Northwest Arkansas: Music, Art, and Theater Updates

Northwest Arkansas is buzzing with cultural events. The Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA) is kicking off its season with a bang. On November 2nd, they will perform Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. The show also includes pieces by William Grant Still and Bedrich Smetana. This is a big deal because the orchestra is currently searching for a new music director. David Glover, one of the finalists, will be conducting. He has quite the resume, having worked with the Lynchburg Symphony and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) just received a huge gift. The Windgate Foundation donated $5 million to renovate their fine arts center. This will create new classrooms and studio spaces. Over the past decade, the foundation has given nearly $8 million to UAPB, including scholarships and art initiatives. This is a game-changer for the university's art programs. TheaterSquared in Fayetteville is extending the run of their new play. "Malcolm X & Redd Foxx Washing Dishes at Jimmy's Chicken Shack in Harlem" has been a hit, selling out shows. You can catch it in person or stream it online. The theater company also leased a new warehouse space for production storage. This is a big step for them, providing much-needed room for their growing operations. High school teachers, take note! The Arkansas Arts Council is accepting nominations for their 2026 youth art mentorship program. Students can be recognized in categories like music, dance, literature, visual arts, photography, and film. Selected students will be honored at a spring ceremony with cash prizes. This is a great opportunity for young artists to showcase their talents. North Little Rock’s Simmons Bank Arena has some exciting events coming up. Monster Jam is bringing their six-ton monster trucks to town. Fans can meet the drivers and see the trucks up close at pit parties before the show. If you're more into ice skating, "Disney On Ice presents Let’s Dance! " is coming to town. This show features characters from popular Disney movies. There's even a pre-show character experience where kids can interact with Anna and Elsa.