Art Night Out, Teal in Tahiti wrap up summer calendar

The Fort Smith region is winding down the summer with a full calendar of family events and fundraisers in the coming weeks. Locals are invited to enjoy an Art Night Out, a Fall into Fashion benefit, Teal Night in Tahiti, Rock the River, and Denim and Diamonds.

Center for Art and Education Family Art Night Out
The Center for Art and Education encourages families to spend the evening together for an "Art Night Out" on August 14. Families will create art, under the guidance of a talented instructor, who will lead participants through the creative process.

The theme for August Art Night Out will be family pets. Guests are instructed to bring a photo of their favorite family animal to depict in either watercolor or acrylic. Guests will leave with their own completed work of art to take home.

The family event will be held at 6 p.m. the Center for Art and Education, located at 104 North 13th Street in Van Buren. In addition to art, the evening will include pizza and drinks. Meal and all paint supplies will be provided by CAE.

Cost to attend is $25 per person or $90 for a family of four. Reservations are required. To RSVP or for more information, call 474-7767 or email Owen Shackelford at owen@ art-ed.org.

Fall into Fashion
Fort Smith Montessori School will kick off its 45th year in style as it hosts a "Fall into Fashion" benefit on August 15. Guests will enjoy an evening of good food, drinks, live music, and fun while browsing merchandise from local vendors. Featured shops and brands will include Hazel’s Haven, Chain Crochet, Sweetbay Coffee, Premier Designs and more.

Fall in Fashion will be held at the Blue Lion at UAFS Downtown from 6 to 10 p.m. The fashion event will jumpstart the school's milestone year, that is set to include a number of special events and activities.

Tickets for the benefit are $50. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information, call 646-7225 or Jessica Hayes at [email protected].

Teal Night in Tahiti
The River Valley Chapter of the Arkansas Ovarian Cancer Coalition invites guests to enjoy an evening in the tropics as it hosts its third annual "Teal Night in Tahiti" on August 16. The Tahitian-themed evening will include dinner, dancing, a silent auction and prize drawings all in support of the fight against ovarian cancer.

The event will get underway at 6 p.m. at the Fort Smith Convention Center. Guests will have several chances to win in the silent auction and special jewelry drawings that will be held throughout the evening. Mr. Cabbage Head and the Screaming Radishes will perform, with Daren Bobb serving as emcee.

Individual tickets are $50 and are available online. All proceeds support providing services in the local community  to raise awareness and provide education about ovarian cancer, while supporting newly diagnosed cancer patients, survivors and their families in the Fort Smith community.

For more information, call Liz Martin at 883-3379.

Rock the River
Hannah House in Fort Smith will hold "Rock the River," the state's largest annual Christian Music festival, on August 23. Hosted at the Fort Smith Convention Center, this year's event will feature more than 20 bands from across the country, including headlining act Building 429.

The weekend concert event will kick off at 11 a.m. Several local and regional bands will perform, along with nationally-known artists Shawn McDonald, Disciple, Manafest, Manic Drive and others.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door for adults. Children's tickets are $10 for ages 4-10 and free for ages three and under. Special group rates and VIP passes are also available.

Proceeds from Rock the River benefit Hannah House, a Christian safe home in Fort Smith for pregnant and troubled young women. For more information about the event, call 782-5683.

‘Denim and Diamonds’ Endless Summer Party
Christ the King Catholic School will host its annual Endless Summer Party "Denim and Diamonds" on August 23. Hosted at the school's Parrish Center, the evening will include dinner, drinks, auctions and more.

Doors to the summer soiree will open at 7 p.m. Guests will enjoy a delicious meal prepared by Calico County, along with a full bar and specialty wine and beer bar. Silent and live auctions will also be held, in addition to a number of fun games and activities.

The dance floor will open as the always popular band Ultra Suede performs. Heather Lewis and husband Curt Buechter will serve as the guest emcees. Party-goers will also have the chance to capture their evening in pictures at the Funky Memories photo booth.

Tickets are $50. For more information, call 782-0614.