A&E Advisory for July 23-29: Sinking ships and ale on the lips

FORT SMITH — One of the most talked-about events in Fort Smith of late is the Fort Smith Little Theater’s production of Titanic: The Musical, book by Peter Stone, lyrics and music by Maury Yeston and directed locally by George Mann.

Mann (a recent guest on The City Wire Show on KXNA, Channel 20, and KFSM, Channel 5) boasts that the production employs some of the best vocal talent found in the Fort Smith area. The musical, created in 1997 — the same year as the blockbuster movie Titanic — won’t have an ocean full of water to complete the effect but instead will rely on the audiences’ ability to believe it’s there.

“Spoiler alert … it does sink,” Mann said jokingly.

Forget the special effects, the music carries the show anyway, he said.

A gala performance is scheduled for 8 a.m. Thursday with regular performances following at the same time Friday and Saturday, a matinee at 2 p.m. Sunday and at 8 p.m. Aug. 1-4. An additional weekday performance has been added July 31.

Tickets were offered first to theater supporters and then went on sale to the general public July 19. Get them while they’re hot, and prepare to be swept away.

Go here for ticket information, and watch The City Wire for Jeremy Donnell's coverage of the musical.

July 24
Fun: Sundaes on Tuesday
MULBERRY — They’re bribing kids and teens to come to the Mulberry Public Library — and it’s likely to work.

From 1-2 p.m. Tuesday, children 6 to 18 can stop by the library to build their own sundaes. It’s free, and it’s sure to spoil dinner, so plan accordingly.

Oh, and it’s BYOWO — bring your own Wet Ones.

Call (479) 997-1226 or go here for more information.

July 26
Fun: Do it like a deputy
FORT SMITH — Kids these days think they have it bad.

A program titled Traveling with the Deputies Children’s Program, slated for 10-11 a.m. Thursday at the Fort Smith National Historic Site, is intended to show children how tough it was to be a deputy marshal working the Indian territory. They’ll learn what a deputy marshal had to have to live trailside for weeks on end and they’ll meet the deputy’s most important tool — his horse.

The free program is for ages 6 and up and tikes must be accompanied by an adult. More information can be found here.

July 26
Farewell: Fort Smith grads headed to UA
FORT SMITH — They’re not going far, but the Western Arkansas chapter of the University of Arkansas Alumni Association wants them to go in style.

The chapter is throwing one heck of a send-off (i.e. age-appropriate party) for all Fort Smith high school graduates headed to the UA this fall. The event is 5:30-7 p.m. at the Hanna Oil & Gas, 60 S. Sixth St.

Students will have a chance at door prizes and have the opportunity to meet others they’ll be going to the UA with.

Click here for more information.

July 27
Classical music: Texas winds blow into state
FORT SMITH — The Lone Star Wind Orchestra will put on a concert at the Arkansas Best Corp. Performing Arts Center at 8 p.m. Friday. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.

The concert is free, courtesy of the Arkansas Bandmasters Association.

These guys have some chops. The program will include George Gershwin's An American in Paris and Martinez Gallego's “La Concepcíon 1910” along with a tribute to the late Texas-Arkansas composer Francis McBeth. The concert will also feature tuba soloist Patrick Sheridan.

July 28
Taste: All-American Brew Off
FORT SMITH — Don’t judge these guys (and gals) because they’re drinking beer at 9 in the morning. Homebrewing is their hobby, and they want to be judged among others like themselves.

The River Valley Ale Raisers Homebrew Club is sponsoring the third annual All-American Brew Off home brew competition, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at the Aspen Hotel and Suites, 2900 S. 68th St. The competition is open to all who make their own beer; more than 100 entries are expected for judging.

The deadline for entries is past, but the competition is free,  so it what would it hurt to have a little taste?
 
Reach the ale raisers here.