What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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and systems in support of artists and creatives of all kinds. But most of all, I am a creative — an artist and a maker — and the most thrilling moments of my creative process are always two: the blank canvas and when it begins to all come together. Q. What do you hope to accomplish by the end of the year? A. There are a few major initiatives and programs we will be launching in 2020. First, we plan to work with each of the city governments in the largest towns in Northwest Arkansas over the next two years, supporting the cities to develop unique, comprehensive cultural plans. Cultural planning is a communitywide process used to create a vision and road map for cultural and economic growth. Once the city plans are complete, we will aggregate themes into a regionwide plan for arts and culture that provides a collective vision for Northwest Arkansas as a center for innovative, exciting and equitable arts, culture and creativity at all scales in 10 years. While conducting cultural planning, we aim to provide grant funding programs and professional and organizational development resources for local artists and arts organizations. Finally, we will support the development of the local music industry. By the end of the year, I hope we have a name for this organization! Q. Did developing such an early, strong work ethic and passion in dance affect where you find yourself today? A. Yes. Dancers are some of the most intense people I have ever met. It is possible I am one of the least intense dancers out there — and that is saying something. Dance is the hardest thing I have ever studied — most never truly master it. Right when you finally figure it out intellectually — and it is absolutely intellectual — your physicality begins to decline. Dance taught me discipline, diligence and perseverance. Sometimes too much discipline. I feel most alive dancing. And yet, it is nearly impossible to live off of it or make a career of it. Only the truly incredible can. Early on, once I decided that I must always dance, I had to figure out a way to fit it all in. Being an artist has taught me how to be incredibly efficient, to manage time, to juggle right- and left-brained parts of the day and to pack lots of outfits in the morning. I began dancing when I was 3 and then transitioned to an intensive classical ballet school at age 7. In middle and high school, I danced every day but Sunday until late in the evenings after school and all day long in the summer. My college essay described how I "struck a balance" between aggressive academic pursuits and a rigorous dance schedule. As a consultant, I supported IT implementations in Asia at a desk overnight so that I could join a company in Nashville that required seven hours of daily rehearsal Monday through Friday. In grad school, I squeezed daily dance training classes between law courses and performed with many Chicago companies professionally. And in 2004, while working very full time for Deloitte & Touche, I co-founded a Chicago- based, nonprofit dance company which continues to be a home for movement creation and performance for a company of dancers. My point is: I can get a lot done quickly, simultaneously and relatively well. But I am frequently late for dates. First Presbyterian Church of Rogers Sunday Bible Study 9:00 a.m. Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Fully Rely On God 1901 S 26th Street • Rogers, AR • www.fpcrogers.com 479-636-5542 Celebrating 65 Years Symphony of Northwest Arkansas Paul Haas, Music Director Masterworks II: Carmina Burana FEB. 1, 2020 – 7:30PM Walton Arts Center Haas, Angelique Orff, Carmina Burana Heather Buck, soprano Jonathan Blalock, tenor Timothy LeFebvre, baritone SoNA Singers, Bentonville High School Chamber Singers & UA Children's Choir Concert sponsored by Greenwood Gearhart Support for soloists and choirs provided by Mary Ann & Reed Greenwood and Marti & Kelly Sudduth Tickets On Sale Now! sonamusic.org / 479.443.5600 Heather Buck Jonathan Blalock Timothy LeFebvre 4 WHAT'S UP! JANUARY 12-18, 2020 PEOPLE TO WATCH Esposito Continued From Page 3