Artosphere, Arkansas’ Arts and Nature Festival, has returned and starting June 16, we’ll get to enjoy two weeks packed full of exciting events, art exhibitions and performances.
Artosphere: Arkansas’ Arts and Nature Festival is presented by Walton Arts Center and celebrates artists influenced by nature, who inspire us to live more sustainable lives.
The festival will be kicked off on June 16th with the Alonzo King LINES Ballet show, which we mentioned on Monday, since we’re giving away two tickets! If you haven’t had a chance to throw your name in the hat, click here to comment on the post. The winner will receive two tickets to the ballet show and a gift card to eat at Panera Bread!
Here’s are some of the highlight events that kids and families will enjoy:
I Think I Can (visual arts exhibition)
Walton Arts Center’s Joy Pratt Markham Gallery
June 16-27 | Free to public
Join the city! I Think I Can is an interactive installation by Terrapin Theater of Australia that will place a model railway layout in Joy Pratt Markham Gallery. The exhibit unites model trains, intricate puppetry, live video and audience participation to create an innovative public artwork that invites participants to become temporary residents in the form of tiny puppets. Each participant plays a role in creating a community story that evolves throughout the project and is accessible to all through an online newspaper.
Installation Hours:
· June 17-18, 22-26 | 12:30-2:30pm, 4-7pm
· June 20 | 4-7pm
· At least one hour prior to and after all Artosphere performances in Baum Walker Hall
Chapel Music Series:
Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem
Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs
Thursday, June 18, 7pm | Tickets are $10
For fifteen years, Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem have been brewing their own blend of American roots music. Their shows sparkle with songs and stories that celebrate and tackle the human condition. From an early 1900s farmers’ lament to a swing tune penned for Arbo’s elderly neighbor, the band’s repertoire is crafted to build bridges between musicians and listeners and between performance and life. The quartet’s energy and warmth pull audiences in, enthrall them, and return them home with opened hearts. Musically, the band is a melting pot of American folk melody and style, “a mini music festival of different styles filtered through the vibrant interaction of all four players.” (Dirty Linen) Gleefully drawing from a variety of traditions, they hang a Georgia Sea Islands song on a New Orleans groove and sneak an Afro-Cuban cajón groove under an Irish fiddle tune. Their signature four-part harmonies can shake the rafters or hush the room. Audiences will be transported as they listen to exquisite music played in this architectural marvel.
See them again at Trail Mix on June 20 & June 21.
Food & Music Night
Downtown Square in Bentonville
Thursday, June 18, 6pm | Free to public
Grab your favorite beverage, some food and settle in to hear Artosphere Festival Orchestra ensembles perform “tiny concerts” in your favorite local restaurants, coffee shops, pubs and other gathering places around downtown Bentonville.
Trail Mix
Frisco Trail in Fayetteville
Saturday, June 20, 6pm | Free to public
&
Crystal Bridges Trails in Bentonville
Sunday, June 21, noon | Free to public
Capturing the essence of Artosphere, Trail Mix is a time for families and community members to explore our trail systems. Creating one-of-a-kind musical and outdoor experience, audiences can visit artists and musicians set up in various locations along the one-mile stretch of the Frisco trail to enjoy music from bands across the country.
Trail Mix continues on the Crystal Bridges Trails in Bentonville on Sunday, June 21.
Trail Mix and Family Sunday
Crystal Bridges Trails in Bentonville
Sunday, June 21, noon | Free to public
Artosphere Festival’s signature event, Trail Mix gives families the opportunity to walk on the museum trails while enjoying local and international bands playing a variety of musical genres. This year, Australia’s new circus daredevils, The Fruits will present their original, groundbreaking performance that tells a spectacular story of love, loss, joy and freedom on high. Performances begin at 1 and 2:30 on the South Lawn.
Food & Music Night
Dickson Street & Downtown Square in Fayetteville
Thursday, June 25, 7pm | Free to public
Artosphere Festival Orchestra ensembles will be performing “tiny concerts” in your favorite local restaurants, coffee shops, pubs and other gathering places around downtown Fayetteville.
You won’t want to miss AFO’s final performance on Friday, June 27 at Walton Arts Center.
Artosphere Festival Orchestra
Walton Arts Center’s Baum Walker Hall
Saturday, June 27, 8pm | Tickets are $10
In its fifth year, the Artosphere Festival Orchestra, comprised of more than 80 musicians from prestigious ensembles, orchestras and music programs around the world, will once again gather in the Ozarks for professional a music-making experience unique to Artosphere. Under the baton of acclaimed Music Director Corrado Rovaris, the orchestra will close out the Artosphere festival with their third performance which will consist of two works by Ludwig van Beethoven, featuring Pietro de Maria on piano
Visit artospherefestival.org to see a full listing of events!
