January to include shows, concerts, MLK Day festivities and more

by The City Wire staff ([email protected]) 78 views 

2015 is here and the Fort Smith region is celebrating with a slew of events. The coming weeks will include a performance of "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers," the Arkansas Tackle, Hunting and Boat Show, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day festivities, and a French Impressions and Scottish Landscapes concert by the Fort Smith Symphony.

Seven Brides for Severn Brothers
The Alma Performing Arts Center will present the beloved tale "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" on Jan. 15.

Adapted from the MGM film classic, the show tells the story of Millie, "a young bride living in the 1850’s Oregon wilderness who plans to civilize and marry off her six rowdy brothers-in-law to ensure the success of her own marriage."

The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $25-$35 and can be purchased online. For more information, call 632-2129.

Arkansas Tackle, Hunting and Boat Show
Outdoor lovers will enjoy all things wildlife as the 2015 Arkansas Tackle, Hunting and Boat Show comes to town Jan. 16-18.

Hosted at the Fort Smith Convention Center, the show will feature new products, special demonstrations and exhibits. Fishing, hunting and other experts will be on-hand giving seminars and answering questions. Boats, ATVS, hunting equipment, firearms, tackle gear and more will also be on display.

The event will offer something for everyone, including a kids fishing pond, fetch & fish dog jumping show, bow fishing, archery and more.  A red balloon giveaway will be held on Friday evening beginning at 6 p.m. giving children the chance to win great prizes from participating vendors.

John "Godwin" from Duck Dynasty will be there Sunday for a special meet-and-greet event. It will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Special passes are required.

Doors will open to the show at noon on Friday and will be open until 9 p.m.. Saturday's hours will be 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

General admission is $10 for adults, $5 for kids age 6-12, and free for children 6 and under. Seniors and military will be admitted for $8. Free parking is available.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Festivities
The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith will commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with a full slate of activities and celebrations on Jan. 19.

The morning will kick-off with a community breakfast in the Smith-Pendergraft Center beginning at 7:30 a.m. The breakfast is free and open to the public. It will be followed by educational sessions by UAFS faculty and representatives from the MLK Community Association.

A symbolic march will begin at approximately at 9:45 a.m. and will run from the Campus Center to the Reynolds Tower, proceeded by a brief ceremony.

Festivities are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Susan Devero at 788-7529.

Fort Smith Symphony presents French Impressions and Scottish Landscapes
The Fort Smith Symphony will present its fourth concert of the season, "French Impressions and Scottish Landscapes" on Jan. 24. The night will feature the works of great composers Ravel and Mendelssohn, with some of the most recognized concert pieces today.

Matt Vangjel, former faculty member at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith, will serve as the soloist for the Haydn Trumpet Concerto, the most often performed concerto for trumpet in the world.

The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Arkansas Best Performing Arts Center in Fort Smith. Tickets range from $15-$20 for students and $35-$40 for adults. They can be purchased by calling the Symphony at 452-7575.