A stompin' good time: Altus community celebrates fruit of its labor

BY STEVE SCHMIDT Northwest Arkansas Times

By their nature, Altus natives say the town never needs a reason to celebrate, but in 1984 it found a good one. - Friday, July 18, 2008

Shakespeare outdoors: T2 tours area with 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

BY SANDRA COX Northwest Arkansas Times

As the saying goes, there is a first for everything. - Friday, July 18, 2008

One more time: Rogers native takes 'Fiddler' role for third spin

BY STEVE SCHMIDT Northwest Arkansas Times

Joe Rice had taken his last bow. He saw the sign of his imminent retirement after suffering a "mini-stroke" while rehearsing for "Dracula" at the Rogers Little Theater four years ago. - Friday, July 18, 2008

'Night' vision: Rock balladeers head to Fort Smith on wings of new album

BY STEVE SCHMIDT Northwest Arkansas Times

The days of Night Ranger playing six shows a week in an 18-month stretch are over. The energy, Kelly Keagy insisted, is not. - Friday, July 18, 2008

In pursuit of fruit: After multiple revisions, student playwright introduces full-length debut

BY KEVIN KINDER Northwest Arkansas Times

It's tough writing scripts. Clinnesha Dillon, a third-year Master of Fine Arts in Play Writing candidate at the University of Arkansas, should know. She's seen her full-length debut, "How To Get The Mango (When The Lizard's In The Way)," go through nearly a year of revisions. - Friday, July 18, 2008

A deli's debut: Popular nationwide deli opens first Northwest Arkansas location to positive response

BY KEVIN KINDER Northwest Arkansas Times

Judging by the line of people waiting for a sandwich at noon on a recent Tuesday, Northwest Arkansas seems to have discovered Jason's Deli. - Friday, July 18, 2008

Entertainment Notes

What's Up! Staff

Bella Vista: ART @ WISHING SPRING DeLane Cox, a wire jewelry artist, is the featured artist for July at the Wishing Spring Gallery, 8862 W. McNelly Road. Gallery hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. For details, call 273-1798. - Friday, July 18, 2008

Live Music

What's Up! Staff

The following is a list of live performances in Northwest Arkansas. Readers are encouraged to verify times and admission prices. For details, call venues directly. To add listings, e-mail schedules to whatsup@nwarktimes.com, fax them to 442-1714, or call 571-6447. - Friday, July 18, 2008

Road Trip

What's Up! Staff

Hope: MELON MARVELS The town that claims both former President Bill Clinton and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as native sons will host the 32nd annual Hope Watermelon Festival from Aug. 7-10 in honor of its famously large fruits. Events will include watermelon eating and seed-spitting as well as horseshoe tournaments, an antique engine show, a gospel show and sports car show. The festival will also have more than 200 arts and crafts booths and live music. Admission is free except for the gospel show, which costs $4. Parking is $3. For details, call (870) 777-3640 or visit www.hopemelonfest.com. - Friday, July 18, 2008

Upcoming Concerts

What's Up! Staff

The following is a list of performances within a day's driving distance of Northwest Arkansas. Tickets for all events are currently on sale. Readers are encouraged to verify times and admission prices. For more information, call venues directly. - Friday, July 18, 2008