photography Melody Rust, Graphic Design
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A
fter a couple of dark, cold months, pardon us for being giddy about spring this year. The world bubbles to life once more; the days are warmer and the sunshine sticks around for just a bit longer. Since we’re in the Ozarks, there’s more green in these hills than just the St. Patrick’s Day beer. The trees are waking up and getting dressed, and you may even see a few flowers uncurl before hitting the snooze alarm for April and May. This month is an excellent time to explore the hills and trails around the area before the spring showers come along to boost all those blossoms above ground. In Eureka Springs, the first flushes of spring mean the shops, spas and restaurants will soon be bustling once more, and a string of festivals and celebrations will pick up speed, making the days fly by. You can shake those winter cobwebs loose from your muscles with the famed Victorian Classic 10K race, shop for treasures at the Spring Antique Show, or enjoy family and faith during our Easter Weekend events. Don’t forget a tour of the ultimate Easter Egg hunt, all the brightly colored Victorian homes throughout our Historic Loop and downtown. They may not be filled with candy, but we still think they’re pretty sweet. There’s still more treats in our basket. The annual Kite Festival is the perfect place to rejoice in March’s lion’s roar; don’t worry, Charlie Brown, there are no kite-eating trees here, just lots of blue skies and family fun. If it’s just you and your sweetie, we have plenty of grown-up things to do as well. What’s spring without a glass of wine or a quick round of golf to celebrate life, the universe and everything? So shake those winter doldrums off and wake up for a spring break you’ll always remember. March 2013 | VISITOR | 3
S The Great Passion Play re-opens May 3, but the grounds and museum – and the Christ of the Ozarks – are open daily now.
Shake up your getaway
neaking into town for a quick getaway, maybe some shopping and a few restaurants? Excellent! Why not shake up that weekend with a little more, and discover the attractions of Eureka Springs. Take a tour and learn some of the eye-opening, colorful secrets behind our town’s history, go hunting for ghosts, or see the flipside of the Ozarks and tour through a cave. Spend too many hours
Cosmic Cavern • Two bottomless lakes • Gemstone Panning - keep what you find 16 SCENIC MILES •Wild Cave Tours FROM EUREKA SPRINGS
OPEN DAILY am -- 56 pm pm 9 am www.cosmiccavern.com
Located about 1/2 way between Eureka Springs & Branson on Hwy. 21 north of Berryville, Ark. (870) 749-2298
“It’s a learning adventure for everyone!” 4 | VISITOR | March 2013
Take a 75-minute walking tour through the warmest cave in the Ozarks, always a humid 64 degrees. The cave is well-lighted, so you can see and photograph amazing, colorful formations, including a newly discovered area called Silent Splendor, which has been hailed as a must-see in Arkansas. This major Arkansas cave has bottomless lakes (with live trout!) and rare cave fish and amphibians. You can even spend an hour spelunking if that’s your thing! 6386 Highway 21 North, Berryville. 870-749-2298 or CosmicCavern.com.
at work looking at cats on the Internet? Go see them in big, furry person at a wildlife refuge and see why a playful tiger beats a grumpy house cat any day. While you’re waiting for that credit card to cool down, browse through our listings and find something new that you’ve never tried before. You just might find a new favorite activity, and a reason to visit us again and again.
Crescent Hotel Ghost Tours
The Sci Fi Channel’s “Ghost Hunters” caught a full-bodied apparition on video during their Ghost Tour of the Historic 1886 Crescent Hotel, America’s Most Haunted Hotel. Visitors and guests learn about the history of the hotel as a cancer hospital under the notorious “Dr.” Norman Baker and try to catch glimpses of the famous ghosts like Michael the stonemason, the fumbling Theodora, the girl in the mist and many others. 75 Prospect Ave. For info call 479-253-9766 or visit americasmosthauntedhotel.com.
See the
Greatest Story Ever Told...
2013 Season May thru October
…in a way you’ve never seen it before.
Crescent Hotel Late Night Theatre
Dinner Bell Ranch & Resort
Keith Scales, professional actor and manager of the Crescent Hotel Ghost Tours, directs a cast of thespians as they perform a unique collection of Live Theater events relevant to Eureka Springs and its colorful past. Performed at varied sites around the Crescent campus including the Gavioli Theater, these wonderfully developed performances include “Flickering Tales,”“Eureka! Stories of the Springs,”“Mastermind! Norman Baker Speaks” and “Not Really a Door.” 75 Prospect Ave. 479253-9766 or americasmosthauntedhotel. com.
Dinner Bell Ranch & Resort is a resort offering on-site guests and visitors alike a wilderness adventure like no other in the Eureka Springs area. Young and old, the pros and the novices will find fun here, where horseback trail rides, hay rides and even river floats in a canoe are the specialty for visitors of all ages and experience levels. Cabins are available for rentals, and the resort also hosts and helps plans weddings and events as well. 4462 CR 302, Eureka Springs. 800-684-3324 or DinnerBellRanchAndResort.com.
The Great Passion Play
Inspiration Point
The Great Passion Play is back in business with a renewed vigor for 2013. Since 1968, over 7.6 million have seen The Great Passion Play as it takes visitors back over 2,000 years to witness the majesty of Jesus Christ’s life, betrayal, death, and glorious resurrection. A cast of over 125 actors and dozens of animals perform the Play on a three-stories-tall, 550-feet-wide set replicating a Biblical city of old – a perfect setting for the Greatest Story Ever Told. 800882-7529 or GreatPassionPlay.org.
www.GreatPassionPlay.org Tickets: 1-800-882-PLAY
Eureka Springs’ and possibly the Ozarks’ most famous and most beautiful lookout spot, Inspiration Point is the only overlook where you can stop to drink in the beauty of the White River as it twists into a sacred oxbow before an expansive vista of undulating Ozark Mountains. It’s spectacular in all seasons, and it’s free to boot! Don’t miss the morning mists, the fall color, the winter frosts, the spring redbuds, or the gorgeous sunsets. Bring a camera! 16514 U.S. Highway 62 West.
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$10ren for child $15lts
Fun on a Budget
for adu
Intrigue Theater
Kings River Adventure
Keels Creek Winery
Promised Land Zoo
Travel back to an age of Intrigue during the Victorian era and witness an evening of incredible and mysterious demonstrations performed by an Illusionist and a Medium – and special guests from the Other Side. Intrigue Theater is produced by and stars Sean-Paul and Juliane, producers of the 2009 Branson Speciality Show of the Year. Founded in mid2011, Intrigue Theater has quickly become one of the area’s highest-rated attractions. 80 Mountain St. at the historic Gavioli Theater. IntrigueTheater.com or 479-244-7028.
Kings River Adventure at long-famous Trigger Gap is launching its season March 1st offering canoes, kayaks, shuttles, camping, swimming, and fishing seven days a week. Nestled in the Ozarks, the Kings River offers exceptional opportunities for floating and fishing. The river has beautiful flowing water, rocky outcroppings, ample wildlife, and plenty of areas to stop for a relaxing swim or picnic. For reservations or information call 479-644-7401 or 479-9811691. KingsRiverAdventure.com.
