What's Up! NWA and River Valley

Broadway star and actress Kristin Chenoweth is interviewed by reporter Monic Hooper about an upcoming performance she will do of holiday songs and other favorites at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville as part of the Land O' Lakes concert series. Chenoweth revealed some of her earliest memories are of Arkansas, where she lived as a child up until second grade. 

Pat Ryan Key was diagnosed with a form of brain cancer that's rare for adults. After a difficult period to land on a diagnosis, he had emergency surgery that could have easily taken his musical abilities from him. Key is now cancer free and still, against all odds, making music. You can hear him perform this weekend at Bikes, Blues and BBQ, or online with the release of his new single and music video "Truth," which are out Sept. 20.

Actress Bailey Frankenberg chats with Monica Hooper on our What's Up podcast about playing Tiger Lily in the Broadway tour of “Peter Pan,” the show's updated costumes and how audience all over the country are in love with the new production. 

Mindy Besaw, curator and director of research, fellowships and university partnerships at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, co-curated "Knowing the West" with Jami Powell, a citizen of the Osage Nation and associate director for curatorial affairs and curator of Indigenous art at the Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth College. The new exhibit will open to the public at Crystal Bridges on Saturday, Sept. 14.

Join Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette features editor April Wallace as she interviews sneaker artists Hannah De La O and Lamaundre Nelson. Hannah De La O is one of the local artists who will be customizing sneakers, both ahead of and during the Suits and Sneakers Gala. Lamaundre Nelson is a Little Rock based artist who often customizes sneakers for the Gala and has done a number of sneakers for former Razorback Coach Eric Musselman. The event benefits the American Cancer Society and will take place October 11 at the Fayetteville Town Center.

Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas is celebrating 40 years of encouraging people's personal success, which it makes possible through scholarships and individual support systems, including a network of program managers and free behavioral health services. The Scholarship Fund President and CEO Tyler B. Clark speaks to the work of serving Washington, Benton, Carroll and Madison Counties and the Scholarship Fund recipient Elizabeth Roman shares her personal experience with the program in this podcast with Associate Features Editor April Wallace.

Ozark Ballet Theater artists and executive director David Sanders talk about their upcoming performance of “Cinderella” at 7 p.m. April 26 and 2 p.m. April 27 at Bentonville West High School.  The ballet is OBT's first major production in Benton County. Please note, Alexey Minkin was called away on a family emergency. The role of the Prince will be played by Maikel Hernandez.

The Horses and the Hounds will bring James McMurtry back to Northwest Arkansas on March 30th for a show at George's Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville. McMurtry took a moment to talk about songwriting and plans for another album on the What's Up podcast.  

"Company," a new production of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth's groundbreaking musical comedy, comes Feb. 20-25 to the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. Join Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's Monica Hooper as she talks with Britney Coleman and Judy McLane, the two main actors about breathing new life into a well known musical on the What's Up podcast.

Local country singer songwriter Cherise Carver and guitarist Hunter Anderson join the What's Up podcast to share their newest Christmas song, “A Man Made Out of Snow,” written by Carver and Cynthia Clark. Carver and Anderson also share their holiday plans and talk about the upcoming year.

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.  Rhonda Vincent told us that she's been singing Christmas songs since this summer to get ready for her latest holiday album. The longstanding “Queen of Bluegrass” brings Christmas cheer to Fort Smith at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at the ArcBest Performing Arts Center. The eight-time Grammy nominee — who won best bluegrass album in 2017 — called into the What's Up! podcast for a quick chat about the holidays, getting married on Christmas Eve, her plans for 2024 and her upcoming Christmas show. She also shares her latest Christmas single, “Mary, Did You Know?”

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.

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/.

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.   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/

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.  

Melissa Carper released her latest album, "Ramblin' Soul" recently. Join Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette features reporter Monica Hooper as she interviews Carper on this What's Up! episode. Read more about Carper on our website at: nwaonline.com/news/2022/nov/17/new-lp-brings-melissa-carper-to-white-water/ Don't miss the latest news in Northwest Arkansas, sign up for our free newsletters at: nwaonline.com/email/ Support your local news by subscribing at: nwaonline.com/subscribe

Juli Tapken joins us for our What’s Up podcast. The locally based actress, model and singer/songwriter talks about her career in both film and music and shares her cozy single, “Hopin’ It’s Snowing’” just in time for Christmas and New Year’s. Don't miss the latest news in Northwest Arkansas, sign up for our free newsletters at: nwaonline.com/email/ Support your local news by subscribing at: nwaonline.com/subscribe

