Kyle Kellams

It’s rare that Silkroad musicians appear so soon in an area again, but that’s northwest Arkansas' good fortune on Monday. Six performers with Silkroad will bring a concert titled "Uplifted Voices" to the Music Depot in downtown Rogers. The artists and the music span the globe. This week, Ozarks at Large's Kyle Kellams caught up with Maeve Gilchrist, a harpist with the ensemble, to get an idea about Monday night’s show.

This week, Mary Badham, of stage and screen "To Kill a Mockingbird" fame, came to the Carver Center for Public Radio to talk about the subtle changes in Aaron Sorkin’s script and the challenges of playing Mrs. Dubois. We wanted to share more of the conversation with you today, including Badham's recollection of another iconic performance, visiting botanical gardens and her joy of talking with students.

Becca Martin Brown of the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette suggests local happenings this weekend, like the NWA Modern Quilt Guild's "All Modern Quilts Show" in Rogers and the University of Arkansas' Schola Cantorum's performance of "Carmina Burana."

Michael Tilley from "Talk Business & Politics" joins Ozarks at Large's Kyle Kellams to discuss UAFS seeking higher tuition, the FCRA's donation of $500,000 to a planned expansion of River Valley Nature Center, Fort Smith airport traffic rising by 7% and the Fort Smith Board's plans discuss water system revenue.

On today's show, observing Earth Day with environmental educator Heather Ellzey. Also, six performers with the Silk Road Ensemble bring a world of music to Rogers. Plus, we review a week of news with Michael Tilley from Talk Business and Politics, and Becca Martin Brown from the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette gives us weekend options.

The 2022 Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Fat Ham” possesses a familiar dramatic ingredient. The protagonist, Juicy, is visited by his dead father at a barbecue. The ghost asks for his murder to be avenged by his son. But this isn’t a reboot of Hamlet- Juicy is very aware of the Shakespearean tragedy and wants to break the cycle of violence and trauma. The Arkansas premiere of James Ijames ‘ “Fat Ham” is taking place through May 12 at TheatreSquared. This week, Monteze Freeland, the director, came to the Anthony and Susan Hui News Studio to talk about the production.

On today's show, the attempt to bring voter registration to the 21st century in Arkansas. Also, the Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Fat Ham” decides to be (and not be) Hamlet. Plus, one northwest Arkansas manufacturer’s evolution.

The national touring production of To Kill a Mockingbird is at Walton Arts Center this week. The Tony-winner features an adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer-prize-winning novel by Aaron Sorkin. Included in the cast is Mary Badham, the actor who, at 10 years old, received an Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of Scout. For this production, she is an entirely different kind of character, the aging, bitter racist Mrs. Dubois. She spoke with Ozarks at Large's Kyle Kellams about the role.

Grammy, Oscar and Emmy awardee Jon Batiste is bringing his 'Uneasy' tour to the Momentary in Bentonville next week. Batiste’s 2020 album “We Are” was awarded the Grammy for Album of the Year, and his soundtrack for the animated film “Soul” earned both an Oscar and a Grammy. Ozarks at Large's Kyle Kellams reached the composer, musician and arranger by cell phone yesterday.

Fort Smith Symphony director and composer John Jeter visits the Carver Center for Public Radio to discuss the 100th season and its season finale, which will feature a live screening of the 2013 film "Star Trek Into Darkness" and live music performed by the symphony.