NWA welcomes Indie Film Festival and “Walk a Mile” sale

Northwest Arkansas will hold an Indie film festival, a  giant shoe sale, and a "Party with a Purpose," in the coming weeks. On your marks, get ready …

• Eureka Springs Winter Film Festival
Eureka Springs will play host again this year to the annual Indie Film Festival Jan. 23-25. The festival will be held at the historic Eureka Springs Auditorium and will include screenings, film debuts, and special award presentations.

The event will get kick-off at 11 a.m. on Jan. 23 with the introduction of the judges panel and first round of film screenings. Thursday will round out with a VIP Filmmakers Reception, to be held at FRESH beginning at 8 p.m.

Screenings will continue on Friday, starting at 10:30 a.m. and continue throughout the day. A young filmmakers panel will start off the morning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, followed by additional film viewings, and the Indie Awards Show at 6 p.m. Several awards will be presented, including the honor for the top "Young Filmmaker," and the “The Loretta Young Innovative Women in Film Award," which will be given by the legendary actress' son and daughter-in-law, Christopher and Linda Lewis.

The festival will wrap-up with an After Party at Voulez Vous Lounge, featuring special guests Leah and the Mojo Doctors, starting at 9 p.m.

Individual one-day screening passes can be purchased for $10. Guests can also purchase a three-day pass, which will entitle them to attend all of the screening, as well as the panel discussions and awards event for $25. Tickets can be purchased online. For more information, call 479-363-8185.

• "Walk a Mile in My Shoes" sale
Join the journey by taking part in the fourth annual "Walk a Mile in My Shoes" Sale on Jan. 24 and 25 at Arvest Ball Park.

Hosted by Ozark Guidance, this year's event will offer more than 3,500 pairs of new and "almost new" shoes and purses from some of the area's top stores and premier closets. Men and women's shoes will be sold for $10, children's for $5, and all designer labels will go for $20.

This year's sale will also feature honorary host Seong Ohm, senior vice president of Merchandise Services for Sam's Club. The goal of the event is raise awareness for mental illness and to "help break down the stigma" associated with it. All proceeds from the sale will help support counseling services for children, families and adults.

Doors will open at 2 p.m. on Friday and close at 6 p.m. The sale will continue on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, contact Staci Clinkscales at 479-695-1240 or [email protected].

• Paint the Town Red
"Paint the Town Red" at the American Heart Association's "Party with a Purpose" on Jan. 25. The 13th annual heart ball will be held at the Fayetteville Town Center, located at 15 West Mountain St. Doors will open at 7 p.m.

Guests will have the chance to dine on a wide-array of delicious food and beverages from ten of the area's finest restaurants and vendors. The evening will also be filled with dancing and live music, provided by the group, Almost Famous.

A live and silent auction will also be held, with numerous prizes up for grabs. A $5,000 trip to Vail Resorts will be among the live auction packages. Craig Strickland of the Arkansas CW, Angela Taylor, 40/29 News, and Michael Kaufman from KIX 104, will serve as guest emcees.

The "trendy casual" event is limited to adults age 21 and over.  Tickets are $75 and can be purchased online.

• BGC of Benton County Texas Hold'em Tournament
Saddle up and head on over to the Boys and Girls Club of Benton County's Texas Hold'em Tournament on Jan. 25. The poker event will include great play and great prizes all for a great cause.

Nearly $5,000 in prizes will awarded at this year's tournament. Play will get underway at 12:30 p.m. and continue until after sundown. Snacks and refreshments will also be served to participants throughout the day.

The tournament will be held at Avondale, located at 2005 East Central Ave., in Bentonville. Entry fees are $100 per player. Teams and individuals can register online
All proceeds will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Benton County. For more information, call 479-273-7187.

• Still Awake Still!
Parents and children are invited to the Walton Arts Center to enjoy the unique production of  "Still Awake Still!" on Jan. 31. The show, inspired by the challenge that parents face in putting their children to bed each night, "explores the tussle between order and chaos, rest and play, reason and intuition, in a drama that celebrates the process of creativity."

The show features  the Queen of Sleep, Ms. Ivory Tinklefinger, who sings lullabies to the audience to help them fall asleep. Despite her best efforts, she is met with great resistance, particularly from two musical boys.

The show will begin at 7 p.m. Content is best suited for kids ages 4-10. Children are invited to come dressed in their pajamas. Tickets for the main floor are $6 and can be purchased online.