We had the pleasure of working with Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) on a Broadway Breakfast Wednesday morning. Christopher Ryan Grant (Sam Phillips) and Arkansas native Cody Slaughter (Elvis) are two of the cast members that joined the crowd for a creative conversation. OLLI, located on the University of Arkansas campus, conducted a six-week class that studied the four icons portrayed in Million Dollar Quartet.

Christopher Ryan Grant (left) and Cody Slaughter (right)

Slaughter got his start as an Elvis Tribute Artist with no formal training; Grant on the other hand is a graduate with an M.F.A. from the Yale School of Drama. Their dynamic during the conversation was so fun, and the crowd was eating up every bit of it. They would tease each other about their personal backgrounds and their characters, but it was all in good humor. Slaughter talked about how he loves performing in Million Dollar Quartet because he gets to make Elvis 'human' instead of just impersonating him, and Grant confessed he never wanted to be in a musical, but this show won him over.

Come see Million Dollar Quartet this week at Walton Arts Center and get lost in a night of rock and roll, good times and even some laughs. Tickets can be purchased here or by calling the Walton Arts Center box office at 479.443.5600.

The National Tour of Million Dollar Quartet. Photo by Joan Marcus

Next up in our 10x10 Arts Series is TAO:The Art of the Drum. TAO was formed in Aichi, Japan in 1993 and two years later moved their base of operations, called "Grandioso," to Oita seeking a better environment for creative enrichment.

Nearly 20 years later, over five million spectators in 17 countries worldwide have seen TAO. We are very excited to bring them to our corner of the world on February 28!

We sent them a short Q&A to get to find out more about their troupe before they arrive in Northwest Arkansas. Who would have guessed that if they weren't performing the world over they would have liked to work at Build-A-Bear?? Read on to learn more about these interesting artists!

1. What sort of background/training do you have? Is it mostly acrobatic or musical?

Surprisingly enough, not many of us have acrobatic or musical background. Some come straight from high school or college. One came from academy of art and design, and used to be a member of an amateur rock band. One came from fashion design school. One came from Self Defense force of Japan. One used to be a tour guide in Canada. So many backgrounds, and some had Taiko experience, some did not. Nobody had professional knowledge or skill of music; therefore, everyone leaned it together starting from nothing.

2. What is your favorite country that you have travelled to?

Spain - Atmosphere, Sunshine, Good Food, Lively Fun people

3. Is there a location that you aspire to perform at someday?

Las Vegas, New York, London, Paris, Tokyo. Our goal is to have long running shows in these 5 locations.

4. Is there a sport that you enjoy playing?

The boys play baseball, volley ball, basketball, etc, but we don't really do much sports. Obviously, we run quite a lot!

5. If you were not a performer today, what profession would you have chosen?

Office person, Stuffed Animal Builder

6. You all come from wildly different backgrounds; a rocker, a gymnast & a composer, how did you get into this field?

By seeing TAO's show!

7. This is a very physically demanding performance – what kind of exercise regime is required?

Our training is quite hard core for ordinals. Our day starts at five in the morning, run 20km, do 200 push-ups, followed by 200 sit-ups and round it all off with more muscle and rhythm training before going for breakfast at nine. And we start rehearsing. Some trainees do not last long if they cannot handle the tough physical training or mental impact living with others might have on them.

A lot of mental strength is needed. It's like running marathon. You can stop, but at the same time you can't. You feel like giving up, but around you, the rest of the group doesn't stop. Daily training is to build strength both mentally and physically. If you can not do those push-ups and sit-ups, you will not have the strength to lift the sticks to play the drum.

8. How many different instruments can you play besides the drum?

It depends on the performers, but of course all of us play drums, and some can play the Shamisen (three-stringed lute), Koto (plucked zither) and Shinobue(flute).

9. Do you have any pre-show rituals to get ready for a performance?

Stretching real good, putting the favorite perfumes on (lady), having circle every single show

This is such an interesting group of performers! We can't wait for their show on Tuesday, February 28. Tickets are going fast, so call our box office (479.443.5600) or visit www.waltonartscenter.org today.  

This week we're thanking, drum roll please...the Fayetteville Public Library! The fine folks at the Fayetteville Public Library are so wonderful to work with. They let us come and speak to different groups that assemble there weekly (like the children's storytimes, the Flicks before Six group and many others). They also host the 10x10 Arts Series Countdown Conversations (and create a special book list for each one), movie nights and other fun happenings.

