A River Runs Through It

Ozark history brings museum, music, friends together

Kelly and Donna Mulhollan make up the duo Still on the Hill, the local Ozark folk group that will perform "Once a River" at a fundraising event tonight at Victory Theater in Rogers.
Kelly and Donna Mulhollan make up the duo Still on the Hill, the local Ozark folk group that will perform "Once a River" at a fundraising event tonight at Victory Theater in Rogers.

"I think people are really hungry for history. I think that's why this work resonated with people," says Kelly Mulhollan of the Ozark folk duo Still on the Hill. A year or so ago, the husband and wife released "Once a River," a work of original songs all about the people and places of the White River. The pair will perform at the Victory Theater in Rogers tonight for a fundraising event for the expansion of the Rogers Historical Museum.

"People are hungry for their roots, too," Kelly's wife Donna adds. "And that's [the museum's] job, too -- preserving the history of this area. It just feels like a match made in heaven for us to be helping them out. They've been so attentive to every detail of this show, it's going to be a really special event."

FAQ

Still on the Hill

WHEN — 7-9 p.m. today

WHERE — Victory Theater in Rogers

COST — $20; $15 for Friends’ members

INFO — rogershistoricalmus…

The Friends of the Rogers Historical Museum is a nonprofit organization made up of volunteers who support the museum. The group hosts a major fundraiser each year, and the proceeds from this year's event will contribute to funding the expansion of the museum and addition of seven new galleries, including the White River Gallery.

"It will be an exciting and informative gallery, and the Friends are happy to be a small part of producing it," says James Hayes, president of Friends of the Museum. "It will feature many exhibits, videos, and hands-on interactives and tell the story of the White River before the dam, Beaver Dam and Beaver Lake."

The tie-in to the White River is "another reason our show popped up as a natural choice for the event," Kelly Mulhollan says. "Everything about this project is unfolding as if it was meant to be. We're really excited to be part of it."

During Still on the Hill's performance, guests will see pictures of every person and place the duo sings about through Donna's "low-tech powerpoint." The two will also be performing with a wide array of folk instruments, including pieces handmade by Ozark artisans.

"Before everywhere started looking and feeling the same, there were wonderful regional differences wherever you went," Donna says. "And Ozark folk music just has great colorful differences that we want to be part of holding on to and celebrating with our music."

-- Jocelyn Murphy

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NAN What's Up on 10/09/2015

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