Tutus, tiles, princesses

January brings variety of events to region.

5K Tutu Run and Quarter Marathon WESTERN ARKANSAS BALLET

12 8 a.m. — Western Arkansas Ballet will host its fifth annual 5K Tutu Run and Quarter Marathon at the Greg Smith River Trail in Fort Smith. Race is chip-timed. Awards will be given for top three male and female participants plus age division winners. Participants receive finishers’ medals. Pre-registration fees are $25 for the 5K ($35 day of) and $35 for the Quarter Marathon ($45 day of). Information: (479) 785-0152 or waballet.org.

Paint the Town Red: Paint Through the Decades, Vol. 2 AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION

18 7-11 p.m. — Paint the Town Red with the American Heart Association at the Fayetteville Town Center. The evening will feature signature dishes from area restaurants, a silent auction, cocktails and music from DJ Derrick. Guests are encouraged to wear attire inspired by their favorite decade. Tickets are $100 for general admission or $150 for VIP tickets. Information: (479) 439-6800 or nwapaintthetownred.heart.org.

Northwest Arkansas MLK Council RECOMMITMENT BANQUET

21 7 p.m. — The annual Recommitment Banquet sponsored by the Northwest Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Council will be at the Fayetteville Town Center. The group will present scholarships and recognize the 2019 Salute to Greatness honorees. Keynote speaker will be Trey Smith. Tickets are $30 for adults or $20 for students. Information: (479) 4091139 or email contactus@nwamlk.org.

Princess for a Day PAGNOZZI CHARITIES

26 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. — The sixth annual Princess for a Day benefit for Pagnozzi Charities will be at the Central Methodist Church Activity Center in Fayetteville. Little princesses are invited to dress in their favorite princess attire. Girls will have the chance to have makeup applied, their nails painted, make a princess craft and have their pictures taken with 14 fairy tale princesses. Tickets are $30 for each session, or for an additional $20, guests may attend an exclusive tea party 30 minutes prior to the selected session. The fundraiser is not a drop-off event, and each ticket includes one adult spectator ticket. Information: (479) 443-2550 or pagnozzicharities.org.

Scrabble Wars LITERACY COUNCIL OF BENTON COUNTY

26 6-9 p.m. — The Literacy Council of Benton County will hold its 12th annual Scrabble Wars at DoubleTree Suites in Bentonville. Reservations for the casual Scrabble tournament fundraiser are $50

and include dinner, cocktail reception and tournament entry fee. Auction items will include author-autographed books. Participants are encouraged to bring extra cash to “bribe” judges and purchase extra letter tiles. Players may choose to compete with a “traditional” or “dubious” team. Information: (479) 273-3486.

Photo courtesy Western Arkansas Ballet in Fort Smith will benefit from the 5K Tutu Run and Quarter Marathon scheduled for Jan. 12. Western Arkansas Ballet was founded July 23, 1979, as the Fort Smith Civic Ballet and is the only dance organization in the area to receive annual support from the Arkansas Arts Council and the only nonprofit dance school and company in the Fort Smith area.

File Photo/DAVID GOTTSCHALK Members of the Northwest Arkansas Dream Keepers and friends carry a banner during last year’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom March to the campus of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. The 2019 Martin Luther King Jr. Council Recommitment Banquet will be Jan. 21 at the Fayetteville Town Center.