Fayetteville Public Library also helps engage the community and gives people a deeper understanding of the arts and upcoming performances at WAC.

So thank you to Lolly, Renee, Caitlyn, Laura, Willow and all the staff. We are so fortunate to have the Fayetteville Public Library on our team (and as a neighbor!).

THANK YOU FAYETTEVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY!!

Time for Three by Vanessa Briceno Scherzer

We're just going to dive right in today as we received some great responses to our questions we threw at trio, Time for Three. These guys will be in NWA this Friday, February 3 at 8pm. Tickets start at $10, and this is a great concert to bring the whole family to.

Ranaan Meyer, double bass:

1. What is your favorite sound?

This is a challenging question to answer because I like so many sounds however I love the sound of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Curtis Institute of Music. I enjoy describing their sound as a marshmallow filled rich hot milk chocolate that is delicious to the ears.

2. How did the name of your group come about?

The name Time for Three comes from a journey to our first gig. We were driven from Philly down to D.C. in a stretch limo. When we were 20 minutes out from our destination we realized that we prepared our music for the show but had no name for our band. We quickly came up with Time for Three. The idea was that we are three musicians coming together for one purpose or concept.

3. What is the biggest challenge for your group?

The biggest challenge for Time for Three is finding time for Time for Three... Time for Three is made up of three guys who are really busy doing lots of different musical things. Currently we get together for 26 weeks out of the year to perform and create. This sounds like a good chunk of time but it is crazy just how fast that time flies by...

Zach De Pue, violin:

1. If you were not a performer today, what profession would you have chosen? 

I think I would be some sort of financial adviser.  I have always loved numbers, math, equations, theories, etc.  Numbers fascinate me.  Now if I could just count my rests correctly!!!

2. In your video “Stronger” you convey an anti-bullying message, and say that inspiration for the message was drawn from your own experiences. Where/how did you find the strength to continue on your own path and not succumb to peer pressure? 

I had the unique situation of having 3 older brothers who all play the violin professionally to this day.  My oldest brother Wallace, in addition to studying violin, trained with our dad as a boxer.  So the first time he was picked on for being a violinist, he took care of the problem, so to speak.  I owe it to my oldest brother for clearing the path for his younger bros with the perception that we all could take care of any problems (even though I never trained as a boxer a day in my life, haha!!!)

3. You have a lot of interaction and involvement with schools and young musicians. What is the one thing that you hope they take away and pass along to others? 

That each younger person should find their passion and go for it.  Any passion, whether artistic, scientific, athletic, etc.  Any and all are incredible, but find your inner passion and believe in it and stay true to it.

Nicolas Kendall, violin:

1. What type of music did you listen to growing up and how has it influenced your music today?

Throughout middle school and high school, most kids my age were into Nirvana, Perl Jam, Rage Against The Machine, Nine Inch Nails, A Tribe Called Quest, Beastie Boys, Primus, and a little known band called Phish. I was hooked. I had all the cassette tapes for these bands and others that I would throw into my Sony Walkman (remember those??) on the way to school, or at home on my stereo system in my room.

Probably since I was studying violin intensively as a young kid, my ears were thirsty for more than what was popular. My school choir director would have me play violin at his church on the weekends where he was director of his gospel choir. I also would listen to Bluegrass on the local NPR station on Sundays. And of course, there were my favorite classical selections that would consume me if the mood struck. Brahms German Requiem being one of my favorites.

All these musical languages have been part of who I am as an artists. They have shapes me in ways that I probably do not even notice at times. The variety of sounds, rhythm, and energy consumed me during my adolescent years, and fueled my love for performing live concerts.

2. What are the last 3 songs you listened to on your Ipod?

The Lotus Eaters by Sarah Kirkland Snider, featuring Shara Warden from My Brightest Diamond

Chicken Grease by D'Angelo

Yellow & Red by Down Dexter

3. All this touring…what’s your least favorite form of transportation/traveling?

Smelly cabs!

Time for Three will be at Walton Arts Center this Friday, February 3 at 8pm. Tickets start at only $10 and can be purchased here, or by calling 479.443.5600. Don't miss your chance to see this amazing trio!

