ARKANSAS CINEMA SOCIETY MOVIES MUSIC: COAL MINER’S DAUGHTER

The Arkansas Cinema Society (ACS) is excited to announce their upcoming screening, Movies Music: Coal Miner’s Daughter, featuring a performance by Smokey and the Mirror on Friday, September 6th, at Walker Park by the splash pad. The music starts at 7 p.m., and the show begins at 8 p.m. This event is free to the public and sponsored by the City of Fayetteville Department of Parks, Natural Resources and Cultural Affairs, and Experience Fayetteville.

Coal Miner’s Daughter is the story of country legend Loretta Lynn and her rise to stardom. It stars Sissy Spacek, Tommy Lee Jones and music legend and former Fayetteville resident Levon Helm. Smokey & The Mirror will perform songs from the soundtrack before the screening. Bryan Hembree of Smokey & The Mirror is thrilled to be part of the event.

“Coal Miner’s Daughter is the first music bio movie I remember seeing when I was a kid,” Hembree said. “It was also the first VHS my family owned, and the only VHS we owned for a very long time. I watched it over and over. Sissy Spacek’s performance is brilliant. Levon Helm is as real as it gets playing Loretta’s father. I can literally credit my fascination with the music business to the movie. It was powerful for me then, and it stands up today. I am thrilled to have the chance to perform some of the songs live with Bernice as a part of a public screening of the movie. It is a full circle moment for me on many levels.”

ACS Director of Outreach, Education Statewide Programs Kody Ford looks forward to hosting events in the coming weeks.  

“Movies and music are two of my favorite things,” Ford said. “So, it’s a real treat anytime ACS can do a film for this series. We had a great time with Smokey & The Mirror last year when we screened Walk the Line. I can’t wait to hear Bryan and Bernice perform songs by Loretta Lynn. It’s going to be a great night out at the park. We hope people come out and enjoy themselves.”

About Smokey & The Mirror

Smokey & The Mirror is husband wife duo Bryan and Bernice Hembree, based out of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Over the past decade, Smokey & The Mirror have released four full-length albums and toured nationally and internationally. They play often as a duo but also regularly collaborate with Tulsa-based drummer/songwriter Ryan Pickop (Nature & Madness). Prior to Smokey & The Mirror, The Hembrees and longtime bandmate Bayard Blain (Bayard Guitars) released two albums to critical acclaim and toured as 3 Penny Acre.

The Hembrees also work tirelessly on many musical and creative pursuits. They are committed to others’ music as much as their own. They believe that the future of music is not winning the “me first” battle but rather building community. They are founders and co-creators of the Folk School of Fayetteville and Fayetteville Roots Festival (Arkansas) and have partnered with numerous music and community organizations over the past decade to help foster a vibrant music ecosystem in Northwest Arkansas.

About The City of Fayetteville’s Department of Parks, Natural Resources and Cultural Affairs 

The City of Fayetteville Department of Parks, Natural Resources, and Cultural Affairs is dedicated to delivering exceptional parks, recreation, and cultural services to the residents of Fayetteville. This work ensures that all residents have access to parks and green spaces, ample opportunities for recreation and wellness, and vibrant cultural experiences. The department manages an impressive expanse of over 4,000 acres of parks and greenspace, encompassing 57 parks, 3 lakes, and nearly 120 miles of trails. At the heart of the department is a commitment to creating safe, inviting, and inclusive spaces that embrace individuals from all walks of life offering a diverse range of programs and services—including recreation programs for all age groups, natural resources education and stewardship initiatives, youth programs, engaging cultural programs and events, and much more.

For additional information regarding the Department of Parks, Natural Resources and Cultural Affairs, please visit fayetteville-ar.gov/parks.