Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Jazz, blues fans get chances to tap toes at Walton center
Contemporary jazz and blues singer Catherine Russell and the Catherine Russell Group will perform at 7 and 9 p.m. Friday at Fayetteville’s Walton Arts Center, 495 W. Dickson St. The shows are part of the center’s Tyson Foods Starlight Jazz Club Series. Tickets are $5-$36. Call (479) 443-5600 or visit the website, waltonartscenter.org.
Also at the center this week: Australia’s Cre8ion touring company performs its family theater piece Fluff at 2 p.m. today. Tickets are $6.
Puppet presentation
Tampa, Fla.-based Bits ’N Pieces Puppet Theatre will perform its giant puppet musical Three Billy Goats Gruff at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Ritz Civic Center, 306 W. Main St., Blytheville, under the auspices of the Arts Council of Mississippi County. The performers include actress and puppet builder Holli Rubin and puppeteer-lyricist Jerry Bickel handling the 9- foot puppets. Tickets are $10, free for children 12 and younger accompanied by an adult. Call (870) 762-1744 or visit the website, artsmissco.org.
Camden re-enactment
Ouachita County and the city of Camden are commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Union occupation of Camden and the Battle of Poison Spring this week, culminating in a battle re-enactment at 2 p.m. Saturday at Poison Spring Battleground State Park, Arkansas 76 in Chidester.
The schedule also includes a screening of the Civil War movie Glory at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Ross Center, Southern Arkansas University Tech, 746 California Ave., East Camden, and a living history presentation, 9 a.m.-noon Friday with costumed re-enactors telling stories of families who lived through the occupation while camped out along Camden’s Washington Street and California Avenue.
Admission to all events is free. A complete schedule is available at tinyurl.com/ m37cfyx. Call (870) 836-9243 or visit ouachitacountyhistoricalsociety.org.
Folk Center lineup
The Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View kicks off its April evening performance schedule at 7 p. m. Friday with performances by Cobb Brothers, Herbin’ League, Lazy Goat Stringband, Glenn Ohrlin and Classic Country.
The Wednesday- Saturday lineup for the rest of the month (all performances at 7 p.m.):
Saturday: Old Timers, Smith ’ n’ Jensen, Carolyn Carter, Wiede Family, Mulligan Stew
April 23: Harmony, Upjumpers, Aubrey Atwater & Elwood Donnelly, Bob Olivera, Wiede Family
April 24: Herbin’ League, Cobb Brothers, Sarah Morgan, Old Timers, Mother’s Cabin
April 25: Aubrey Atwood and Elwood Donnelly & Friends, Lazy Goat Stringband, Rick Thum, Tina Burgman, Dave Smith
April 26: Bing Futch, Cobb Brothers, Sarah Morgan, Rick Thum, Dave Smith
April 30: Robert & Mary Gillihan, Upjumpers, Wiede Family, Smith ’n’ Jensen, Nellie Branscum
Call (870) 269-3851 or visit the website, ozarkfolkcenter.com.
Summer sign-up
Registration is underway for the Youth Theatre of Central Arkansas’ summer program, Monday-Friday June 9- July 11, Snow Fine Arts Center, University of Central Arkansas, 201 Donaghey Ave., Conway.
Director Ruthann Curry Browne, experienced theater faculty and UCA theater majors will provide instruction for children in grades 3-12, with Junior group sessions for students going into grades 3-6, 9 a.m.-noon, and Senior group for students going into grades 7-12, 1-4 p.m. Each group will create a production for performance July 1112.
All program students will take part in a play regardless of experience and are encouraged to participate even if acting is not their primary interest. Students can work backstage in stage managing, as light-board operators, with props or in other technical areas.
Fee is $ 275 per student if paid on or before June 2; $300 thereafter. June 9 is the sign-up deadline. Registration forms and details are available online at uca.edu/theatre (click on the Youth Theatre link). Call (501) 450-5092 or email LizP@uca.edu.