First Thursday attendees browsing the outdoor art walk in 2012

Courtesy

With temperatures in the 60s and the sun shining in Fayetteville today, it seems like tonight would be a perfect night for an monthly outdoor festival and art walk on the square. Doesn’t it?

Welcome back, First Thursday!

The monthly event kicks off the 2013 season with an evening of music, art, wine, and more starting at around 5 p.m. on the Fayetteville square.

It will be the first event since organizers announced an expanded new season, including an bigger music stage, food trucks, a wine walk, and a partnership with the Fayetteville Public Library to provide a wide assortment of live entertainment events for children.

Tonight’s event will also feature an exhibit of Ozark Literacy Council’s popular PIGShibition project, featuring several large fiberglass pigs painted by local artists. The pigs will be on display on the square through March 14, when they are set to be auctioned off at an event scheduled at the Fayetteville Town Center to raise money for literacy programs in Northwest Arkansas.

Music

The featured band on the Fayetteville Music Factory main stage this month is Full House, a 10-piece band, known for their rock and roll covers.

There is also music at Sound Warehouse with Leah & The Mojo Doctors guitarists Jody Andrews and Matt Perrine.

Also in music, the folks at Flying Possum Leather are asking local musicians to stop by and play a song on former owner Bruce Walker’s guitar in memory of Bruce on the two-year anniversary of his death today.

Art

“Prisoner of Hope” by Todd A. Williams

Courtesy

Fayetteville Underground will feature two visiting artists at the gallery this month, painters Helen Kwiatkowski and Todd A. Williams.

Also, about 24 artists will participate in the outdoor art walk around the square, including painter Matt Miller, drawing, painting, and sculpture by Nick Shoulders, and ceramics, drawings, paintings by Rachel Tebbetts.