Out and About:

Last updated Thursday, November 20, 2008 6:46 PM CST in Weekend

Venue: Arts Center of the Ozarks, 214 S. Main St. in Springdale

Admission: $6 for ACO member adults, $4 for member children, $8 for non-member adults and $6 for non-member children

For reservations, call 751-5441.

'Tis the Season

Through Dec. 31

EUREKA SPRINGS -- The Great Passion Play has turned on its holiday lighting display. Each evening at 5 o'clock through Dec. 31, more than 100 lighted figures are illuminated on the mile-long drive through the grounds. Admission is free. Also, the Passion Play's Christmas music show begins today. Showtimes are 5 p.m. weekends until Dec. 20, and the show features The Texans and B.J. & Elizabeth. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6 to 18. Information: (866) 566-3565.

Dec. 13-14

ROGERS -- A Christmas tradition for almost 15 years, Ballet Westside Performing Company will once again present "The Nutcracker." More than 85 local children from ages 4 to 18 will perform this classic ballet at 7 p.m. Dec. 13 and 2 p.m. Dec. 14 in the auditorium at Rogers High School. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 3 to 12 by calling 636-6678.

On Stage

Today-Saturday

SILOAM SPRINGS -- Four couples arrive at the townhouse of a deputy New York City mayor and his wife to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary -- but the party never begins because the host has shot himself in the head (it's only a flesh wound) and his wife is missing. That's the premise for Neil Simon's "Rumors," on stage today and Saturday at the Sager Creek Arts Center. The production represents a first-time collaborative effort between SCAC and the Village Players. Showtime is 8 p.m., and tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for senior citizens and SCAC members and $8 for students by calling 524-4000.

Today-Sunday

ROGERS -- Rogers Little Theater's second MainStage play of the season, "You Can't Take It With You," will be conclude its run today through Sunday at The Victory Theater. This comedy classic by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman tells the hilarious story of the zany and eccentric Sycamore family and their weird and strange activities. Showtime is 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sundays. For those who purchase dinner theater tickets, dining begins one hour before curtain. Tickets are $42 for dinner and show. Balcony seating is $17 for adults and $9.50 for children 12 and under and students with valid IDs. Information: 631-8988.

Auditions

Dec. 1-2

SILOAM SPRINGS -- The Sager Creek Arts Center will hold auditions for "The Lion in Winter" at 7 p.m. Dec. 1-2. The cast calls for a royal couple (Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, age 50-plus), four young men ages 17 to 30 and one young woman, age 17 to 26. Rehearsals will begin in January with performances in February. Information: 524-4000.

Dec. 6-7

FAYETTEVILLE -- Arts Live Theatre, Northwest Arkansas' only dedicated children's and youth theater company, will hold auditions for Disney's "Alice In Wonderland" from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 6 and 7 at 1378 N. College. Auditions are open to young actors ages 7 to 18. No previous experience is necessary. Those auditioning should prepare a song to be sung acapella and will read from the script. Production dates are Feb. 27-March 1. Information: 521-4932.

Dec. 15-16

SPRINGDALE -- The Arts Center of the Ozarks will hold auditions for "A Murder Is Announced," an Agatha Christie Miss Marple mystery, at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15-16 at the theater. Scripts are available two weeks before auditions with a $10 deposit (refunded if returned in 24 hours from checkout). Performances are Feb. 6-8 and 13-14. Information: 751-5441.

Jan. 5-6

ROGERS -- Rogers Little Theater will hold auditions for Cole Porter's "Kiss Me Kate" at 7 p.m. Jan. 5-6 at the Victory Theater. Director Ed McClure, musical director Lisa Welty-Auten and choreograpers Martina Peacock and Dru Wiser are looking for actors, singers and dancers 16 and older for performances in February. Audition packets are available after Dec. 1. Information: 631-8988.

Festivals

Laugh Out Loud

Night Life

On Campus

Today

FAYETTEVILLE -- The University of Arkansas Jazz Ensembles, under the direction of James Greeson, will appear in their fall concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Arkansas Union Theater on campus. The two 17-piece big bands will be performing music by Count Basie, Matt Harris, Neal Hefti and Horace Silver. Admission is free. Information: 575-4190.

Got Talent?