Today we thank KUAF. We collaborate with the team at KUAF frequently to do interviews; both with performers and WAC staff, Countdown Conversations, Creative Conversations, and to help educate the listening audience on upcoming performances. They even worked with us to create a weekly spot on Ozarks at Large to talk about anything and everything that is going on at Walton Arts Center.

KUAF is always eager & willing to help us in any way possible, and the team is such a pleasure to work with we can barely call it 'work!' When we are unable to make it to the studio to record, they happily travel to meet us so we can make things happen.

Kyle, Antoinette, Katy, Rhonda and many others give graciously of their time to ensure that we educate Northwest Arkansas on all things WAC!

THANK YOU KUAF!!  

Grand Duo by Marc Royce 

Mark Morris

1. You’ve produced over 130 dances for the MMDG; where do you draw your inspiration from?  Is it ever difficult to come up with something “new” to say?

All of my work: for my company, for ballet companies, and in opera, comes from music.  Music is the engine that drives me. I don’t know if I’ve ever come up with anything “new”.  I just try not to repeat myself too obviously. 

2. What style of dance is your favorite to watch? Perform?

I love to watch Indian Classical dance. I love folk dance and social dancing, waltz, Polka, Schottisch

3. If you were not a dancer today, what profession would you have chosen?

I would be a singer - a baritone 

4. All this touring…what’s your least favorite form of transportation/traveling?

It’s called an airplane and it is a nightmare.

MMDG Dancer: Lauren Grant

1. What made your first realize you wanted to pursue a career as a dancer?  

It was love at first plié.  Apparently, after my first dance class at three years of age, I asked my parents if I could return the following day.When I attended performances of the ballet at Chicago’s grand Auditorium Theater the magical experience transported me. I also remember being moved in this way when, in 1995, I first saw Mark Morris’ L’Allegro, il Penseroso, ed il Moderato at Lincoln Center.  From that performance I knew I wanted to dance in his company.

2. Do you keep with current trending moves ie: The Bernie, The Dougie, The Spongebob etc.

I do not follow much of the current popular trends—be it movies, music, or gaming.  I’m a bit old-fashioned at heart.

3. What are the last 3 songs you listened to on your Ipod?

Most recently I probably listened to Scriabin etudes, Ella Fitzgerald’s rendition of All The Things You Are, and some selections from Adam Guettel’s The Light In The Piazza.

4. All this touring….what’s your least favorite form of transportation/traveling?

I do not enjoy any form of transportation.  Flying has always made me nervous; buses are claustrophobic; and cars make me sick.  Sitting for prolonged periods in all of them promote muscle and joint stiffness—not a pleasant side-effect for a dancer.  I wish I could travel by bicycle to each tour destination!

MMDG Dancer: Samuel Black

1. What venue that you have performed in was your favorite?  And why?

We've performed in some really beautiful theaters around the world, and at some pretty unusual and funky ones in smaller towns.  We've performed at several outdoor theaters, which always add a degree of spontaneity (sun, wind, extra noise...).  I have very fond memories of performing at the New York State Theater in Manhattan, since it was the first theater that I ever performed with MMDG in.

2. As an artist, how do you define success? 

I think it's really satisfying to return to a dance that you haven't worked on in a while.  As dancers, we have very strong muscle memory, so it's often easy to remember how it USED to feel to do a certain dance.  When you have the opportunity to approach that same dance as a more proficient dancer and artist, you can really get a sense for how much you've grown.  Since you already know the steps, you can delve deeper into the experience of performing it.

3. If you were not a dancer today, what profession would you have chosen?

I love food, so I'd consider going into something in the culinary field.  Maybe not as a chef, but as a food writer or restaurant critic.  What's better than being paid to eat delicious food?

4. All this touring….what’s your least favorite form of transportation/traveling?

Until recently, reading on a bus made me carsick, so that made some of our longer bus rides pretty tedious. Since I'd guess that most people don't LOVE taking the bus, we try to make the longer rides fun. Our best idea was the Bus-B-Q, which is a potluck on wheels.

MMDG Dancer: Aaron Loux

1. As an artist, how do you define success?

Success is enjoying what you do and committing yourself to it.  

2. Do you keep with current trending moves ie: The Bernie, The Dougie, The Spongebob etc. 

No. I only recognize the name Spongebob. 

3. What made your first realize you wanted to pursue a career as a dancer?

I danced through the entire summer before my last year of high school. It showed me that dancing, which had previously been a hobby I loved, could be as a profession demanding, intellectually stimulating, and intensely rewarding.

