What's Up! NWA and River Valley
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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The What's Up! NWA and River Valley will cover all the latest news in the arts community in our region.
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21 hours ago
A preview of Rhonda Vincent's Christmas concert in Fort Smith
Bluegrass queen Rhonda Vincent talks about all things holly jolly ahead of her annual Christmas concert coming Dec. 9 to the ArcBest Performing Arts Center in Fort Smith.
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Nov 1, 2023
Exclusive interviews with 'The Band's Visit' stars Usman Ali Mughal and Yaya
Arts & Entertainment Editor Becca Martin-Brown chats with two of the actors in Northwest Arkansas for the regional premiere of "The Band's Visit" at TheatreSquared. Usman Ali Mughal plays Haled, a member of an Egyptian traveling band, and Yaya — yes, just Yaya — is the Israeli who welcomes the travelers into town. The show has its final performances Nov. 3, 4 and 5.
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Oct 27, 2023
Fayetteville Film Festival Pitch Prize winner Diana Campos and her film, "The Price of Poultry"
Winner of the Fayetteville Film Festival Pitch Prize, Diana Campos, is making a documentary “The Price of Poultry” about issues facing “chicken catchers” at poultry plants across the country. She’s a Northwest Arkansas native and an NYU Film/TV, Cinema Studies Graduate.
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Oct 20, 2023
Author R.L. Stine talks 30 years of Goosebumps and his busiest autumn yet
R.L. Stine has been haunting children for decades, ever since the release of his Fear Street series for young teens in 1989 and later the first Goosebumps novel, Welcome to Dead House in 1992. More than 200 Goosebumps books have been published and in its 30 years, the series has sold more than 400 million books, but the author is not slowing down. In fact, he says it’s his busiest fall yet.
Zombie Town, his latest movie, was released on Hulu on October 6; he’s got four books coming out, including one that imparts writing tips for adults and a recently released horror comic book for adults, Stuff of Nightmares.
Associate Features Editor April Wallace spoke with the award winning author by Zoom. Locals can hear Stine speak this coming week as a part of the True Lit Festival. An evening with R.L. Stine will take place starting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday October 26 in the event center at the Fayetteville Public Library.
For more of the story, see Hidden Gems in Profiles this Sunday at: nwaonline.com/nwprofile/.
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Oct 17, 2023
Some Guy Named Robb takes center stage on the What’s Up Podcast
If you read our music calendar, you’ve no doubt come across Some Guy Named Robb who performs mostly around the River Valley.
Today we get to know the man behind the silly moniker and hear a song or two from him on the What’s Up podcast.
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Support you local news, subscribe at: https://www.nwaonline.com/podcast23/
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Oct 17, 2023
Celebrating 30 years with Jon Williams, a Northwest Arkansas broadcasting icon
This fall Jon Williams is celebrating a broadcasting career that's lasted 30 years and counting, most of which has been spent in Northwest Arkansas.
The well known founder of the Jon & Deek show on 94.9 radio, Williams is currently the on-field emcee for Arkansas Razorbacks football, the on-court announcer for Razorback men’s basketball and is also the PA announcer for Razorback baseball, Razorback women’s basketball and Razorback Gymnastics (Gymbacks).
In addition, Williams and Derek Kastner host Hog Town, the official Razorback Tailgate event before every Razorback football game. Now he and Deek additionally host the Razorback Recap an hour after each football game on 92.1 The Ticket, the flagship station for the Hogs.
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Oct 6, 2023
Musician Aaron Smith dives into 'The Legend of Sam Davis...'
Musician Aaron Smith stopped by the What’s Up podcast to talk about his book and album, “The Legend of Sam Davis and Other Stories of Newton County, Arkansas.
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Sep 5, 2023
Tim O'Brien and Jan Fabricius will open the AACLive! Season
Tim O’Brien and Jan Fabricius will open the AACLive! Season at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 16 in Fort Smith. O’Brien is a multi-Grammy award winner and longtime staple in old time and bluegrass music. His tunes have been covered by the likes of Kathey Mattea, Garth Brooks and the Chicks.
