What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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8 WHAT'S UP! JULY 7-13, 2019 FEATURE Date Outside The Box LARA JO HIGHTOWER NWA Democrat-Gazette L et's face it, the basic dinner- and-a-movie date routine can get old for those that have been dating — or married or whatever — for a while. And for first or second dates, sitting across from someone you barely know at a restaurant and making awkward conversation can be an excruciating experience. If you need reasons to seek out more exciting date night opportunities, consider this: There's a large body of scientific evidence that suggests that heightened physical experiences can promote romantic feelings. We explored some Northwest Arkansas offerings that might just be your ticket to dating outside the box — and revving up your love life in the process. Let the thrill of performance take you away Our small corner of Arkansas has an unusual number of performing arts venues for its size. TheatreSquared (Fayetteville) is one of the most well- respected regional theaters in the country. The University Theatre (Fayetteville) showcases talent from student actors all over the country. Opera in the Ozarks (Eureka Springs) produces three full-scale operas each summer. ArkansasStaged performs cutting-edge theater in unexpected spaces. And Arkansas Public Theatre (Rogers) and the Arts Center of the Ozarks (Springdale) offer full seasons of diverse programming. But if you want to up the ante and amp the adrenaline, consider doing the performance yourself at Big Box Karaoke (115 N. Block Ave., Fayetteville; 249-6295), a private suite karaoke establishment owned by husband-and-wife team Justin and Mailena Urso. The couple opened for business on New Year's Eve of 2018 and offer a full menu of Asian-Fusion food. Plans are in the works to expand their Saki selection, making them the go-to bar for Saki lovers. Mailena Urso says the private suites — small rooms with state-of-the-art karaoke systems where groups of up to 25 people can gather to sing — are the perfect option for group dates. "It's all about being with the people that you want to be around," she says. "You let your guard down when you're around the people that you're closest to compared to a traditional karaoke setting, where you're in front of a bunch of strangers. And there, you might get to sing one or two songs. But in our suites, you get to sing all the songs you want to sing." And, says Mailena, it could be the perfect place for a first date, as well. Big Box has seven rooms, and several of them are cozy and perfect for two people. "We host a lot of team building events, where people may or may not know each other very well outside of work. People [also] come to private parties at Big Box, not knowing anyone in the room — and then they bond through karaoke. It would be an interesting first date, and you would definitely make some memories." Maximum Romance, Maximum Drama It's hard to imagine a more romantic date than flying high above the Ozark Mountains at sunset. The folks at Fly ARH Aviation (801 Airport Ave., Springdale; 365-3640) offer aerial tours in their Robinson R44 helicopters that last from nine minutes to 60. To really impress a date, fly her to dinner at a participating restaurant — the local choices include Shogun in Fayetteville, Joe's Italian in Bentonville and Byrd's Adventure Center on the Mulberry River. Your pilot will patiently wait until you are finished for your return flight. "We also fly down to Arkansas wine country, Chateau on the Lake in Branson, Indigo Sky Casino, Downstream and Hard Rock Casino," says Lee McAhren, who owns the company with her pilot husband, Camron. Unique offerings upstage dinner-and-a-movie tradition Courtesy Photo Cuddle close to your date in a breathtaking helicopter ride from Fly ARH Aviation.