We are now in the time of Passover (Pesach), the Jewish festival of freedom and the story of the Angel of Death passing over the homes of the Hebrew people on the night when they left Egypt. Passover (Pesach, lamb) began Monday night, April 22 (ending Tuesday, April 30). Passover this year began the evening before the Wesak full moon Buddha Festival. When the different religions of the ages coincide, the foundation for the new world religion is being created. The heavens always proclaim important events summoning humanity to actively and consciously participate in its own history and destiny ..read more

BECCA MARTIN-BROWN bmartin@nwaonline.com Whether it’s your first Brownie scout uniform, your beloved mother’s electric blue bathrobe or the persistent, embarrassing, lifelong pursuit of the perfect bra, clothes may not make the woman, but they certainly make the memories. That’s one of the lessons of “Love, Loss and What I Wore,” a collection of interconnected monologues by Nora and Delia Ephron. You know the sibling writers from movies like “You’ve Got Mail” and Nora from the screenplays for “Silkwood,” “When Harry Met Sally…” and “Sleepless in Seattle.” “Working on this show has been a dream ..read more

BECCA MARTIN-BROWN bmartin@nwaonline.com The Orange County (Calif.) Register says “The Spitfire Grill” “channels the tone, if not substance, of musicals like ‘Once’ and ‘Come From Away.’” Northwest Arkansas audiences might think instead of “Sundown Town,” playwright Kevin Cohea’s 2011 musical at TheatreSquared. Like “Sundown Town,” “The Spitfire Grill” is the story of a visitor no one really wants in their community, and the havoc that wreaks. And, according to New York Magazine, it comes with”country-flavored tunes” and “transcendent” lyrics plus “the heart and soul that your ‘Producers’ and ..read more

MONICA HOOPER mhooper@nwaonline.com Jared Sears once went door to door looking for spaces to hosts concerts for City Sessions. Now people come to him hoping to have a concert in their living room. The local concert series is preparing for their fifth annual Home Sweet Home festival “where hospitality and music reside” as the organization heads into its 10th year of creating intimate live music experiences — usually in people’s homes. This year’s festival will feature more music than ever in 20 different homes and venues in downtown Bentonville with concerts by both local and nationally touring ..read more

BECCA MARTIN-BROWN bmartin@nwaonline.com There’s a story still told around the Fort Smith Museum of History about a boy who got his name in the newspaper for leading his friends on an adventure through the city’s tunnel system. The museum’s executive director, Caroline Speir, doesn’t remember all the details of the account, but she knows the lad’s name well. Back then, it was Bill Darby; later, he became internationally known as Brig. Gen. William O. Darby, who led his troops into battle in World War II. Darby went off to West Point after high school — he graduated from Fort Smith Senior High ..read more

MONICA HOOPER mhooper@nwaonline.com Since 2010 the Artosphere festival’s aim has been to create a framework to discuss issues of sustainability and environmental awareness by highlighting artists and performers who are inspired by nature. Many of the events are free or low cost and held in a variety of outdoor and indoor spaces. “To me that just means more families can get out and enjoy unique events [and] experience art that they may not be able to afford. It provides accessibility to our community in a unique way,” says Sara Broom Jones, learning programs and festivals specialist for Walton ..read more

Walk & Talk Art NWA Makers Spring Market 2024 — Art, jewelry, furniture, home decor, food, toys, clothing, woodwork, bath products, seasonal items, food trucks and more, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. April 28, Washington County Fairgrounds in Fayetteville. $5. nwamakers.com. Son’s Chapel Craft Fair — Noon-4 p.m. April 28, Son’s Chapel, 5480 E. Mission Blvd. in Fayetteville. Free. sonschapel.org. Lanuti’s Glass Studio Show — 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. May 3-4, 623 E. Rock St. in Fayetteville. Free. 200-8207. Art Market — 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 4, Center Street in downtown Eureka Springs. Free. Enclavearts.org. Artrage ..read more

MONICA HOOPER mhooper@nwaonline.com George Hinchcliffe’s Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain and Aubrey Logan Band are bringing fun and engaging music to Walton Arts Center April 26 and 27. There are no drums, pianos, backing tracks or banjos used by the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, yet you will swear there are. You’ll hear the seven members perform hits from from ABBA to ZZ Top, Tchaikovsky to Nirvana, Lady Gaga and occasionally a “spaghetti Western.” The orchestra plays at 8 p.m. April 26. The concert is part of the Walton Arts Center’s 10×10 Arts Series, so tickets are only $10. Next ..read more

Q. Are solid-color ties out of date? In the past I would wear a solid black tie, but now I fear it looks 1960’s. Obviously some still wear solid red, but is anything else solid still in style? A. Solid ties certainly are still worn, although you are correct that they may be less common than in the past. Let me walk you through some details to consider.  There is a definite difference between solid ties. The fabric and the color determine a tie’s level of dressiness and can make a significant difference. Many men don’t realize what the different fabric options are and how their u ..read more

The Wesak Buddha Full Moon Festival is Tuesday, April 23, 2024. After Sun enters Taurus on Friday, after Saturday’s transit of Jupiter/Uranus in Taurus (the real beginning of the Aquarian Age), after Earth Day and the first night of Passover, Monday at sundown, one of the year’s most important full moon festivals occurs on Tuesday. This is the April Buddha Full Moon or the Wesak (holy waters) Festival. During this festival the Buddha appears in the heavens, He carries and distributes a blessing to humanity and Earth’s kingdoms from the Lord of the World (our God, Sanat Kumara who came from Ve ..read more