Robin Aprea: Full Circle Moments

Robin Aprea was a young skater when she performed at the Jones Center’s very first ice show in 1996. Robin's life continued to intersect with Center when she joined the staff as a figure skating coach and later helped implement the first Learn to Skate program. After earning her master's degree and leaving for a stint in corporate work, Robin is back in a new role: as Jones Center operations manager.

Q: How did you get involved in ice skating at the Jones Center?

A: I grew up figure skating in Little Rock. When I was 16, I started coaching and found a passion for developing skaters at all levels. In 1996, the Jones Center had just opened and they wanted to host a Christmas ice show for the community. They didn't have a program yet, so a cast drove up from Little Rock and we performed "Frosty & Friends" for a full audience, including Mrs. Jones herself.

Q. You have wonderful memories of Bernice Jones, including how she watched the Christmas ice show from the elevator loft at the ice arena.

A. Yes and after the show, she'd hug every skater and tell each one of them what a wonderful job they did. The skaters loved her and she impacted so many of their lives. I see her legacy alive and well when I walk through the Center today.

Q. You met your future husband Mark Aprea at the ice arena. How has the Jones Center been instrumental in your and your family’s lives?

A. Mark was on a hockey league that practiced before my figure skating session. He'd come off the ice when a coaching friend and I walked into the rink. As the story goes, he leaned over to his friend and said, "That's the woman I'm going to marry."

Fast forward to today and we've been married 25 years in December. We've raised our three amazing children on the ice. Logan, our son, played hockey with Northwest Arkansas Hockey Association (NWAHA) and both of our daughters, Ella and Autumn, figure skated for many years.

Q. Tell us about your new role as Operations Manager.

A. As Operations Manager, my team helps ensure everything runs smoothly across the Center. I also work with our amazing program partners. The Ozark Figure Skating Club, NWAHA, Arkansas Razorback Hockey, the AquaHawgs and Springdale High School's swim teams – these partners operate outstanding programs and extend our reach into the community.

This Weekend: Hideaway Circus is Here!

The Hideaway Circus cast and crew are in Northwest Arkansas for their three-day run of "Canvas Sky" at the Jones Center.

The circus is on the Jones Center campus building a custom stage and aerial rig where they'll perform "Canvas Sky" for four shows this weekend!

Hideaway Circus is a modern, open-air circus that's perfect for families and all ages. The "Canvas Sky" tour is making a much-anticipated stop in Northwest Arkansas as part of a 35-week journey across 22 states.



There are no animals in this circus, but a cast of talent-rich entertainers from the U.S. and around the world – high-flying aerialists, jaw-dropping acrobats, jugglers and synchronized entertainers who will have you on the edge of your seat!

Tickets are on sale now! Jones Center members get 20% off. Choose from three seating options:

VIP seating: the most padded, comfortable chairs located front and center with the best views of the stage. $45/$36 members.

Premium seating: comfortable spectator lawn chairs with great views of the stage. $25/$20 members.

Lawn seating: bring your portable chair or blanket, then sit back, relax and take in the breathtaking show from your own cozy setup. $15/$12 members.

The Hideaway cast has performed around the world and trained at some of the finest circus schools. Their performance will make your heart soar ❤️

We can't wait for you to join us for the

greatest show outdoors!

Hideaway Circus "Canvas Sky" is sponsored by CitiScapes Magazine, Dennis & Evelyn Shaw and Explore Springdale.

The Jones Center Bike Festival is a weekend of races and competitions for riders, teams, families – everyone! The festival brings three unique events to downtown Springdale, plus a vendor village, food trucks, bike demos and a kids zone.

Admission is free for spectators all weekend!

OZ Kids™ Fat Tire Crit

SAT 11/2

The Ozark Foundation’s OZ Kids™ Fat Tire Crit bike race is making its debut at the Jones Center! Your mighty rider can experience the thrill of competition and the wind in their hair at this right-sized race for ages 2-10.

