WOW: 4th Annual Black History Month: Bold Voices, Bold Beats w/ Boo Mitchell, Orson Weems, Chef Steven Brooks, Robyn Jordan, and Jaclyn House
We invite you to join Chef Steven Brooks for Wednesdays Over Water: a casual evening of food, drinks, and conversation featuring handcrafted small plates and expert insights.
Each month, you’ll enjoy a four-course dinner menu inspired by a chosen theme, whether it be artworks in the museum’s galleries and exhibitions, or a particular culinary art and tradition, transforming the elements of each theme into an exercise in edible art.
Along the way, each course will be paired with hand-picked libations and spirited commentary by our Culinary team and guests. You’ll get the chance to meet fellow foodies, get an inside look at the art and artistry of great cuisine, and unwind with what promises to be a true feast for the senses.
For our first WOW event of 2026, join us for a unique culinary celebration of Black joy and history by acclaimed southern Chef Steven Brooks, hosted by GRAMMY award-winning musician Boo Mitchell; Music Education Initiative nonprofit founder and leader Orson Weems; Her Set Her Sound founder and cultural producer Robyn Jordan; and NWA news producer and host Jaclyn House.
Featuring hand-crafted dishes, inspired drinks, and expert insights from your hosts, this special culinary event is the perfect way to kick off Black History Month and 2026. We hope to see you there!
Tickets are $120 + tax ($115 + tax for members), reserve your spot online or with Guest Services at (479) 657-2335 today.
Tickets include welcome cocktail, all food courses, and all beverages.
About the Speakers
Chef Steven Brooks
Chef Steven D. Brooks is a drummer turned chef whose culinary journey began in 1991—born not in a classroom, but out of hunger while chasing a dream as a full-time rock and roll musician. Chef Brooks entered the culinary world at Vincent’s Market under the mentorship of Chef Scott Berg, who recognized his passion for food, storytelling, and the deep cooking traditions rooted in his family.
In 2000, Northwest Arkansas called. Chef Brooks relocated to accept a Sous Chef position at The Market at Pinnacle, where he quickly became a local favorite. After five successful years, he was recruited to serve as Executive Chef and Food & Beverage Director at The Blessings Golf Club—a defining chapter in his career.
Under the leadership of Mr. Tyson, Chef Brooks credits this period as the most transformative of his professional life, strengthening both his culinary vision and leadership philosophy. With more than 23 years in Northwest Arkansas, Chef Brooks credits the region for shaping both his professional success and personal life. He lives in Fayetteville with his wife, Miranda, and their son, Noah Jarrett.
Boo Mitchell
Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell (born 1971) is a 2-time GRAMMY Award-winning producer, engineer, composer, film producer, and the owner of the legendary Royal Studios in Memphis, Tennessee. The son of Hi Records legend Willie Mitchell, Boo has spent his life bridging generations, genres, and mediums—fusing the timeless soul of Memphis with the sound of modern innovation.
Beyond his work as a creator, Boo is a mentor, cultural ambassador, and champion of Memphis music, committed to preserving the city’s sound while pushing its boundaries. With multiple GRAMMY Awards, acclaimed film projects, and a legacy that continues to inspire artists worldwide, Boo Mitchell stands as both a guardian and innovator of the Memphis sound—honoring the past while shaping the future of American music.
Orson Weems
Orson Weems is a seasoned business executive, cultural leader, and nonprofit founder with extensive global experience spanning music, entertainment, education, and infrastructure. He is the co-founder and Executive Director of The Music Education Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to engaging, educating, and preparing the next generation of professionals for careers in music, entertainment, and live events.
Weems’ work increasingly includes advocacy for the ethical and professional use of artificial intelligence in creative and business environments. Deeply committed to preserving and activating music history, Weems is also a co-owner of BC’s Blues Shack—a fabulously fun and immersive juke joint experience known as The Juke Joint Project—located in the atrium of the Pryor Center in Fayetteville. The space celebrates the sound, stories, and social history of the Blues, serving as both a cultural exhibit and a living classroom that connects past traditions to present-day audiences.
An enthusiastic sports fan and lifelong lover of culture, Weems enjoys traveling, cooking, great food, live performances, art, and the thrill of a good estate sale. He and his wife, Karen, have two children and one grandson.
Robyn Jordan
Robyn Jordan is an interdisciplinary creative entrepreneur, place maker, and St. Louis native who has resided in Northwest Arkansas since 2011. As a lover of creativity and connectivity, she has 25+ years of experience on and off the stage in music, the performing and language arts. On her journey to taste life through beauty and interconnection, she predominantly creates works and experiences that celebrate and amplify individual and collective contributions from artists facing racial and gender discrimination in music and creative industries. Largely inspired by Black and Indigenous cultures and the creative resilience of women who are systematically sidelined, she started a first-of-its-kind festival and her entertainment business, Her Set Her Sound, to increase access for multi-marginalized artists, professionals, and communities in music and entertainment in 2021. Her appetite for play, creativity, and liberation helps her produce groundbreaking ideas that have influenced the cultural landscape for music and business in Northwest Arkansas and shared spaces near and far. Her work has been developed in collaboration with renowned brands, establishments, and artists like Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, The Momentary, the Fayetteville Public Library, the City of Fayetteville, NWA Equality, Nick Cave, CC Mercer Watson, and more.
Jaclyn House
Jaclyn House is the morning anchor at KNWA/FOX24. The Chicago native has called Northwest Arkansas home for over 25 years.
Jaclyn is passionate about community service and enjoys meeting and connecting with people. She’s a member of the Northwest Arkansas (AR) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, and serves as a board member for Northwest Arkansas Food Bank and Community Ambassador for Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas. She is married to her college sweetheart, Raymond House, and they have three children.
About the Series
Wednesdays Over Water
A casual evening of food, wine, and art, Wednesdays Over Water offers a chance to enjoy a four-course selection of small-bite plates paired with different varietals of wine. Each menu is inspired by works in Crystal Bridges’ collection and exhibitions and features insightful commentary by Chef Tim and a museum curator to help you experience art and dining in a whole new way.
Sponsors
Sponsored by Waco Title/Arvest