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge
S
ome attractions are great ways to pass the time; others are lifetime experiences. The latter is the case with Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, a sanctuary for rescued tigers, lions and other animals. A $15 admission fee ($10 for kids and seniors) provides hours of entertainment and education, including habitat tours, keepers talks and the chance to learn each animal’s story. Spoiler alert: Those stories end happily with lots of TLC at the refuge. For the ultimate visit, go during feeding time and you’ll hear those mighty roars echo between the hills. 479-253-5841, www.TurpentineCreek.org.
Keels Creek Winery has been making wines from local grapes for more than seven years. At almost 6,000 gallons of fermentation capacity, Doug Hausler and Edwige Denyszyn use more than 20 tons of grapes per year from their vineyard and three additional vineyards. Two tasting rooms provide an opportunity to try some of their award-winning wines. The retail wine sales are located in the Spanish-style building that is shared with Keels Creek Art Gallery and located at 3185 E. Van Buren. 479-253-9463 or KeelsCreek.com.
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Sit back and relax as you take the 4-mile, drive-through tour of the Promised Land Zoo at Eagle Rock, Mo., just 13 miles from downtown Eureka Springs. While winding through 100 beautiful Ozark acres, there will be plenty of photo opportunities to be close to more than 500 exotic and endangered animals representing 60 species from around the globe, including big cats, monkeys, kangaroos, camels, zebras, reptiles, birds and much, much more! 32297 State Highway 86, Eagle Rock, Mo. 417-271-9453 or PLZoo.com.
Charles Chappell Engagements, Weddings, Senior Pictures, Portraits, Sports, Commercial Products & Events
History flows freely from Basin Spring
Y
ou may not immediately see the water that runs from Basin Spring, but the history flows freely. Legend has it that from this spring flowed the healing water that restored sight to a Native American chief’s daughter in centuries past, and two of the area’s notable gentlemen, Dr. Alvah Jackson and Judge Saunders were visitors to the ‘sacred’ spring while it was still surrounded by pristine wilderness. This is also the site where the town was founded on July 4, 1879. Remembrances from generations past are in the park, including a memorial commemorating those who served in World War I. The counter-culture clash from the 20th century often played out on
the statue, which received occasional secret makeovers that were drag queen-worthy. Live music has always been a staple of Basin Park, from official concerts in the Bandshell to informal, after-hours gatherings of locals around the spring itself for an evening of singing, dancing and playing music. Even the park benches tell the town’s tale: Some are more than a century old, while others showcase local artists’ flair. One is carved from a massive tree that graced the park for decades, now giving comfort in a new form. Basin Spring and Basin Park are the heart of the community and form a perfect spot to start any journey through our historic downtown. March 2013 | VISITOR | 7
ars! e Y g 27 n i t a br Cele
EUREKA
SPRINGS
Rev up those taste buds
I
t’s been a long winter filled with comfort food, so we understand if your taste buds are bored. Luckily, the eateries of Eureka Springs know what you need. Jazz up your plate with a host of unusual tastes, including Mediterranean, Indian, Mexican and gourmet. Let the sizzle of fajitas or steaks done just right kick those taste buds into overdrive, or try a curry spicy enough to make you cry. Don’t forget about dessert! A fresh lemon merinque pie or molten chocolate cake is just what the
chef ordered. For such a small town, we have a lot of dining options, so try some favorites, sample some new places or be adventurous and hit them all. Your mouth will thank you.
FINE DINING
1886 Steakhouse
The 1886 Steakhouse features fine cuts of quality Buckhead Beef prepared through the hands of award-winning chefs in an upscale steakhouse atmosphere unique in this region. Serving appetizers, the Steakhouse Halfplate for the lighter appetite, and steak, seafood and pasta dinners Mondays through Fridays starting at 5 p.m. A Wine Spectator award winner and holder of a Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence. Call for reservations. 75 Prospect Ave. inside the 1886 Crescent Hotel. 479-253-9652.
CASUAL DINING
Daily except Tuesday & Wednesday
FINE DINING
Autumn Breeze
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This critically acclaimed eatery’s proprieters here have taken great care for your entire dining experience – from ample, free parking in a beautiful wooded, landscaped lot, and ensuring every table in a relaxing, finely appointed dining room has a view, to maintaining an extensive yet affordable menu of steaks, seafood, lamb, veal, poultry, gluten-free and vegetarian dishes – not to mention an award-winning wine list. Open daily except Sundays 5-9 p.m. Reservations recommended. 190 Huntsville Road. 479-253-7734.
Balcony Bar and Restaurant
At the Balcony, you can enjoy a feast for the palate as well as for the eyes: The Balcony’s outdoor seating area juts out over two of the most exciting parts of Eureka Springs, its historic downtown and Basin Park, site of many outdoor concerts. A full bar awaits and a great menu offers mealsize appetizers, creative salads, full dinner entrees and an award-winning burger. 12 Spring St. 479-253-7837.
CZECH-GERMAN
Myrtie Mae’s is famous for its fried chicken and its bountiful salad bar.
Bavarian Inn
The Bavarian Inn Restaurant is a traditional Czech-German eatery featuring a quaint Alpine atmosphere inside a magnificent Swiss chalet. The restaurant has six times been named Best Ethnic Restaurant Around Arkansas by the Arkansas Times Readers’ Choice Awards and has received a number of rave reviews including in The New York Times, Conde Nast and Bon Apetit. Open daily for dinner 5-9 p.m. Reservations accepted. 325 W. Van Buren. 479-253-8128.
CASUAL DINING
ITALIAN
DeVito’s
Enjoy fine, authentic Italian family recipes in an intimate setting in the heart of downtown. Fresh trout is the specialty of the house, but DeVito’s has received an impressive number of state and regional accolades for its entire menu. Recommended by Southern Living and The New York Post. Full bar. Dinner 5-9 p.m. and dine-in/take-out deli lunches 11:30-2 daily except Wednesdays. Dinner reservations accepted. 5 Center St. 479-253-6807.
Dr. Baker’s Bistro/Sky Bar
Designed after the style of the infamous “Dr.” Norman Baker (who ran the 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa as a cancer-curing hospital in the 1930s), Dr. Baker’s Bistro & Sky Bar welcomes visitors to the top floor of the mountaintop spa resort, serving everything from appetizers to light meals and adult beverages from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. (opens at 2 p.m. Sundays). 75 Prospect Ave. 479-253-9766.
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ITALIAN
Ermilio’s
Named Best Restaurant in Eureka Springs in 2012 and Best Italian Restaurant Around Arkansas in 2010 by the Arkansas Times Readers’ Choice Awards, this casual but classy eatery takes you back to Tuscany with old-country Italian family recipes. Choose your pasta, then choose your sauce – and don’t forget to try those meatballs! Full bar. Open daily 5-9 p.m. Reservations not accepted. 26 White St. 479-253-8806.
GOURMET
Fresh Harvest
Oils and balsamics are not just for salad dressings, as the owners of the Fresh Harvest olive oil and balsamic tasting room in Eureka know. Featuring 30 varieties of olive oil, including oil fused with orange, lemon and lime, and 20 kinds of balsamic vinegar – all available for sampling and bottled fresh-to-order. Open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Sundays/Mondays. 512 Village Circle. 479-253-6247.
FINE DINING
Gaskins Cabin Steakhouse
The 1886 Steakhouse offers fine cuts of aged beef in an upscale steakhouse environment not found anywhere else in Northwest Arkansas.
