Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1051928
12 BEST OF THE BEST FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2015 • NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE PROMOTIONAL SUPPLEMENT Special to NWA Democrat-Gazette W alton Arts Center will open in Novem- ber 2015 for their "Hard Hat Season." Construction will be ongoing, and a full season of shows will take place. The "Investing in our Future" $23 million campaign to add 30,000 square feet of space — which includes a new and expanded atrium lobby that connects to Dickson Street, significant renovations and expansion of the Starr Theater and increased space for back-of-the-house technical and theatrical equipment — is scheduled for completion in November 2016. Walton Arts Center has never hesitated to push boundaries, and this year there will be no lack of in - novative performers from all over the globe. The 10x10 Arts Series features world-renowned shows and art- ists including American pianist Simone Dinnerstein, DakhaBrakha, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, NEA Jazz Master Branford Marsalis and the return of the Artosphere Festival Orchestra. Kicking off the Procter & Gamble Broadway Series is Pippin, a high-flying and death-defying musical that's full of extraordinary acro - batics, circus feats and soaring songs from the composer of Wicked. Later in the season, get ready to kick up heels with Kinky Boots and Mamma Mia!, and relive the clas- sics with Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella and first time on tour, The Bridges of Madison County. The Kimberly-Clark Family Fun Series continues to demonstrate Walton Arts Center's ambition to please people across the age spectrum with shows such as Annie, Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny, and Disney's Beauty and the Beast. The Popcorn Indiana American Music Series brings iconic Hall of Famers Ma - vis Staples & Nick Lowe, as well as Michael McDonald and Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn to the stage. Walton Arts Center hopes that people will stop by for one of their shows this season. Tickets and details are available at waltonartscenter.org. Walmart AMP The Walmart AMP, a Walton Arts Center venue since February 2011, is Arkansas' premier outdoor concert venue. The Walmart AMP has changed drastically since its days in the Northwest Arkansas Mall parking lot, where it originated in 2005 and presented headlining concerts for over 10 years, including rock, country and pop. Since transitioning to its permanent location in Rog - ers, the Walmart AMP has become one of the top 100 amphitheaters in the nation and has the largest outdoor stage house in Arkansas with a venue capacity of about 10,000. It has brought together people of different ages, backgrounds and cultures to savor a love that people all share — live music. World-renowned artists such as Tim McGraw, San - tana, Dave Matthews Band, Kenny Chesney, Kid Rock as well as mainstream musicians like Foster the People, Fitz & the Tantrums, Fifth Harmony and Hozier have all visited the community and demonstrated that the Walmart AMP is a dynamic venue that will continue to book artists of all genres that all residents of Northwest Arkansas will enjoy. Music lovers can make plans to attend next season at the Walmart AMP and visit amptickets.com to learn more. SPECIAL TO NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE This is a rendering of what Walton Arts Center will look like upon completion of its $23 million renovation. Walton Arts Center entering 'Hard Hat Season' HHH WINNER: LIVE THEATER HHH nwadg.com/best Walton Arts Center Winner

