Celebrate Spring with Something New at Walton Arts Center

By Grace Lindquist

Springtime is the perfect time to try something fresh and new, and Walton Arts Center has a great lineup to fit the bill. From a mini film festival featuring works by Arkansas independent filmmakers to a weekend of high-quality vocal performances, a ticket to an inspiring show is sure to cure your winter blues.

On Saturday, March 11, enjoy a mini film festival featuring works by filmmakers from across Arkansas. Curated by Fayetteville Film Festival, Arkansas Filmmakers Showcase brings cinema to local audiences, enriching understanding of our neighbors and of the world at large.

Kick off the VoiceJam A Cappella Festival weekend on Friday, April 14, with Duwendé, an award winning six-person ensemble that presents a unique take on a cappella music. Best known for their upbeat, electrifying bass-and-beatbox-driven style, the group pumps up the crowd with their exuberant sound, replicating a variety of instruments with their powerful and distinct voices. With ever-growing acclaim and fans all over the globe, Duwendé brings new life to the a cappella genre for contemporary audiences. Tickets are only $10!

Seven films will be featured back-to-back, culminating in nearly two hours of creative storytelling. This showcase will range in theme from with the connecting tissue being that all filmmakers are from the Natural State. Films include Lemniscate by Fayetteville local Chuck Mere; Flight by Tyler Horne from Hot Springs; Double Trouble by University of Central Arkansas film students from Fayetteville, Levi Matthew Smith and Blake Dean Allen; For A few Dollars Fewer by Siloam Springs native and John Brown University film student Nick Loper; Banana Triangle Six directed by Marc Crandall of Fayetteville; Boppie by Conway native and UCA film student Ethan Gueck; and Pomegranate by Molly Wheat of Searcy.

Tickets are only $15 and are available now. More information about each of the films can be found at waltonartscenter.org.

A cappella fans and performers alike will gather April 14 and 15 for the annual VoiceJam A Cappella Festival, complete with a headliner concert by Duwendé and the finale event, the VoiceJam Competition. There are also opportunities to learn more about a cappella and experience acaawesome performances.

The weekend continues April 15 when some of the best a cappella groups from across the country will gather in Northwest Arkansas for workshops and masterclasses and to compete for the title of grand champion. The VoiceJam competition starts at 7:30 pm has become one of the most-loved events in our season. Come cheer on these harmonizing, beatboxing, mindblowing groups and cast your vote for aca-fan favorite! Tickets to the competition are $27. Combo tickets to both Duwendé and VoiceJam Competition are just $29.

Tickets to all of these shows and more are available at waltonartscenter.org

Also coming to Walton Arts Center

Ulysses Owens Jr.’s Generation Y

March 4

Acoustic Rooster’s Barnyard

Boogie Starring Indigo Bloom

March 5

STAR DUST: From Bach to Bowie

March 16

John Crist

March 19 | 2 shows! The Jungle Book

March 25

LADAMA

March 30

The Pirates of Penzance

April 1

Blue October

April 2

Brianna Thomas Sextet

April 7

Windmill Theatre’s Hiccup!

April 16

Visceral Dance Chicago

April 20

A Letter for Elena

April 23

David Sedaris

April 25

The Foundation is grateful for the gifts received between December 1st and February 1st from the following Donors.

Donations/Memorials

John Robinson

Sandy Brooks

Everett and Allie Solomon

Marolyn Fields in memory of Evelyn Townsend Andres

Doris Layne in memory of Bobbie Wasson

Dick and Ann Booth in memory of Dorothy Seaton

Roy Clinton in memory of Bobbie Wasson and Pauline Mueller

Dwain and Glenda Newman in memory Jackee Smith and Winnie MacDonald

Chuck and Barbara Culver in honor of Ray and Penny Culver

Health Care/Special Care/Sensory Garden Fund

Seth Young

Doris Schuldt

Penny Culver in honor of Ray Culver

Jane Spellman and Carol Spears

Beverly George in memory of Mary Meyer

John and Sally King in memory of Joan Havens

Kurt and Gene Tweraser in honor of Ardith Wharry

Celisa Steele in honor of Beth Vaughan-Wrobel Steele

Linda Pinkerton in honor of the CNAs and nurses who take care of BTV residents

Music and Performance Fund

Pat Jahoda

Derrik and Julie Olsen

Moving Made Easy

Helen Kennedy

Carol Barnett

John Robinson