Stories by Monica Hooper

LIVE Music Calendar: Chapel Hart tour coming to Fort Smith The trio of sisters Danica and Devynn Hart and cousin Trea Swindle opened their "Glory Days Tour" at the Grand Ole Opry on Jan. 21, debuting their tribute to Loretta Lynn's "Fist Ci... January 29, 2023

Arts Live ‘theater kids’ identify with ‘The Outsiders’ Natalie Lane lets music be her guide when getting a play ready for the stage."That really sets the tone. I use it in all of the scene changes and even some underscoring of themes," the Arts ... January 29, 2023

Chapel Hart stops at TempleLive in Fort Smith on new ‘Glory Days’ tour Chapel Hart is bringing their "Glory Days" to Fort Smith and El Dorado this week.Sisters Danica and Devynn Hart, with cousin Trea Swindle, opened their "Glory Days Tour" at the Gra... January 29, 2023

Musician, craftivist Donna Mulhollan tackles climate change "I don't like using the word artist. I'm a musician, and I like to dabble in crafts and use them for causes. So craftivist really seems to fit better to me," Donna Mulhollan says of ... January 29, 2023

LIVE Music: Sip and Sing with local musicians at Tontitown Winery Sip and sing with The Mountain Gypsies at 6:30 p.m. today and Dime Box Duo at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Tontitown Winery, 335 N. Barrington Road in Springdale. Each weekend features another artist. The Mo... January 27, 2023

Dave Matthews Band at AMP May 23 Dave Matthews Band announced 2023 Summer Tour dates that include a return to the Walmart AMP at 7:30 p.m. May 23 as part of the Cox Concert Series. Gates open at 6 p.m. Dave Matthews Band last perform... January 24, 2023

Beck, Phoenix, Weyes Blood and Sir Chloe announced at AMP in Rogers "There's a destination a little up the road/From the habitations and the towns we know ..."Yes, dear reader, Beck is coming to Northwest Arkansas!Along with those French-pop "listo-... January 23, 2023

Time For Three trio blends classical, Americana, singer-songwriter genres "It was a dark and stormy night," begins Peter Lane when telling the origin story of Time for Three. When a storm knocked out the power ahead of a performance of Beethoven's Ninth Sympho... January 22, 2023

Fayetteville’s Erin ‘Dr. Shred’ Detherage takes show to Fort Smith Erin Detherage has to stop and think when asked how many guitars she has."I think 10." She explains that "they all do something different! That's always my excuse. I have a guitar t... January 22, 2023

Royal Winnipeg Ballet teaches master classes, auditions dancers in NWA One of only two U.S.-based auditions for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet will be right here in Fayetteville.The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School Professional Division will host auditions and a master class Jan.... January 22, 2023

LIVE! Music: Ana Popovic, March to August, Brick Fields, Mug Lung and more Ana Popovic, described as "one helluva guitar player" by Bruce Springsteen, is coming to Bentonville.She is touring in support of her upcoming album, "Power," due for release on Ma... January 22, 2023

Local ballet instructor encourages students to experience RWB Jennifer Davis, school Principal for the Northwest Arkansas Conservatory of Classical Ballet, says the months between January and April are "audition season" in the ballet world."Whethe... January 22, 2023

LIVE Music: River Valley’s own JD Clayton on national tour for new album Fort Smith native JD Clayton releases his debut full-length album "Long Way From Home" on Jan. 27. Each song shares intimate details inspired by Clayton's upbringing, about the region wh... January 22, 2023

Eric Church, Midland and Ray Wylie Hubbard to perform at Walmart AMP in Rogers Country singer-songwriter Eric Church has added a stop at the Walmart AMP in Rogers for The Outsiders Revival Tour with Midland and Ray Wylie Hubbard at 8 p.m. July 27. Presales start at 9 a.m. Tuesda... January 20, 2023

Pantera, Kidzbop shows on sale Jan. 27 at AMP Adults may headbang, and children may boogie at the AMP this August. Announced today, Pantera returns to the stage this summer with special guest Lamb of God at 7 p.m. Aug. 15 at the Walmart AMP in Ro... January 20, 2023

LIVE! Music: Wade Bowen at Majestic Fort Smith, OzMoMu in Eureka Springs Wade Bowen stops in Fort Smith on Saturday. The red dirt country musician plays at 8 p.m. with opener Matt Williams at Majestic Fort Smith, 817 Garrison Ave. Tickets are $20-$25 at majesticfortsmith.c... January 20, 2023

