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🍻 Fayetteville Falltober Fest — This new festival will feature local breweries and live music from noon to 6pm Sunday downtown Fayetteville. See the lineup.

🏈 Arkansas vs. Texas A&M — Watch the Razorbacks play Texas A&M from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kickoff is 11am Saturday on ESPN.

💃 Cultural Dance Fest — Take a Latin, Pacific Island or African dance class for $10. Hours are 9am-3pm Saturday at The Movement Dance Studio in Springdale. See a schedule.

Falltober Fest and more to do in NWA this weekend

Illustration of four office chairs in a row followed by an outdoor camping chair

Northwest Arkansas

🍻 Fayetteville Falltober Fest — This new festival will feature local breweries and live music from noon to 6pm Sunday downtown Fayetteville. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="See the lineup." data-vars-click-url="https://www.downtownfay.org/falltoberfest-23" data-vars-content-id="34a8ef24-65f9-43e0-b8c9-6a91b53949c8" data-vars-headline="Falltober Fest and more to do in NWA this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.downtownfay.org/falltoberfest-23" target="_blank">See the lineup.</a>🏈 Arkansas vs. Texas A&amp;M — Watch the Razorbacks play Texas A&amp;M from AT&amp;T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kickoff is 11am Saturday on ESPN.💃 Cultural Dance Fest — Take a Latin, Pacific Island or African dance class for $10. Hours are 9am-3pm Saturday at The Movement Dance Studio in Springdale. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="See a schedule" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/events/144661688711790/?active_tab=discussion" data-vars-content-id="34a8ef24-65f9-43e0-b8c9-6a91b53949c8" data-vars-headline="Falltober Fest and more to do in NWA this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/144661688711790/?active_tab=discussion" target="_blank">See a schedule</a>.

Things to Do

Alex here. National chain Hawaiian Bros. Island Grill opened its first Arkansas location back in May in Springdale.

What's happening: Hawaiian Bros. is a fast-casual restaurant keeping it simple. You get a version of a plate lunch — one of four flavors of chicken, luau pig or veggies with rice and macaroni salad. Or you can opt for a side of veggies or pineapple.

What Alex ate: The kilauea chicken — sweet and spicy grilled chicken "with a lava-hot kick" with rice and macaroni salad. It does have a kick, but I wouldn't call it lava hot, so don't hesitate to order this if you want just a little fire.

I also sampled the Honolulu chicken —  a savory option with garlic, green onions and sesame. I'd go with this one if you're not sure what to get. It's not spicy, and the green onion gives it something fresh.

By the numbers: The plates were each $11.95. Add this to your inexpensive, quick-lunch rotation.

Pro tip: Order a Dole Whip soft serve for a light dessert; the original pineapple flavor tops off a Hawaiian lunch.

When and where: 11am to midnight daily at 4515 W Sunset Ave., Springdale.

Monday Munchies: A Hawaiian lunch

We checked out Arkansas' first Hawaiian Bros.

Kilauea chicken (left) and Honolulu chicken. Photos: Alex Golden/Axios

Alex here. National chain <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hawaiian Bros. Island Grill" data-vars-click-url="https://hawaiianbros.com/" data-vars-content-id="544e1794-b4a1-4d78-bea9-89704f3de40d" data-vars-headline="Monday Munchies: A Hawaiian lunch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://hawaiianbros.com/" target="_blank">Hawaiian Bros. Island Grill</a> opened its first Arkansas location back in May in Springdale.What&#x27;s happening: Hawaiian Bros. is a fast-casual restaurant keeping it simple. You get a version of a plate lunch — one of four flavors of chicken, luau pig or veggies with rice and macaroni salad. Or you can opt for a side of veggies or pineapple.

Food and Drink

Alex here — Alex Golden, who drinks smoothies called the Golden Hour.

What's happening: I spontaneously ordered a smoothie at Sunny's, a health-focused breakfast and lunch cafe in downtown Bentonville. True to the name, it feels bright and light inside.

Details: Banana, ginger, turmeric, honey, almond butter, mango and coconut milk — I didn't know I needed all of them together. Order this if you're looking to get your sweet fix without any added sugar.

The almond butter gives it a creamy texture, making it easy sipping for breakfast or a midday snack.

When and where: 7:30am-2pm daily at 110 NW 2nd St., Suite 106, in Bentonville.

