Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Bartenders compete in ‘Nog Off’
Pop-up bar aids area nonprofits
Area bartenders went nog to nog Dec. 15 at the Holidaze sixth annual Nog Off eggnog competition at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville.
Top nog honors went to Amber Hurlbut of Infusion Bar on Dickson Street for her “Nogchata,” which she decribes as an “horchata/eggnog fusion made with infused vanilla bean and cinnamon rum, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger and ancho chili.”
Other competitors and their creations included:
• Bailey Flowerday, Bordinos — “Noggy or Nice”;
• Trey Fincher, Brewski’s — “Maiale”;
• Bo Counts, Pinpoint — “Blue Diamond Phillips”;
• Alex Ayala, Xuma Kitchen — “Rumpope”;
• Anthony Taylor, Maxine’s Tap Room — “It’s a Hard Nog Life”;
• Charlie Rausch, Foxtrail — “Noggystyle”; and
• Shaun Traxler, Vault — “Nog Passion.”
Jennifer Wilson, Walton Arts Center public relations director, tells me Holidaze was started by Hannah Withers, Ben Gitchel
and Richard Gathright as a popup bar “that gives back to the community by supporting nonprofits and employing hospitality workers during the holiday season. And that mission of giving back to the community continued this year.”
A portion of the proceeds from Holidaze and the reservation fees went to support Walton Arts Center’s Ghost Light Recovery Fund.
“Holidaze also provided much-needed employment for our hospitality workers who have also been hard hit during the pandemic,” Wilson said. “Patrons were
also able to support four local charities when they purchased the Stony Bird – a Holidaze signature drink. For every Stony Bird purchased, the bar’s very own Secret Santa donated $10 that was split between Peace at Home Family Shelter; Fayetteville Independent Restaurant Alliance; NWA Equality; and Roots Festival Meals for Musicians.”
Broadway will return to the center this week for one night only. “Charming: A Tale of an American Prince,” part of Procter & Gamble’s Ghost Light Programming, will take the stage Jan. 16.
According to a news release: “With musical direction by Tracy Stark and direction by Lennie Watts, [the play] features Bret Shuford, a Texas native bitten by the theater bug at a very young age who has spent the last 20 years working in New York City.”
According to press materials: “The cabaret-style performance tells the tale of one prince’s trek from the faraway kingdom of Texas to a castle in The East Village. Shuford’s quest is highlighted by the music of Sondheim, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Prince and more, with a little Disney magic thrown in for good measure. Friendship bracelets, giants and perhaps even a furry woodland creature help guide this prince along the way as he searches for life, liberty and happily ever after.”