What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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AUGUST 12-18, 2018 WHAT'S UP! 41 COVER STORY MARY GAUTHIER With her moving live performances and ability to relay difficult narratives in a uniquely personal way, Mary Gauthier has developed a reputation for being one of the most honest and compelling voices in American music today. She's touring in support of her new album, "Rifles & Rosary Beads," which was co-written with veterans through SongwritingWith:Soldiers, an organization that facilitates songwriting retreats with professional songwriters and veterans. Gauthier plays at 6:20 p.m. Aug. 24 on the Festival Mainstage and at midnight Saturday on the Late Night Stage at Stage Eighteen. In her own words: Q. How and when did you start performing? A. I started performing when I was 35 years old, after I was arrested and got sober. My influences are all songwriters who made me feel like I was not alone. Hank, Woody, Bob, Loretta, Nanci, Lucinda … all those guys and women. Q. Bryan Hembree and I just had a long talk about what "roots" is… How would you define your music? A. Defining a living artist's music is not really a great idea, because it's alive. Always changing. I look at my own music as a search for resonance and human connection through songs. I come from the deep south, and story is in my blood. Q. What is the future of roots/ folk music? A. Great songs will be written. Listeners will find them, embrace them, and make them their own. All else, I have no idea. Q. Del McCoury is 79, still traveling, still performing. Where do you see yourself down the road? A. I'll keep going until I drop. You don't retire from a job you truly love. Photo courtesy Laura Partain Mary Gauthier is touring in support of her new album, "Rifles & Rosary Beads." It's not just the music. The Fayetteville Roots Festival was founded on a combination of the food and music that make the Ozarks unique. Included on this year's culinary calendar are these highlights: Aug. 22 — Roots Chef Dinner: With chefs Tandy Wilson, Nash- ville; Matthew McClure, The Hive; Phoebe Lawles, Durham, N.C.; Matthew Bell, Little Rock; and Luke Wetzel, Oven & Tap in Bentonville, 5 p.m., The Hive at 21c Museum Hotel in Benton- ville. $100. Aug. 22 — Roots at Record: With tastings by Merlin Verrier, Patrick Lane, Digby Stridiron, Reed Faitak, Anton Abrezov, Rob Nelson, Jason Paul, Sarah Chase, Casey Copeland, Justus Moll, Matthew Cooper, Travis McConnell & William McCor- mick, 6-10 p.m., The Record in Bentonville. $49. Aug. 24 — Master Classes: With Edward Lee, Jennifer Hill Booker, Asha Gomez, Merlin Verrier, Matthew Bell, Shaun O'Neale, Phoebe Lawless, Crescent Dragonwagon, William Lyle, Digby Stridiron, Anton Abrezov & Rob Nelson, 10:30 a.m.- 2 p.m., Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food in Benton- ville. Aug. 25 — Roots Food & Spirits: With more than 40 chefs and 10 culinary zones, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Pratt Place in Fayetteville. $50-$150. Aug. 26 — Tri Cycle Farms Jambo- ree: With food tastings, an ice cream social and a farm party theme, noon-4 p.m., Tri Cycle Farms in Fayetteville. $20. BONUS — A culinary pass is available for $199 at therootsfestival.org. Food Plays Into Fun Photo by Meredith Mashburn