What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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MONICA HOOPER NWA Democrat-Gazette T he second Arkansas Black Music and Film Expo promises a party with an educational twist. "Last year we hosted our inaugural celebration at The Jones Center, and it was solely based around music. This year, we decided to expand it into film," says Anthony Ball, vice president of Music Moves. "We have a lot of great directors locally, and in our region as well. We've kind of been diving into a little bit of documentary and film as well, too. So we kind of want to add that piece to it. We thought it'd be a great addition." While the two-day celebration of Black music and film still focuses mainly on music, a Friday evening event will feature screening of "Growing Up Grovey," a documentary by former Razorback quarterback and Emmy nominee Quinn Grovey. "He's bringing his documentary talking about his upbringing and some of the adversity that he went through," Ball explains. "We have a local director — I call him a local celebrity — Michael Day. He's going to bring in some short films. He has a YouTube series right now." The series, "The Sextons," is on Day's Dayvision YouTube channel at youtube.com/@ dayvisionfilms. There will also be a showing of a documentary about the 1921 massacre that occurred in the Greenwood Neighborhood of Tulsa, Okla., known as "Black Wall Street." Hundreds of people were killed and thousands lost their homes when white Tulsans attacked the area in one of the worst incidents of racial violence in U.S. history, one often omitted from history textbooks. The documentary will be presented by a group of artists out of Tulsa that calls its project "Fire in Little Africa." Each screening will include Q&A panels with the filmmakers. Following the film screenings, The Rodney Block Collective featuring Bijoux, a singer and University of Arkansas alum, will perform. "They perform together a lot, and she's great. I love her energy. She's amazing," Ball adds. "She's beloved in Northwest Arkansas, so we wanted bring her back and have her be part of the celebration as well." On Feb. 18, "we're jumping the whole day off by joining the Fayetteville Mardi Gras parade at 2 o'clock. It starts in downtown Fayetteville, goes up Block street, down Dickson, in front of the Walton Arts Center," Ball says. "Our addition will be the [University FEBRUARY 12-18, 2023 WHAT'S UP! 5 See Expo Page 6 Hearing, Seeing, Believing Music and Film Expo entertains and enlightens The Arkansas Black Music and Film Expo starts at 6 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Fayetteville Town Center with screenings of "Growing Up Grovey," "Fire in Little Africa," and selections from DAYVISION Films Presents "The Sextons." Music by Rodney Block Collective featuring Bijoux will follow. Tickets for Friday evening are $50. Weekend passes for all Friday and Saturday events are $75. (Courtesy Photo) FAQ Arkansas Black Music and Film Expo WHEN — 6 p.m. Feb. 17; 2 & 7 p.m. Feb. 18 WHERE — Friday night at Fayetteville Town Center; Fayetteville Mardi Gras parade and George's Majestic Lounge on Saturday COST — $75 weekend pass (13 and older); $50 for general admission to film screenings, open bar and after party; $10 for Saturday afternoon music expo; $30 Saturday night music expo INFO — musicmovesar.com/ event/abmfe/ COMING SOON — Juneteenth Celebration, June 17, at Shiloh Square in Springdale. FAYETTEVILLE "Last year we hosted our inaugural celebra- tion at The Jones Center, and it was solely based around music. This year, we decided to expand it into film." — Anthony Ball Vice president of Music Moves