Hosts Lisa McMahon and Bert Jones and Executive Chef Mark Cook invite you to experience the warmth and hospitality of their authentic 1860s log cabin, where all their 100% Black Angus steaks are hand-cut and aged to perfection. Named “Best Steak Around Arkansas 2011” and “Best Overall Restaurant in Eureka Springs 2011” by the Arkansas Times Readers’ Choice Awards. Reservations recommended. 2883 Highway 23 North. 479-253-5466.
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DINNER NIGHTLY 5-9
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Featured Recipe
Porchetta
Michael Jaschke, Director of Food & Beverage/ Executive Chef for the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Crystal Dining Room
Pork loin Olive oil Garlic Italian seasoning
shape. Once that is done carefully place it in a baking dish or a sheet pan. Cook at 300 degrees until a thermometer reads 165 degrees internal temperature.
Assembly:
Once done cut into 1 inch medallions and serve.
Ingredients:
Lay out the pork loin on a table and using short knife cuts - cut so as to roll the meat out flat.
The Grand Taverne features an extensive wine list and wide variety of single-malt scotches to accompany its fine, gourmet fare.
A fresh salad compliments this dish nicely.
Once that is done take a meat tenderizing mallet and flatten the meat put a bit more to about a 1/4 inch thick. Then rub a good olive oil on the meat. Spread some garlic and Italian seasonings on it. Layer a generous portion of fresh spinach on the meat. Take one end of the flat loin and begin rolling it up into a cylinder
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Myd Street Cafe has won, literally, dozens of Arkansas Times Readers’ Choice Awards for its food and its coffee drinks.
FINE DINING
Grand Taverne
At the historic Grand Central Hotel’s beautiful upscale restaurant, the Grand Taverne, all the food is created from scratch beginning with Chef Dave Gilderson’s balcony herb garden. Unforgettable cuisine presented elegantly creates a memorable dining experience for even the most discriminating diner. Enjoy the Taverne’s extensive wine list or full bar with a wide selection of single-malt scotches. Open nightly for dinner from 5-9 p.m. Reservations recommended. 37 N. Main St. 800344-6050.
CASUAL DINING
ECLECTIC
Mud Street Cafe
Experience Eureka’s local legend! Relax in a cozy, at-home atmosphere and enjoy their award-winning coffees, espressos, famous fresh-baked desserts, full bar and the freshest, most delicious food in town! Winner of dozens of Arkansas Times Readers’ Choice Awards, most recently in 2012. Recommended by National Geographic and Southern Living magazines. Serving breakfast 8-11 a.m. and lunch 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily except Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 22 S. Main St. 479-253-6732.
Myrtie Mae’s
One of Eureka Springs’ oldest dining traditions, Myrtie’s – famous for its fried chicken – serves up hearty breakfasts, daily lunch specials, mouth-watering dinners, fresh home-made desserts and the most bountiful salad bar in town. The Sunday brunch buffet is a sight to behold (served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.). Inside the Best Western Inn of the Ozarks at 207 W. Van Buren (Highway 62 West). 800-552-3785.
ECLECTIC
New Delhi Cafe
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Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served daily at this quirky but delicious cafe that was winner of the 2012 Arkansas Times Readers’ Choice Awards. Menu includes samosas and other authentic East Indian dishes as well as award-winning burgers, salads and sandwiches and great vegetarian selections. Espresso bar and full bar. Live music on patio Thursday through Sunday afternoons and evenings. 2 N. Main St. 479-253-2525.
At Devito’s, Italian family recipes and fresh trout are the house specialties – along with topnotch service and an impressive wine list.
Fresh Harvest features an oil and vinegar tasting room and bottles customers’ favorites fresh on demand, straight from the source.
March 2013 | VISITOR | 13
of March events
March 2
Zombie Tag
Human vs. Zombie will costume-play throughout Eureka Springs, so test out those undead stalking skills! Benefits the Flint Street Food Bank. www.EurekaZombies.com March 9
Victorian Classic footrace
30th annual Victorian Classic 10K run also features a two-mile run and fun walk. Best Western Inn of the Ozarks, 9 a.m. www.eurekarotary.org. Souper Soup luncheon held immediately afterward .(479) 253-9417. www.EurekaSpringsHistoricalMuseum.org. March 10
C.C. Music Group Concert
Local concert benefiting Opera in the Ozarks at the City Auditorium. Tickets available on site from noon until 2 p.m.; concert begins at 2:30 p.m. www.TheAud.org, www. opera.org March 15-17
Spring Antique Show and Sale
Preview at 5:30 p.m. Friday, main event at 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Sunday at Best Western Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center. www.EurekaSpringsAntiqueShows.com March 16
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Starts at 2 p.m., heads through downtown Eureka Springs. All are encouraged to wear green and have fun! http://StPaddy.ureeka. org/. March 17
Spring Equinox Celebration
Bring seeds and bulbs for a blessing, and
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stay for a walk through the outdoor Sanctuary, followed by a light vegan potluck and music. 2-5 p.m. www.28rites.com. March 23
Kite Festival Bring your own kite and take advantage of the March winds! Free family event held on the grounds of Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. www.TurpentineCreek.org. March 30
Celebrate Jesus Parade Starts at 11:30 a.m., winds through downtown Eureka Springs with clowns, floats and walkers. Music will be featured in Basin Park immediately after the parade. www. EurekaSpringsChamber.com. March 31
Sunrise Easter Service Sunrise Easter Service at Great Passion Play Starts at 7 a.m. by the Christ of the Ozarks statue. All are welcome. www.GreatPassionPlay.org. March 31
EasterBelles Easter Parade A parade of fashionably decked out ladies celebrating the tradition of Easter hats and attire. Starts at noon on the upper side of the Historic Loop. https://www.sites.google.com/site/eseasterbelles/home March 31
Easter Egg Hunt The Crescent Hotel hosts an Easter Egg Hunt for children at 1 p.m. Children to age 12 will search for Easter eggs and two golden prize eggs in the hotel gardens. www. Crescent-Hotel.com.
Lace up for Victorian Classic 10K Run
A
nyone can run a straight line, but it takes fortitude to run through our Historic Loop. This year, dozens of athletes will take on the challenge of the Victorian Classic 10K Run, Saturday, March 9. The race starts at 9 a.m. and leads runners up, down, in and out of the hilly downtown district. Pre-registration is available online, and a wine & cheese social will be held from 4 to 6 p.m., Friday, March 8 at the Best Western Inn of the Ozarks convention center so pre-registered runners can pick up their packets. Registration will also be available on race day, from 7 to 9 a.m., and the race
will begin and finish at the Inn of the Ozarks. In addition to the 10K run, there will also be a 2-mile run and a 2-mile walk. All events start at 9 a.m. and the awards ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. with awards given in several divisions. Collectible T-shirts designed by local artist Blakeley Wilson are guaranteed for the first 300 registered participants. Entry fees are $20 or $25, depending on when you register. Proceeds from the Victorian Classic will benefit the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. For a route map, registration and more, visit www.EurekaRotary.org.
