Fayetteville-based folk duo Still on the Hill will present the final performance in their "Still a River" concert series at the Garland County Library.
The show, made up of story songs that document little-known stories of well-known landmarks along the Buffalo River, is set for 1:30 p.m. Aug. 19.
Husband and wife duo Still on the Hill is made up of multi-instrumentalists Donna and Kelly Mulhollan. The duo has performed together as a couple for 23 years, having wed only four years ago.
"We were together for 23 years as a couple, but four years ago we made it legal. We wanted to make sure we were ready," said Donna Mulhollan, laughing.
Both Kelly and Donna Mulhollan play a plethora of instruments in their shows, many of which were created by Ozark instrument-makers. Along with their core instruments such as banjo, fiddle, guitar and mandoline, the audience will hear oddities such as toy bells, a Hardanger fiddle built by Elliot Smith, a dulcimer built from a fiddle case, and even a musical saw.
The couple perform across the United States and abroad, but said they try to stay in Arkansas as much as possible, adding that this Buffalo River-inspired project has allowed them to stay closer to home.
Still on the Hill unveiled the project a year ago and performed 15 concerts in the northwest Arkansas region. The first phase of the project was funded by the Buffalo River Watershed Alliance, the Ozark Society, and their community, and because of its success, the National Park Service provided funds to extend the project with an additional 10 concerts in the state.
To protect the river and become better stewards is the main focus of the project.
"Most of the rivers in Arkansas have all been changed by man; they've all been dammed or adulterated. The Buffalo River is the only free-flowing river and it's having some challenges," said Donna Mulhollan, adding that just the other day the Buffalo River, the first national river designated in the country, was officially declared impaired.
"We're very thankful that the Buffalo River has been protected, but just making it a national park is maybe not enough," Kelly Mulhollan said. "I think we have to all be vigilant to make sure that this river continues to be pristine."
The concert is free to the public and the first 100 individuals to arrive will receive a free "Still a River" CD.
Local on 08/05/2018