Blue Man Group will be at Walton Arts Center’s Baum Walker Hall Sep. 2-11.

An explosion of comedy, music and technology.

Walton Arts is thrilled to be the host for the first stop on the new Blue Man Group tour. Blue Man Group will thrill Northwest Arkansas with its high octane theatrical experiences. With no spoken words, Blue Man Group is a perfect show for all ages and languages.

Show times:

Thu, Sep 2, 7pm
Fri, Sep 3, 8pm
Sun, Sep 5, 2pm & 7pm
Thu, Sep 9, 7pm
Fri, Sep 10, 7pm
Sat, Sep 11, 2pm & 8pm

Tickets are going fast so get yours today! Click here to BUY NOW.

The Washington County Historical Society will host the 40^th annual Ice Cream Social on Saturday, August 21, from 4 pm to 7:30 pm, at Headquarters House, 118 E. Dickson St., in Fayetteville (across Dickson Street from the Washington County Courthouse parking lot).  This event will raise awareness of and support the Historical Society’s educational programs for children and adults.  The cost for admission is $5 for adults, $2.50 for children ages 6-12, and $15 for a “family ticket,” and children under 6 attend free.

Homemade cakes and Hiland Dairy ice cream will be served.  Guests will be treated to the music of local musicians, including folk music and barbershop singers; tours of the historic gardens and Headquarters House; antique cars display; and entertainment by the pride of WCHS, youth participants of the WCHS Heritage School, who will perform period dancing and related activities.  Also, the winners of the Society’s annual Lemke Award prize will be announced. The WCHS Book Store and Gift Shop will offer a 10% discount on all merchandise purchased during the event. And, there will be activities for children, introducing them to the WCHS grounds.

For more information click here or call 479-521-2970.

The Washington County Historical Society, founded in 1951, is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with over 700 active members.  Among its many activities and projects, the Washington County Historical Society publishes quarterly the award-winning Flashback, and owns and manages three historic properties in Washington County: Headquarters House, the Archibald Yell Law Office, and the Ridge House.

Annual events organized and sponsored by the Washington County Historical Society include the Annual Meeting in October, the Battle of Fayetteville Commemorative in April, the Heritage School in July, and the Ice Cream Social in August.  The Washington County Historical Society also sponsors an Annual Lecture Series and celebrates Arkansas’ Statehood Day in June, as well as frequently conducting Living History programs in area schools and throughout the county.  The mission of the Washington County Historical Society is to promote a continuing pride and interest in and knowledge of the history of Washington County, Arkansas and its inhabitants.

August 28th
Registration: 9:00 am
Walk Begins: 10:00 am

13th annual Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s “Great Strides” Walk – Bentonville Plaza, 609 SW 8th St., Join us in adding “tomorrows” for people living with CF, the number one genetic killer of children, Registration opens at 9am, 2 mile Walk starts at 10am. Kids’ Zone, inflatables, refreshments and great activities for all.

Call 479-640-0470 for more information.

Walton Arts Center’s new 10×10 Arts Series features 10 of the best jazz, classical, world music and dance performances for just $10 per ticket!

This exciting new series is about making arts experiences accessible and fun, and is a perfect way to expand your family’s cultural horizons tenfold without ever leaving Northwest Arkansas!

Consider the power of 10…

- Inspire a young musician, dancer, singer with the gift of seeing some of the world’s best for just $10.

- Fill your calendar with stimulating arts experiences for less than the price of your weekly coffee!

- Give your loved one the gift of 10 shows for the price of a nice dinner or a few flower bouquets.

10 Shows for $10 each… and 3 easy ways to buy:

Single Tickets:
Buy tickets to one or more of the 10×10 performance and get extras like pre- and post-show activities and Creative Conversations with the artists and/or local arts experts.

Create Your Own Package:
Buy tickets to 4 or more 10×10 performances and get all the 10×10 extras, plus Walton Arts Center Create Your Own Subscription benefits, like free ticket exchanges, early access to shows added throughout the season and discounts on tickets to other shows in the season line-up.