He’s well known as a solo artist and a member of Colorado’s Hot Rize. His wife Jan joins him on stage, a lifelong musician, she plays mandolin and clarinet and has been a singer since her youth. Tickets to their show are on sale now at aaclive.com
Don't miss the latest news in Northwest Arkansas, sign up for our free newsletters at: nwaonline.com/email/
Support you local news, subscribe at: https://www.nwaonline.com/podcast23/
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Sep 4, 2023
Broadway musical SIX rewrites history with music
Rewrite history, but make it sing! The Broadway season opens with “SIX” starting Sept. 12 at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. Gerianne Pérez who plays Catherine of Aragon and Sydney Parra who plays Catherine Parr, two of Henry VIII’s ex-wives turned pop divas, join us on the What’s Up podcast to talk about rewriting the stories of history — to music.
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Aug 22, 2023
Arkansas' Bonnie Montgomery - a country singer with an operatic range
Arkansas songstress Bonnie Montgomery has spent more than a decade making music and touring the world with her signature Southern twang and impressive range. The country singer with an operatic range, stops by the What's Up podcast to talk about her latest album and plans for the fall.
Don't miss the latest news in Northwest Arkansas, sign up for our free newsletters at: nwaonline.com/email/
Support you local news, subscribe at: https://www.nwaonline.com/podcast23/
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Aug 9, 2023
TheatreSquared latest production - "Dial M for Murder"
TheatreSquared brings to its stage a new adaptation of "Dial M for Murder," still set in the noir 1950s but with a very 2023 twist.
Joining Arts & Entertainment Editor Becca Martin-Brown for a podcast were director Melissa Rain Anderson; Colin Sphar, who plays the surprised husband; Eric Dean White, Inspector Hubbard; and Almanya Narula, who plays Maxine — the surprise.
The show runs through Sept. 10 at T2. Read the full story Sunday in What's Up!
Don't miss the latest news in Northwest Arkansas, sign up for our free newsletters at: nwaonline.com/email/
Support you local news, subscribe at: https://www.nwaonline.com/podcast23/
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Aug 7, 2023
Interview with musician Raif Box about the Anvil Fest
Raif Box, Fayetteville musician and genius producer behind Holy Anvil Recording Company, is launching his first music festival, Anvil Fest 2023. The Fest will feature music from the bands that he’s highlighted on his YouTube chanel. Ashtyn Barbaree & the Barbarians, Jess Harp, The Phelgms, TV Preacher and the Bellwether Sirens are just a few of the acts slated to play for the Aug. 18-19 music fest at CACHE Studios in Bentonville. Don't miss the latest news in Northwest Arkansas, sign up for our free newsletters at: nwaonline.com/email/
Support you local news, subscribe at: https://www.nwaonline.com/podcast23/
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Aug 1, 2023
John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is coming to Eureka Springs
John McEuen chats with What's Up writer Monica Hooper about his upcoming show in Eureka Springs on Aug. 12 where he and the Circle Band will revist Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's "Will the Circle Be Unbroken," recorded nearly 50 years ago.
The album featured Roy Acuff, "Mother" Maybelle Carter, Doc Watson, Earl Scruggs, Randy Scruggs, Merle Travis, Pete "Oswald" Kirby, Norman Blake, Jimmy Martin, and others.
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Jul 26, 2023
In the studio with musician and professor Sam King
Artist, musician and an associate professor of art in the University of Arkansas School of Art, Sam King recently joined us for a podcast to talk about his upcoming improvisational performance, “Untight,” happening near sunset (7:45-8 p.m.) Aug. 3 inside James Turrell’s “Skyspace The Way of Color,” located on the south lawn of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville.
Don't miss the latest news in Northwest Arkansas, sign up for our free newsletters at: nwaonline.com/email/
Support you local news, subscribe at: https://www.nwaonline.com/podcast23/
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Jul 21, 2023
Interview with local comic artist Benji Nate
Puerto Rico born, local comic artist Benji Nate spent this summer touring for her latest book, a graphic novel called "Girl Juice" that's really hitting home with millennials everywhere. Nate discusses the inspiration and making of the book with Associate Features Editor April Wallace.
Don't miss the latest news in Northwest Arkansas, sign up for our free newsletters at: nwaonline.com/email/
Support you local news, subscribe at: https://www.nwaonline.com/podcast23/
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Jul 5, 2023
The Music Depot launches in downtown Rogers
Music moves has launched The Music Depot in downtown Rogers. The space will help the organization further its mission to educate and promotes Black music and art through performance and the curriculum offered through the nonprofit.
Monica Hooper interviews Anthony Ball to talk about the new venue.