REVIEW: ‘Tootsie’ gently roasts musicals through song and dance It's hard to believe that Drew Becker is only four years out of college. In last night's performance of "Tootsie," during which he was in nearly every scene, Becker aptly portrayed Michael Dorsey's ar... January 19, 2023

Royal Winnipeg Ballet offers classes, auditions at Walton Arts Center One of only two U.S.-based auditions for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet will be right here in Fayetteville. The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School Professional Division will host auditions and a master class Jan... January 17, 2023

Lindsay Lou headlines Ozark Mountain Music Festival in Eureka Springs The hills might be chilly, but music will warm the historic rooms of the Basin Park Hotel Jan. 19-22 as the annual Ozark Mountain Music Festival returns to Eureka Springs for four days of fun.A mixtur... January 15, 2023

LIVE! Music includes benefit for Ocie Fisher, memorial for Mike Hanna Rachel Fields of Brick Fields recently announced on Facebook a benefit show for local musician Ocie Fisher."Ocie has been blessing Arkansas with her voice through gospel, blues, jazz and R&B ... January 15, 2023

New musical ‘Tootsie’ called a love letter to the theater A musical adaptation of the 1982 film "Tootsie" comes to the Walton Arts Center Jan. 17-22.Unlike the movie, this version is touted as a "love letter to the theater" with more wigs... January 15, 2023

LIVE Music: Steve Trevino plays TempleLive; Wade Bowen at Majestic He can "speak wife fluently." He never calls "the guys" for help on a home project. And he knows better than to "make his own decisions" since decision-making is a privil... January 15, 2023

Art Ventures focuses its efforts on representation, education, community Art Ventures has hit the ground running in 2023.Executive Director Lakeisha Edwards says that the first quarter will include kids' art education through workshops and the K-12 Art Initiative and s... January 15, 2023

Fayetteville Film Fest Showcase Focuses On Central and South America FAQIndie Films:Central and South AmericaWHAT -- The first event in the Walton Arts Center's Film Series curated by Fayetteville Film Fest, Indie Films Central and South America, will showcase: &qu... January 13, 2023

LIVE! A Music Calendar Paul Cauthen, whose new album "Country Coming Down" is out now, performs a rescheduled show at 7 p.m. Feb. 4 with Early James at Majestic Fort Smith, 817 Garrison Ave. General admission is $... January 8, 2023

LIVE! Music includes Walmart AMP concerts and more for 2023 So much good music is on the horizon this year. Here's a just a small roundup of what's to come in 2023.Mavis Staples, Caamp, Sierra Ferrell, The Del McCoury Band, Tank and the Bangas, Cimafun... January 8, 2023

Punk, hard rock band Bellwether Sirens release four-song EP Not a single member of Bellwether Sirens knew one another before moving to Northwest Arkansas from different parts of the country.Guitarist Sean O'Brien jokes that he met drummer Geoff Atkinson th... January 8, 2023

Sisterhood is ‘stayin’ alive’ in musical about menopause "As long as menopause is around, 'Menopause The Musical' will be around," says actress Kimberly Vanbiesbrouck, who has been doing the show for more than 12 years on and off."Men... January 8, 2023

LIVE! Music includes Alyssa Galvan at George’s, Ozark Mountain Music Festival Singer-songwriter Alyssa Galvan and poet Amor will join Divas on Fire (Diane Rudolph, Alma Blecher, Rachel Fields, Dawn Cate, Tori Rudolph and Lectric Liz Lottmann) at 5:45 p.m. today followed by Open... January 6, 2023

Year-End Top 10 ‘Disrupting’ The Music Scene Editor’s Note: This is Monica Hooper’s third choice for top stories. It originally ran Aug. 14, 2022. This is an abridged version of the original article.Raquel Thompson was born into musi... January 1, 2023

LIVE! Music: Lilly Hiatt Band plays Jan. 6 at WAC Hailing from the musical riches of East Nashville, the Lilly Hiatt Band will perform songs from her newest album "Lately" starting at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 6, as part of Walton Arts Center's We... January 1, 2023

LIVE! Music: New Year’s Eve fun starts tonight, continues Saturday Ring in the New Year all weekend with Arkansauce at George's Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville. The newgrass foursome performs at 9:30 p.m. today with Mighty Pines, a St. Louis-based rootsy band who... December 30, 2022

Amazeum celebrates New Year’s Eve with countdown to 3 p.m. Zing in the New YearWHAT -- Kids and families are invited to "Zing in the New Year" with interactive activities such as a pulley STEM challenge, ball painting, tower building, polyhedrons an... December 30, 2022