What we're sipping: Try this golden smoothie in Bentonville

Alex here — Alex Golden, who drinks smoothies called the Golden Hour.What&#x27;s happening: I spontaneously ordered a smoothie at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sunny&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://sunnysonsecond.com/" data-vars-content-id="698c7617-009b-49bc-b8c4-3716a432f747" data-vars-headline="What we&#x27;re sipping: Try this golden smoothie in Bentonville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sunnysonsecond.com/" target="_blank">Sunny&#x27;s</a>, a health-focused breakfast and lunch cafe in downtown Bentonville. True to the name, it feels bright and light inside.

Alex here. I decided to up my friend-hosting game with some serious cocktails.

What happened: I ordered an Old Fashioned kit from Fayetteville-based Pink House Alchemy. It came with a 16-ounce bottle of toasted caramel syrup, a 4-ounce bottle of house bitters, four dehydrated orange slices for garnish, cardamom-soaked cherries and a recipe card.

Of note: The kits don't come with alcohol, so I picked up some Bulleit Bourbon.

The verdict: These were quick to make and went over really well with my crowd, one of whom isn't even an Old Fashioned fan. The caramel isn't overpowering and supplies a nice, rich flavor. If hosting only a small gathering, there'll be a ton of syrup left over that can be used to dress up some ice cream.

Pro tip: Invest in some large ice-cube trays so it can really look like it was made by a pro. The second step is to fill them — which I forgot.

The intrigue: You need not be a talented mixologist to make a good cocktail. These are easy recipes to follow that are a good jumping-off point for those new to cocktail mixing. Make them when you have people coming over and you're instantly a cooler host, which may come in handy right about now as we get into the holiday season.

These could also make a fun holiday gift. Throw in some booze and maybe even some barware.

Zoom out: We do have a local kitchen shop, folks. All of my barware — shaker, strainer, muddler, jigger and bar spoon —  is from Honeycomb Kitchen Shop in downtown Rogers.

Try it: Order a cocktail-making kit of your choosing and pick it up at the store at 928 N. College Ave. in Fayetteville.

Axios NWA Does: Home bartending

We tried making cocktails with Pink House Alchemy's kit.

Alex here. I decided to up my friend-hosting game with some serious cocktails.What happened: I ordered an Old Fashioned kit from Fayetteville-based <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pink House Alchemy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pinkhousealchemy.com/" data-vars-content-id="aa0c0d8f-68bb-4efb-bac5-2806b41fef4a" data-vars-headline="Axios NWA Does: Home bartending" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pinkhousealchemy.com/" target="_blank">Pink House Alchemy</a>. It came with a 16-ounce bottle of toasted caramel syrup, a 4-ounce bottle of house bitters, four dehydrated orange slices for garnish, cardamom-soaked cherries and a recipe card.

NorthWest Arkansas Community College announced Thursday its second athletic offering will be esports.

Background: NWACC launched its first intercollegiate sports programs in 2021 — men's and women's cross-country teams. The school's first full-time athletic director, Brooke Brewer, started that job last month.

The intrigue: The plan was to not add any more sports until the school completes an ongoing feasibility study designed to gauge what makes sense to add, Brewer told Axios. The study will be complete in the spring.

Yes, but: GameStop donated nine computer gaming systems, and the sport doesn't require travel costs. Adjunct math instructor Carlos Merino agreed to coach.

The big picture: Esports are rapidly growing in popularity among high school and college students, and it's an inclusive activity for NWACC's adult education and concurrent students, Brewer said.

What's next: Esports will start in the fall as a club sport. In the spring, the club will continue and esports will also be offered as an intercollegiate sport.

NorthWest Arkansas Community College adds esports

illustration of a sports fan waving a foam finger that is shaped like a computer cursor

NorthWest Arkansas Community College announced Thursday its second athletic offering will be esports.Background: NWACC launched its first intercollegiate sports programs in 2021 — men&#x27;s and women&#x27;s cross-country teams. The school&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first full-time athletic director" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2023/08/02/nwacc-athletic-director-brooke-brewer" data-vars-content-id="dbc3dd00-f058-4de1-8c8b-c49435701986" data-vars-headline="NorthWest Arkansas Community College adds esports" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2023/08/02/nwacc-athletic-director-brooke-brewer" target="_self">first full-time athletic director</a>, Brooke Brewer, started that job last month.

Alex Golden

Featured stories

Monday Munchies: A Hawaiian lunch

Axios NWA Does: Home bartending

NorthWest Arkansas Community College adds esports

Falltober Fest and more to do in NWA this weekend

What we're sipping: Try this golden smoothie in Bentonville