Adventure Ozark Family Edition

SAT 11/2

Team up with friends and family to explore the Jones Center like never before! Produced in partnership with Ozark Foundation, this activity race is part scavenger hunt, part beat the clock.

Pump Track Championship

SUN 11/3

Seasoned champs and first-time racers don't miss this day of pedal-pumping fun and competition at the Jones Center's Runway Bike Park + Velosolutions Pump Track. Presented by Hyper Bicycles, the championship includes timed competitions for all ages and skill levels.

Jones Center members get 20% off bike festival registrations!

The bike festival is produced in partnership with Ozark Foundation and sponsored by Buffalo Builders, Hyper Bicycles, Adventure Subaru and Explore Springdale.

thejonescenter.net/bike-festival

Funk Factory to Headline Big Night! Party Band will Take You Down to Funky Town

Get excited because Funk Factory will take the stage at Big Night at the Big Top on Friday, Nov. 8!

Big Night at the Big Top will be an over-the-top evening of vintage circus fun and philanthropy supporting the mission and impact of the Jones Center.

Enjoy circus performers, a themed dinner by Chef Thomas Wenrich of Tyson Foods and Catering Unlimited, a live auction, a jewelry pull, fun site activations, mingling, dancing and more.

The sounds and energy of Funk Factory will make our annual signature fundraiser the BEST celebration in town!

Funk Factory musicians have shared the stage with artists like the O'Jays, Montell Jordan, Yung Joc, Morris Day & The Time and others. They cover everything from Motown, soul, rock and modern pop to boot scootin' country. These entertainers do it all!

Tickets are on sale now

Bring your friends, family and co-workers!

Everyone is welcome at Big Night! 🎪

Visit thejonescenter.net/big-night

Big Night at the Big Top is sponsored by Walmart, Tyson Foods, General Mills, Spectrum Brands, Diamond Center, CDI Contractors, Cox Communications, Friday, Eldredge & Clark, LLP, Schmieding Foundation, Simmons Foods, Straight Talk, Trane Technologies, the Schmieding Foundation, Walker Brothers Insurance, Shawmut Design and Construction, Arvest Bank, Banco Sí: a Division of Signature Bank, Civitas, Milestone Construction, Pitch Retail Sales, Wright Lindsey Jennings, Heineken, 3W Magazine, Celebrate Arkansas and CitiScapes Magazine.  

Ra-Ve Cultural House Concert

FREE for Jones Center members

Ra-Ve Cultural Foundation and the Jones Center are partnering to present a multi-cultural house concert at the Jones Center on Nov. 10.

The concert, "Where Indian & Marshallese Dance Converge" with Dr. Athira Omanakuttan and Arlynda Jonas, is free for Jones Center members.

Omanakuttan, a Bentonville-based dance artist, will perform Mohiniyattam, an classical Indian dance, while Jonas, a Pacific Island dance practitioner, will present a repertoire of Marshallese dance.

Ra-Ve Cultural Foundation is a nonprofit promoting Indian performing arts and seeking to bring real world experiences to Northwest Arkansas.

To register, please visit bit.ly/4eGLTt4. For more information, go to ra-veculturalfoundation.org.

FREE Arkansas PBS Family Day

Coming to the Jones Center Oct. 12

Kids & families! Ready to meet your favorite PBS characters, like Clifford the Big Red Dog, Curious George and Daniel Tiger? Come to the free Northwest Arkansas PBS Family Day on Saturday, Oct. 12 at the Jones Center!

Meet and take photos with costumed characters and special guests, while enjoying free snacks for children, live entertainment, hands-on kids activities and games, prizes, giveaways and prizes, face painting and a PBS pop-up shop.

Families are encouraged to RSVP at myarpbs.org/familyday2024springdale.

Donate to the Jones Center

Your donation supports Access for Everyone, which provides kids, families and individuals with free and reduced-cost access to Jones Center programs, activities and membership. Thank you for your donation!