‘Music in the Park’ set for May 11 at Loch Lomond Dam

In honor of National Music Week, the NWA Music, Art, Poetry Students (MAPS) invites the public to a “Music in the Park” event Saturday, May 11 starting at 10:30 a.m. at the Loch Lomond Dam Pavilion on Glasgow Road in Bella Vista.

MAPS members and guests, presenting a variety of music and poetry, encourage interested persons to attend the free program and bring a comfortable chair. Refreshments are available.

Event highlights are singing “God Bless America” by Irving Berlin, and listening to “The Entertainer” by Scott Joplin played on saxophone and digital piano. Well-known musician Lisa Ferguson will play folk music from aural tradition on hammered dulcimer. A poem, written by a resident poet celebrating the National Music Week theme, “Music… Yours, Mine and Ours,” will be read. There will also be guitar music extending to drum therapy music, all at one venue.

Andante Music Club of Bella Vista and MAPS also invite the public to The Plaza, 1 Highlands Crossing Drive, Bella Vista, on Friday, May 10 at 4 p.m. to enjoy the well-known Southern Strings music ensemble. They will perform a variety of tunes emphasizing the National Music Week theme. Southern Strings is a unique group of musicians playing dulcimers, harps, psalteries, violins, acoustic guitar and sometimes banjo. They play gospel, folk, traditional and mountain music in which the audience can sing along.

A featured concert Tuesday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel opens with Bella Vista Mayor John Flynn reading and presenting a National Music Week Proclamation to the Andante Music Club and MAPS presidents. Musicians, singing and playing a cross-section of music types, will perform a program for the enjoyment of the audience.

Both Andante and MAPS have planned music presentations at care and retirement facilities in Northwest Arkansas all week.

The National Federation of Music Clubs, along with its local affiliates, recognizes the importance of music and invites all “friends of music” to participate in this week of celebration.

Andante Music Club of Bella Vista is an affiliate of the National Federation of Music Clubs and the Arkansas Federation of Music Clubs.

Information: andantemusicclub.org or email cynthia. augspurger@gmail.com.