NWA to host Orchestral Spectacular, Halloween in the Hollow, and Big Night 2014

Award luncheons, Halloween Festivities and the Big Night Gala will fill NWA's calendar in the coming weeks, as the region hosts the Excellence in Free Enterprise award Luncheon, Crystal Bridges' "Halloween in the Hollow" Party, the Rogers Little Theater's "Lend Me a Tenor," the "Orchestral Spectacular" concert, and the Jones Center's Big Night 2014.

Excellence in Free Enterprise Award Luncheon
Economics Arkansas will honor Mike Duke, retired president and CEO of Walmart Stores, Inc., with the "Excellence in Free Enterprise Award" at its annual luncheon on Oct. 27.

Hosted at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers, the luncheon will also feature former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who will serve as the keynote speaker. The lunch will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a pre-event reception taking place beforehand for major sponsors.

Individual tickets are $100 and numerous sponsorship opportunities are available. Reservations must be made by Oct. 20. Proceeds from the event will help provide economic education to K-12 teachers and students in Northwest Arkansas. For more information, call 501-682-4230.

Halloween in the Hollow Party
Halloween lovers are invited to "dress to kill" as they make their way to Crystal Bridges' annual "Halloween in the Hollow" Party on Oct. 31. Hosted by the Museum's Artinfusion infinity group, the evening will feature live music, delicious food, costume contests and more.

Austin-based group ROXY ROCA will perform a mix of funky soul sounds, while visitors enjoy food prepared by chefs from the museum's Eleven restaurant. Guests will also have the chance to browse the "State of the Art: Discovering American Art Now" exhibition and compete for prizes in the costume contest. Individual, duo and groups winners will be selected.

The party will be held in the Great Hall at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art from 8 to 11 p.m. Cost is free to ArtinFusion members and $25 to non-members. Admission includes one drink ticket and can be purchased online. For more information, call 657-2335.

Rogers Little Theater presents “Lend Me A Tenor”
Rogers Little Theater will debut its newest production, "Lend Me a Tenor," by Ken Ludwig with an opening performance on Oct. 31.

Set in September 1934, the play tells the story of  Saunders, Cleveland Grand Opera Company Manager, who is preparing to welcome Tito Morelli, Il Stupendo, "the greatest tenor of his generation" to town. The star is scheduled to  appear for only one night, but  through a series of mishaps, is given a double dose of tranquilizers and passes out.  The show chronicles the hilarity that unfolds, giving audiences a night of old-fashioned screwball comedy.

Curtain time on opening night will be 8 p.m. with performances to follow on Nov. 1-2, and Nov. 6-9. Sunday shows will be matinees at 2 p.m. Seating for dinner theater begins 90 minutes before curtain and the meal is served until thirty minutes before curtain. All non-dinner seating begins thirty minutes before curtain time. All shows will take place at the historic Victory Theater, located at 116 S. Second St. in Rogers.

Dinner theater tickets are $48, with balcony seats available for $17. RLT now offers Cabaret tables (for two)  for $60. No dinner service is included for Cabaret seating. For more information, call the RLT Box Office at 631-8988.

Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra season opener
The Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra will kick-off its season with an "Orchestral Spectacular" concert on November 1. The season opener will include riveting performances of Tchaikovsky’s Suite from “The Sleeping Beauty,” Rossini’s Overture to the William Tell, and Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition orchestrated by, Maurice Ravel.

The concert will be held at the Arend Arts Center  in Bentonville, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Individual tickets are $25, with special discounts available for students. For more information, call 841-4644.

Big Night Gala
The Jones Center in Springdale will host its signature Big Night Gala on November 1. This year's theme, "A Taste of Little Italy," will feature delicious Italian cuisine, decadent desserts, a New York City style shopping experience and more.

The evening will begin with an exclusive cocktail hour that will include fine wine and beer tastings. Guests will then stroll through "Fifth Avenue," where they can shop the numerous boutiques and vendors and that will be on-hand.

Dinner will be a  true "Little Italy" experience including food at four stations, prepared by members of the Tyson Executive Global Chef Team. The menu will include classic pasta dishes, slow braised meats, artisan breads, fresh baked rustic pizzas, and more. Gala-goers will also enjoy the chance to indulge in a number of rich desserts featured at the NYC Sweet Shop.

Guests will also enjoy a special holiday ice skating performance in the organization's own version of Rockefeller Center. The fun will conclude with music and dancing in the New York-inspired Night Club. The gala will be held at the Jones Center in Springdale. Seating is limited to 400 and tickets are expected to sell out. For more information, call Kelly Kemp-McLintock at 756-8090, ext. 2119.