Groups Unite For Bloc Festival

BENTONVILLE — A new festival will fill downtown streets and alleys tonight as musicians, artists and businesses come together for Around the Bloc.

The event is hosted by Downtown Bentonville Inc., the group behind First Friday and the Farmers Market. It will include art tours, culinary experiences, live music and special retail deals. Pods of artists will spread throughout the “nooks and crannies” of downtown Bentonville to create active marketplaces for artists to sell their work, according to a news release.

Around the Bloc will be more low key and adult-oriented compared to the blowout festival atmosphere of First Friday events.

Web Watch

Artists Sought

Artists interested in participating in Around the Bloc can apply online through the art festival application, ZAPP, at www.zapplication.org. For more information about the event, visit www.downtownbentonville.org

“It’s more of a relaxed infusion of art into the everyday,” said Daniel Hintz, director of Downtown Bentonville. “We’re creating opportunities for the creative folks in Northwest Arkansas.”

The festival is planned for 5-8 p.m. in a four-block area around the square. No streets will be closed for event.

Nine artists will congregate on the sidewalk in front of the 21c Museum Hotel at 200 N.E. A St., while four artists will be next to Bloom Floral and Gifts at 120 W. Central Ave. Upstream Art, an artist collective that paints storm drain murals with environmental themes, also will be at the West Central Avenue location.

“It provides people with the opportunity to come out and support local artists and buy their work,” said Raven Derge, owner of the Norberta Philbrook Gallery.

The event will highlight a new public mural that runs between South Main Street and Southeast A Street near Meridienne Dessert Salon and Cafe. The mural created by Bentonville middle and junior high school art students depicts Bentonville, its schools and the students’ visions of their community.

Strains of live music will waft around downtown from artists ranging from a lone accordionist to a jazz band. The Pressroom will host the Adams Collins from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. as part of the Notes at Night Jazz series. Farmer and the Markets will perform in front of the Walmart Visitor Center, while the Roby Pantall jazz duo will be at Elysian Boutique at 1-6 S.E. A St.

Block Street Hot Club will perform near the Norberta Philbrook Art Gallery on 114 W. Central Ave. The French feel of the Crepes Paulette food trailer will merge with the stylings of French accordionist Barry Stacy just north of Lawrence Plaza.

Several art events will accompany tonight’s festivities. 21c Museum Hotel will offer tours starting at 5 p.m. The Norberta Philbrook Gallery will open a show for illustrator Drew Gentle, who worked for Hanna-Barbera for 30 years. Gentle’s credits include “The Flintstones,” “Batman,” “Scooby-Doo,” “Bugs Bunny,” “The Smurfs,” “Yogi Bear,” “Johnny Quest,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and “Family Guy,” Derge said.

The show will feature figurative work including drawings and some oil and pastel paintings. It will run from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Downtown businesses will get into act with The Mustache hosting a trunk show for jewelry artist Lauren Embree. A portion of the evening’s proceeds will go to the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter. The Spice and Tea Exchange will have chef demonstrations in front of its shop at 109 S.E. A St., and Tusk & Trotter across the street will offer culinary specials throughout the evening.

The Walmart Visitor Center will issue the Supercenter Challenge, a giant bowl filled with every flavor of Yarnell’s ice cream.

Maps of activities are available at downtown retailers. Around the Bloc is sponsored by First National Bank and Brown, Hiller, Clark & Associates.

Upcoming Events