Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Best Bets: April
APRIL 1-8
“VIETGONE” — Fresh from its acclaimed, sold-out New York debut, “Vietgone” is an energetic and winning take on one Arkansas family’s origin story, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 2 & 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday through April 8, TheatreSquared at the Nadine Baum Studios in Fayetteville. $17 & up. 443-5600.
APRIL 5-8
“BABE, THE SHEEP PIG” — Presented by the Young Actors Guild, 7 p.m. April 5-6; 2 & 7 p.m. April 7; 2 p.m. April 8, King Opera House in Van Buren. $10. weareyag.org.
“MAN OF LA MANCHA” — Presented by the University of Arkansas theater and music departments, 7:30 p.m. April 5-7 & 2 p.m. April 8, University Theatre in Fayetteville. $5-$10. 575-4752.
“LIVING ON LOVE” — This farce about an opera diva who discovers her larger-than-life maestro husband has become enamored with the lovely young lady hired to ghostwrite his largely fictional autobiography, 8 p.m. April 5-7, 2 p.m. April 8, Arkansas Public Theatre in Rogers. $23-$35. 631-8988.
APRIL 6
AFRICAN NIGHT — A night of entertainment showcasing African culture and cuisine; a speech by Sherman Banks, the consul of the Republic of Ghana in Little Rock; a fashion show; a performance by a renowned African dance group; a performance by the UAFS music team; and an educational piece on Africa, 6 p.m., Reynolds Room of the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. $10-$15. 788-7300. DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIES — Patrisse Khan Cullors, co-founder of #BlackLivesMatter, 7 p.m., Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville. $15. 657-2335.
VOICEJAM HEADLINER CONCERT
— Featuring VoicePlay, 7:30 p.m., Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. $15 & up. 443-5600.
APRIL 6-8
“CALENDAR GIRLS” — Based on the
APRIL 6
VOICEJAM HEADLINER CONCERT — Featuring VoicePlay, 7:30 p.m., Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. $15 & up. 443-5600.
movie about 11 “mature” British women who raise money to fight leukemia by posing for a nude calendar, 7:30 p.m. April 6-7; 2 p.m. April 8; again April 11-14, Fort Smith Little Theatre. $12. 783-2966.
APRIL 7
SLAM POETRY — With Ebony Stewart, the only adult female three-time Slam Champion and 2017 Women of the World Poetry Slam Champion, 1 p.m., Fayetteville Public Library. Free. faylib. org.
LIMELIGHT MUSIC FESTIVAL — Created by indie folk artist Ryan Woodland, 3-10 p.m., Bentonville Brewing Co. $10-$125. PeaTix.com. VOICEJAM — An a cappella festival featuring The Originals from Carnegie Melon University; VORTEX from University of Texas at Arlington; Mind the Gap from University of Oregon; The Harmelodics from Northern Illinois University; Impromptu from Indianapolis; The Amateurs from Washington University in St. Louis; The Texas Songhorns from University of Texas at Austin; and Ars Nova from Miami Valley High School, Dayton, Ohio, 7:30 p.m., Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. $19 & up. 443-5600.
APRIL 12
RIDERS ON THE ORPHAN TRAIN — A 20th anniversary performance with Alison Moore and Phil Lancaster, 6 p.m., Fayetteville Public Library. Free. faylib. org.
APRIL 12-15
INVERSE PERFORMANCE ART FESTIVAL — Artists from around the world will present new work that will offer
APRIL 27
AN EVENING WITH — Pulitzer Prize-winner Colson Whitehead, author of “The Underground Railroad,” 7 p.m., Fayetteville Public Library. Free; books will be available for purchase and signing at the event. faylib.org. different ways to consider time, space, and body, Thursday in Rogers, Friday in Bentonville, Saturday in Fayetteville and Sunday in Springdale. The venues will range anywhere from inside homes, to galleries, storefronts, alleyways and even out in the streets. There will also be many opportunities for the public to engage and connect. Free. Email Cynthia Post Hunt at cynthia. inverseperformanceart@gmail.com.
APRIL 13-14
“LILLY’S PURPLE PLASTIC PURSE” — Lilly has her own way of doing things and even on the bad days, when you have movie star sunglasses and a purple plastic purse that plays music, how bad can it be? Presented by Trike Theatre April 13, 14, 20, 21 at 7 p.m.; April 14, 21 at 2 p.m. at Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. 443-5600.
APRIL 14
“DOROTHY IN OZ” — A touring production by the Arkansas Arts Center’s Children’s Theatre, 10:30 a.m., Fayetteville Public Library. Free. faylib.org.
SONA CHAMBER SINGERS — American folk songs, 2 p.m., Fayetteville Public Library. Free. faylib.org.
APRIL 15
“WHITE RABBIT RED RABBIT” — An experimental theater piece starring Kris Stoker, presented by ArkansasStaged, 7 p.m., 21c Museum Hotel in Bentonville. Free; $5 donation suggested. Email arkansasstaged@ gmail.com.
APRIL 17
JAZZ CONCERT — With the UAFS Jazz Catz and Jazz Band, 7:30 p.m., ArcBest Corp. Performing Arts Center in the Fort Smith Convention Center. $8. 788-7300.
