What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/920204
BECCA MARTIN-BROWN NWA Democrat-Gazette "Last year, I told myself I was going to rein it in," says Lauren Embree, executive director of Last Night Fayetteville. "And I ended up going nuts with it instead." The New Year's Eve event, now in its seventh year, will offer the biggest entertainment lineup ever with 11 stages showcasing more than 100 local performers. "This year's Main Stage at the Fayetteville Town Center will present Randall Shreve & the Devilles, The 1 Oz. Jig, National Park Radio, and Serrano-Torres," Embree says. "Ten additional stages around the square will host more than 35 acts, with live music, comedy, theater, dance and kids' performances, promising to provide a full evening of entertainment for revelers of all ages." New this year is an electronic music stage at Axis Lounge on Center Street, with "several local DJs" including Purp Loder, No.Faces, Meesh, NUGSTUFR, Fractal Sky and more, Embree says. "We're also working with Inverse Performance Art founder Cynthia Post Hunt, who is curating an immersive visual art/performance experience exclusively for festival guests." Other stages include comedy, with Comedians NWA, Roughhouse Comedy Collective, and improv group Rodeo Book Club; cabaret with Terranova Tribal Bellydancers, followed by adults-only performances from True Grit & Grind Burlesque, Diamond Divas Drag and illusionist Michael Weiss; theater, featuring the folk operetta "There Ain't No More" by Willi Carlisle, local storytelling group That's What She Said, and poet Doug Shield's "New Year New Poetry" show; the Folk Stage, with The Trumann Rail Boys, Woody & Sunshine, Route 358, and The Lark & the Loon; and the Shindig Stage, with Shannon Wurst, Foggy Bobcat, Jamie Lou & the Hullaballo, and the Irie Lions, plus a dedicated Kids' Stage with activity all night long, including the Art Feeds brand new mobile art bus stopping by for a night full of fun crafts, and performances by Shaky Bugs, illusionist Michael Weiss, storytellers and more. "Additional family friendly entertainment can be found on the Side Stage at the Town Center, with performances by The Institute of Jugglology and a daring aerial escape by Professor Gallico," Embree says. Last Night also continues the tradition of the Hog Drop Countdown to Midnight, followed by fireworks. All of the outdoor activities are free to partygoers, while tickets for the rest of the events are $40 today for adults, $5 for children, at LastNightFayetteville.com. After the cleanup, Embree says, she'll "breathe easy" on Jan. 3. Or start planning next year. Fayetteville LAST NIGHT FAYETTEVILLE WHAT — Arkansas's largest New Year's festival will return to the downtown square to celebrate the end of the year with 11 stages of entertain- ment featuring more than 100 local performers, including Randall Shreve & the Devilles, The 1 Oz. Jig, National Park Radio and Serrano-Torres on the Main Stage; a Kids' Stage with Shaky Bugs, illusionist Michael Weiss, storytellers and more; and for one night only, Inverse Performance Art founder Cynthia Post Hunt is curating an immersive visual art/performance experience exclusively for festival guests. WHEN — 7 p.m. Dec. 31-2 a.m. Jan. 1 WHERE — Fayetteville Town Center COST — $5 kids to $95 VIP Symphony of Northwest Arkansas Paul Haas, Music Director Tickets On Sale Now! / sonamusic.org Masterworks II: Mozart & Mendelssohn JANUARY 27, 2018 – 7:30PM Walton Arts Center O'Connor, Appalachia Waltz Mozart, Horn Concerto No. 2 Bruce Schultz, soloist Satie, Gymnopédie No. 2 Mendelssohn, Symphony No. 4, Italian Bruce Schultz DECEMBER 31, 2017-JANUARY 6, 2018 WHAT'S UP! 37 Courtesy Photo Randall Shreve, with his band the Devilles, will be among headliners on the Main Stage at Last Night Fayetteville. 'TIS THE SEASON More Is More Is More See New Year's Eve Page 38 Last Night Fayetteville bigger than ever