4. All this touring….what’s your least favorite form of transportation/traveling?

Traveling by bus can be pretty uncomfortable. However, it's wonderful when we're driving though a beautiful place, like when we drove down along the California coast from Arcadia to Davis. 

Grand Duo by Scott Suchman

In anticipation of Mark Morris Dance Group coming to Walton Arts Center, our Programming Assistant, Lydia Seifritz, took time to explain some traits unique to the company and why it's so amazing that they are coming here as part of their tour. Here are some fun facts about MMDG (I like bullet points; makes it easier to digest the information!):

• Mark Morris is known for his choreography specific to the music; i.e. he starts with the music and choreographs around that rather than choreographing a piece and then choosing music.
• Live music!! In the 30 years that Mark Morris Dance Group has been around they have always performed to live music. This is very unique for a dance company. And exciting! Great dancing & amazing live music in one performance?? Yes please!
• The company will be performing three pieces that showcase their evolution over the past 30 years. The most famous piece, Grand Duo, is highly-acclaimed for the juxtaposition of the dancers movement to the classical music.
• Many of the dancers in MMDG have been in the company for years; some almost 20 years! These 'seasoned' dancers are very unique as most dancers don't have careers that span that length of time.
• MMDG is very involved in community outreach. In their Brooklyn studio they offer free classes to underprivileged children & adults. They also offer Dance for PD; movement classes for persons with Parkinson's Disease.

They will be conducting one of their Dance for Parkinson's Disease classes while in NWA, and you can sign up here. There will also be a Master Class for dancers age 14 + at the HPER on the University of Arkansas campus. Call our box office at 479.443.5600 to register for the Master Class.

Tune in tomorrow for a Q&A with some of the members of the Mark Morris Dance Group!

Today we would like to thank the Fayetteville Public School system. They are always open to our visiting artists, professional development workshops, smART teacher programs and much more. The Fayetteville Public School system busses in many of their students to our hall every year to participate in the Colgate Classroom Series, sends teachers to our AWE Institute and opens their doors to performers for workshops with the students. 

Yesterday, two of the Blue Men and two of their musicians visited Fayetteville High School to teach a drum workshop to the students. Ramay Junior High brought some of their band students over to take part in the experience as well. The Blue Man Group members took the students through the audition process, and let some of them come up on stage to showcase their talents. The workshop was only an hour long, but the student's faces and comments showed their desire to stay all day!

One of the Blue Men and two Blue Man Group musicians

Thank you to Mr. Barry Harper for making this day possible to the students of the Fayetteville Public Schools. We appreciate your love of the arts and the impact it has on your students!

FHS Students demonstrating their percussion skills

Music Director, Paul Haas is so very, very good at explaining the symphony and all it's parts in laymen terms. SoNA has their Masterworks II concert coming up on January 21 at Walton Arts Center. The program is Russian composers Rachmaninov and Shostakovich, and to some that just sounds 'heavy.' Haas took some time to explain more about these composers and the pieces that SoNA will play on their January 21 concert over on the SoNA blog.

I can honestly say that I'm very excited to see this concert. I hope you will take the time to read Paul Haas' blog entry and get your tickets to Masterworks II!

Elvis Aaron Presley has a birthday this weekend, Sunday, January 8. He would be 77 years old if he were still alive today. I don't have to tell you about the impact that Elvis had on music, movies and just the world in general. People are still listening to his music, performing as him for a living and some are still on the hunt for Elvis - convinced he is still alive.

Since we can't bring the real Elvis to Northwest Arkansas, we've got the next best thing - Cody Slaughter, 2011 Elvis Presley Enterprises 'Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist.' Slaughter hails from our neighbor down the road, Harrison, AR, and is currently on the road with the national tour of Million Dollar Quartet. You may remember we sent a couple members of our Communications team to see the show last month, and they got to meet the impressive young Elvis impersonator.

It will blow your socks off when you see Cody Slaughter perform as Elvis in Million Dollar Quartet. Not only is his singing impressive, his looks - his looks!! - will make you think you're seeing things. I mean, this guy is g-o-o-d.

The National Tour of Million Dollar Quartet. Photo by Joan Marcus

Get your tickets today for Million Dollar Quartet, and spend a night with the greats; Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins. It will be a night that will leave you with a million memories. Oh, and GO HOGS!!