BENTONVILLE, Ark. — The Momentary, which is an extension of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, has become a cultural hub for food, music, and today's art since it first opened in February 2020. In its fourth year, the creative experiences that are provided have only expanded in new and exciting ways. With a blend of exhibitions, music, and photo galleries, the Momentary in Bentonville will have a lot to offer this year in efforts to connect the community through creative facets. From Grammy-award-winning musicians to a band of artists that examine the complicated beauty of the Amazon, here's what to expect in 2024:
Exhibitions
Beeple's exhibit addresses the looming threat of climate change and the potential effects it will have in the future. The post-apocalyptic artwork, which is linked to an NFT, displays the world's relationship to digital technology and shows a world where sea levels have risen so much that humans have to move into vertical cities to survive.
Beeple also includes hints of current cultural references to show this future can be closer than we think. The sculpture is constantly moving and the water continues to rise. According to the Momentary's website, "The artist has committed to raising the digital ocean once every five years for the next twenty-five years until the city is completely under water."
The exhibit has been open since Sept. 8, 2023, and will continue until March 15, 2024. No tickets are required to view Beeple's artwork.
Using light, sound, and imagery, "Enduring Amazon" provides an immersive experience of the delicate nature of the Amazon rainforest. The expansive project comes from the minds of photographer Richard Mosse, composer Ben Frost, sculptor David Brooks, and multi-media artists Susannah Sayler and Edward Morris—each with their own contribution to exploring the "Enduring Amazon."
Through "a sequence of visual and aural operatic experiences that move from still imagery to sound-infused video, from life-based sculpture to color, light, and electronic music to create a mind-opening view into the Amazon," the exhibit explores the beautiful resilience of life there today but also the threat its deterioration could pose for global ecosystems.
The exhibit has been open since Nov. 18, 2023, and will continue until April 15, 2024. No tickets are required to view the exhibition.
Galleries
Kristine Potter brings black-and-white photos to life like never before. "Dark Waters, a tour de force" is inspired by murder ballads from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries that typically end tragically in Southern Gothic Noir fashion. Many of her images display the American South and make women the focal point of the story. In her work, Potter "evokes and exorcizes the ambient sense of threat that women often grapple with as they move through the world."
This exhibit will be at the Momentary from May 19 to Oct. 13, 2024, and is free to the public.
Awol Erizku's work explores different facets of art to re-imagine African and African American visual culture. Through photography, film, painting, sculpture, and installation, Erizku blends the old and the new, "from hip-hop vernacular to iconic symbols from across history, including the Pan-African flag and the image of Nefertiti," in a uniquely powerful way. The multi-disciplinary artist draws inspiration from traditions of spirituality, surrealism, and conceptualism.
Alongside "Dark Waters," "Mystic Parallax" will also be at the Momentary from May 19 to Oct. 13, 2024, and is free to the public.
Through the perspectives of 25 global artists, "Best in Show" explores the important role that pets have played in culture and "how they stand in as representations of status, power, loyalty, compassion, and companionship." From William Wegman's Weimaraners to the world's first professional cat photographer, the exhibit will reflect the "multifaceted relationship" between humans and domesticated animals.
The show will begin Nov. 23, 2024, and run until April 13, 2025. It is free to view the exhibit.
Music
Note: All music acts perform at RØDE House within the Momentary
Start the New Year off with country alternative artist Adeem the Artist and their openers, Dylan Earl and Ashtyn Barbaree on Jan. 5 at 8 p.m. Adeem "cooks up a refreshingly authentic dish of twang-studded gospel that reflects their journey as a Queer country musician." General admission tickets are $30, member tickets are $25, student tickets are $15, and premium group seating is $140.
The national radio program eTown is making its return to Bentonville on Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. for a live recording session with singer-songwriter Langhorne Slim and Texas-based duo Greyhounds. The evening, which will be hosted by bluegrass musician Nick Forster, will blend live music and interviews to make a worthwhile experience for the attendees to "celebrate music, ideas, and community." General admission tickets are $33, member tickets are $27, and student tickets are $20.
eTown will host a second recording session at RØDE House on Jan. 12 at 7 p.m. Forster will welcome roots rock musician James McMurtry, folk-pop artist Erin Rae, and Americana artist BettySoo to engage in soulful performances and important conversations. General admission tickets are $33, member tickets are $27, and student tickets are $20.
If you're feeling nostalgic for '90s grunge, Soccer Mommy is bringing a perfect combination of "melancholy lyrics, grungy riffs, and layered synths that will stir your soul" to the Momentary on Jan. 13 at 8 p.m. The alt-rock musician recently struck the Indie scene when her 2020 album "Color Theory" reached Billboard's Top 10 Alternative chart. General admission tickets are $50, member tickets are $40, student tickets are $30, and premium group seating is $220.
Do you like jazz? Astral Project, in collaboration with NWA Jazz Society, will showcase their New Orleans-style jazz to the RØDE House stage on Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. General admission tickets are $25, member tickets are $20, student tickets are $10, and premium group seating is $120.
Grammy-nominated, longtime country musician Junior Brown will deliver his twangy tunes to the Momentary on Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. General admission tickets are $28, member tickets are $22, student tickets are $15, and premium group seating is $140.