Special Offer – The Perfect 10 Package:
Buy one ticket to all 10 performances on the 10×10 series and get all the subscriber benefits and 10×10 extras, PLUS an extra 10×10 series package for free! That’s 20 tickets to 10 shows for only $100. (first come, first served – only 50 Perfect 10 packages are available)

To learn more visit waltonartscenter.org and click “10×10 Series” on the left hand side.

Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center – Great Quintets, Friday, Oct. 8, 8pm

For Mozart, Mendelssohn and Brahms, click here.

Omara Portuondo: 80th Birthday Celebration, Saturday, Oct. 9, 8pm

For the “Queen of Caribbean Vocals,” click here.

Trey McIntyre Project, Friday, Nov. 5, 8pm

For modern dance set to rock-n-roll, click here.

Kenny Barron Trio with David Sánchez, Saturday, Nov. 6, 8pm

For Hall of Fame jazz, click here.

Remember Me: Parsons Dance Company and East Village Opera Company, Friday, Jan. 21, 8pm

For a high-energy rock opera, click here.

Philharmonia Quartett Berlin, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2pm

For Mozart, Shostakovich and Schumann, click here.

Jubilant Sykes & Alan Chow, Thursday, Feb. 17, 7pm

For a singing sensation and a piano virtuoso, click here.

Harvard Glee Club, Monday, Mar. 14, 7pm (@ Arend Arts Center at Bentonville High School)

For the original Glee Club, click here.

Compañía Nacional de Danza II, Thursday, Apr. 7, 7pm

For Spain’s finest young dance company, click here.

John Pizzarelli Trio, Sunday, Apr. 10, 7pm

For the “Captain of Cool,” click here.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE 2010 LIFE+KIDS SUMMER CAMP GUIDE!

The Ozark Girls Chorus is holding auditions on August 28, 2010 at the First United Presbyterian Church anytime between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

There will be two choirs this year: The Apple Blossoms (3rd/4th grade girls) and the Magnolias (5th/6th/7th grade girls)

The auditions are quick and  simple. Your daughter should prepare any song, such as Happy Birthday, and she can even bring a friend if she likes.

For more information, and to sign up click here or download this flyer – OzarkGirlsChorusFlyer.pdf (432 KB)

Join us on August 21st 10am to 2 pm at 1101 McCollum Drive in Bentonville for a FUN, FREE Family Fair highlighting Preparedness in Northwest Arkansas.

There will be more than 50 booths with information about Being Prepared, plus a kids corner with kid-friendly preparedness information, bounce house, coloring, and much, much more.

Bentonville Fire Dept. will bring their smoke house and there will be lots of emergency vehicles on display.

Free Lunch and give-away items for creating your own 72-Hour kit will be provided for attendees.

Drop-in family program.

Friday, August 6, 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Crystal Bridges at the Massey
125 West Central Avenue, Bentonville

Experience a new way of learning about art: through your taste buds! Explore the works in Transforming Tradition: Pottery from Mata Ortiz and learn about authentic flavors from Northern Mexico.

This intensive technique dance workshop will encompass ballet, modern, and jazz on the campus of the University of Arkansas, HPER center on Monday, August 9th through Friday, August 13th 2010.

The workshop will have special guest teachers Scott Spivey of Ballet Memphis and Lindsay Chambers of AMDA, the nation’s preimere Musical Theater Academy of New York City along with local choreographer, ballet teacher and Artist Director Amy Kessler.

The ages and cost of this 5-day program are $150.00 for 8 to 11 years of age and $175.00 for 12 years of age and above.

Checks should be sent to Ozark Dance Theater in care of Amy Kessler to 844 East Rodgers Drive Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701 to reserve enrollment. Space is limited!

If you have any questions or would like to request more information for this unique opportunity, please contact Amy Kessler at (479) 422-9602 and (479) 445-6674 or via e-mail at OZARKDT@COXNET.

Thank you for supporting the arts of Northwest Arkansas!