It’s not often that a band uses an actual tree branch full of leaves for an instrument, but for a trio of Fayetteville musicians, it seems only natural. Woven — made up of Jessica Hawk, Regina Caeli and Talina Madonna — “weave” together vocal harmonies, hand percussion, crystal and brass bowls, ukulele, guitar, spirit drum, finger cymbals and a branch of actual leaves to create their music. Their band name, like their sound, flows from the idea of bringing together different threads of music to make a unified, but multilayered musical tapestry. Join us on the What's Up! podcast to hear an interview with the group and a few of their songs. Don't miss the latest features news in Northwest Arkansas, sign up for our free newsletter at: nwaonline.com/email/ Support your local news by subscribing at: nwaonline.com/subscribe

Jordyn Wieber a US Olympic Gold Medalist in gymnastics and current head gymnastics coach for the Arkansas Razorbacks talks Profiles Editor April Wallace about being honored this October 28 at the Woman of Inspiration event a fundraiser for the Child Advocacy Centers of Arkansas. Wieber was one of many sexual abuse victims of sports doctor Larry Nassar, which made headlines for many months. She tells her story in hopes that it will help others and has become a champion for child abuse victims across the country. Her victim impact statement is credited with helping put Nassar away.

“The Golden Record” marks a new direction for Pilot Arts, as the company moves toward producing new works. In the studio are Missy Gipson, founder of Pilot Arts, and Cody Walls, who plays the spacecraft Voyager that carried the Golden Record of humankind into space. Cody sings “Quite a Ride,” the finale of the new musical. Don't miss the latest news in Northwest Arkansas, sign up for our free newsletters at: nwaonline.com/email/ Support your local news by subscribing at: nwaonline.com/subscribe

Danyelle Musselman, wife of Razorback Basketball Coach Eric Musselman, talks with Profiles Editor April Wallace about chairing the Suits and Sneakers Gala for the American Cancer Society on Oct. 14, as well as her life, years of being a sports television anchor, meeting her husband and living in Northwest Arkansas.

Local band Buddy Shute and the Motivators have a new EP entitled, “You Gotta Move.” The band made up of Buddy, Mark McGee, Brenda Baskin, Steve Baskin and Randy “Dobie” Reese will perform Sept. 18 at George’s Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville for an album release show. They stopped by to share a song and talk about their new songs.

Patti Steel is one of the hardest working musicians in Northwest Arkansas. She and her band stopped by the NWA Democrat-Gazette’s podcast studio to perform a song and share some details about her upcoming album.

Northwest Arkansas’ vast array of musicians never fails to impress. When we heard of Alisha Pattillo, who recently jammed with The Extemporaneous Music Society for Trillium Salon Series, we wanted to know more about her. Alisha Pattillo is a Northwest Arkansas-based saxophonist who describes herself as a "musician for hire." She sat down for an interview with What's Up and shared a bluesy song. Find out more about Pattillo's music and projects at alishapattillo.com. Don't miss the latest news in Northwest Arkansas, sign up for our free newsletters at: nwaonline.com/email/ Support your local news by subscribing at: nwaonline.com/subscribe

Cherise Carver’s single, “Get Back Home,” is getting more and more radio play. The Rogers-based singer sits down to share her stories and a song with music editor, Monica Hooper.

Becca Martin Brown talks with Nancy Preis, general director of Opera in the Ozarks, and Opera Singer Autumn Schacherl about this session of operas being performed at Opera in the Ozarks. Check out more on Opera in the Ozarks 2022 at nwaonline.com. Don't miss a single story on What's Up! Sign up for our newsletter at https://www.nwaonline.com/email/whatsupsignup/

Singer/songwriter Alyssa Galvan has a voice louder than she is and a talent for guitar that is the envy of those twice her age. She shares her experience at this year’s International Blues Challenge, her plans for summer and one of her original songs with What’s Up!

Local singer/songwriter Ashtyn Barbaree talks about her new album, “Better Luck Next Time.” She performs a song from the album at the Northwest Arkansas ahead of her performance at the Fayetteville Public Library on May 28. Don't miss a single story on What's Up! Sign up for our newsletter at https://www.nwaonline.com/email/whatsupsignup/

Arkansas Public Theatre in Rogers announced its 37th season at a Season Leaks party Jan. 14 at the Victory Theatre. Artistic director Ed McClure talks about the shows with Becca Martin-Brown, NWADG Features editor.