Yearend Top 10: Bentonville Film Festival ‘champions underrepresented storytellers’ Editor's Note: As we do every year, the What's Up! staff looked back to see what arts stories we published in 2022 that we expect will have a lasting impact on the culture of our community in ... December 25, 2022

LIVE! Music: OzMoMu returns to Eureka Springs Jan. 19-23 Lindsay Lou will the headliner at the 2023 Ozark Mountain Music Festival, which returns to the Basin Park Hotel in Eureka Springs Jan. 19-23. She is a renowned singer/songwriter and multi-instrumental... December 25, 2022

Singer/songwriter Juli Tapken celebrates season with cozy new EP "I'm the youngest of four children. So I pretty much came out of the womb entertaining people," says actress and singer/songwriter Juli Tapken during a recent podcast interview with What... December 25, 2022

New Year’s Eve parties on tap all over NWA, River Valley Looking for a New Year's Eve celebration. Here's Monica Hooper's list for you to check twice.BENTONVILLENoon Year's Eve at Crystal Bridges -- The annual family friendly, daytime New Ye... December 25, 2022

Yearend Top 10: WAC takes center stage for launching national tours Editor's Note: This is Monica Hooper's second choice for top stories. It originally ran June 19, 2022.Before the tip of the first gold-glittered hat, Dan Sher will be clocking lights, music an... December 25, 2022

LIVE! Music: Kyrouac celebrates Christmas, Cates mark 80th birthday Singer-songwriter Allison Grace Kyrouac will break out her keyboard to perform for a Christmas party tonight at the Maple Room Pub in Fort Smith. Event organizers say that this is a party for everyone... December 23, 2022

Crystal Bridges offers fun for kids during break in Bentonville, ‘A Christmas Carol’ onstage and online Fayetteville Now that the kids are out of school and playgrounds are wet and cold, many houses are a little loud for the holidays. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville has a solution for at least ... December 18, 2022

TV’s popular ‘Bluey’ comes to WAC stage Dec. 20-21 Australia's favorite cartoon characters are coming to Fayetteville."Bluey's Big Day" will be on stage at the Walton Arts Center for four performances Dec. 20-21. The beloved doggies ... December 18, 2022

5x5: Melissa Carper talks about new album, busking and who inspires her Melissa Carper is a busy woman.She's in a number of bands -- The Buffalo Gals, Sad Daddy and Carper Family Band, to name just a few. Plus she's a revered solo artist. Her first solo album, &qu... December 18, 2022

Yearend Top 10: Hembrees press pause on Roots, play on as Smokey & the Mirror Editor's Note: This is Monica Hooper's first choice for top stories. It originally ran Oct. 17.MONICA HOOPERNWA Democrat-GazetteThe founders of Fayetteville Roots announced Oct. 14 that they w... December 18, 2022

Crystal Bridges Offers ‘Winter Break Wonders’ FAQWinter Break WondersWHAT -- Just in time for winter break at area schools, Crystal Bridges is hosting special drop-in activities including art making, creative play, movement activities, art carts,... December 16, 2022

LIVE! Music: Cates open for Asleep at the Wheel in Eureka tonight Asleep At The Wheel wants to wish Northwest Arkansas a "Merry Texas Christmas" full of fan favorites and songs from their Christmas albums. Northwest Arkansas' own Cate Brothers will als... December 16, 2022

Jonathan Karrant shares ‘Christmas Wish’ at 906 Lounge in Fort Smith Jazz singer Jonathan Karrant, a native of Fort Smith who now lives in Las Vegas, will return to his hometown for a special two-night Christmas performance at 906 Lounge. Karrant recently recorded and ... December 11, 2022

LIVE Music! With a celebration of Loretta Lynn, Latin American Women "Don't wait to bring great riches home to me / I need no diamond rings or fancy pearls / Just bring yourself, you're all I'll ever need / That's good enough for this blue Kentucky... December 11, 2022

Winter Wonderland The Miller Branch of the Fort Smith Public Library will offer a variety of programs for kids, families and adults this holiday season starting with A Grinch Story Time with Cindy Lou Who and the Grinc... December 11, 2022

New exhibit lets Amazeum visitors make it themselves How do you make an idea come to life? That's the question little inquisitive minds can explore in the Amazeum's newest exhibit, "In the Making: Ideas Come To Life." The interactive a... December 11, 2022

LIVE! Music: Brick Fields celebrates ‘Blues Therapy’ Dec. 21 at FPL Every Wednesday night for the last 10 years, a community in Fayetteville has come together to share in the healing power of music. "A lot of people started calling it their church because a lot of peo... December 10, 2022