SPRING
L
SHOW AND
ove the look and feel of items built long ago? Don’t miss the 17th Annual Spring Antique Show and Sale, featured March 15-17 at the Best Western Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center. Whether you recycle, upcycle or just adore old things, you’ll have plenty of glassware, linens, toys, jewelry and furniture to choose from. Get a jump on the general public by attending the Wine & Cheese Preview Showing on Friday, March 15, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., for just $10 in admission. If you can’t swing the preview, don’t fret: The doors open to the main show at 10
SALE
a.m. Saturday, and the vendors will be on hand until 6 p.m. On Sunday, the show will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost of admission is just $5, and that admission covers both days of the show, making it a must-see attraction and shopping opportunity. This well-established antique show brings in dealers from 14 different states – and treasures from any decade you care to remember. Retro is in right now, so stock up on all your favorite pieces and proudly wave that southern hipster flag. For more information, visit www.EurekaSpringsAntiqueShows.com.
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Downtown
Eureka Springs
u Crescent Trail
Staircase connecting Crescent Spring and Spring Street to the historic Crescent Hotel. Foot traffic only.
u Crescent Grade Trail
Single track on old roadbed connecting Harmon Park to the historic Crescent Hotel.
u Fuller Street
Dirt road connecting Harmon Park with Kingshighway.
u Hilton Streeet
Unpaved roadbed connecting Kansas Street to Sweet Spring Reservation and Spring Street.
u Harding Spring
Trails connecting Spring Street with Hilton Street through Harding Spring Reservation. Foot traffic only.
u Jacob’s Ladder
Long staircase connecting several terraces of streets on East Mountain.
u Kansas Street
Stair case and old roadbed connecting Kingshighway to Harding and Sweet Spring and Spring Street. Foot traffic only.
u Magnolia Sidewalk
Paved sidewalk connecting French Street and the historic Crescent Hotel.
u Spring Garden
Unpaved roadbed connecting Harmon Park to King Street.
u Riley Trail
Single track trail connecting Grand with Pivot Rock Road.
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Black Bass Lake
Only a few minutes from downtown
T
here are many hidden jewels within the Eureka Springs area, but one city park stands out as a mostly undiscovered treat: historic Black Bass Lake. This park is located just a few minutes from downtown, making it perfect for folks who crave a quick nature hike without leaving town. From downtown, head out west on Highway 62; you’ll see Tad’s Quick Stop on your right, and just past that on your left will be the turn for Oil Springs Road. Take it slow as you’re driving down into the hollow, because the road can be a little bumpy in places. You’ll want to slow down anyway as you get close to the bottom; two historic springs, Oil Spring and Johnson Spring, will be on your left, along with stunning cliff formations with small caves tucked in here and there. If you have a good zoom
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e 1894, th Built in arth dam nd e stone a ped water p once tra al springs er v from se d as a city ve and ser eserve. water r
function on your camera, you can often grab some stellar wildlife photos in this area. You’ll pass a gate as you enter into Black Bass Lake park; the park is only open during daylight hours, so try to arrive either in the morning or early afternoon to give yourself enough time for exploration. You’ll see available parking, recycle bins and a small kiosk with some great old photos and information about the dam and the lake. Since this is a primitive setting, there are no restrooms, so do your business before you head to the park, otherwise the gentle tinkling of water around the dam might get to you. Just beyond the kiosk is the dam itself, one of the oldest remaining dams in the area. Built in 1894, the stone-andearth dam once trapped water from sev-
eral springs and served as a city water reserve. Now the town receives its water from Beaver Lake, but water from Black Bass Lake is still pumped up to the historic water tower in front of the Best Western Inn of the Ozarks. The dam itself is fascinating, but for safety reasons, visitors are not allowed on top of it, beside it or too close to the spillway. There are three trails around the small lake; the Sycamore Trail, the Bluff Trail and Standing Rock Trail. The easiest is the Standing Rock Trail, which takes you to the right of the lake, past a non-motorized boat launch, a picnic area and Standing Rock, a sandstone formation jutting up from the lake. This is approximately a half-mile trail on its own, but if you continue, you’ll cross a couple of small pedestrian bridges and connect with the Sycamore Trail. The Sycamore
Trail isn’t as level as the Standing Rock Trail, but the narrow path leads you through an up-close-and-personal tour through wildflowers, trees and natural beauty all along the other side. There’s some gorgeous views of the lake and the dam as you near the end of this trail, but for even more, take a right to the Bluff Trail, which is more rugged and rocky. It’s a favorite of mountain bikers, and once you take it, you’ll see why. The trail hugs the bluff higher on the hillside, giving you a better view of the lake and the Ozark loveliness below. The Bluff Trail merges once again with the Sycamore Trail by the other end of the lake, so you can cross the bridges and take the easier trail back if you like. Don’t worry, as long as you stay on the trail, you won’t be lost, because it all circles around Black Bass Lake.
Lake Leatherwood City Park
Lake Leatherwood City Park is a place of natural serenity encompassing 1600 acres which includes an 85 acre spring-fed lake. The lake is formed by one of the largest hand-cut native limestone dams in the country. The dam and several structures at the park were built in the early 1940s by the WPA. Lake Leatherwood Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Cabins and camping available March through November; visit LakeLeatherwoodCityPark. com.
Getting there:
From downtown, go west on Highway 62. After 2.5 miles, turn right toward CR 204. You’ll see the signs; the park entrance is on the right.
March 2013 | VISITOR | 19
Arkansas Marriage Requirements This information may change, so please call the Courthouse for verification before you arrive. To get a marriage license in Arkansas, each individual must be over 18 years old to get married without parental consent. If either the bride or groom is younger than 18, please call and ask about requirements, which include a waiting period. No blood test is involved. You must show proper ID (Social Security card and photo identification). The forms may be filled out at any county courthouse in the state. A marriage license costs $60, and must be paid in cash only, and exact change is required. Licenses are valid for 90 days from the date of issue.
Carroll County Clerk Information Location: 44 S. Main St. Eureka Springs, AR 72632 Phone: (479) 253-8646 Toll Free Phone: (888) 592-8163 Hours: (weather permitting) Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Closed Wednesday from noon to 1 p.m., and all state/federal holidays.
Domestic Registry The City of Eureka Springs also provides a Domestic Partner Registry. You can get the form at the City Clerk’s Office or by mail. The City Clerk is also located in the Carroll County Courthouse. Once completed, the couple brings it back to the City Clerk’s Office with a $35 cash registration fee, Monday through Friday. Please call 479-253-9703 to schedule appointments with the Clerk’s Office. Both partners must appear in person to be registered.
20 | HIlights | Winter | 2012-13
Jason and Lorrie Davis
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At dinner Friday evening, Jason and ason Davis and Lorrie Berry Beason had gotten engaged last September Lorrie discussed their options. Realin their hometown of Jonesboro, and izing the large number of events (and neither of them wanted a large wedding. visitors) present downtown that weekHaving visited Eureka Springs earlier in end, and noting the beautiful weather 2012 for a Miata convention, Jason, 35, and gorgeous fall colors, they decided and Lorrie, 38, began considering the they wanted something outdoors but a idea of eloping, and after considering bit more private. And they remembered several potential destinations, they chose their trip last time and visit to Pivot Rock. Pivot Rock, loEureka. cated on Pivot Rock They told their “Frank performed a simple Road off Highway friends and famibut elegant ceremony; it couldn’t 62 West just west ly they were going have been more perfect!” of downtown, is a away for the week– Lorrie Davis unique rock formaend to St. Louis, tion that looks like never mentioning any plans for a weda top balanced on its pointed end, standing about twice as tall ding. The pair made arrangements to stay at as a human. When Jason and Lorrie went the Grand Treehouse Resort, and asked on Saturday morning to the tourist centhe owners there for help finding some- ter at Pivot Rock to inquire about being one to marry them, which they happily married there later that day, they learned obliged, hiring Frank Greene for the du- that they would be the first to ever “offities. The resort recommended two loca- cially” tie the knot at the location. tion options for the ceremony: one of the “So at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3, springs downtown, or the deck of their we made the walk down the trail to Pivot Rock. With the fall leaf-lined path, it treehouse.
