NWA to take on hunger, Dance with the Stars, and Kiss a Pig

Northwest Arkansas is the place to be this March, as it tackles hunger, plays host to an event that will pack thousands of meals for hungry children and invites local celebrities to Dance with the Stars and Kiss a Pig at two of the region's biggest annual galas.

• The Pack Shack presents NWA vs. Hunger
The Pack Shack is fighting hunger by raising funds and awareness  with its "NWA vs. Hunger" event on Mar. 7 and 8. Individuals and teams are encouraged to raise money by asking for sponsors to contribute $.25 per meal they pack. Participants will then gather at the IBC Go Center, located at 2555 S. 26th Street in Rogers, and pack meals during two hour time slots.

The goal is to get more than 2,000 people involved to pack more than 500,000 meals for the community. All are welcome to participate. To sign up or for more information, contact Bret Raymond at 479-466-3646.

• Dancing with the Stars of NWA Gala
Amazeum will present the 7th Annual Dancing with the Stars of NWA Gala  on Mar. 8. This year's event will feature a sit-down meal, silent and live auctions, and performances by five local celebrity dancers and their partners.

Celebrity dancers will include Tina Winham, NUK; Cindy Mac Naughton; Dr. Missy Clifton, Premier Dermatology; Wyley Elliott, Celebrate Magazine; and Rod Bigelow, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Each dancer will be paired with a professional partner, and will be judged by a panel of "celebrity" judges.

The live auction will feature several big-ticket prize packages, including a "Viva Las Vegas" getaway, and a trip for four to the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards.

The gala will be held at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers. Doors open at 6 p.m., followed by the dinner and program at 7 p.m. All proceeds from the gala benefit Amazeum. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased online. For more information, contact Holly Hook at 479-366-8448.

• Crystal Bridges Culture Hour with French Films
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art will host a special pre-exhibition get-together featuring avant-garde French films of Picasso, Matisse, and others on March 14.

Guests can enjoy a drink while watching behind-the-scenes mid-twentieth -century studio films about the famous French artists. Members will also have the chance to preview "The William S. Paley Collection: A Taste of Modernism," which opens to the public on Mar. 15.

The film screening is free and open to everyone. Visitors can drop in from 5 to 6:30 p.m. No registration is required. For more information, call 479-418-5700.

• "Under the Pig Top" – Kiss a Pig Gala
The American Diabetes Association will present its popular Kiss a Pig Gala on Mar. 15 at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers. This year's "Under the Pig Top" event will feature several local celebrities all competing  to kiss a pig to recognize it for producing the first source of insulin for people with diabetes.

The evening will include dinner, drinks, live and silent auctions, and the official kissing ceremony. Special entertainment will be provided by the group, Blues Traveler. KNWA's Neile Jones and Jon Williams of 104.9 "the X" will serve as the evening's emcees. Doors will open at 6 p.m.

The black-tie optional event is sold out. All proceeds will benefit the American Diabetes Association and its mission "to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all children and adults affected by type 1 and type 2 diabetes." For more information, contact Krista Coffee at 479-464-4121 or [email protected].