NWA to host Empty Bowls, “Starry, Starry Night,” and A Vintage Affair

November in Northwest Arkansas is off to a busy start with several events on the horizon. The region will place host to Empty Bowls, SoNA's Masterworks I Concert, a "Starry, Starry Night," A Vintage Affair, the Champions for Kids Conference, and Crystal Bridges' "State of the Art" Symposium.

Empty Bowls
LifeSource International will host its annual gourmet soup event, "Empty Bowls," on Nov. 4. The fundraiser invites guests to come enjoy soup and bread and to take home a specially-crafted bowl to remind them of all the "empty bowls" they are helping fill with their support. The evening will also include a silent auction and raffle, with several great prizes up for grabs.

Empty Bowls will be held at the Mt. Sequoyah Retreat Center in Fayetteville from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Proceeds from Empty Bowls benefit LifeSource International, whose mission is "to help strengthen our community by providing customized assistance to families in need."

For more information, call 521-4000.

Symphony of Northwest Arkansas "Masterworks I Concert"
The Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA) will kick off its 60th Anniversary Season with its Masterworks I concert on Nov. 8.

The concert will be held at the Walton Arts Center’s Baum Walker Hall beginning at 7:30 p.m. Selections will include Beethoven’s "7th Symphony", Copland’s "Appalachian Spring" and Weber’s "Concerto No. 2 for Clarinet in E-flat Major," featuring Bulgarian clarinetist Ilian Iliev.

Ticket holders are also invited to attend a "Creative Conversation' with Maestro Pau Haas in Starr Theatre, 45 minutes prior to the concert. Ticket prices range from $28 to $50, with special discounts for students and children available. For more information, call 443-5600.

Starry, Starry Night…Almost a Masterpiece
Youth Bridge will host its annual fundraiser, “Starry, Starry Night … Almost a Masterpiece” on Nov. 13.

Celebrating the style of Van Gogh, the art challenge and auction will feature original art by celebrities, individuals and youth. Participants will submit art in a range of mediums for the auction portion of the event. A new feature of the annual fundraiser will be the pairing of artisans with other trade artists "to explore art juxtaposed in creative ways." 

Guests will also enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres, tastings of French wines and signature drinks. "Starry, Starry Night" will be held at the Embassy Suites in Rogers from 6 to 10 p.m.

Proceeds from the silent auction will benefit Youth Bridge’s Emergency Shelter’s and Residential Treatment Facility. Individual tickets are $55 and can be purchased online. For more information call 575-9471.

A Vintage Affair for MS
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society will host Northwest Arkansas's inaugural "A Vintage Affair for MS" on  Nov. 13. The new auction and wine tasting event will raise funds and awareness to support the National MS Society.

Hosted at the Town Center in Fayetteville, A Vintage Affair will include a live and silent auction, beer and wine tastings, a wine pull, a VIP section and more. It will be held from 6 to 9 p.m.

Individual tickets are $75 and can be purchased online. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.  For more information, call Tina Ward at 501-663-6767, ext. 35307.

Champions for Kids Annual Conference
Walmart will present the tenth annual Champions for Kids Conference on Nov. 13. Featuring inspiring speakers, workshop presenters, and hands-on activities, the conference is designed to help area businesses learn "how to help kids thrive.”

The day will offer participants numerous opportunities to network with executives from Walmart and other supporting companies. Sessions will focus on community engagement, social media, and much more. Jonah Berger, author of “Contagious: Why Things Catch On” will be the keynote speaker. Organizers will also present the National "Torch Awards," to well-deserving community leaders and partners.

The conference will be held at the Double Tree Suites in Bentonville, with registration beginning at 8 a.m. There is no cost to register. For more information, contact Danica Stout at 582-2008.

State of the Art Symposium
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art will host a free public symposium on the exhibition "State of the Art: Discovering American Art Now" Nov. 14-15. The two-day event will include guest lectures, panel discussions, and the opportunity to hear directly from the featured artists in Crystal Bridges' current exhibition.

The Symposium will start on Friday (Nov. 14) with registration at 12 p.m., followed by the opening lecture at 2 p.m. The focus of the day will be Nature and Lifecycles. Activities will continue into the evening, capping off with a social at Crystal Bridges' "Eleven," from 8 to 9 p.m.

Saturday's theme will be "Home, People, Community," Registration will begin at 9 a.m., followed by a number panel discussions and open platform discussions. The Symposium will conclude with a keynote lecture on "Works Progress on Community Engagement," beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Admission is free and open to the public. Participants can register online. For more information, call 657-2335.