Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: Welcome to this week's edition of the Know the news podcast. I'm Dave Perozic, managing editor of the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette. In this week's podcast, some of our feature staff, including Becca Martin Brown, April Wallace, and Monica Hooper, sit down together to discuss some of the features and entertainment stories we'll have for you in the paper in the days ahead. Please enjoy.
[00:00:37] Speaker B: Hi, and welcome back in to know the news. This is Becca Martin Brown, the arts and entertainment editor for the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette, and I am joined by some unusual guests today. April Wallace is the associate features editor who handles our town profiles and religion, and Monica Hooper is the music editor who also writes for all those other sections. And we coincidentally this week have stories about theater squared, both on the COVID of profiles and on the COVID of what's up? So I drafted them to come chat with us.
[00:01:11] Speaker C: Hello.
[00:01:11] Speaker D: Thanks for having us.
[00:01:13] Speaker B: So tell me about Shannon Jones, our profile.
[00:01:16] Speaker D: Shannon Jones is the executive director for theater Squared. She came into the role in August, late August, and I thought it was a great time to feature her because we for so many years knew theater squared at the helm of Martin Miller, who accepted another position out in New Jersey. So I really wanted to know more about her. And primarily what I learned was that she is the exact right person for this job because she had the very good training of being a stage manager for most of her career. And you'll see from her story that there are a lot of similarities to being a stage manager and leading an organization of more than 80 people. But just one of the many things that sets her apart is that she is one of the few black women in arts leadership. There's a report, a visibility report by AAPAC that says approximately 81% of arts nonprofit leadership is white. And so just in this one qualifier, you'll see there are so many others, she stands out, but she is exactly right for the job. You'll see.
[00:02:30] Speaker B: And so it also happened to be a good time because it's the time that theater squared announced their 20, 24, 25 season. And Monica has that story on the COVID of what's up? So you went to the unveiling?
[00:02:44] Speaker D: Yes.
[00:02:44] Speaker B: Was that fun?
[00:02:45] Speaker C: Oh, yeah.
This is the first time I think I've gone to a theater squared unveiling. I've gone to the Walton Arts Center's Broadway premieres, and it very much had the same fun energy. And everybody was really excited. And the staff introduced all of the shows. And I thought it was really neat that they had a member from each area of theater squared. They even had, like, the bartenders up there introducing the show.
[00:03:17] Speaker B: Was one of them named Trey?
[00:03:19] Speaker C: No, Trey introduced a raisin in the sun.
[00:03:22] Speaker B: Of course he did.
[00:03:24] Speaker C: And they're really excited about opening up with that show. That's part of the story. It was very intentional.
Both Bob Ford and Shannon said when they were introducing the season, well, we.
[00:03:42] Speaker B: Can'T keep it a secret from you because we've already had a story up online. Do you want to tell our listeners what's coming for 24, 25?
[00:03:49] Speaker C: So they're opening the season with a raisin in the sun, and then they're doing 2050, which is a futuristic story about a man who's running for Congress and he has to face his convictions. And then a Christmas Carol is going to be here again.
[00:04:12] Speaker B: Oh, and if you haven't seen it, you really must, because they're going to take a year off.
[00:04:16] Speaker C: Yes, that's right. Scrooge is going to take a nap after this season.
[00:04:19] Speaker B: Do we know who gets custody of the library when they take the year off?
[00:04:24] Speaker C: No. That's a good question.
[00:04:25] Speaker B: Let's apply for that. The set for Christmas Carol has the most amazing victorian library that if the books were real, I would be happy to take. I'd be happy to take it anyway. But you really should see it.
[00:04:39] Speaker C: Okay. And then after Christmas Carol, they've got primary trust, which is a comedy about a bookseller who loses his job. And Robert or Bob Ford said that it's a light comedy that kind of sneaks up on you. And then his play in the Grove of forgetting is next, and it was workshopped at theater Squared. And it sounds like it's going to be a really incredible play.
And then a gentleman's guide to love and murder, which sounds like it's going to be really fun.
[00:05:20] Speaker B: Another classic, but really funny.
[00:05:22] Speaker C: Yeah. And that one, when they announced it, the crowd went crazy.
I think they've got a pretty fun season coming up. I'm really excited about it.
[00:05:33] Speaker B: So what is your thing, like? Do you love theater? April, what's your favorite thing to do? Because crystal Bridges is mostly.
