Highlights
Party for the Pres
Tuesday will be a cause celebre…maybe the opportunity of a lifetime…the inauguration of President Barack Obama, a president who may be a president who actually delivers on his promises. So, yes indeed, this is a time to party. Hope, yeah hope, that’s what he’s promising. If you don’t want to pop the champagne at home, get to On the Rocks on West Street in the Dickson Street entertainment district and celebrate with the local chapter of Drinking Liberally. Drinking Liberally is a fairly tame—but liberal— outfit despite their name, but we’re guessing they may be revved up a notch or two on Inauguration Day. The party starts at 7 p.m. and it’s free. It will be a laidback affair, but a spokesman from Drinking Liberally says if you want to wear your ball gown or tux, bring it on.
Shiloh Museum Celebration
The Shiloh Museum of Ozark History in Springdale, was closed for almost five months to fix a leaky roof and do some other repairs. To celebrate the completion of the renovations and the reopening of the museum, there will be a party from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Activities will be happening throughout the day including a scavenger hunt, a piñata party, crafts, contests and prizes. As a special treat, visitors can have their photo made by renowned Northwest Arkansas portrait photographer Don House. The portraits will be included in the museum’s Community Photo Album. The museum has an amazing collection of Northwest Arkansas photographs that chronicle life in NWA for a hundred years or more. This is a free event and will be fun for all ages.
Here’s a schedule of performances:
10 a.m.: Northwest Arkansas Sacred Harp Singers
11 a.m.: Scenes from The Taming of the Shrew by the George Elementary School Shakespeare Troupe
11:30 a.m.: Smith Elementary School chorus
11:45 a.m.: Harp Elementary School chorus
Noon: Special announcements
12:15 p.m.: Old-time string band Shout Lulu and free ice cream
1:00 p.m.: Storytelling by the Tellers of Tales
1:15 p.m.: Shout Lulu
The museum staff is asking those who come to the event to bring a canned food item for the First United Methodist Church of Springdale’s Bread of Life program. The church provided meeting space during the museum closure.
The Life of a Carnival Worker
Forrestina Campbell aka “White River Red” was a colorful character, who made a name for herself beginning in the 1930s and until her death in the 1970s. The Northwest Arkansas woman owned and operated a carnival and was well-known to fair-goers during that time. At noon on Wednesday, Susan Young of the Shiloh Museum, will present a program on White River Red at the museum. The talk is free and you can bring a lunch. Anyone with memories of White River Red is encouraged to attend.
Remembering MLK
A public march, vigil, banquet and numerous other events will take place this week and next to commemorate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “Realizing the Dream by Embracing Change” is the theme for the 13th annual Days of Recommitment.
Among the highlights on Monday, Martin Luther King Day are: A youth prayer breakfast at 8 a.m. at the UA Alumni House. At 11:15 a.m., at the municipal parking lot at the corner of Dickson Street and West Avenue, there will be an award presentation followed by a march to the Fulbright Peace Fountain on the UA campus, followed by a vigil at noon at the Arkansas Union Connections Lounge on campus. The day’s events will conclude at the Recommitment Banquet at 7 p.m. at the Fayetteville Town Center where Dr. Gene C. Young will speak.
On Tuesday there will be an Inaugural Day watch party from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Connections Lounge and at 4:30 Dean Cynthia Nance will present a lecture in the E.J. Ball Courtroom of the UA Law School. At 3 p.m. Jan. 23, Judge Marion Humphrey will give a lecture in Giffels Auditorium in Old Main.
With the exception of the Recommitment Banquet, all events are free. Tickets for the banquet are $25 adults and $15 students by calling 575-2812.
