Mark your calendars for these arts and culture events in NWA

🍻 A beer festival where you can try something new

Fayetteville brewery Fossil Cove is gearing up for next weekend's Frost Fest, NWA's beer festival that typically sees about 2,000 beer lovers in attendance.

🍺 Why it matters: Attendees can sample beer from breweries they may otherwise not have a chance to try, Andrew Blann of Fossil Cove told Axios.

• About 55 breweries from nine states are taking part, and 15 to 20 of them don't distribute in Arkansas. Some of the Arkansas breweries are small operations that don't widely distribute in NWA.

What they're saying: "Craft beer is all about community," Blann said, noting that the event allows people who work in the brewing industry in various regions to connect.

🎶 How it works: A ticket allows you to freely sample beer and enjoy live music. Little Rock soul and funk band The Funkanites is the headliner.

• Expect food trucks and other vendors, too.

🤲 Zoom in: Frost Fest started in 2016 and raises money for nonprofit organizations, typically focusing on outdoor recreation and environmental education. This year's recipients will be the Ozark Highlands Trail Association, the Arkansas Climbers Coalition, the Arkansas Brewers Guild and Apple Seeds Teaching Farm.

• The event raised more than $50,000 for nonprofits in 2024, according to its website.

🎟 If you go: Frost Fest is Feb. 1 at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Fayetteville. Get general admission tickets for $80.

🎭 On stage this season

Check out some theater over the next few months.

📚 "Primary Trust" — A bookstore employee is laid off and thrust into a fresh start in this comedy.

• Now through Feb. 23 at TheatreSquared. $15-$53.

⛪️️ "The Book of Mormon" — Missionaries try to spread the word in Uganda in this musical comedy.

• Feb. 20-23 at Walton Arts Center. $94-$104

🎭 "Twelfth Night" — Now's as good a time as any to see this Shakespeare comedy for the first time.

• March 5-30 at TheatreSquared. $15-$66.

🎵 "The Sound of Music" — See Art One Presents' production of the classic where Maria brings music back into the Von Trapp home.

• March 6-8 at The Medium in Springdale. $25-$45.

💃 "Funny Girl" — Fanny Brice becomes a Broadway star to everyone's surprise in this musical comedy.

• March 18-23 at Walton Arts Center. $56-$109.

🎹 "In the Grove of Forgetting" — This play written by TheatreSquared artistic director Robert Ford takes place in 1930s Hungary as a concert pianist sees her fellow Jewish artists and academics leave in fear of Nazis.

• April 16-May 4 at TheatreSquared. $15-$53.

🕰 "Back to the Future: The Musical" — See the Broadway version of the classic 1985 film where Marty McFly travels back in time with his scientist friend.

• April 8-13 at Walton Arts Center. $42-$109

🎤 "MJ" — It's the story of Michael Jackson's 1994 Dangerous World tour with plenty of the pop star's music.

• May 20-25 at Walton Arts Center. $69-$169.

🗓 Five more ways to enjoy the arts this season

🚲 Move and groove

• Send It South, an inaugural three-day bike and music festival, includes several group bike rides, live music, a beer garden and vendors. Feb. 7-9 at The Momentary in Bentonville. Get tickets ranging $100-$500.

🎬 Check out a film festival

• Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival — This traveling film festival is making a stop at Mount Hebron Park in Rogers on March 28-29. Get tickets for $15-$25.
• Rogers Short Film Festival — See short films in various categories like narrative and documentary, from amateur and experienced filmmakers alike. May 2-4. Location is TBA.

🎨 Peruse an art exhibition

• "American Sunrise: Indigenous Art at Crystal Bridges" — This exhibit at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art includes new acquisitions and focuses on themes of Indigenous futurism, place and kinship. Now through March 23. Free.
• "Navigating Lolelaplap" — This art exhibit focuses on the Marshallese community in NWA. Now through March 31 at Crystal Bridges. Free.
• "Love Wins" — Artist Olivia Trimble's work focuses on hope, connection and community, and it's on display at Fenix Arts in Fayetteville now until Feb. 9. Free.

🎤 Go to a concert

• The Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion's concert series starts soon with big names like Breaking Benjamin. See this year's lineup so far.
• Bands like Hippo Campus, The Main Squeeze and Real Estate are coming to The Momentary. See the lineup.
• Check out who's coming through JJ's Live in Fayetteville. See the lineup.
• Hear some jazz, blues and R&B at the Music Depot in downtown Rogers. See the lineup.
• Enjoy live music, including many local artist gems nearly every night at George's Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville. See the lineup.

😆 Let loose at a comedy show

• Walton Arts Center's comedy zone series features comedians Tacarra Williams, Ian Fidance and Dov Davidoff this season. Get tickets.
• Or check out the lineup at The Grove Comedy Club in Lowell.