Daniel Caruth

In the fall of 1974 Art Meripol, now a professional photgrapher for Southern Living, was a University of Arkansas journalism undergrad dabbling in photography at the Fayetteville Farmers Market. The scene--with its abundant produce and vibrant array of people who sold and shopped there--proved the perfect backdrop for honing his craft. 

The Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra begins its 2018-19 season with a family friendly "Halloween Fantasia"  matinee concert Saturday, Sept. 29.  "Every single work that we perform this season is embracing and engaging,"remarks conductor Steven Byess. 

He speaks with Of Note's Katy Henriksen ahead of the opener to explain how this year's selection folds in music that appeals to young and old, including new pieces and favorites like Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2.

Northwest Arkansas Fashion Week returns today with its fall shows beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Drake Field in Fayetteville and runs through Saturday night. The semi-annual event includes work from more than a dozen regional and national designers and includes a student designer showcase. 

In their debut recording, the Tesla Quartet invites classical music fans to rethink stereotypes with offerings of Haydn, Ravel and Stravinsky.

“We often hear people say classical music is very relaxing, very soothing," says cellist Serafim Smigelskiy. "But, you probably shouldn’t listen to Stravinsky before going to bed.”

For guitarists Thomas Flippin and Christopher Mallett, who perform as Duo Noire, discovering that a major calssical guitar showcase held in the 21st century included no women composers and few, if any, women performers came as a shock. Then an epiphany.

"I was just so blown away that that was still happening in 2015," Flippin says. "This is ridicuoulous."