Get your groove on with The Soul Rebels and special guest Talib Kweli on Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. With The Soul Rebels' brass beats and Talib Kweli's smooth rhymes, the Momentary is sure to give you an evening full of soul and hip-hop. General admission tickets are $55, member tickets are $44, student tickets are $30, and premium group seating is $200.
A lineup of some of the best local hip-hop musicians, including 3DEADIDOLS, Avian Alia, Lydia Newsom, and DK Star God, will be at the Momentary on Feb. 23 at 8 p.m. General admission tickets are $20, member tickets are $16, student tickets are $10, and premium group seating is $100.
Grammy award-winning, Texas troubadours Little Joe and La Familia will bring beloved Chicana music to the RØDE House stage on Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. Led by "King of the Brown Sound" Little Joe Hernández, the band will deliver an evening full of "danceable Tex-Mex music." General admission tickets are $30, member tickets are $24, student tickets are $15, and premium group seating is $140.
In tandem with the screening of the 2015 Academy Award-winning "Birdman," Antonio Sánchez will perform the film's drum score for audience members. The one-of-a-kind evening, on April 12 at 7 p.m., will be a perfect blend for music and cinema lovers. General admission tickets are $45, member tickets are $36, student tickets are $25, and premium group seating is $200.
In the mood for some soulful tunes? Music students turned soul and R&B musicians The Dip will bring a groovy, unforgettable night to the Momentary on April 13 at 7 p.m. General admission tickets are $40, member tickets are $32, student tickets are $20, and premium group seating is $240.
Prepare for an otherworldly experience when Chicano Batman takes the RØDE House stage on May 1 at 7 p.m. The genre-bending band blends Chicano heritage, R&B, and psychedelic influences to create fresh, unique music magic. Multidisciplinary artist Lido, whose work encourages diversity and belonging, will start the night before Chicano Batman takes the stage. General admission tickets are $39, member tickets are $32, student tickets are $20, and premium group seating is $140.
Festival
The one-day music event Momentous will feature artists from across the globe who are connected to the electronic music scene.
The festival, which will take place March 9, 2024, is set to be headlined by artists Dirtwire and Mura Masa and will include performances from Acid Katz, A Hundred Drums, Balkan Bump, Canabliss, Flintwick, K+Lab, Sofia Kourtesis and Trooko, with support from Classic Flow and Trippy Hippy.
The festival kicks off with an official pre-party on March 8 that features artists Dombrance, François K, Samir Chatterjee & Chhandayan Indian Ensemble, DJ Girlfriend, and the Discolypso Crew.
Entry is only permitted for those 18 years or older. Momentous Festival general admission tickets are $68, student tickets are $45, and member tickets are $45. The pre-party and Momentous bundle general admission tickets are $96, student tickets are $73, and member tickets are $83.
The Freshgrass festival will host the "best of today's bluegrass and progressive roots" musicians including Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Trampled by Turtles, Aoife O'Donovan, Alison Brown, Ruthie Foster, S.G. Goodman, Arkansauce, Meridian Brothers, and Peter One, and more on May 17 through May 18.
The Momentary is collaborating with the FreshGrass Foundation and No Depression to host the family-friendly event with activities and local food, drink, retail vendors, and artists in its fourth year.
Tickets for the two-day festival are $375 for VIP adult tickets, $139 for General Admission adult tickets, $45 for children between 7-10 years old, and free for children under the age of 6. Discounted prices are available for Momentary members.
Other
The first-ever Tastemakers brunch on Jan. 20 at 11 a.m. will be provide a four-course meal guided by Andrea Allen—co-founder of Onyx Coffee, 2020 U.S. Barista Champion, and 2021 Runner-up World Barista Champion.
The meal will start with a Gesha pour-over to cleanse the palates while Allen talks about her experience in the coffee industry as an entrepreneur. While the four courses are being served and eaten, the docuseries "The Road to Milan" will be screened. The series follows Allen's journey to the World Barista Championship.
According to the Momentary, the four-course meal will include:
- Course 1: HFWM Yogurt & Granola and FOMO (Espresso with coconut foam, heavy cream, vanilla, and cocoa)
- Course 2: Harissa Latke and Matcha Lassi (Drinking yogurt with a sweetened matcha shot)
- Course 3: Carrot & Chorizo Shakshuka with sourdough and Espresso Tonic (alcohol optional)
- Course 4: Yuzu/White Chocolate-filled Cruffin and Freeze Distilled Milk Cortado
General admission tickets for the brunch experience are $79, and member tickets are $69. The event will be at RØDE House.
MoPros | Thread Painting Workshop with Claire Pongonis
MoPros is an event series by the Momentary that highlights local makers, entrepreneurs, and innovators in the Northwest Arkansas area. The monthly event is meant to build a community for the young professionals in the area who need a creative outlet after work.
For January's MoPros, Arkansas-based artist Claire Pongonis will lead a thread painting workshop on Jan. 31 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Fermentation Hall. Pongonis will teach "the basic skills of creating a vivid landscape with embroidery thread." Students will work off of an image to "learn how to add depth with overlapping stitches and utilize negative space." Materials will be provided and each attendee will leave with their 5-inch thread painting at the end of the workshop.
Tickets are $25 and member tickets are $20.
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