I’M WITH HER — Fresh new trio made up of Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz and Aoife O’Donovan, garnering acclaim for their unique blend of instrumental interplay combined with their indelible harmonies. With guests Smokey and the Mirror, 7 p.m., Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. $32.50. 443-5600.
APRIL 19-22
“ALADDIN JR.” — Based on the beloved Disney movie, 7 p.m April 19-20; 2 & 7 p.m. April 21; 2 p.m. April 22, presented by Arts Live Theatre at the Arts Center of the Ozarks in Springdale. $10-$15. 521-4932.
APRIL 20
“NATURAL SHOCKS” — An ArkansasStaged staged reading of the play by Lauren Gunderson, 7 p.m., Fenix Fayetteville DownUnder, 16 W. Center St. in Fayetteville. Suggested donation of $10. Email arkansasstaged@gmail. com.
APRIL 20-29
“ARKTYPE” — A brand new University Theatre project with all-new material written by head of the MFA playwriting department John Walsh and MFA playwriting students Meghan McEnery and Paul McInnis, 7 p.m. April 20-22, 26-27; 2 & 7 p.m. April 28-29, Global Campus Theatre on the Fayetteville square. $10-$40. 575-4752.
APRIL 21
FORT SMITH BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION — Fort Smith Symphony with the Crumbs & Ben Miller Band, 7:30 p.m., ArcBest Corp. Performing Arts Center in the Fort Smith Convention Center. $17-$45. 452-7575.
APRIL 22
EL DIA DE LOS NINOS — Music, dance and art projects celebrating the cultures in our community, noon5 p.m., Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville. Free. 657-2335.
JAZZ SHOWCASE — With the University of Arkansas Community Music School, 2 p.m., Fayetteville Public Library. Free. faylib.org.
SQUIRREL JAM MUSIC — Bring an instrument, your voice or clap along, 5-7 p.m., Ozark Folkways in Winslow. Free. 634-3791.
APRIL 23
“CINDERELLA” — The touring production of the Tony Award-winning musical from the creators of “South Pacific” and “The Sound of Music,” 7:30 p.m., ArcBest Corp. Performing Arts Center in the Fort Smith Convention Center. $47 & up. 788-7300.
APRIL 24-29
“BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL” — 7 p.m. April 24-25; 1:30 & 7 p.m. April 27; 8 p.m. April 27; 2 & 8 p.m. April 28; 2 p.m. April 29, Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. $44 & up. 443-5600.
APRIL 24-29
“BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL” — 7 p.m. April 24-25; 1:30 & 7 p.m. April 27; 8 p.m. April 27; 2 & 8 p.m. April 28; 2 p.m. April 29, Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. $44 & up. 443-5600.
APRIL 25-MAY 20
“THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES” — A sublimely funny re-imagining of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s story, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 2 & 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday, TheatreSquared at the Nadine Baum Studios in Fayetteville. $17-$47. 443-5600.
APRIL 26-27
DUETS IN BLOOM 2 — Art becomes nature, and nature becomes art in unique floral designs interpreting works of art by local artists, noon April 26 through 3 p.m. April 27, Bella Vista Country Club. Free; sales benefit community education projects by Floralia Arrangers Guild Garden Club. Email ldneymeyer@gmail.com.
APRIL 26-29
POWER OF MUSIC FESTIVAL — With Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame members Tony Arata (“The Dance” by Garth Brooks), Roger Cook (“Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress” by The Hollies), Randy Goodrum (“You Needed Me” by Anne Murray), Richard Leigh (“Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” by Crystal Gayle); and Dennis Morgan (“Smoky Mountain Rain” by Ronnie Milsap), plus other performers and a music conference, Meteor Guitar Gallery, Bike Rack Brewery, Doubletree Suites & Two25 Events in Bentonville. $25-$189. illflyawayfoundation.org.
APRIL 27
AN EVENING WITH — Pulitzer
APRIL 7
SLAM POETRY — With Ebony Stewart, the only adult female three-time Slam Champion and 2017 Women of the World Poetry Slam Champion, 1 p.m., Fayetteville Public Library. Free. faylib.org. Prize-winner Colson Whitehead, author of “The Underground Railroad,” 7 p.m., Fayetteville Public Library. Free; books will be available for purchase and signing at the event. faylib.org.
APRIL 28
BRANTLEY GILBERT — “The Ones That Like Me Tour” with Aaron Lewis and Josh Phillips, gates open at 5:30 p.m., Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion in Rogers. $32.75 & up. 443-5600. SPRING CONCERT — With the ACO Chorale, 7:30 p.m., Arts Center of the Ozarks in Springdale. $5-$10. 751-5441.
APRIL 6
AFRICAN NIGHT — A night of entertainment showcasing African culture and cuisine; a speech by Sherman Banks, the consul of the Republic of Ghana in Little Rock (pictured); a fashion show; a performance by a renowned African dance group; a performance by the UAFS music team; and an educational piece on Africa, 6 p.m., Reynolds Room of the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. $10-$15. 788-7300.