Highlights

I Heart John Ray

A friend of ours, Mr. Troy, sometimes has what he calls “nice people parties.” We like that. There are some nice people in this town. The epitome of nice people is John Ray who works at Cheap Thrills.

John had open-heart surgery in July and is back in the hospital with pneumonia. He was able to transfer from ICU to the cardiac care unit this week, so he’s doing better. However, John is without health insurance so to help him out, Taylor Sutton organized the “I Heart John Ray” benefit that will be happening at 7 p.m. Aug. 13 at Dickson Theater.

There will be music by A Good Fight, Lloyd Marley and Matt Buell, food from Boar’s Nest BBQ and Little Bread Company and a silent auction with some fabulous items like a hot pink ipod, gift certificates to local businesses and services, tickets to the Walton Arts Center and more.

Like most of us, Taylor met John at Cheap Thrills and became friends with the soft-spoken gentleman who is always eager to help shoppers find just what they’re looking for.

Cheap Thrills is an institution in NWA and John’s been there for quite a while as owner Harriet Wells’ right-hand man. So, get out next Thursday night, have a great time and send your love to John Ray. Tickets are $25 at the door or in advance at Cheap Thrills or Dead Swanky.

Art Around Town

This is the week to do a little exploring and find out what great art is happening here in Fayetteville. You can enjoy a triple hit of art and the parties at these openings. What could be better?

Today from 5 to 8 p.m., two downtown galleries, ddp gallery and Fayetteville Underground will be rolling out new shows in conjunction with the First Thursday event.

On Sunday, the Four Square Gallery is primed to show off their new digs at a Grand Opening celebration from 2 to 8 p.m.

Four Square moved from their downtown location to expand the gallery, which now has three times the space. The new space also features a working print studio.

One of the Four Square artists, Nichelle Wilson-Parish, will be doing printmaking demonstrations during the celebration and you will have the opportunity to meet some the other artists, too.

Artists whose work is shown at Four Square are: Timothy C. Tyler, Robert Andes, Golsa Yaghoobi, Robert Glick, David Mudrinich, Tanya Johnson, MM Kent, Kyle McKenzie, Cindy Wiseman, John L. Newman, Suzanne Countryman, Amber Perrodin, Abby Hughes, Szilvia Kadas, Kirk Lanier and Hisai Kimura Yale.

The Four Square Gallery is at 3996 Frontage Road, Suite 2, the northeast corner of Joyce Boulevard and College Avenue.

Stripped, Bear and War Eagle, Arkansas

Two films made in Arkansas and written by Arkansans will be screened this week. As part of the First Thursday event tonight, the feature length award-winning film “War Eagle, Arkansas” will be shown at dusk on the Town Center Plaza. The film is free, but bring seating. This film has gotten rave reviews from festivals around the country and if you missed it when it premiered at the Malco, see it now.

On a bit of a smaller scale, a film written by University of Arkansas MFA theater grad, Larry Mitchell, “Stripped, Bear” will premiere at 7 p.m. August 13 at Teatro Scarpino in Fayetteville.

Mitchell developed the play for stage and premiered it at the Boar’s Head Players’ New Play Festival in 2007. All of the original cast members-Derek Kolluri, Kat Endsley and Cole Saugey- are repeating their roles in the screen version.

The film features a musical score by Fayetteville rockers The Poggs, Chris Loggins and Annalisa Nutt of El Dorado and Adam Merriott of Jesseville.

“Stripped, Bear” is the story of two brothers, Eddie, the prodigal son who comes home after his parents’ death and the brother who never left home, Jules. Eddie brings home his new wife, a former stripper, who causes the brothers to fiercely examine the limits and the meaning of family.

In addition to the film, there will be a performance by award winning songwriter, Effron White.

“Stripped, Bear” is for adult audiences. You must be 21 or older to attend. Tickets are $5 at the door. Proceeds will be donated to Art Amiss, a local artist collective.

The ’80s rock band, Foreigner, still led by Mick Jones, will play an

8p.m. show Sunday at the outdoor theater at Downstream Casino, near Joplin, Mo.

Comedian, actor, writer and musician Bill Engvall of the TBS sitcom “The Bill Engvall Show”, and host of CMT’s “Country Fried Home Videos”, will bring his blue collar humor to Walton Arts Center for two shows on Saturday.