Theater, exhibits, festivals: Your summer guide to arts and culture events in NWA

Mark your calendars for arts and culture events all summer in NWA.

🎭 Arkansas New Play Festival — See performances of plays in development at TheatreSquared in Fayetteville, The Medium in Springdale and Ovations Plus in Bentonville. The event already began, but you've got all week and through next weekend to catch a show.

• Get a pass for $50 or a ticket to one play for $15.

🍷 Art of Wine — The 22nd annual wine-tasting event is set for July 12 at Walton Arts Center.

• Get tickets starting at $95.

🎈 SOAR NWA — Take a hot-air balloon ride and enjoy live music and activities for the kids Aug. 16-17 at the Benton County Fairgrounds.

• Get tickets starting at $5 for children under 10.

🏍 Bikes, Blues & BBQ — The rally for motorcycle enthusiasts is back with rides and vendors, live music and barbecue Sept. 18-21 in Rogers and Eureka Springs.

• Free; some events may require paid tickets.

🍽 BITE NW Arkansas — Sample food and drinks and access the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, an annual stop for the LPGA Tour, Sept. 27-29 in Rogers.

• Get tickets for $50 for each day.

See an art exhibit

🖼 "here/there" — Students and faculty at the University of Arkansas School of Art are showcasing their work through July 26 at the Windgate Studio and Design Center.

• Free.

❤️ "The Portal: An Art Exhibit by Jewel" — Yes, Jewel the musician. The exhibit focuses on mental health and well-being and ends with a drone show set to words and music by Jewel. It runs through July 28 at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

• Tickets are $25; $20 for museum members.

🦋 "Exquisite Creatures" at Crystal Bridges consists of colorful insects, reptiles and fish, often in intricate patterns, through July 29.

• Tickets are $12; free for members.

🖌 "Space Makers: Indigenous Expression and a New American Art" — Paintings examining the Indian Space Painters art movement are on display through Sept. 30 at Crystal Bridges.

• Free.

📸 "Mystic Parallax" — This exhibit is here all summer — through Oct. 13 — at The Momentary. Awol Erizku uses photography, film, painting, sculpture and installation to highlight symbols from African-American and African culture.

• Free.

Explore, support local

💐 Stop and smell the roses — Wander around any of NWA's farmers markets — like those in downtown Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers or Springdale — most Saturday mornings. You'll find artwork and other items from local vendors, hear live music and find fresh produce from area farms.

😎 Enjoy free community festivals — Head to downtown Bentonville the first Friday and Fayetteville the first Thursday of each month for kid-friendly block parties.

🎭 See a play — Check out Art One Presents' production of "Beauty of the Beast" July 18-28 at the Pat Ellison Performing Arts Center in Springdale. Get tickets starting at $10.

• "Responders" is on stage at TheatreSquared until June 30, and "A Raisin in the Sun" starts Aug. 21. Get tickets.
• "Hamilton" will be on stage Aug. 16-25 at Walton Arts Center. Get tickets.

Go deeper: See our outdoor summer concert guide and check out Creative Arkansas Community Hub and Exchange's calendar