Have you heard of Shannon Wurst, the Fayetteville singer/songwriter?

If not, stop reading and click here to listen to her music, you will thank me (unless you don’t like Folk and Bluegrass, and in that case I can’t help you!)

Anyway, I just learned that Shannon is hosting a Songwriting class for youth this Thursday and Friday (with another one scheduled for October).

I thought that sounded like the coolest thing ever, so I immediately confirmed that spaces are still available. And they are!

Here are the details:

Cost: $40.00

Youth Songwriting Class August 4th and 5th from 10 am to 12 noon at Wilson Park (meet at the castle) in Fayetteville, AR.  Each child will write a song, record and release it on their very own CD!

Click here for more information.  Please contact Shannon if you have any questions: shawurst@hotmail.com

This is the final week of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast… Get your tickets today!

Tickets start at: $39; Now through Aug. 8

For tickets, click here.

Great seats are still available. Call the Box Office at 479.443.5600 and WAC’s helpful staff will help find the best seats for you.

Audiences rave about Disney’s Beauty and the Beast!

Video not showing? Click here to check out what people are saying in the opening night review video, created with help from local students.

My friend (and Life+Kids reader) Lela Davidson will show you how in her course Beyond Blogging: How to Make Money Writing Online Content.

Writing online content is a great way to hone your writing craft, get published, and make money. Lela left a traditional job to begin writing online in 2006. This 3-hour course covers the basics of where to find writing jobs (and determine if they are legitimate or a scam), how to write the most common types of web content, apply for work, and find your niche. Students also learn about the various types of revenue streams available to online writers, as well as how to use free blogging software as an online resume of your work. This class is designed for beginning and experienced writers.

For more information and to register, email Lela at ldavidson98@gmail.com
Class fee if received before August 10th: $49
Class fee if received after August 10th: $59

Beauty and the Beast starts next week – do you have your tickets yet?

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
Jul. 27 – Aug. 8
Baum Walker Hall
Tickets start at: $39

**Beauty and the Beast show times:

Tuesday, Jul. 27, 7pm
Wednesday, Jul. 28, 7pm
Thursday, Jul. 29, 7pm
Friday, Jul. 30, 8pm
Saturday, Jul. 31, 2pm & 8pm
Sunday, Aug. 1, 2pm & 7pm
Tuesday, Aug. 3, 7pm
Wednesday, Aug. 4, 7pm
Thursday, Aug. 5, 7pm
Friday, Aug. 6, 8pm
Saturday, Aug. 7, 2pm & 8pm
Sunday, Aug. 8, 2pm & 7pm

**For best availability, try Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday nights!

Experience the romance and enchantment of Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST by visiting waltonartscenter.org or calling 479.443.5600.

It’s voting time for WAC’s “Be Our Guest” Beauty and the Beast Video Contest!

You have until Wednesday, July 21 at 5pm to go to Walton Arts Center’s Facebook page and “LIKE” your favorite video!

Remember, the winner gets FREE tickets to see Beauty & the Beast, t-shirts, a restaurant gift card and a pre-show Meet & Greet with the cast!

To go to WAC’s Facebook page and vote, click here.

From the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks:

FireFly Fling: THE Festival for Families
July 24th at 7pm

Come join us as daylight turns into night as we celebrate nature with art, music, food and play.
We will have hands on activities for children of all ages including lots of water play!
Dress up as your favorite woodland creature and critters and build a fairy house in the woods.
This event will provide down-to-earth experiences that will reawaken our sense of belonging to the larger community of life, and ignite deep caring and concern for the Earth.

$6 for Individuals
$20 for a Family of 4

Children under 3 are Free

Please visit the Botanical Garden events page to make a reservation. You will not receive a paper ticket, your name will be on a list at the door.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE 2010 LIFE+KIDS SUMMER CAMP GUIDE!

