To Do: Music in Eureka Springs, and Norman Rockwell

Some of the more unique arts and events activities planned in Northwest Arkansas during the next few weeks include a foodie fundraiser, the promotion of live music, an event to ‘Dig,’ and the art of Norman Rockwell.

CLASS ACT
A Class Act V, a fundraising and career networking event for the hospitality and restaurant management program in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas, is set for Feb. 22-23 in Eureka Springs.

The event is held at the Crescent Hotel & Spa, and the theme is “The Physiology of Taste.” Class Act weekends showcase authentic Arkansas hospitality, cuisine and entertainment.

Packages include an overnight stay in the historic 1886 hotel, a reception with hors d’oeuvre stations, wine service, a silent auction, dinner featuring an Arkansas-inspired menu and entertainment on Friday, Feb. 22. A breakfast buffet in the Crystal Dining Room is offered on Saturday, Feb. 23, followed by an opportunity to participate in Career Networking Day.

“Now in its fifth year, the event continues to provide significant benefits for our students as a unique experiential learning opportunity,” said Bob Harrington, professor of food, human nutrition and hospitality. “It provides funds for student scholarships and facilitates industry mentoring with the career networking component.”

In addition to the fundraising and networking events, Ted Belden, owner of the Inn at Carnall Hall on the U of A campus, is being presented with the 2013 “A Class Act Industry Award for Hospitality.” Jack DeBoer, author of Risk Only Money and creator of the extended-stay lodging concept, is also on the program as a guest speaker.

Options include a Corporate Package ($1,400) for eight, which includes the reception, a table for dinner, wine, entertainment and breakfast, four rooms and special recognition in the program.

The Cottage Package ($750) is for four and includes the reception, dinner, wine, entertainment and breakfast, a two-bedroom cottage and special recognition in the program. The Benefactor Package ($500) is for two with the reception, dinner, wine, entertainment and breakfast, one upgraded room and program recognition.

The Patron Package ($350) is for two and includes the reception, dinner, wine, entertainment and breakfast, and a standard room. A Sponsors Table ($750) includes the reception, dinner for eight, wine, entertainment and program recognition.

Companies may also request a table for Career Networking Day only.

Companies and recruiters interested in participating should contact Leanna Potts at 575-7131 or [email protected], or Robert Harrington at 575-4700 or [email protected].

LIVE MUSIC JAM
The Greater Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce will host the second annual Mid-Winter Hometown Jam Friday, Feb. 22, at 7 p.m. in the City Auditorium at 36 S. Main St.

This event will feature seven of the area’s top local bands on the “big stage.”

This year’s show will include The Ariels, BrickFields, Centerfuze, Rockhouse, Mike Blackwell Band, SX Rex, and Random Shuffle. These groups perform in various local venues, at festivals and special events throughout the year and collectively will offer a full evening of rock n roll, country and rhythm and blues music. Each band will perform a twenty-minute set before they all join together for a jam session finale, which was a highlight for last year’s show.

“Eureka Springs is one of the best live music cities in the state. We have such a variety of entertainment venues, clubs, theaters, festivals, and of course the City Auditorium that features live music. To compliment that, we are home to an abundance of gifted singers, musicians, entertainers and groups. The Jam is a way to increase awareness and promote the continuation of live music, as well as recognize some of the area’s best,” Mike Bishop, president/CEO of the chamber, said in a statement.

Tickets are $12 at the door with children under 12 admitted free. Advanced tickets can be purchased at the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center in the Village at Pine Mountain for only $10. For more information call (479) 253 8737.

DIG IN!
The Dig In! Food & Farming Festival returns to promote local food, farms and gardens with films, classes, an information and vendor fair, seed-swap, tastings and more.

New this year is speaker Brad Lancaster in the main festival lineup, and an additional day of workshops on “Farmer Friday.”

The 3rd annual Dig In! will be held at the University of Arkansas Global Campus, 2 East Center St. in Fayetteville, Feb. 28—March 2, 2013.

Dig In! is organized as a grassroots community event to encourage, inspire, involve and educate people about local food systems. The event attracted more than 600 people in 2012.

Lancaster of Tucson, Ariz., created an edible urban oasis in the desert by harvesting more than 100,000 gallons of rainwater on his city lot. Lancaster transforms the water harvest into food-bearing shade trees, abundant gardens, and a thriving landscape that includes habitat for wildlife.

“Brad’s message is timely as Northwest Arkansas has faced severe drought in recent years that was very tough on local gardens and farms,” said Leigh Wilkerson, founder and class coordinator for the Dig In! festival. “He teaches that far beyond the capacity of rain barrels and tanks, the ultimate cache for rainwater is the soil and plants. We can create landscapes that harvest their own water.”

Link here for more information about the event.

NORMAN ROCKWELL AT CRYSTAL BRIDGES
Beginning March 8, the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art will conduct several events related to the art of Norman Rockwell.

On March 8, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., members of Crystal Bridges are able to attend a special 12-hour preview of this temporary exhibition organized by the Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge, Mass.

Reserved, timed tickets are required for this event, with ticket information available at the Crystal Bridges website.

Also on March 8, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., the museum will present “Norman Rockwell’s World: An American Dream,” a 25-minute film. The presentation will be followed by an audience discussion.

This Academy Award-winning short film is a rare look into the life and work of American artist Norman Rockwell. With commentary by Rockwell himself, the film offers a detailed study of this national legend through photographs, his paintings, his covers from the Saturday Evening Post, archival film footage, and reenactments from the artist's life.

This portrait of Rockwell captures his creative vision and the essence of his work, which portrayed the hopes and dreams of the American people.

The event is free for members and $10 for non-members.

On March 9, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., museum members are able to preview the temporary exhibition prior to the public opening at 11 a.m.

The Rockwell exhibit is open March 9 through May 27 at Crystal Bridges.

One of the most popular American artists of the past century, Norman Rockwell (1894-1978) was a keen observer of human nature and a gifted storyteller. This traveling exhibition features 50 original paintings and all 323 Saturday Evening Post covers that document Rockwell’s engagement in American life in all its glory and tragedy over five decades.

The exhibition also includes materials from the Museum’s archives demonstrating how Rockwell worked: proceeding from preliminary sketches, photographs, color studies, and detailed drawings to the finished painting.