Looking Back

Writer revisits moments that made 2018 unforgettable

I’d like to tell you about my year, if you’ll indulge me.

In preparing for the annual yearend coverage for What’s Up! and looking back at all we’ve accomplished, attended, written about, anticipated, savored and rejoiced in over 2018, most significant to me was the time I spent relishing the wonderful variety our corner of the state had to offer. So this year, more than my opinions on anything else, I felt compelled to share with you a little about the incredible experiences I found in my own back yard. Maybe you newly call the area home and don’t know yet the wonders you’ll find here. Or, like so many of us, maybe you’ve settled into a bit of a complacent rut and will appreciate a reminder of just how fortunate we truly are to call Northwest Arkansas ours.

Below is a smattering of some of the most unforgettable events and happenings I attended this year, in no particular order. How did you spend your 2018? “At the Illusionist’s Table” — Potluck Arts debuted a new series this year called “Out of the Ordinary Experience,” providing one-of-a-kind contemporary arts events. The series’ premiere event was an intimate evening with Scottish illusionist/mentalist Scott Silven at Brightwater in Bentonville for an immersive and magical take on dinner theater. Each of the three decadent courses prepared by local chefs Paul Allen and Vince Pianalto

enhanced or embodied details of Silven’s storytelling and interactions, while between courses, Silven enchanted with his charisma and mystified with his mentalism, making for a once-in-alifetime experience with a world class performer. “Willo Mancifoot: The Musical”

— Eureka Springs artist and seemingly a fairy come to life, Valerie Hubbard Damon feels everything in her life has been building to the debut of the children’s musical based on her whimsical, wildly successful 1985 book “Willo Mancifoot and the Mugga Killa Whomps.” The artist/author’s stage adaptation debuted in May with a cast of local children and was almost too precious for words. What made the performance unforgettable, though, was the unmistakable amount of work from all corners of the community that obviously went into the production, from the stunning backdrops and set pieces, to the intricate costumes for the cast of nearly 30, to the subtle details like the woven metalworked music stand used by the narrator.

Promised Land Zoo — I’m cheating a little as Promised Land is actually just over the Arkansas state line, but one of the most incredible experiences I had this year took place just outside Branson. On invitation to explore the zoo’s expansions and additions, I was treated to the full VIP experience, which anyone can purchase. We ventured through the park’s 75-plus acres in RTVs, during which intimate animal encounters allowed me to hand-feed a sloth, support a lemur as she jumped delicately onto my shoulders, hold a baby kangaroo in a makeshift pouch and feel the powerful muscles of a ball python as I held her in my hands — not to mention the simple wonder that comes with observing, interacting with and learning about animals when one attends a good zoo of any kind. Fork + Bottle — The Hive restaurant inside 21c Museum Hotel in Bentonville hosts a series some half a dozen times a year that is, simply put, one of my favorite things. The Fork + Bottle series

offers a four- to five-course meal built around a theme and paired with a bottle. The Americana-inspired barbecue dinner I attended in July was matched with spirits and cocktails from Kansas City whiskey house J. Rieger & Co., and a representative was in attendance, as is customary for the series, so guests had the added pleasure of learning a bit about the interesting history, products and methods of J. Rieger. The meals are set at a long, family-style table, encouraging community and interaction, and the menu often comprises special concoctions not on The Hive’s usual menu. “Maya: Raj and

Rozenbridge” — One of the things I am proudest of about our community of creators is the spirit of collaboration that exists everywhere you look. Musicians and actors and chefs and comedians and writers and artists — and all the people who support those creators behind the scenes — are constantly seeking new and exciting ways to combine their disciplines to engage audiences on a deeper level. That’s what happened in September when stand-up comedian Raj Suresh — who has worked aggressively and tirelessly during his time in Arkansas to establish and develop the area’s comedy scene — premiered his collaborative project “Maya” at Crystal Bridges Museum. Presented by the museum’s Artinfusion programming, the show was months in the making and brought Suresh and half-guitar, half-cello duo Rozenbridge together for a uniquely entertaining experience. “Maya” was my first introduction to Rozenbridge, and I am now lamenting that I had never seen them perform before. Tim Warden on acoustic guitar and Christian Serrano-Torres on cello are captivating, but they also have great comedic timing. The show blended comedy, music, storytelling, crowd play and confetti and was endearing as the performers played off each other to complement and enhance their individual talents.

File Photo Eureka Springs artist and seemingly a fairy come to life, Valerie Hubbard Damon debuted the children’s musical based on her whimsical, wildly successful 1985 book “Willo Mancifoot and the Mugga Killa Whomps” in May in Eureka Springs.