First Thursday Fayetteville Iffy With Severe Weather In Forecast

Fayetteville Underground, Businesses Plan Events Rain Or Shine

— There'll be plenty of live music and visual art on display this evening even if First Thursday Fayetteville is rained out.

Organizers with the Fayetteville Visitors Bureau plan to decide by 10 a.m. today whether to cancel the outdoor art walk around the downtown square.

At A Glance

First Thursday

First Thursday is scheduled from 5:30 to 9 p.m. the first Thursday of each month, April through October, on the Fayetteville square. The event features artists’ booths, musical acts, a kids’ stage and a charity beer garden. Scheduled musical performances are:

• May 1: Calle Soul

• June 5: Guta

• July 3: Isayah’s All Stars

• Aug. 7: The 1 Oz. Jig

• Sept. 4: Got It Covered

• Oct. 2: 3 Penny Acre

Source: Firstthursdayfayett…

Jessica Leonard, communication manager for the bureau, said the decision will be posted to the First Thursday website, firstthursdayfayetteville.com, or residents can call the bureau at 479-521-5776.

Today is the first scheduled First Thursday of 2014.

The event, held the first Thursday in April through October, features more than 40 artists selling paintings, textiles, jewelry and glass works. Kid-friendly performances begin at 5:30 p.m. with other musical acts taking the stage at 7 p.m. A charity beer garden has been moved to the patio of the Old Post Office building this year. And event hours have changed to 5:30-9 p.m.

Today's event, if it goes forward, will feature free performances by Samantha Fish and Brick Fields and The Chosen Ones as part of the Blues in the Natural State festival, which runs through Saturday at various venues in Fayetteville.

Leonard said all of the outdoor music, artwork and the beer garden could be canceled if a forecast for inclement weather holds.

The National Weather Service on Wednesday afternoon predicted severe weather this afternoon and evening with heavy rainfall and possible tornadoes throughout Northwest Arkansas.

The nonprofit group Fayetteville Underground, 101 W. Mountain St., and at least two businesses have events planned this evening, however, rain or shine.

"If the square's not happening, there's still a lot going on usually," said Samantha Sigmon, executive director of the Underground.

The Underground presents 12 exhibits throughout the year on the first Thursday of each month. In addition to showings by artists who have studios at the Underground, sculptures by three University of Arkansas master's in fine arts candidates will be showcased from 5 to 8:30 p.m. The jazz/folk duo Handmade Moments will perform, and studio artist Ben Flowers will present a one-night-only installation called "Fluxus." As always, snacks and beverages will be provided.

An opening reception for Sarah Leflar's "Yokohama Drawings" is scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Depot, 548 W. Dickson St.

Nightbird Books, 205 W. Dickson St., will display art by Levi Horne at 8 p.m. Three bands -- Jerry Fels and the Jerry Fels, Charon Creek and Icebirds -- are scheduled to perform, beginning at 9 p.m.

NW News on 04/03/2014

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