Don't miss the latest news in Northwest Arkansas, sign up for our free newsletters at: nwaonline.com/email/
Support you local news, subscribe at: https://www.nwaonline.com/podcast23/
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Jul 3, 2023
Talk with Cori Keller, Miss Arkansas 2023
Becca talks with Cori Keller, who was recently crowned Miss Arkansas 2023, and Kathy McClure, who was her director when she was a Miss Teen winner in Northwest Arkansas.
You can sign up for more email newsletters from the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette by visiting, https://www.nwaonline.com/email/
Support you local news, subscribe at: https://www.nwaonline.com/podcast23/
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Jun 28, 2023
Interview with Americana duo March to August
March to August stopped by our podcast studion to talk to music writer Monica Hooper about their summer plans and life after Route 358. You can sign up for more email newsletters from the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette by visiting, https://www.nwaonline.com/email/
Support you local news, subscribe at: https://www.nwaonline.com/podcast23/
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Jun 23, 2023
Interview with The Tempest director, Morgan Hicks
Morgan Hicks, director of “The Tempest,” one of this summer’s productions for Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre, chats about the show with Features Editor Becca Martin-Brown. You can sign up for more email newsletters from the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette by visiting, https://www.nwaonline.com/email/
Support you local news, subscribe at: https://www.nwaonline.com/podcast23/
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Jun 16, 2023
Fayetteville all-female indie rock band The Misdemeanors share new song
Fayetteville indie-rockers, The Misdemeanors, stopped by the What’s Up podcast to share their newest song “Heaven” before a string of shows starting with the NWA Pride Festival on June 24.
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Jun 16, 2023
Interview with rapper Murs about the Groundwaves hip-hop mentoring program
Groundwaves is in full swing at the Medium in Springdale.
The monthly hip-hop open mic event gives local rappers, beat makers and spoken word poets a venue to share their work on a Tuesday night. Then on Wednesday, the performers get a one-on-one mentoring session with professional rapper, Murs.
Music writer Monica Hooper talks to Murs and one of his mentees about Groundwaves and how the program is progressing this season.
Don't miss the latest news in Northwest Arkansas, sign up for our free newsletters at: nwaonline.com/email/
Support you local news, subscribe at: https://www.nwaonline.com/podcast23/
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Jun 6, 2023
Opal Agafia hosts the Ozark Mountain Soul Festival
Opal Agafia hosts her second Ozark Mountain Soul Festival June 15-17th at The Farm in Eureka Springs. The songstress shares a song with us and talks about shifting from a performer to a concert organizer on the What’s Up podcast with music writer, Monica Hooper.
Don't miss the latest news in Northwest Arkansas, sign up for our free newsletters at: nwaonline.com/email/
Support you local news, subscribe at: https://www.nwaonline.com/podcast23/
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May 31, 2023
Interview with R&B singer-songwriter Pura Coco
Local R&B singer-songwriter Pura Coco has been working on some new songs, she stops by the What’s Up podcast to talk about new music and what she’s up to this spring and summer.
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May 24, 2023
Ebony Mitchell wraps up her year as Miss Arkansas
Ebony Mitchell of Harrison is wrapping up her year as Miss Arkansas and will crown her successor in the Miss America system on June 10 in Little Rock.
In this What's Up! podcast — hosted by Becca Martin-Brown and shared with KUAF's Kyle Kellams of "Ozarks at Large" — Mitchell talks about what she's learned, what she'll miss and gives her advice to her successor.
Don't miss the latest news in Northwest Arkansas, sign up for our free newsletters at: nwaonline.com/email/
Support you local news, subscribe at: https://www.nwaonline.com/podcast23/
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May 24, 2023
INTERFORM launches North America's first Fashion and Art Biennial - ASSEMBLY
This June, INTERFORM is proud to launch ASSEMBLY, North America’s first Fashion & Art Biennial, presented by the Tyson Family Foundation.
ASSEMBLY will feature exhibitions from regional artists and retail pop-ups the entire month, including events commemorating Juneteenth and LGBTQ+ Pride.
Walmart Beauty is a collaborating sponsor this year taking part in all three nights of Northwest Arkansas Fashion Week at the Momentary and immersive pop-up installations.
Don't miss the latest news in Northwest Arkansas, sign up for our free newsletters at: nwaonline.com/email/
Support you local news, subscribe at: https://www.nwaonline.com/podcast23/
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