was one of the most unique and beautiful aisles a bride could find,” Lorrie says. “Frank performed a simple but elegant ceremony; it couldn’t have been more perfect!” For their reception back home on Dec. 1, they had a wedding cake made to look just like a smaller version of Pivot Rock — requiring quite a few explanations and garnering a lot of “Wows,” Lorrie says. Lorrie says they would do it all again in a heartbeat, and she urges anyone considering a Eureka destination wedding — large or small — to take advantage of the hospitality of many of the local accommodations and proprietors who are more than willing to help line up flowers, cake, officiating services, photography and anything else a bride and groom might need for their big day. “The encouragement of the Eureka residents and visitors alike made for a highly memorable, stress-free and beautiful wedding that will bring smiles to our faces every time we reflect on a perfect weekend,” she says.
Recent bride Lorrie Davis recommends that anyone considering marrying in Eureka Springs consult with the owners or staff at their resort, cabin or motel regarding wedding packages. “Most offer a variety of options and can save a lot of planning work and expense,” she says. She also urges: “Go local! If you use local vendors, most of the planning can be done in just a few days, or even hours if you’re flexible.”
Our favorite
Picnic SPOTS As the weather warms up, grab that meal to go from your favorite café and enjoy the sunlight. Here’s a few of our favorite sites for lunch al fresco.
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u Harmon Park Located on the bottom swing of the Historic Loop below the Crescent Hotel, this park has picnic benches, lots of space and playground equipment for the kiddos. Even your surly teen will smile when he sees the skate park next door. There’s a trolley stop nearby, plus parking and a wooded atmosphere in the middle of town.
u Magnetic Spring This sweet spot even has a covered pavilion to do your outdoor meal right. Magnetic Spring is one of the loveliest springs in town thanks to the hard work of the Parks Department, who recently renovated the site. To get there, follow Main Street north and turn right on Passion Play Road. It will be on your left.
Do you have a Eureka Springs love story you’d like to share? Do you know someone who fell in love in Eureka, or who tied the knot here? We want to hear your story! Email Kristal at ccneditor@cox-internet.com or call 479-253-0070.
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u Sweet Spring Yes, there are benches around this tiny park and its spring, but why not go up the staircase and enjoy a bit of people-watching with your food? There’s a built-in bench overlooking the park and part of Spring Street. After lunch, you can continue up the stairs and follow a hiking trail through a historic park reservation.
March 2013 | VISITOR | 21
Sooth your soul ...
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hat’s that following you down the sidewalk? No, not your family, the other bits. It’s all the tension and stress you brought with you on your vacation. Sometimes it’s hard to let go of those worries, even when you’re trying to have fun. That’s why a spa treatment can be the best thing for your mood; schedule a massage when you first get into town, and tell all those nagging worries to hit the road. Whether you’re in the mood for a eucalyptus steam treatment, a facial or some reflexology for those tired tootsies, the day spas of Eureka Springs have the cure. Once the tension is smoothed away and you slide off that table, you’ll be happier, which means the family will
Photo courtesy of Serenity Spa
New Moon Spa & Salon
be happier, too. Each spa offers a different menu and specialties, so browse the listings and find the one that’s just right for you. It’s an easy way to make your vacation so much better.
Serenity Spa
Located in the heart of downtown at the 1905 Basin Park Hotel, the Serenity Day Spa is more than a clinical hour. As guest of the spa you can look forward to an afternoon of relaxation enjoying our Sun Deck, Hot Tub, and receiving a variety of facials, exfoliations and massage treatments, including hot rock therapy, which will warm your muscles to the bone. 12 Spring St. 877-SPA-1905 or SerenitySpa-EurekaSprings.com.
Located in the 1886 Crescent Hotel, this spa – the largest in the region – and Aveda salon offer a full menu of professional spa/salon services, including facials, exfoliations, massages, body treatments, haircuts and color, manicures, pedicures, and waxing. Specializing in hair and makeup for those big special events and featuring a bridal studio for your special day preparations. 75 Prospect Ave. 479-253-2879 or NewMoonSpa.com.
Eureka!! Massage & Wellness Therapies
Alexa Pittenger, nationally certified and state licensed master massage therapist, invites you to experience the ultimate in relaxation by combining quality massage bodywork, soothing hot stones and therapeutic Young Living oils with the music table. Other services: Reflexology, energy work for chakra and meridian balancing, European hot towel facials, energizing ion hot foot bath and more. 147 W. Van Buren. 479-253-9208.
Focus Therapeutic Massage
Focus Therapeutic Massage is a safe haven where massage, deep tissue work and Reiki treatments are available year-round. Featuring deep tissue massages, steam treatments and “Happy Feet” treatments. Specializing in therapeutic massage for pregnant women and patients suffering from Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Located on the lower level of Vintage Cargo, 41C Kingshighway. 479-253-5744 or EurekaFocusMassage. com.
Imago Massage Studio
Located in a beautiful setting in Eureka Springs West, just off Blue Spring Road. Proprietor Rebekah Clark, LMT, NCTMB, offers massage, CranioSacral, sound therapies & hot stone therapy. Other offerings include Reiki, ear candling, cold stone therapy for migraine and Lomi Lomi Hawaiian-style massage. Rebekah specializes in sound therapy, a modality that uses voice & tuning forks as tools for energy work with the body. By appointment: 479-244-5631.
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When:
March 16 Where:
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Downtow
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veryone’s Irish when it comes to the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, held Saturday, March 16 in the Eureka Springs historic downtown district. The parade kicks off at 2 p.m. from the Carnegie Public Library on Spring Street and anyone wearing green
is welcome to join in as the parade progresses through town. The parade is organized by Dan Ellis and the Krewe of Blarney, and this year’s Grand Marshal will be Judge Kent Crow. Come out and show your sweet Irish heart before the kegs of green beer take their toll!
Fun Facts: • According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the highest number of leaves found on a clover is 14. • One estimate suggests that there are about 10,000 regular three-leaf clovers for every lucky four-leaf clover.
Irish folklore has it that if you follow the rainbow, the “little ones” will leave a pot of gold at the end.
March 2013 | VISITOR | 23
Fly high with the
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eady to tie your dreams to some string and let them soar among the clouds? Head out to Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, March 23 for the annual Kite Festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Organized each year by the good folks from Kaleidokites, the festival is held on the wide grounds near the entrance of Turpentine Creek, so there’s plenty of room to unleash those high-flyers. This year’s theme is “Art With An Attitude,” so you can bring your own kite or participate in a mini-workshop onsite and be guided in making your own kite. Admission to the festival is free, although a donation is requested if you want some kite-making assistance. Regional clubs will be in attendance showing off their professional flying skills, and a raffle will be held for a Japanese Rokkaku fighting kite as well as a smaller tiger-themed kite. After some wind-whistling action, continue up the drive to Turpentine Creek, buy some tickets and see the big cats. You’ll meet lions, tigers, and yes, even a bear or two on the refuge tour; all are rescues, and each one has a fascinating story. For more information on the Kite Festival, call Kaleidokites at 479-253-6596 or visit www.TurpentineCreek.org.
