Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Soup, Sense and Sensibility part of NW events, activities
Three dozen restaurants and food purveyors are providing broths, breads and desserts for the 17th annual Northwest Arkansas Soup Sunday, 4-7 p.m. today at the John Q. Hammons Convention Center, 3303 S. Pinnacle Hills Parkway, Rogers. The event will include an auction featuring vacations, kids’ parties, gourmet gatherings for grown-ups and gift certificates for wine and food tastings. Soup Sunday is a fundraiser for Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families.
Tickets are $30, $10 for children 5-17, free for kids younger than that. Patron tickets, $50, include complimentary beer and wine. Call (479) 927-9800 or email lkellams@aradvocates.org or chartman@aradvocates.org.
10x10 shows
Aquila Theatre Company brings to onstage life Jane Austen’s novel Sense and Sensibility, 7 p.m. Thursday at Fayetteville’s Walton Arts Center, 495 W. Dickson St. The ensemble and a member of the center’s programming staff will take part in a pre-show Creative Conversation at 6 p.m.
And the Dublin Guitar Quartet (Chien Buggle, Tomas O’Durcain, Pat Brunnock and Brian Bolger) will perform their original catalog of contemporary arrangements of works by composers Phillip Glass, Steve Reich, Arvo Part, Gyorgy Ligeti and others, 8 p.m. Friday. A Creative Conversation will take place at 7 p.m.
Both shows are part of the center’s 10x10 Arts Series. After each show, patrons can share thoughts via Post-It Note responses at an after-party with the artists in the center’s Walker Atrium. Tickets for each show are $10 plus fees. Call (479) 443-5600 or visit waltonartscenter.org.
UCA student exhibit
Works by University of Central Arkansas students will be be on display in the annual “Student Art Competitive,” Monday-March 16 in the Baum Gallery, McCastlain Hall, UCA, 201 Donaghey Ave., Conway. There will be a reception at 4 p.m. Thursday. Juror is artist, author and educator Sharon Louden, who will choose works for awards. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday. Admission is free. Call (501) 450-5793 or visit uca.edu/art/baum.
Fayetteville film music
The Fayetteville Jazz Collective joins the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas to perform film music — including selections from Singin’ in the Rain, The Pink Panther, Rocky, Star Wars, The Sound of Music, Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark and April in Paris — 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Baum Walker Hall, Fayetteville’s Walton Arts Center. Paul Haas conducts. Sponsor is Greenwood Gearhart.
Tickets are $30-$52, $10 for college students with valid student IDs. Call (479) 4435600 or visit sonamusic.org/ tickets.
Wicked in Memphis
The national tour of the Broadway musical Wicked (music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, book by Winnie Holzman, based on the novel by Gregory Maguire) starts a nearly three-week sit-down Wednesday at Memphis’ Orpheum Theatre, 203 S. Main St. Curtain times: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 13-15 and March 20-23; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday, March 16 and 23; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and March 17; 1 and 6:30 p.m. March 11, 18 and 25.
Tickets are $53-$129 plus fees. Call (901) 525-3000 or visit orpheum-memphis.com.
Garden talks
The Downtown Dames, marking their 10th anniversary, will kick off the 2018 Mount Holly Garden Series of gardening lectures with Andrew Kenley, co-owner of Natural State Horticare, presenting “A Better Way to Green,” a program on soil first fertilization, at 9 a.m. April 21 at Mount Holly Cemetery, 1200 Broadway, Little Rock.
The rest of the lineup (all presentations, 9 a.m. third Saturday, April through October): ■ May 19, “Gardening for the Forgetful Gardener.” Governor’s Mansion Horticulturalist Holly Wyman will discuss how to plant and keep succulents.
■ June 15, Mark Gibson of Little Rock landscaper Green Thumb Water Gardens, will cover “Water Gardens.”
■ July 21, “Shady Characters.” Rand Retzolff, owner of horticultural consulting firm Grand Designs, will share the ultimate direction for shade gardens.
■ Aug. 18, “Propagation 101.” Susan Rose of the Arkansas Daffodil Society, will provide tips and guides for propagating plants, roses and perennials. ■ Sept. 15, “Ancient Botanical Wonders in Arkansas” by Theo Witsell, ecologist and botanist with the Department of Natural Heritage.
■ Oct. 20, “Earth’s Bounty — Planning Your Pollinator Garden.” Chris Wyman of Heifer Village and Urban Farm will discuss native plant and pollinator housing techniques.
Admission to each lecture is by suggested donation of $5 per person, which benefits cemetery projects; the Downtown Dames will provide refreshments and door prizes. Patrons should provide their own lawn chairs. Call (501) 372-3372.