Actor Megan Masako Haley plays Gretchen Wieners in the new Broadway musical “Mean Girls,” based on the 2004 eponymous film written by Tina Fey. Haley chats with assistant features editor Jocelyn Murphy ahead of the show’s Arkansas premiere at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville Dec. 14-19. Tickets start at $41 and can be purchased by calling the box office at 479-443-5600, or visiting waltonartscenter.org.

Actor Cody Garcia stars in the second national tour of the new Broadway musical “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” Garcia chats with Assistant Features Editor Jocelyn Murphy ahead of the show’s Fayetteville debut at the Walton Arts Center Nov. 30-Dec. 5. Tickets start at $41 and can be purchased by calling the box office at 479-443-5600, or visiting waltonartscenter.org.

Come From Away opened at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville Tuesday, Oct. 26 to open the 2021-22 Broadway season. Actor Julie Johnson joins Assistant Features Editor Jocelyn Murphy to talk about returning to the road, the moving musical and the true stories that inspired it. On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, the United States airways were closed to all incoming flights, leading to some 7,000 passengers on 38 planes diverting to the tiny town of Gander, Newfoundland. Come From Away shares the stories of these strangers brought together from around the world and the islanders who took them in for five days following the tragedy. Read more about the production at https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2021/oct/24/come-from-away-opens-hearts-and-broadway-season/

As editor of the Pea Ridge Times, Annette Beard has been covering the community’s annual mule jump for years. She’ll chat with Features Editor Becca Martin-Brown about the event, the participants she’s met and the joys of small-town journalism.

It’s time for fall foods, thousands of pumpkins, one-of-a-kind crafts and country music at Silver Dollar City, the 1880s-style Branson theme park. Listen as Lisa Rau, a longtime park spokeswoman talks about what’s new with Features Editor Becca Martin-Brown.

Artist, musician and curator Steve Parker uses sculpture to engage people in the art of Deep Listening. His Listening Objects project will be on exhibition at Turnbow Park, on the grounds of Shiloh Museum of Ozark History and inside INTERFORM in Downtown Springdale through Oct. 13. Parker discusses his practice and the works with What’s Up! Associate Editor Jocelyn Murphy.

Producing “Avenue Q” has meant lots of new experiences at Arkansas Public Theatre, including — of course — puppets but also putting the show together with a new music director, Wendell Jones. Director Ed McClure and Jones chat with Features Editor Becca Martin-Brown in this What’s Up! podcast. Look for the story in this week's What's Up! nwaonline.com/features/whatsup/

The Walton Arts Center 2021-22 season kicks off Sept. 10 with the first show on the Starrlight Jazz Club Series. Jazz Curator at the WAC, Robert Ginsburg, joins What’s Up! Associate Editor Jocelyn Murphy to discuss the five performances on the lineup.

If you think Riley Nicholson can only make beautiful music, has he got a surprise for you! The executive director of the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas also makes the best of simple comfort food. Listen to a conversation kicking off the new “Local Flavors” feature as Nicholson chats with Features Editor Becca Martin-Brown.

Galen Hunter thinks his paintings of “the mundane structures and landmark architecture that comprise the built environment in and around Fort Smith” enhances residents’ everyday experiences in the community. Listen to him chat with Features Editor Becca Martin-Brown in this What’s Up! podcast.

Filmmaker Larry Foley admits that the story of “Indians, Outlaws, Marshals and the Hangin’ Judge” has largely been a regional one — until now. Now, his film by that name has elevated the “real story of Fort Smith [to] be considered up there with Deadwood, Tombstone and Dodge City when telling tales of the Wild West.” And it’s coming home be featured at the inaugural Fort Smith International Film Festival. Listen to Foley chat with Features Editor Becca Martin-Brown in this What’s Up! podcast. Read more about it in this Sunday's What's Up!

Marissa Culbreath plays the Stage Manager in “Our Town,” a Pulitzer Prize-winning classic being performed in repertory this summer at Arkansas Public Theatre with “Inherit the Wind,” in which Robert Mayfield plays defense attorney Henry Drummond. The actors chat with Becca Martin-Brown, Features editor, in this What’s Up! podcast. Read more about the productions at: https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2021/jul/25/collected-classics-our-town-inherit-the-wind/

John Jeter, music director of the Fort Smith Symphony, has taken the lessons learned during the pandemic and done some restructuring for the 2021-22 season. Find out more as he chats with Becca Martin-Brown, Features editor, during this What’s Up! podcast.