Saturday, July 24, 7 – 10 p.m.; Rain date Saturday, July 31.
Botanical Garden of the Ozarks
4703 N. Crossover Rd., Fayetteville, AR
479-750-2620

Firefly Fling is a family-friendly midsummer celebration. Create glow-in-the-dark wands and tree cookie necklaces inspired by the gardens – see you there!

Thursday, July 22, 2-3 p.m.
Cedarville Public Library, 639 Pirates Way
Cedarville, AR • 479-410-1853

Drop-in art appreciation experiences best for children ages 5-12 and their families.
Contact participating libraries for details.

Learn to love – and “read” – art! Each thematic session features a poster gallery preview of art in the permanent collection of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Using art and books, activities include interactive games and discussions sure to inspire all.

Channel 5 news has a listing of Northwest Arkansas fireworks displays.  Here’s the link.

Have a Happy 4th of July!

Do you sing, dance, act or just like making videos?

Walton Arts Center invites you to “Be Our Guest” and enter the Beauty & the Beast video contest. Grab a video camera, get some friends together and get creative! The winner will get FREE tickets to the Beauty & the Beast, t-shirts, a restaurant gift card and a pre-show Meet & Greet with the cast!

Here’s how it works:

1.) Make a video
2.) Upload your video to WAC Facebook page ON Friday, July 16.
3.) Tell your friends to go to the WAC Facebook page and “LIKE” your video

For more information sign into your facebook.com account and search “Be Our Guest”, visit www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=116145948432176&ref=mf, or call 479.443.5600

Get “new” toys and books for the whole family for summer!

• What: Toy and Book Swap
• When: Saturday July 10th, 2010 from  9am-12pm
• Where: First United Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville
• More Info: email angela.watson@cox.net

Toy Swap  $5.00 plus 2 or more toys- any type of toys, games, or kid equipment/supplies that other families can put to good use.
Book Swap $5.00 plus 2 or more books- fiction and non-fiction for ALL AGES , CD’s, DVD’s, VHS, multiple magazines, or other media

Please bring as many books and toys as you can!  All leftovers will be sold or donated so clean out your closets for a great cause!
Swap Rules- You can participate in the toy swap, the book swap or both. You can take as many items from the swap as you have use for, however please try to bring more that you take home so there will be plenty for everyone!
Donations- If you can not attend but have toys or books that you would like to donate please email angela.watson@cox.net to make drop-off or pick-up arrangements. We will also be accepting financial contributions.

A Fayetteville family will be traveling to Democratic Republic of the Congo to bring home their adopted daughter. Friends are trying to fill duffel bags with baby formula for them to take to the orphanage when they go.
Also accepting donation of BABY FORMULA SAMPLES, or BABY FORMULA COUPONS – Email angela.watson@cox.net or bring these to the swap.

Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
July 27 – August 8 (16 performances)
Walton Arts Center’s Baum Walker Hall

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LOVE STORY EVER TOLD COMES TO LIFE in Northwest Arkansas!

The new touring production of Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST officially kicks off WAC’s 2010/11 Season with a 2-week run. From July 27 through August 8, theatergoers will have 16 chances to experience one of the most beautiful love stories ever told!

A lush, romantic Broadway musical for all generations, Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film. This classic musical love story is an eye-popping spectacle filled with unforgettable characters, lavish sets and costumes, and dazzling production numbers including “Be Our Guest” and the beloved title song.

Experience the romance and enchantment of Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at Walton Arts Center!

Show dates & times:

Tue, Jul 27, 2010, 7pm
Wed, Jul 28, 2010, 7pm
Thu, Jul 29, 2010, 7pm
Fri, Jul 30, 2010, 8pm
Sat, Jul 31, 2010, 2pm & 8pm
Sun, Aug 1, 2010, 2pm & 7pm
Tue, Aug 3, 2010, 7pm
Wed, Aug 4, 2010, 7pm
Thu, Aug 5, 2010, 7pm
Fri, Aug 6, 2010, 8pm
Sat, Aug 7, 2010, 2pm & 8pm
Sun, Aug 8, 2010, 2pm & 7pm