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When: March 23, 1 a.m. - 4 p.m. Where: Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge Info: Kaleidokites 479-253-6596 or www.TurpentineCreek.org
There 2 will be golden eggs!
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oin in a celebration of faith and joy with the first annual Celebrate Jesus parade, 11:30 a.m., Saturday March 30. The parade will feature floats, walkers, clowns, a chariot and horses from the Great Passion Play, music and more as it travels along Spring Street in historic downtown. The event, sponsored by the Western Carroll County Ministerial Association, will also host music in Basin Park immediately after the parade. More than 10 musical acts will be performing on Saturday, featuring a variety of genres and sounds. “It’s a chance to come together with different denominations to glorify the Lord,” said Laura Nichols, parade organizer. For details, visit the Greater Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce website, www.EurekaSpringsChamber.com.
On Easter Sunday, a sunrise service will be held at 7 a.m. at the Christ of the Ozarks statue, located on the grounds of the Great Passion Play. The early service is a lovely way to observe Easter as the sun peeks above the Ozark hills; a variety of speakers will be on hand to mark the occasion. Afterward, it’s time for secular celebrations with the noontime EasterBelles parade along upper Historic Loop as local ladies show off their bonnets and finery. After the EasterBelles parade, take the young ones over to the Crescent Hotel gardens for the annual Easter Egg Hunt at 1 p.m. The event has two age divisions: ages 0 to 5, and 5 to 12. Two golden eggs will be hidden for the hunt, and the Easter Bunny will be on hand for photos. For more information, visit http://www.Crescent-Hotel.com. March 2013 | VISITOR | 25
By Northwest Arkansas music blogger Kristal ‘K*Star’ Kuykendall
Wondering where the best live music is? It’s Marching in all over this month!
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his month, great live music is Marching into town all over, and here The Visitor brings you recommendations and mini-previews of the best live music shows each weekend around Eureka Springs. For more in-depth previews, music clips, videos and a complete listing of who is playing at every venue in town, check out Kristal’s Northwest Arkansas Live Music Blog, updated every Wednesday, at www.CarrollCoNews.com/blogs/ livemusicinnwa.
March 1 — Sarah Hughes Band at Chelsea’s Corner Cafe & Ba
Hughes is in my opinion Arkansas’ most talented female singer-songwriter. She’s twangy, so if you don’t like twang, don’t go. But she’s GOOD. Her songs are wonderfully poignant, sweet and sharp all at the same time. Her music could be called alt-country, or Americana, and she also does a great cover of Neil Young, among other classic rock and jamband standouts you’ll recognize and love. This is a CD release show for Hughes’ third album. Her first two studio albums are two of the three most-worn Arkansas-produced CDs I own, and that is no exaggeration. And it’s no wonder. She’s won multiple Northwest Arkansas Music Awards, including Female Vocalist of the Year, Band of the Year, Roots/Amer26 | VISITOR | March 2013
icana Band of the Year, Female Singer/ Songwriter of the Year, and Hall of Fame inductee. Come see her play at Chelsea’s on March 1 beginning around 9 p.m. and see why she and her band deserve all the acclaim. Admission is $5 at the door; open to ages 21 and up. Chelsea’s is located at 10 Mountain St. in downtown Eureka Springs. 479-2536723.
March 6 & 7 — Marbin at Squid and Whale Pub
Marbin, a sort of experimental, jazzrock group based in Chicago, plays at Squid and Whale Pub on Wednesday, March 6 and Thursday, March 7 in what should be one of the unique live music experiences to roll through Eureka Springs in some time. Marbin started in 2007 as an improvised music duo consisting of Israeli-American guitarist Dani Rabin and Israeli saxophonist Danny Markovitch. Markovitch and Rabin met shortly after Markovitch had completed his military service as an infantry sergeant and Rabin had graduated from Berklee College of Music. Talk about a wide variety of backgrounds! Since 2008, Marbin has been based in Chicago and has been performing all over the United States, playing over 300 shows a year with the accompaniment of drummer Justyn Lawrence and bassist Ian Stewart, making Marbin one of the
busiest bands in the states. The group’s members have won multiple Grammys with the Pat Metheny Group. Marbin plays around 8:30 p.m. both nights and there is no charge for admission. Ages 21 and up are admitted. Squid and Whale Pub is located at 37 Spring St in downtown Eureka Springs. 479-2537147.
March 8 — J.P. Harris and The Tough Choices at Chelsea’s Corner Cafe & Bar
J.P Harris and The Tough Choices play country music. Period. No “pop-,” “alt-,” “rock-,” “folk-,” etc. prefixes. Sick and tired of the modern pop-country broadcast “shamelessly and persistently across our beautiful countrysides,” The Tough Choices says it has “set out to right the wrongs done to a music so classically and quintessentially American.” “As we speak, Hank Williams, Buck Owens, Carl Smith, and countless other champions of Honky Tonk are rolling in their graves, groaning with disgust over the watered-down contemporary excuse that the “Country” music industry presents us for music,” the band’s bio says. The group’s songs are simple recollections of the many paths J.P. himself has trod; heartbroken and heart-breaker, gentleman and lowlife, home-bound working man and listless wanderer. With a rare ear for authenticity, J.P. pens honkytonk ballads ranging from destitute pleas of the drunkard to upbeat barroom anthems, always maintaining a simplicity
and sharp wit only found in a road-worn author. The show begins around 9 p.m.; admission is $5 and the show is open to ages 21 and up. Chelsea’s is located at 10 Mountain St. in downtown Eureka Springs. 479-2536723.
March 9 — Earl & Them at Chelsea’s Corner Cafe & Bar
On March 9, my pick for the evening is Earl & Them, led by the infamous Earl Cates of The Cate Brothers. Earl Cate was listed in Steve Cropper’s Top Ten Guitar Players of All Time, after gaining fame with his twin Ernie as The Cate Brothers. Writing and performing music for five decades, he has a unique style of playing that sets him apart, and his level of experience and professionalism is unmatched. He’s played and toured with Levon Helm and The Band, Crosby Stills and Nash, Bo Diddley, Little Feat and many others. His bands have shared the stage with Queen, Fleetwood Mac, Boz Skaggs, Lynyrd Skynyrd and many other rock legends of our time. Eureka’s own David Renko is a special member of Earl & Them, playing saxophone at many of their performances after playing with the Cate Brothers for 20 years. Other highlights of Earl & Them include lead vocalist Baby Jason and bass guitarist John Davies, formerly a longtime touring member of the Mi-
chael Burks Blues Band. Earl & Them go on stage around 9 p.m. Admission is $5 and the show is open to ages 21 and up. Chelsea’s is located at 10 Mountain St. in downtown Eureka Springs. 479-253-6723. Chelsea’s is located at 10 Mountain St. in downtown Eureka Springs. 479-253-6723.
in downtown Eureka Springs. 479-2537147.
March 15 — Mountain Sprout at Chelsea’s Corner Cafe & Bar
around 9 p.m. and admission is $5. Ages 21 and up. Chelsea’s is located at 10 Mountain St. in downtown Eureka Springs. 479-253-6723.
