Experience 'Songs of the Ozarks' at U of A Faulkner Center

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Kelly Mulhollan and Donna Henschell of Still on the Hill.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The sounds of the Ozarks come alive at the Jim and Joyce Faulkner Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, with “Songs of the Ozarks: Old Time/New Time." This special performance by local artists Still on the Hill and Roy Pilgrim and Aviva Steigmeyer of the Ozark Highballers explores the rich musical heritage of the Ozarks for a modern audience.

Pilgrim and Steigmeyer will bring a taste of “old time” to the performance, featuring traditional Ozark folk music that will harken back to a bygone era of Ozarks culture.

On the “new time” front, Kelly and Donna Mulhollan of Still on the Hill bring new life to that unique Ozark sound. Described as the “Ambassadors of the Ozarks,” Still on the Hill is widely acclaimed for their work in preserving the rapidly disappearing musical heritage of the Ozarks.

This back and forth between “old time” and “new time” promises an evening of Ozark culture that is sure to please listeners of all ages.

An Ozark evening wouldn't be complete without a round of old-fashioned square dancing. Eight square dancers will entertain with dances called by Steve Green during the second half of the show. Audience members will be invited to join in on the fun, by joining the dancers on stage.

Faulkner Performing Arts Center is also partnering with the Walton Arts Center Learning and Engagement team to bring the magic of Still on the Hill's music to area schoolchildren.

As part of the Colgate Classroom Series, Still on the Hill will perform at Greenland Middle School at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 18. The following day, Jan. 19, the Faulkner Performing Arts Center will host schoolchildren for another Still on the Hill performance, starting at 10 a.m.

Tickets are on sale now for the evening performance on campus. To find times and ticket information visit faulkner.uark.edu or email faulkner@uark.edu — or stop by the Box Office, open Monday — Friday from 1:30-5 p.m.

The Faulkner Performing Arts Center is part of the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences.

About the Jim and Joyce Faulkner Performing Arts Center: The newest performing arts center at the University of Arkansas — a renovation of the old Field House — is named the Jim and Joyce Faulkner Performing Arts Center, in honor of the couple’s major gift to the project. Completed in September 2017, this world-class performance venue is 39,400 square feet, with seating for 587, and a stage that can accommodate as many as 250 performers. The center is the main performance venue for the university’s J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences Department of Music and hosts guest musical activities for the university and Northwest Arkansas community.

About Still on the Hill: Still on the Hill is a national and international touring     group from Arkansas that has been described as “Ambassadors of the Ozarks” for the work they do to preserve a rich culture that is quickly disappearing. Kelly and Donna Mulhollan of Still on the Hill are award-winning “story-telling songwriters.” Different than most singer-songwriters, this dynamic duo embellishes their songs with a host of unique instruments from the hills they call home. Many of these were handmade by old-timers and have amazing stories that go with them.

About Roy Pilgrim and Aviva Steigmeyer: Roy Pilgrim and Aviva Steigmeyer are members of the popular Ozark Highballers, a four-piece string band from Fayetteville. With Aviva on guitar and Roy on the fiddle, their music reflects the spirit and drive of the rural string bands of the 1920s and 30s, particularly those of the Arkansas Ozarks.