UARK Theater

Owner: Doyle Martin

Address: 647 W. Dickson St.,

Fayetteville, 72701

Phone: 442-5722

Hours: 8 – 11 p.m., Friday

Start-Up Date: April 3

After several years of closed doors, the UARK Theater has reopened its doors under the ownership of Doyle Martin. With seating to accommodate about 50 people, Martin has turned the old UARK Theater lobby into a showcase for musical talents.

Through his previous experience in retail with Decades and the Inner Garden, Martin saw a lack of cultural entertainment in the area. He hopes that the new UARK Theater will help fulfill this need. Martin also believes that an emphasis on culture and entertainment will be good for the area and allow a more diverse style of musicians to perform.

Styles of music have ranged from classical to jazz to new age, and Martin hopes to add more Brazilian and Indian music to the mix. Already, local bands such as the University of Arkansas-based Chris Lacy and the Diva’s, Earth Day favorites Still on the Hill, and the Mudlarks, a Celtic musical group, have performed as has the pianist Fritzie.

Martin is also coordinating a Dickson Street Revue at the theater where locals can sing along with old cover tunes. Also in the works are plans to expand his space to include an art gallery.

The UARK Theater is a non-smoking venue serving coffee, tea and soft drinks.