[00:05:43] Speaker D: Part of my beat.
[00:05:44] Speaker B: Part of your beat? One of your babies that you particularly enjoy?
[00:05:47] Speaker D: Well, I'd say that profiles is my main beat and has been for about a decade, very long off and on here and there.
But when it comes to arts topics, I think I kind of get the visual arts slice of the pie. I do crystal bridges, I do the momentary 21 C, those sorts of things, the weird and the modern and the wonderful.
[00:06:13] Speaker C: I think.
[00:06:14] Speaker B: Is that what you love? The most.
[00:06:16] Speaker D: I do love modern art the most. When my husband and I were dating, that's what we would go travel to see was modern art.
[00:06:23] Speaker B: She also loves books, and we had already started a book column called Hidden Gems, and she has taken custody of it and loved every minute of it.
She did let me have a turn last week because I got to interview the author of a new Sherlock Holmes book. And if you're into the canon of Sherlock Holmes and you're willing to meet Dracula and Jugglyn Hyde and now Dorian Gray in Victorian England, check out an author named Christian Claver. You'll love it.
So is music like, was music your thing, Monica, or did it get voiced on you? And now it is?
[00:07:03] Speaker C: Well, music has always been a thing for me. I've always been really interested in music. And then, of course, when I was first learning how to write for publications, that was my first real shot was being the editor of a publication in Jonesboro that focused on basically the same things that WhatsApp focuses on.
And then here in northwest Arkansas, it's just impossible to ignore our local music scene because there's literally something for everyone. No matter what you like, there's something out there. There's someone out there. They're local and they're amazing. And every day, every day there's something happening. It's so hard to keep up with. And then, of course, the amp has all these incredible shows coming in, like this year. Personally, I'm really excited about Alice Cooper. I don't know what that says about me as a human being, but you're.
[00:08:06] Speaker B: Much more interesting than your average bear.
[00:08:09] Speaker C: Well, I just, I know it's going to be such an incredible show. And then he's with Rob zombie, too, so I'm like, that's going to be mind blowing.
[00:08:17] Speaker B: Haven't seen Alice Cooper. Saw Rob zombie years ago.
[00:08:20] Speaker C: Oh, yeah.
[00:08:21] Speaker B: There was a great conversation that took place at my partner's doctor's appointment where the doctor said, well, why isn't your partner with you? And my boyfriend said, well, she's on her way to see Godsmack.
And the doctor went, I beg your pardon?
So you will see people of all demographics at all the shows in northwest Arkansas.
I don't think there's a lot of split by age.
[00:08:53] Speaker C: No, that was something that really blew my mind at the Beck concert because, I mean, I know I listened to Beck in high school, which puts me in my, you know, I'm in my, and this doesn't look like it or feel like it. There were people who were older than me who were there and were dancing way better than me and just really having a great time. And that's been something I've seen. Show after show is just like, just northwest Arkansas loves its music. That's all I have. Yeah.
[00:09:26] Speaker B: And this is this weekend, the first show at the Victory Theater in Rogers.
[00:09:31] Speaker C: It was last night.
[00:09:31] Speaker B: It was last night. So if you're used to coming to the Victory Theater to see Arkansas public theater, they'll be back in a little bit. But there's some music concerts going on there now to celebrate the renovation. I have not seen it yet, so let me know what you think.
[00:09:47] Speaker C: Sorry.
[00:09:48] Speaker B: I'm so sorry.
[00:09:49] Speaker C: The music depot is reopening too. I don't know what day we're running. Another news.
[00:09:57] Speaker B: Friday.
[00:09:57] Speaker C: Friday. Okay. So it will open tonight.
So the music depot opens tonight too. They are having some music with Michael Fields Jr. And Tom Braxton.
[00:10:08] Speaker B: Jazz and blues.
[00:10:09] Speaker C: Yes.
[00:10:10] Speaker B: So I'm going to throw another one at April and she's glaring at me like, oh, please don't do that.
What's your music genre? Like?
[00:10:18] Speaker D: What I enjoy the most.
I was not prepared for that, I guess indie sort of music. Basically.
Right now I listen mainly to children's music thanks to my five and six year olds who are beginning to memorize their own lyrics.
[00:10:37] Speaker B: So I can bring. Have you taught them trout fishing in America yet?
[00:10:42] Speaker C: No, not.