March 23 — Matt Smith Group at Chelsea’s Corner Cafe & Bar
March 16 — RJ Mischo & His Red Hot Blues Band at Squid and Whale Pub
March 14 — Gypsy Lumberjacks at Squid and Whale Pub
One of the most impressive and unique Americana-jambands I’ve seen in the past few years, Gypsy Lumberjacks left a deep and positive impression on me when I saw them play in Little Rock over a year ago. I can’t wait to see them again and am sure you will feel the same after you see them perform. Known for never performing with a setlist, Gypsy Lumberjacks prefer to rely on each other’s leads and changes. The Lumberjacks rarely play a song the exact same way twice or in the same order. Even after touring relentlessly for nearly four years now, the older songs are still evolving and finding new life any given night they are performed — not to mention that new songs are consistently being introduced into the repertoire (which now boasts nearly four hours of original music and countless covers). And with a sound consisting of a mix of World Beat, Flamenco, Caribbean, Gypsy Jazz, and Bluegrass, there is something there for everyone to latch on to — and a beat for everyone to dance to. This is fun stuff, so bring comfortable shoes and your dancin’ partner! Gypsy Lumberjacks go on around 9 p.m. No charge for admission and the show is open to ages 21 and up. Squid and Whale Pub is located at 37 Spring St
If you are from Eureka Springs, you know well who Mountain Sprout is. If you are a visitor, you MUST see this hometown band that’s made a national name for themselves the past five years, touring all over the country and opening for the likes of Willie Nelson, Leon Russell, Yonder Mountain String Band and jamband titan Widespread Panic. Hillbilly-bluegrass band Mountain Sprout features high-speed, rollicking good times at every turn, and there are a lot of turns. Fiddler Blayne Thiebaud plays his instrument with a quickness that awes the audience, but he manages to still hit every note within that lightning speed that leaves rosin burnin’ and smoke coming off his bow. (We are not making this up!) But all of Mountain Sprout’s members are highly energetic, spitting out original tunes and entertaining listeners with witty lyrics and face-melting musicianship. You won’t hear Mountain Sprout cover many — if any — old bluegrass hits, either; but you won’t mind when you hear these humorous story-songs about this group of moonshine-making, pot-smoking, nature-lovin’ good ol’ boys trying to survive life in a dry county. The Sprouts have long been a fulltime working band, playing shows all year-round all over the country, until recently cutting back their schedule. So this show is a rare treat to see a true Eureka Springs gem on their home turf. Mountain Sprout’s show begins
Get ready to get your face blown off by the blues! Singer/harmonica player R.J. Mischo began his music career over 20 years ago in Minneapolis. He worked with the area’s legends of the blues scene like Muddy Waters alumni Mojo Buford and Sonny Rogers, as well as Percy Strothers and Milwaukee Slim. He later led his own groups and gained a reputation as one of the region’s top blues acts. During his tenure in Minneapolis, Mischo was nominated in several categories by the Minnesota Music Academy and in 1996 won the award for Best Harmonica Player. Mischo scoops up everyday life and personal experiences and funnels them through his harp and vocals, and what pours out is the hot-blooded passion, the playful humor and high voltage energy of the blues. He and his wife now reside in Fayetteville, and he works full-time as a musician with Northwest Arkansas’ finest including guitar-ace Jimmy Thackery, the Table Rockers, Zack Bramhall and Arkansas legend Earl Cate, as well as touring worldwide performing at blues festivals and clubs with his own Red Hot Blues Band. Mischo and crew will take the stage around 9 p.m. at Squid and Whale Pub, located at 37 Spring St. No charge for admission, ages 21 and up.
On Saturday, March 23, the outstanding and highly acclaimed, award-winning Matt Smith Group will take the Chelsea’s stage for an evening of rock, blues, funk and jamband covers and originals. Smith, originally from Harrison, has 24 years of guitar-playing under his belt, having started learning at age 11 under the tutelage of the Lovin’ Spoonful’s Phillip Smith (yes they are related) as well as, later, from jazz/country guitar virtuoso Clint Strong, known for his work with Merle Haggard. In 2008, Smith launched his first solo project, M.S.G. (Matt Smith Group), featuring original compositions. In 2010, Smith fulfilled a lifelong dream, recording M.S.G.’s “Now or Never” with world-renowned drummer Jeff Sipe (Aquarium Rescue Unit, Leftover Salmon, Jimmy Herring Band) and innovative bassist Reed Mathis (Tea Leaf Green). Smith currently performs over 100 shows annually from solo and duo performances to band ensembles with a wide range in genres -- from jazz, reggae, blues, rock, to world music and beyond. He has toured nationally and has shared the stage with Michael Franti, Rob Wasserman, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Clint Strong, Jeff Sipe, Reed Mathis, Joseph Israel, Bob and Ziggy Marley alumni and many of Northwest Arkansas’s finest musicians. Smith’s talent has garnered him 10 Northwest Arkansas Music Awards and a place in the Northwest Arkansas Hall Of Fame. Matt Smith Group takes the stage around 9 p.m. Chelsea’s is located at 10 Mountain St. 479-253-6723. March 2013 | VISITOR | 27
MAP
Eureka Springs Galleries 1
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Ice Cold Fatty
Ice Cold Fatty is my new favorite jamband in all of Northwest Arkansas — no joke. And they jam, but they don’t “noodle,” and they don’t get lost in the song transitions as some jambands have been known to do. (I don’t have the patience or attention span for that, LOL, and I don’t think many of us do these days!) The band features four talented and well-known (locally anyway) musicians: Dan Redmond on electric bass and backup vocals (he plays upright bass for Mountain Sprout); drummer and vocalist Caleb Lindsey of Fossils of Ancient Robots fame; lead guitar-
28 | VISITOR | March 2013
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March 30 — Ice Cold Fatty at Chelsea’s Corner Cafe & Bar
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ist/vocalist Justin Easter; and frontman Webb Cooper on lead vocals and rhythm guitar. Their sound is sort of Southern rock-meets-jamband with some blues and classic rock flavor thrown in. They remind me a little of The New Mastersounds or Tea Leaf Green, only a little more rock and roll. Their songwriting is impressive, with complex progressions that show not only have these tracks been worked on for quite a while by the songwriter (Webb Cooper?) but also that the band is practicing a lot, not a little. Their recent debut show at Chelsea’s was stellar and wholly impressed a very large crowd of music fans, me included. I can’t wait for their next show on March 30, particularly knowing how hard these guys have been working behind the scenes and how warmly they’re being received by the music community at large: they’re already getting shows all over the place, including at the impossible-to-break-into George’s in Fayetteville. Way to go guys! Ice Cold Fatty’s show at Chelsea’s will begin around 9 p.m. Admission is $5. Ages 21 and up. Chelsea’s is located at 10 Mountain St. in downtown Eureka Springs. 479-253-6723.
