What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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38 WHAT'S UP! OCTOBER 17-23, 2021 FAQ Live Free Music and Arts Festival WHEN — 1-10 p.m. Oct. 23 WHERE — Prairie Street Live, 509 W. Prairie St. in Fayette- ville COST — $30-$45; children younger than 12 enter free INFO — livefreemusicandarts- festival.com Release Yourself! New festival time to 'hug freely, dance freely' BECCA MARTIN-BROWN NWA Democrat-Gazette T he pandemic has been hard on everybody in one way or another, but arguably no one more than performers. "Not touring or performing around the country and world these past two summers is quite a change from my normal routine, and that hit hard," says Rochelle Bradshaw, known around Northwest Arkansas for her "easy fusion of reggae and R&B" with her band Hypnotion. "They say you never know a good thing 'til it's gone, and it is so very true. Not being able to travel freely, hug freely, dance freely, all that taken away messed with me on a deep emotional level that really surprised me and left me in a state of depression — so I had to do something." That something is the inaugural Live Free Music and Arts Festival, scheduled for Oct. 23 at Prairie Street Live in Fayetteville. While Bradshaw and Hypnotion will headline the event, the day will also include all kinds of music, dance performances, art installations, crafters, vendors and speakers, says co-organizer Wendy Love Edge. "When Rochelle came to me about producing this festival with her, I immediately understood the theme and knew it was a beautiful idea and needed," she says. "Then we had to table it due to the pandemic. That was when I realized it was necessary. "All of us have been stifled to some extent creatively in the past year and a half," she explains. "As creatives we have continued on, even with the Rochelle Bradshaw and Hypnotion will headline the Live Free Music and Arts Festival Oct. 23 at Prairie Street Live in Fayetteville. (Courtesy Photo) FAYETTEVILLE