[00:10:43] Speaker B: Okay. I have to fix that because I'm still listening to trout and my baby is now 30 something. We're not going to talk about it. So coming up this weekend, what else do we have in what's up, Monica?
[00:10:53] Speaker C: Oh, my.
[00:10:54] Speaker B: Yeah. That's why I asked.
[00:11:01] Speaker C: The outdoor concerts, there's been a lot of announcements about outdoor concerts.
[00:11:08] Speaker B: Get your calendar out.
[00:11:09] Speaker C: You're going to want it. Yeah, I can't keep up with all of it. I know at Mount Sequoia, they've already started their music on the mountain series.
Rail yard has announced their upcoming season. Let me just look at this turnbow that's kicking off soon. And there's a lot know great local bands. And then the Levitt Ant music series in Fort Smith, it's going to come up in May.
A lot of these, they're just announcing it right now. And of course, I haven't heard anything yet from Gully park or anybody like.
[00:11:54] Speaker B: That, but that was like the first of that genre in northwest Arkansas.
[00:11:58] Speaker C: And it's first huge outdoor concert series.
[00:12:01] Speaker B: And there used to be 23 people at a show.
[00:12:04] Speaker C: And now you're lucky to find a.
[00:12:06] Speaker B: Spot to sit exactly. We've also got a compilation. It's not really a story, but we've had some readers ask for more history about northwest Arkansas as they learn their new homeland. And so we have a spring break roundup of seven days worth of history museums and modern museums that you can sort of get a feel for the past and the present and the future of northwest Arkansas. It includes Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Museum of Native American History. See, you didn't even know that existed, did you? And the Rogers Historical Museum and the Arkansas Air and Military Museum in Fayetteville. So if you're on spring break, okay, we hate you a little.
And check this out.
[00:12:57] Speaker C: There's something to do every single day. You organized that so well because it's like Sunday, here's one you can go to. And then Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, there's a different thing every, not all of them.
[00:13:08] Speaker B: But a lot of them are free. And so you could get through a day pretty cheap. So check out what's up this Sunday. Check out the profile on Shannon Jones in profiles. What's your bottom story?
[00:13:20] Speaker D: It will be on Dave and Jenny Mars, their new show fixer to fabulous Italiano.
[00:13:27] Speaker B: Italiano. Okay, so nobody will read anything else because they'll read that. So check out features this weekend. Thank you, guys.
[00:13:36] Speaker D: Yeah, thanks for having us.
[00:13:38] Speaker E: If you're enjoying this podcast, consider a newspaper subscription to the northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette or the River Valley Democrat Gazette. We have a special offer for our podcast listeners, so visit nwanline.com Slash nwapodcast to get started. You can also click the subscribe button on our websites, nwanline.com and rivervalleydemocratgazette.com or call us at 479-684-5509 and be sure to say that you're a podcast listener. Now back to the show.
[00:14:09] Speaker A: I want to talk to you about some of the other stories that we have coming your way in the Democrat Gazette this weekend. The Benvale School board met this week and there was a lengthy discussion of the proposal to use school district land to build affordable housing. This came in the wake of city council's decision last month to reject a rezoning request that would have supported the district's plan.
Education reporter Al Gaspany tells us what was said and what the district plans to do next.
On a similar topic, different city, Stacey Ryburn reports on a pair of Fayetteville City council members who are proposing the city create an affordable housing task force and hire a housing coordinator to help solve that city's affordable housing woes.
Retired University of Arkansas professor Samuel Totin returned in January from his second trip in the past year to Ukraine to take witness statements about war crimes. Doug Thompson will have that story. And in Benville, the city recently announced receiving a $300,000 grant from the Arkansas Department of Aeronautics, reporter Thomas Ascenti will tell us how the city plans to use that money.
From the River Valley, Sadie Laciro talks to an 82 year old woman from Fort Smith who just completed the Tokyo marathon and has run more than 30 marathons in the past couple of decades. You won't want to miss her story. All of this and more will be available to our subscribers on our tablet and smartphone apps and at our websites nwaonline.com and rivervallemocratcazette.com. Know the news is a weekly podcast brought to you by the newsrooms of the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette and the River Valley Democrat Gazette. Again, I'm Dave Prozick, your podcast host this week. Thank you, as always, for listening, and don't forget to check us out next Friday for the next know the news. Until then, have a great weekend and take care.