17 18 19
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Paradise Pottery Sacred Earth Gallery ESSA NEw Campus Gallery Studio 62 Eureka Thyme Lux Weaving Studio Serendipity Gallery at the Crescent
8. Gryphon’s Roost 9. Mitchell’s Folly 10. Mel Shipley Studio Gallery 11. 83 Spring Street 12. Fusion Squared 13. The Jewel Box 14. Quicksilver 15. The Fine Art of Romance
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16. Zarks 17. Suchness Gallery 18. Delphia Dreams 19. ARTifacts 20. Iris at the Basin Park 21. Wilson & Wilson 22. OUT on Main Gallery 23. Eurekan Art
24. Fantasy & Stone 25 Art Colony 26. RES Studio & Gallery 27. Keels Creek Art Gallery 28. Prospect Gallery 29. 34 Main St. Gallery
True colors in Eureka art scene
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s the world gasps in admiration of Northwest Arkansas as an arts destination, Eureka Springs can say, “Hey, we knew that all along.” Artists have flocked to this town for decades, providing one of the richest, most creative spots in the MidSouth. Our true colors have been on the canvas for years, and now the local, regional and national artists featured in spaces across Eureka Springs are shared on a global scale.
We have more than a dozen art galleries scattered throughout the area, and each offers up a unique take on art, from nature-based watercolors and paintings to edgy interpretations in contemporary art. Whether you’re looking for something provocative or soothing, the artists of Eureka Springs deliver every time. From one-of-a-kind jewelry to sculpture, metalworking and more, our galleries have something you just can’t live without.
You’ll find fine jewelry, hand-thrown pottery, art glass and contemporary metal sculpture at Iris at the Basin Park.
Fusion Squared features the fused glass art and jewelry of local artist John Rinehart.
�� Fusion Squared
Fusion Squared features artisan-created pottery and gift items. They showcase the work of local and regional Arkansas artists and artists from around the nation. They are open 10-5 daily and are located at 84 Spring Street, catty-cornered from Silly Chili.
Iris at the Basin Park
Iris at the Basin Park offers art lovers an eclectic range of art and fine crafts, showcasing the fine works of many local, regional and national artists. Fine jewelry, handthrown pottery, art glass and contemporary metal sculpture, 8 Spring St.
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DISCOVER NATURE’S BEST IN
Eureka Springs West Head west for adventure, relaxation, scenery, lodging and shopping
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t’s hard to be modest when you’ve got it all, but Eureka Springs West really does have everything you need for a great vacation, and if you haven’t spent some time there yet, this March is the perfect opportunity. The trees are not yet leafed out, which means the views are enhanced. Toward the end of the month, the first hints of pink festoon the hills as the redbud trees begin their annual display. Lake Leatherwood City Park offers a variety of hiking and biking trails for every skill level; if you prefer a saddle that’s atop a horse instead of two wheels, nearby stables offer unforgettable rides
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through the Ozark woods. Beaver Lake always has great fishing opportunities, and you can fish for trout below Beaver Dam. Inspiration Point wasn’t named by accident — drive up U.S. Highway 62 to experience the breathtaking view of the White River valley and the surrounding scenery. Aside from the natural delights, the area also has wonderful shopping opportunities, including artists’ studios and antique shops. At the end of the day, tuck into a cabin, cottage or other lodging; the region offers a rich variety, from homespun, rustic cabins to luxurious rooms with Jacuzzi tubs. And once you’ve spent some time here, we know you’ll be bragging about what a great place Eureka Springs West is, too.
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Average Summer Temperature: 89° high, 66 low° Average Winter Temperature: 50° high, 30 low° Average Annual Rainfall: 45” City Population: 2,278 Elevation: 1,500’
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NEW DELHI DEVITO’S RESTAURANT CAFE
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Factual Information
SERENITY SPA
23
DEVITO’S RESTAURANT
DO U
L
OI
EAST MOUNTAIN GAZEBO
★(VIEW OF CITY)
IN T
THE BALCONY RESTAURANT BASIN SPRING
RD
GADD SPRING
FL
116
GS
IN
R SP
★
LL
AD
HAUNTED EUREKA GHOST TOURS
. ST
HO
HISTORIC LOOP
.
D OA
★BELLE OF THE OZARKS ★DIGGING DEEPER
W
ST. ELIZABETH’S CATHOLIC CHURCH
LL
★
62
SWEET SPRING
E LK ST. POST OFFICE OW E N ST . W EST MOUNTAIN ST. EU R THE SQUID E KA S T. & WHALE
M
MI
INTRIGUE THEATER
RO
R
HEALTHWORKS
. ST
THORNCROWN CHAPEL
RAZORBACK OBSERVATION TOWER
NTY
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★ CR ★CRESCENT SPRING
.
E
LEATHERWOOD FIELDS BALLPARK
HIDDEN VALLEY TRAIL RIDES
S
COU
★ MU ND
OLDEN DAYS CARRIAGE
CARNEGIE FAI RM LIBRARY OU N H TS T. OW T. EL TS L S CONGRESS PECSING T OS L . SPRING R ETO P N S HARDING PI N T. SPRING
ERMILIO’S
★
CASTAWAY SAILING
CRESCENT HOTEL GHOST TOURS
E.
BEAVER DAM
187
1886 STEAK HOUSE & DR. BAKER’S BISTRO
AVE
LEA TH
CK
Y AV E WA
★
W
OT
RO
RI DG
62
Scenic Loop to Beaver Dam
DAI R
Y
RO A OD WO
W
OO D
62
S
L IN W
187
NEW MOON SPA
HO
D
★
HISTORIC LOOP
GROTTO SPRING
HARMON PARK
LL
★
OPERA IN THE OZARKS
DAM SITE RD.
AD
N UT S T.
★
PIVOT ROCK
T.
BEAR MOUNTAIN RIDING STABLES
RO
INSPIRATION POINT
OW
★
T.
NO R
.
★
RIVERVIEW CANOES
GS
LE
RD
★
RIN
AV E.
A NG
G
D GAR
SP
ND
STEELE ST.
GS EN
SPIDER CREEK WATERCRAFT
RA
CE NT DRIVE SPRING ST. K I N G S TR E E T ST. S P R I N G G AR D E N D G HI LLSI E AVE. K I M BE R L II N
RI N
STEVE'S STABLES
★ HU
QUIGLEY'S CASTLE HUNTSVILLE WAR EAGLE MILL & CAVERN TERRA STUDIOS
SCENIC HWY. 12
★
23
N
TSV
I LL
O ER
GR
EE N
WO
UR E
62
CAFE AMORE
★
E
N
E.S. ELEMENTARY
O D H O LLOW RD .
TRACK
S
TURPENTINE CREEK
★ WILDLIFE REFUGE
March 2013 | VISITOR | 31
★
OZARK MOUNTA HOE-DOW
I
n a busy downtown, enjoy more than just a clinical hour of therapy, instead visit the Serenity Spa in the Basin Park Hotel and relax on our sun deck, take a dip in the hot tub and enjoy services that range from couples massage, facials and pedicures to an exfoliation scrub finished soothingly with our famous “Serenity Rain Bar.”
All Weekeday Guests Enjoy
on Services
DOWNTOWN EUREKA SPRINGS • 12 Spring St. • 479-253-2796 • serenityspa.travel
Feel Relaxed.
W
idely recognized as the finest spa and salon in the region, the New Moon Spa and Salon offers the most expansive menu of services from hair and nails in the salon to massage, facials and microdermabrasion in the day spa. Using only the finest of techniques and highest quality in Aveda product, the New Moon Spa is the place to Feel Relaxed, Look Beautiful and Be Happy.
32 | VISITOR | March 2013
Look Beautiful.
Be Happy.
Experience our Mountaintop Spa Resort
The 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa 479.253.2879 • newmoonspa.com
20% OFF One-hour Massage SUNDAY - THURSDAY