What’s Up Associate Editor Jocelyn Murphy is joined by Bentonville Film Festival Chair Geena Davis and President Wendy Guerrero to discuss BFF’s seventh year, the return to in-person programming and more. Learn more about the event in this Sunday's What's Up: nwaonline.com/features/whatsup/

Pianist Sara Buechner, who is also trans, talks with Features editor Becca Martin-Brown and ADG reporter Courtney Lanning about her residency with the Arkansas Philharmonic. Read more about Buechner at our article online: nwaonline.com/news/2021/jul/16/four-minutes-four-questions-sara-davis-buechner/

Stephanie Barber, the new Miss Arkansas USA, chats with Becca Martin-Brown about the Miss USA Pageant ahead and her message during her yearlong reign.

Jane Elzey enjoys murder — especially when she gets to kill a no-good husband. Meet the Northwest Arkansas author in this What’s Up! podcast with features editor Becca Martin-Brown.

When Ed and his three adult sons come together to celebrate Christmas, they enjoy cheerful trash-talking, pranks, and takeout Chinese. Then they confront a problem that even being a happy family can’t solve: When identity matters, and privilege is problematic, what is the value of being a straight white man? Listen to Features Editor Becca Martin-Brown chat with actor Ed McClure and director Brenda Nemec about the Arkansas Public Theatre production of Young Jean Lee’s comedy.

The Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville will kick off the 11th annual Artosphere Art+Nature Festival May 6 with an engaging new theater piece. "Art Heist" is a socially distanced, covid-safe, family friendly walking play about the world's largest art robbery. The play is based on the true 1990 crime at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston where 13 pieces of art, valued at $500 million, were stolen and 31 years later, remain unrecovered. Audiences - in the role of new recruits to the FBI's art recovery department - will be introduced to a cast that includes experts on the crime and the four primary suspects. The audience members will interrogate the suspects and try to determine the true culprit for themselves. What's Up Associate Editor Jocelyn Murphy spoke with TJ Dawe, the production's co-writer and director, ahead of its Arkansas premiere. Tickets and full schedule at waltonartscenter.org.

Fayetteville's own superstar, the effervescent Madison Watkins, continues her journey on the ABC singing competition show American Idol this weekend after an emotional episode April 12. The singer/songwriter did not earn enough votes with her Sunday night performance of "Gravity" by Sara Bareilles to advance directly to the Top 10. Watkins and four other contestants "fought for their lives" to earn the judges' two saves and continue on in the competition as part of the Top 12. Watkins tells What's Up Associate Editor Jocelyn Murphy she felt her Monday night performance of Drake's "Hot Line Bling" was her best yet on the show because she "had nothing to lose." The 26-year-old hopes to bring that fire to her performance for "Oscar's Week" on Sunday's live episode. For local Idol fans, Watkins' family is helping to organize a watch party at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, April 18 at Farrell's on Dickson Street in Fayetteville. Viewers are encouraged to bring their phones to the family-friendly watch party as voting will begin during the broadcast. Keep up with Watkins' journey on American Idol and beyond on Instagram @madison_watkins.

Veteran actress Kerry Beebe debuts on the Arkansas Public Theatre stage as Gladys, the lead character in Kenneth Lonergan’s “The Waverly Gallery.” Listen to her visit with the drama’s director, Joseph Farmer, and NWADG features editor Becca Martin-Brown.

The Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville announced its 2021-22 Broadway season tonight, April 7, during the annual "sneak peak" event. The Broadway season begins Oct. 26 with new musical "Come From Away" and the series includes six shows. Four of those shows will be Arkansas debuts. What's Up! associate editor Jocelyn Murphy spoke with Scott Galbraith, WAC vice president of programming and executive producer, and Jennifer Ross, programming director, about the new season, the emotion of re-opening the WAC, and that special two-week run of "Hamilton." Read more in the What's Up! section on April 11. WAC 2021-22 Broadway Season: *"Come From Away" - Oct. 26-31 *"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" - Nov. 30-Dec. 5 *"Mean Girls" - Dec. 14-19 *"An Officer and a Gentleman" - Jan. 4-9 "Hamilton" - March 22-April 3 "Fiddler on the Roof" - May 10-15 *Arkansas premiere