It’s Back…the Northwest Arkansas Gridiron Show

Singing and dancing Supreme Court Justices led by Sonia Sotomayor.  State politicians and other notables belting out Michael Jackson songs in “Arkansas Idol.” Rush Limbaugh and his chorus of ditto-heads. These are just some of the hilarious skits coming your way this Friday and Saturday in the Northwest Arkansas Gridiron Show, “Too Funny To Fail,” at the Rogers Little Theater.  But wait, there’s more.

The grand opening of the Springdale Macadoodles. Judge Gunn’s Drug Court. And Alice falls through the looking glass into a GOP Tea Party featuring John Boozman as the White Rabbit, Mike Huckabee as the Cheshire Cat, Sarah Palin as the Red Queen and Michael Steele as the Mad Hatter.

The Gridiron is madcap frivolity written and performed by members of the local chapter of Society of Professional Journalists and co-sponsored by the local chapter of the American Association of University Women. It is a fundraising event benefitting journalism scholarships, scholarships through AAUW and the Rogers Little Theater Building Fund.

Doors open at 7 p.m. with an 8 p.m. curtain time. There will be complimentary snacks and desserts and a cash bar. Tickets are $25 by calling 409-6072, at nwagridiron.com and at the door unless the show is sold out.

-Emily Kaitz

Art in the Park

The weather forecast for Saturday predicts a high of 62, which makes it the perfect day to be outdoors. A good way to spend a least part of the day is at Fayetteville’s Wilson Park for the annual Art in the Park. Sponsored by the Artists of Northwest Arkansas, 20 or more artists will set up their easels in the park and will be welcoming comments and questions. Most will be working in watercolor, oils or acrylic.

This will be the sixth year for the event. Amber Reifschneider, one of the artists involved in event, said that having the event outdoors is a great way to invite the public out for a wonderful fall day to enjoy the artists and the changing weather. “Many of our artists are Plein Air artists,” she said.

This year, the Ozarks Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Myron Flippen, will play during the event. The student orchestra will perform a variety of music from Baroque to music from films.

There will be a children’s tent where children can make their own paintings and free hot dogs for the first 150 people.

The Artists of Northwest Arkansas meet monthly at the Arts Center of the Ozarks to share information about their techniques and their work. The artists often bring in pieces that they are working on to discuss.

Reifschneider said that all NWA artists are invited to join the group, which meets at 6:p.m. the third Thursday of each month at the Arts Center of the Ozarks in Springdale. ANA also hosts a studio session with a model from 9 a.m. to noon every Friday at the Walton Arts Center’s Nadine Baum Studios.

ANA will also mount an exhibit Nov. 9-25 at Baum Studio.

For information on ANA, go to http://artistsnwarkansas.org.

Tower of Power will play the Walton Arts Center on Friday night.

Full House will open. Tickets are $28.50- $40.

Randy Brodnax, Dana Idlet, Greg Moore featured at Fayetteville Underground

During tonight’s First Thursday event in downtown Fayetteville, the Fayetteville Underground will showcase the work of Randy Brodnax, Dana Idlet and Greg Moore. Other artists at the Underground will hold open studios for First Thursday.

Brodnax will show in the Revolver Gallery. The Louisiana native who specializes in Raku, creates everything from functional dinnerware to large sculptural vessels to paintings. Brodnax has retained much of the Cajun “joie de vivre” in his style.

Idlet will show “The Nature of Face” in the Vault Gallery. Her most recent work is a mix of oils on canvas and repurposed cardboard that she transforms into colorful collage. The work focuses on the human face, its forms and emotions, juxtaposed with nature- trees, water, color and earth.

Moore combines his expertise as a painter with society’s discards in his work, which will show in the Hive Gallery. Using what he calls reclaimed surfaces, Moore, transforms castoff pieces of rusted and dented metal into beautiful objects. Combing salvage yards, scrap heaps, recycling centers and dumpsters for objects that “are notable for their interesting stains, rust and damage” Moore lets the characteristics of the found items guide his painting. He paints in a way that doesn’t obscure the original texture and color of the object. His exhibit in the Hive Gallery will feature paintings of wildflowers, weeds and other plants on salvaged metal and wood.

Brodnax, Idlet and Moore will be honored at a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. tonight.

Philadelphia’s Dysrythmia will join local metal bands

Lightbulb Detective Agency, Vore and Auger

for a full throttle metal show Wednesday night at George’s