Free Events in Northwest Arkansas Feb. 15 to 28

This is for my sister Charlou, who said in a comment to my Facebook post about upcoming free events in Pasadena, "Can you do one for Northwest Arkansas?" She and her husband live in Bella Vista.

So here you go, Sis...I'm only doing this because you're older than I am and I know you might beat me up if I don't humor you! But just this once. (By the way, my sis has a fabulous sister!)

Looking for stress relief? Try coloring! Color My World is an adult class Saturday, Feb. 15, from 3 to 4 p.m. at Bella Vista Public Library. Crayons are provided. Come every Friday!  

Learn all the ins and outs of Facebook, Twitter and other social media during a workshop Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 10 a.m. in the Rotary Conference Room at Bentonville Public Library.

Knit one, pearl two...the Knitting Club meets Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 2 p.m. at Bella Vista Public Library. This growing group is open to people of all ages and levels of expertise. Get to know new people and enjoy some hot tea. Knitting Club meets twice a month at the library.

The Mystery Book Club at Bella Vista Public Library meets Wednesday, Feb. 19, at 6 p.m. Call the library to find out what the latest book title is. Mystery Book Club meets once a month.

You've heard of children's story hours, but where's the story hour for adults? At Bella Vista Public Library Thursday, Feb. 20, from 3 to 4 p.m. Dr. Ginger Hamilton will read a short story or two while you enjoy a cup of tea and delicious cookies. Adult Story Hour is scheduled once a month.

Pickin' on the Square isn't outdoors at the Bentonville Square during winter months. It's inside the Downtown Activity Center Fridays, Feb. 21 and 28, from 5 to 11 p.m. The weekly gathering of musicians from around the region attracts music lovers to enjoy a variety of styles including bluegrass, country and blues. They'll continue performing indoors until the weather is warmer.

"Art from the Earth: A Pottery Exhibition" has been at the Rogers Historical Museum since October and runs through Thursday, Feb. 22. The exhibition features prehistoric ceremonial pots, 19th century functional crocks, 20th century art pottery and more examples of the wide range of pottery used and sometimes made in Arkansas over the centuries. 

The Eureka Gras Nite Parade Saturday, Feb. 22, at 6 p.m. is just one of the New Orleans-style Mardi Gras events through March 4 in Eureka Springs.

Word War, an audience-judged competition among singers, comics and poets, will be part of the line-up at Last Saturday Fayetteville Saturday, Feb. 22, at 7 p.m. at the Fayetteville Underground Art Gallery.

The Ozark Mountains British Brass Band will perform British and Celtic music Sunday, Feb. 23, at 3 p.m. at First Church of the Nazarene in Rogers. 

E.C. Roe, son of Brooklyn Dodgers Pitcher Elwin Charles "Preacher" Roe, (right in the photo above with Pee Wee Reese and Jackie Robinson) will tell stories about his dad's career and will have items on display for Baseball: The Way It Was Wednesday, Feb. 26, from 3 to 4 p.m. at Bella Vista Public Library. 

Candy Lee and the Sweets will perform as part of the "Unplugged" concert series at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art Friday, Feb. 28, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the south entrance lobby. Lee is the 2011 Northwest Arkansas Music Award winner for best female singer/songwriter. While the event is free, you must reserve tickets here (and they're going fast!)

E. Fay Jones, co-architect of the Mildred E. Cooper Memorial Chapel in Bella Vista, was mentored by Frank Lloyd Wright. Set on a hilltop in the woods, the magnificent wood-and-steel structure features more than 4,460 square feet of glass windows that bring light, shadows and each season into the space, which is open to the public every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round.


Many thanks to Susie Miller's Musings, Vandelay Design, The Homemade Mama, Bella Vista Public Library, Summit Daily, Downtown Bentonville, Eureka Springs Mardi Gras, Last Night Fayetteville, Ozark Mountains British Brass Band, New York Times, Tuned In and Our Life on Wheels for the photos.