Courtesy photo

If the weather cooperates, First Thursday will return to the Fayetteville square this week.

That’s been a pretty big “if” lately.

The scheduled kickoff event last month was cancelled due to rain in the forecast, and things are looking pretty iffy again for this week’s planned event.

We’ll update this post as soon as we find out if things are canceled again this month.

In the meantime, here’s what will happen on the square on Thursday if the rain doesn’t ruin the fun.

On the Square

Live music is planned on the square beginning with a kid-friendly performance by locals Smokey & The Mirror.

Later on, Leah & The Mojo Doctors are scheduled to perform at around 7 p.m.

As always, several local artists, crafters, and more will be set up with art for sale at booths around the square. This month’s art walk includes more than 40 artists.

Beer Garden

The beer garden will be located at the Town Center plaza on Mountain Street this month. The garden will feature brews from Core Brewing Company, and the proceeds from the garden will benefit Latino Alumni Association.

Fayetteville Underground

Smoke by Adam Crowley

Fayetteville Underground events typically take place rain or shine, so chances are good that no matter what happens with the outdoor stuff, you can count on the below things to be happening.

This month the Underground will debut a new compilation of works with a theme of art inspired by the natural world.

Artists featured this month are Kansas City-based visual artist Adam Crowley, University of Arkansas BFA students, and Upstream Art artists Amy Eichler and Stephen Ironside.

Live music is planned by Greg Sherman of the Drunken Catfish Ramblers.

The gallery will be open from 5-9 p.m., with drinks and snacks provided and donations suggested.

For more information about this month’s artists, including bios and more, visit fayettevilleunderground.com.

Around town

The University of Arkansas Department of Art will present a group exhibition of works by painting students at LalaLand Gallery (641 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.) The show, entitled Close Proximity will be on display for one night only. Here’s more info.

sUgAR Gallery will also debut a new exhibit of student work. The show will feature a group exhibition of work by students pursuing their Master’s of Fine Arts in the Department of Art. Here are more details about it.

Nightbird Books will host an author reading by Marvin Schwartz reading from his book We Wanna Boogie: The Rockabilly Roots of Sonny Burgess and The Pacers. Local musician Nick Shoulders is also set to perform.

Parking

Free parking is available in the Fayetteville Town Center parking deck beginning at noon.