Monday

FAYETTEVILLE -- The Arkansas Winds Community Concert Band rehearses Mondays from 7 to 9 p.m. in the band room at Ramay Junior High School. Instrumentalists are needed in all sections of the band. Information: www.arkansaswinds.org or call 521-4293.

On Film

Sunday

FAYETTEVILLE -- Omni's Video Underground will show the movie "The Meatrix," a humorous film about factory farming and modern meat production, at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary on the main floor of United Campus Ministry. The Omni Center shows a series of free movies on second and fourth Sundays of the month. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. Information: www.themeatrix.com.

In Concert

Dec. 7

SPRINGDALE -- The Arts Center of the Ozarks Children's Choirs will present "Sounds of the Holiday Season," featuring the ACO Camerata Choir and the ACO Children's Concert Choir, at 3 p.m. Dec. 7. The children's choirs are under the direction of Denice Parkhurst and are accompanied by Denise Richards. The concert will include traditional holiday selections as well as selections from other cultural traditions. Tickets for the concert are $6 for ACO member adults, $4 for member students, $8 for non-member adults and $6 for non-member students. Information: 751-5441.

Dec. 20

SPRINGDALE -- The Arkansas Winds community concert band will present a holiday concert at 3 p.m. Dec. 20 at the Arts Center of the Ozarks. The program will feature "Peter and the Wolf," "A Christmas Festival" by Leroy Anderson, Third Suite for Band by Robert Jager, "Carnival of the Animals" by Camille Saint-Saens and "Carol of the Bells" and "O Little Town of Bethlehem" in the Mannheim Steamroller arrangements. Admission is free. Information: 751-5441.

Meetings & More

Saturday

SPRINGDALE -- The Ozark Wireless Society will meet at 10 a.m. in the General Store at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History. Information: 750-8165.

Sunday

SPRINGDALE -- The Northwest Arkansas Sacred Harp Singers will meet at 1:30 p.m. in the General Store at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History. Information: 750-8165.

Tuesday

FAYETTEVILLE -- Kathleen Cande, an archeologist with the Arkansas Archeological Survey, will be the guest speaker at the next meeting of the Kokoci Chapter of the Arkansas Archeological Society. Cande will present "An Update on 2007 and 2008 Archeological Investigations at Old Davidsonville State Park." Davidsonville was the site of Arkansas's first 19th-century county seat town (1815-1830), and the remains of the town are now located in Old Davidsonville State Park in Randolph County. The Arkansas Archeological Survey conducted archeological and geophysical fieldwork during the fall of 2007, and two weeks of work have been completed this month. Cande's illustrated talk will summarize new discoveries, including evidence of blacksmithing activities and the remains of two additional residential structures. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the Arkansas Archeological Survey building on the University of Arkansas agricultural campus. The public is invited to attend. Information: 575-3556.

Dec. 4

SPRINGDALE -- Karen Swenson, a member of Quilters United in Learning Together, will speak at 7 p.m. Dec. 4 at the combined November and December QUILT meetings. The evening begins with a social time at 6:30 p.m. at the Springdale Holiday Inn. Swenson is making her debut on the lecture circuit with a trunk show and lecture called "Diversity is the Spice of Life." Guests are welcome to attend their first meeting at no charge. Information: 619-2527.

Dec. 9

ROGERS -- Join the Friends of the Rogers Public Library for the monthly Lunch & Learn at noon Dec. 9. This month's topic is "Reading Is for Giving." Children's Director Rebecca Willhite and Reader's Advisory Librarian Lesley Knieriem will be discussing titles that make excellent gifts for all ages. Come prepared to share some suggestions of your own, and bring a sack lunch. Information: 621-1152.

Road Trip

Nov. 29

FORT SMITH -- Moscow Ballet will perform its "Great Russian Nutcracker" at 3 p.m. Nov. 29 at the Fort Smith Convention Center. The world-renowned troupe celebrates its 16th anniversary "Great Russian Nutcracker" tour, performing in 70 cities across the United States and Canada. For information and tickets, visit www.nutcracker.com or call (800) 737-4040.

To be included, your event must be open to the public. Deadline for the WEEKEND section is noon TUESDAY for Friday publication. To submit an event, e-mail Becca Bacon Martin, Entertainment editor, at bmartin@nwaonline.net or send a fax to 872-5055. All submissions must be in writing. Questions? Call 872-5054.

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